MS Nautica was built by Renaissance cruises as an R class cruise ship, she is owned and operated by Oceania Cruises where she is part of their Regatta Class. She was built in 2000 by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France for Renaissance Cruises as MS R Five. Between 2002 and 2004 she sailed for Pullmantur Cruises before entering service with her current owners in 2005.[1][3][4]
On 30 November 2008 while sailing on the Gulf of Aden the Nautica came under attack by Somalian pirates, but was able to escape without any injuries to passenger or crew.