Nan's Archives Page 9

OCEANIA M/S NAUTICA SHINES                              Posted:  11/20/06

Dear Nan:

I read about your experience on the Nautica, wondered how large the ship is and just what the "Butler" actually does?

Charlotte T

Dear Charlotte:

Oceania has 3 nearly identical ships, Nautica, Regatta, and Insignia.  The M/S Nautica radiates warmth with its neo-classical lobby and warm tones.  The size was perfect, large enough to offer beautiful public areas with an intimate feel of a smaller ship.  The ship appeals to a wide range of clientele on various budgets...as it offers in its boutique "gold by the inch" at a buck an inch alongside fashionable Roberto Coin and DiModolo necklaces in the $4,000 bracket!  The Mandara Spa is wonderful as is the ship’s fitness room. 

The ship is registered in Majuro, Marshall Islands.  Here are a few interesting specs:

  • Length: 593.7 ft  Beam 83.5 ft
  • Gross Tonnage  30.277
  • Built by Chantier d"Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France
  • BHP 13.500 KW   2 X Diesel 4 X Wartsila engines
  • Stabilizers 2 X folding fins extended 13.5 feet  Max speed 20 knots
  • Fuel consumption in 24 hrs 85 M.tons  22,440 gallons
  • Fresh Water Consumption in 24 hrs   63,360 gallons
  • 7 Passenger Decks  11 Total Decks  Guest Capacity 684 Staff size 400

The butler is available to passengers in Penthouse Suites and higher and provides the following services:

  • Complimentary pressing of two garments per person, (you are given coupons)
  • Packing and Unpacking upon request, the butler never suggested doing it as he had 22 other penthouse suites to attend to
  • Delivery of personally ordered afternoon canapes and cookies, such as Quiche Lorraine, Chocolate Brownies, Truffles and Fresh Fruit Brochette
  • In-Suite afternoon tea
  • Delivery of full hot breakfast In-Suite or on your veranda
  • Assistance with reservations in Toscana and Polo Grill
  • Course by course In-Suite dining
  • Assistance with Laundry and dry cleaning
  • Complimentary Shoe Shine
  • Assistance with other reservations

© 2006 Nancy Zimmerman 

"ASKNAN" CRUISES OCEANIA MS NAUTICA              Posted:  10/20/06

The following weeks will be devoted to my experiences on Oceania Nautica, cruising several islands from Istanbul to Athens.  Offering a daily review on the ship and its offerings, I will take you along with me on a virtual cruise.  Off to NYC for an overnight stay at The Michelangelo Hotel, then flying over the pond on acclaimed Eos Airlines, which I flew in June and can't get enough of...a 48 seat all first class airline.  Then connecting to Turkish Airlines to Istanbul where my Oceania Experience begins.

Oceania Cruise Lines?

Oceania Cruises started in 2002 by luxury cruise vets Frank Del Rio and Josephs Watters.  Previously, Del Rio was CEO of Renaissance Cruises and Watters, the Pres. of Crystal Cruises, so this distinguished duo comes with impressive cruise pedigrees to boot.  Oceania Cruises has three ships MS Regatta, MS Insignia, and MS Nautica, pretty much identical.  Oceania catapulted to high marks for its extraordinary cuisine, outstanding service and port-intensive itineraries.  Menus are from renowned Master Chef, Jacques Pépin...that’s nothing to shake your spatula at.  Oceania was voted “Readers’ Favorite” by the readers of Departures, the magazine sent to American Express Platinum and Black Centurion Card members.  Originally booked on Seabourn, a swanky ultra luxurious high-priced spread, I switched to Oceania strictly on the merits of its port intensive Greek Island-Dubrovnik itinerary.  I will forgo the experience of white-gloved waiters attentively serving Ossetra on "mother of pearl" spoons as I doggy-paddle in turquoise waters on a secluded beach...at least for this trip.  Oceania Cruises is the world’s only upper-premium cruise line featuring a fleet of intimate and luxurious 684-guest ships. Oceania appears to offer more bang for the buck.

© 2006 Nancy Zimmerman 

BIG EASY CRUISE                            Posted:  10/10/06

Dear Nan:

Are there any cruises sailing regularly from New Orleans yet?

Sondra C. 

Dear Sondra:

Yes there is.  Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sun will begin service from New Orleans on Oct. 15.  Appropriately named "Sun" for a reason....all of her suites and penthouses feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors with a balcony.  How about a morning jog 10 stories above the ocean?  The Sun offers jogging and walking tracks, a great Mandara Spa for the perfect massage, a basketball court and fitness center open 24 hours with TV's, treadmills and elliptical trainers, free weights and cool classes.  It is the first cruise ship to homeport in New Orleans since the Hurricane Katrina disaster.  The NCL Sun will offer seven-day Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from New Orleans through April.  Ports of call will be off the beaten track a bit.  Mexico's Puerto Costa Maya, where you can float the tranquil blue-green waters of Bacalar Lagoon and kayak the reef, Santo Tomas De Castilla in Guatemala, Belize City and Cozumel are listed ports of call.  Next year, in November 2007, the Norwegian Spirit will take over through April 2008.  www.ncl.com

© 2006 Nancy Zimmerman