Nautica - 15 August 2013 - Part 1

We arrived at the Mayflower Terminal for about 11.30. We had been given an official boarding time of 1pm but thought it wouldn’t hurt to arrive early and we didn’t mind waiting in the terminal if necessary. When we arrived at the terminal, very few other people were arriving and we walked straight in to check-in. Nice touches included the blue carpet at the entrance with Nautica and Oceania Cruises on and a table with complimentary orange juice and iced water.  After check-in – passports were kept – and the usual credit card swipe, we were given our cruise cards (World Cards in Oceania speak) and a letter to say boarding would begin at 1pm and cabins would be ready at 3pm. As we went through security and I headed for the embarkation lounge, we were called and invited to board the ship. The ship’s card machine was set up on the Promenade deck and crew were stationed at various points to direct us straight to the Terrace Restaurant (buffet). As we crossed the main pool deck I was impressed by rows of sun loungers, steamer chairs and twin steamer chairs, all with thick cushions and white towelling covers.

We found a table on the open deck at the stern of the Terrace Café and then went to choose food. In the buffet all food is served to you at all times. I chose a delicious vegetable lasagne followed by a strawberry concoction. I don't know what it was called but it was delicious - my first introduction to the renowned Oceania food! It was also very nice to be able to order any soft drink - it is all included on Oceania. My plates were carried to the table by a waiter who also poured water, juice or got you drinks. the tables were already laid with mats, cutlery and glasses. After lunch we wandered down to reception to pick up the daily programme, Currents, and then found a sunbed each and lazed until 2.30 when an announcement was made that the staterooms were ready.

 

 

We had a standard twin outside stateroom on Deck 3 with porthole. Unfortunately the bed was made up as a double! A quick call to reception soon got it sorted however, with no fuss or bother. To quote Oceania, "The mattress is composed of 400 encapsulated springs in seven zones covered by two inches of memory foam. A  two-inch-thick pillow top is filled with and wrapped in chamomile-infused fibre. The Prestige Tranquility beds are dresses in 1,000-count Egyptian cotton linens and a plush down comforter." It was certainly the most comfortable bed I have ever had on a cruise ship. At nightly turn-down we each were given a square of Belgian chocolate.

 

 

Cabin amenities include bath robes, slippers, umbrella, soft drinks and water in the fridge, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, hand soap, bath soap (for the shower), shower cap, cotton wool, cotton buds, shoe horn, shoe shine cloth, two hairdryers – one fixed in the bathroom and a hand held one, two large bottles of mineral water, plug-in nightlight, TV and DVD player (DVD’s available free from reception, catalogue in cabin). Best of all, the bedside lights and an ordinary lamp and an additional reading light on a flexible stalk, which can be switched independently its own so as not to disturb your cabin mate. Our luggage was ready and waiting so we unpacked. Storage is not wonderful – one large double wardrobe, and one half robe with half hanging and four drawers. One side of the dressing table/desk is a cupboard with four more small drawers and the other side a cupboard with one shelf. Under the flatscreen TV is a corner cupboard with shelf and safe. We had a sofa, very comfy padded headboard and huge mirrors. Attention to detail was such that as you pushed the toilet lid down, it closed itself quietly – like the soft-closing kitchen drawers!

Having unpacked, we set off to explore the ship. As another R (Renaissance Cruises) ship like Adonia, we were familiar with the layout and much seemed identical even down to the tartan carpet in Horizons (Crows Nest on Adonia). However, there was a huge casino for the size of ship and the buffet is very different (more of that later).

 

 

Muster drill was at 5.15. We assembled in Muster Station A, were checked off a list at the door and were assigned Lifeboat No.1. We were asked to wear our lifejackets and after the usual announcements were led, in boat groups, to our lifeboat so we knew exactly where we had to be in the event of an emergency.

