Why You Should Cruise on Oceania’s Nautica to French Polynesia
French Polynesia is one of the most beautiful and magical places on earth with its clear, clean, balmy waters, underwater life second to none, and pervasive, ever-present warmth of the Polynesian spirit. While there are many excellent hotels offerings in French Polynesia, a great way to see and experience some of its 118 islands and atolls is aboard Oceania’s Nautica.
Some cruise lines seek to add bigger and bigger ships to their fleet, often resembling floating cities. Many cruisers, including me, prefer smaller ships with more personal service, easier access to smaller ports and above all, no crowds. The sweet spot for me are ships carrying about 600 passengers. This results in several restaurants, bars, public spaces and activities, with enough people to keep it interesting, yet without crowds so service is consistently stellar.
1. It’s All about Size
Nautica was built in 2000, and I traveled on her in 2016 on a grand 20-day voyage from Bangkok to Beijing. However, between September 2021 and March 2022, Nautica was dry docked and underwent a full facelift. I was thrilled to see her refreshed state on a recent 10-day cruise through French Polynesia. With a refurbishing price tag of nearly $100 Million, it was money brilliantly spent sparing no expense. Nautica now feels like a brand-new and beautiful cruising haven.
At 593-feet long, Nautica has a maximum capacity of 684-passengers and boasts large public spaces so crowds don’t exist anywhere onboard. Its undeniably hospitable crew of 400 originating from 52 countries results in a 1.71 to 1 guest ratio of unmatched service eliciting international flair and finesse.
2, Enjoying the Suite Life
Nautica’s refurbished staterooms have flat-screen televisions, a comfortable work area with plenty of USB ports and electrical outlets – both 110 and 220, minibar stocked with sodas, ample closets, and plenty of cabinets, drawers, and niches with space for everything. For those who must stay connected while horizontal, there are additional USB ports and available outlets bedside. Most importantly, Nautica has excellent bedding providing the dreamy deep sleep of the innocent. Most staterooms have private, furnished verandas to enjoy the never-ending eye candy views.
Remodeled bathrooms have Bulgari amenities, thick towels, and strong water pressure. The twice daily housekeepers kept everything ship shape and spotless. Hallways and other public areas are decorated in shades of blue and white that mimic the ocean and clouds of the South Pacific.
3. Food Matters
Oceania’s is known for ‘The Finest Cuisine at Sea’ and Nautica continues with that tradition. With five distinct dining venues to choose from, options abound.
In the elegant Grand Dining Room, guests can choose from food and wine paired dinners, Global Cuisine, Aquamar Vitality Cuisine with exquisite plant-based, creative gourmet menu items that are deliciously satisfying even for the carnivores among us. There is a large selection of appetizers and entrees that change daily.
These are all in addition to the always available Jacques Pepin signature salmon, steak, and chicken dishes served on the finest china and is coupled with impeccable service in gorgeous surrounds. That so many wonderful choices can all be prepared to satisfy anyone’s culinary desires in one restaurant is quite a feat.
The Terrace Café has breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets daily with an excellent selection of fresh items. It also has themed dining some evenings such as ‘Chef’s Market Dinner’ where Head Chef Kevin Symes sends culinary team members to local markets for specialty items. And since we were in blue waters full of seriously big fish stories, often present were sashimi and sushi of one’s dreams.
Waves Grill provided alfresco dining with a salad bar, grilled items, and daily specials. The nearby gelato stand’s mouthwatering options changed daily, including dairy free selections.
Nautica also has two specialty restaurants, without surcharge though requiring reservations. Il Toscana boasts northern Italian cuisine and a mind-boggling olive oil selection complete with a dedicated olive oil sommelier. Polo Grill has continental cuisine and enough steak choices to put carnivores into a state of meaty bliss.
4. Saying Ahhh to the Spa
One of my favorite spots onboard was Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center with its comprehensive selection of top-notch services in a relaxing, Zen-like setting. I had such a talented masseuse during my first visit there that I returned twice more during the voyage trying different treatments. They were consistently excellent.
I also fell profoundly in love with Aquamar’s large outdoor Thalassotherapy pool and deck located at the bow that provided an ethereal sense of suspended animation. Aquamar’s octagon-shaped steam room had inlaid tiles in shades of copper, gold, and mother-of-pearl, and boasted large showers with l’Occitaine amenities.
The Salon and Barber Shop, with its mesmerizing floor-to-ceiling windows, complete with designer details including imprinted recessed ceiling inserts, had a full complement of hair and nail services for both men and women. The best part: pricing for both spa and salon services were on par with that of most urban settings and had daily deeply discounted specials.
The state-of-the-art fitness center with TechnoGym treadmills, stair masters, regular and recumbent bikes, all manner of machines and free weights has floor-to-ceiling windows offering such intoxicating views, one doesn’t even mind working out. This has the added benefit of providing guilt-free dining. There is also a full array of small group classes, including Pilates, yoga, and spinning.
5. Ports of Call
Another benefit to Nautica is that even at ports requiring a tender, tender times are short, often under 15-minutes. This permits maximum time on the islands and atolls or to enjoy Nautica’s excursions.
On this 10-day itinerary we covered nearly 1,900 nautical miles commencing in Papeete heading northbound. On this itinerary we stopped at magnificent Mo’orea with its volcanic mountain vistas, fantastic Fakarava, a UNESCO biosphere protected reserve making it a snorkeling and scuba paradise, and marvelous Marquesas, French Polynesia’s northernmost and most isolated archipelago.
Heading back southbound, we visited resplendent Rangiroa, French Polynesia’s largest atoll with its azure waters and a natural aquarium just below the water’s surface. Our penultimate stop was the legendary Bora Bora with its intoxicating white sand beaches and stunning viewpoints. Our final port call was radiant Raiatea, the birthplace of Polynesian culture. Here is Taputapuatea, one of French Polynesia’s most sacred places, a must visit experience while here.
At each port we either took a well-planned and well-executed Oceania excursion led by local experts, or meandered around on our own, to explore, soak up the local culture, and enjoy the sandy, pristine beaches of one’s dreams. Upon each return to Nautica, crew welcomed us home as if we were family.
A cruise on Oceania’s Nautica to French Polynesia will provide travelers with a great mid-size cruise experience and without doubt, memories to last a lifetime. One thing is certain: long before you commence disembarkation, you will be plotting your return. Happy travels!
Julie L. Kessler is a journalist, attorney, and the author of the award-winning memoir: “Fifty-Fifty, The Clarity of Hindsight.” Her work has appeared in several major publications around the world, including The LA Times, The SF Examiner, The Asia Times, The Jerusalem Post, The Vancouver Courier, The Daily Journal and The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, among many, many others. She can be reached at Julie@VagabondLawyer.com