After drill we went up to Horizons to attend the solo meet. There were two entertainment officers and three other ladies. We were offered any drinks of our choice on Oceania. The British are in the minority on the ship at around 10%. By then it was 7pm and time to go change for dinner (Nautica has no formal nights, but I wanted to freshen up). We headed for the Grand Dining Room and joined the short queue. When we got to the Maître d’ he asked if we would like to go to the Polo Grill as there was spare capacity there while we would have to wait for the MDR.  All other dining venues are free/included but you are normally only allowed to book once per cruise so we had no problem heading up to Deck 10.  chose beetroot and Goats cheese starter, Caesar Salad, Jumbo Shrimp Scampi and New York Cheesecake with caramelised top! It is so good being able to have sparkling water with dinner. Dessert was accompanied by home-made jellies and coffee. Dinner ended about 10.30 and the ship died – we thought many were probably jet-lagged but this was normal throughout the cruise. As it was so port-heavy, most people rose early. Often we were in port until 8pm so it was natural we were all tired by 10.30.  

 

 

And number four down...

Phew - well book number four (of the maritime variety) has now been proof read - I know, I expect I will have missed something, but to the very best of my knowledge, it is done, dusted and gone to press, so if I HAVE missed it, it is too late now!

Hopefully, all things being equal, it will be ready in around four weeks time!

This means I can now concentrate on preparing for my first voyage with Oceania Cruises. The company has been on my ship radar for some years now, but as a luxury line, I was not expecting to be able to sail with them any time soon. However, having rounded up a cabin share, and discovered an interesting 12 night cruise to and from Southampton, we decided to go for it and book Nautica. As one of the old R ships of Renaissance Cruises, she is a sister to P&O Cruises' Adonia so I know roughly what the ship will be like regarding size and deck space.

Adonia, tendering at Portofino

Oceania advertise themselves as serving the best cuisine at sea, so I am very much looking forward to that experience - must pack the elasticated waistlines!

The ports include four totally new to me - Lerwick in the Shetlands, Edinburgh and Invergordon in Scotland, Portland in Dorset and Belfast in Northern Ireland. The others I am more than happy to return to - Alesund and Geiranger in Norway and Cork and Dublin in Eire.

So my next report will probably be after the cruise. Watch this space!

A jewel of a ship!

So – following the Royal Princess cruise, visit and naming was my next ship “experience” of the week  - a visit aboard the beautiful Crystal Symphony. I had been offered this tour through the Ocean Liner Society so we all met up in the QEII terminal half an hour before boarding. I had assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that Southampton was a way port for Symphony but it transpired she was turning around here so there was lots of activity as people were loading their luggage into taxis and a few others started to arrive. It was not long however before we were invited to embark.

 

Symphony arrived at dawn with the assistance of one tug

 

We were taken straight up to the panoramic Palm Court where a line of stewards held trays of Champagne and Mimosas for us. It was a beautiful and elegant room and as we were taken up my first impressions of the ship were muted shades of grey, mushroom and lilac – elegant and calming.

 

We had a short presentation and introduction to Crystal Cruises before we were divided into small groups and taken on a tour of the ship. It was not long at all before I had decided that I need to sail with Crystal! This was my kind of ship. At 51,000 tons she is a lovely size – similar to my beloved Artemis and, like her, built in Finland.

The Lido Deck was beautifully laid out with cream rattan loungers, some in the sun, some in shady areas, the whole deck area covered with classic teak planking.

 

The cabins were not that large but beautifully appointed with sliding louvred doors to the wardrobes and a bell system by each door to indicate whether you were available, not to disturbed or the cabin could be made up.

 

Then we moved to the main passenger decks. There was a stunning water feature in the Atrium or Crystal Plaza as it is called.

 

On the upper level were shops etc, and on the lower was Reception, shore excursion desk, concierge etc. There are plenty of entertainment venues including a show lounge and small theatre as well as a surprising number of different places to eat for a ship this size – Prego, Sushi Bar, The Silk Road etc. After our tour we were taken back to the Palm Court for an extravagant spread of hors d’oevres accompanied by drinks of our choice.

 

The above photo shows The Vintage Room - in Crystal's words, 'Inspired by the rich tradition of wine-makers to gather and showcase their most treasured vintages, dinners served in the elegant Vintage Room are the pinnacle experience for wine enthusiasts. Working with our sommeliers, crystal's culinary team creates menus to enhance the unique attributes of each vintage, with exceptional selections from famed wine-making regions such as Bordeaux and the Napa Valley.'

 

 

 

My overall impression was a classic, elegant ship. Although there are some facilities for children it is clearly aimed at adults. The service was quiet and impeccable. I believe most cruises are of the 7-10 day duration, and pretty port-heavy, but a few sea days in the sun on this ship would be my idea of heaven. Now – how to save up…..