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I’ve already done multiple reviews of Nautica fragrances and a list of the best smelling scents from this brand. As such, I think it’s time to narrow down the field a bit more and compare two of this brand’s best sellers, Voyage and Nautica Blue. In this post, I want to compare how each scent smells, how it performs, and determine which one is the better buy in my opinion. Please continue below for the full comparison. Also see: Voyage vs Voyage N-83
Tale of the Tape Nautica Voyage vs. Blue
Nautica Voyage
Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, green leaf, amber, mimosa
Try Nautica Voyage: Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
Nautica Blue
Notes include: Musk, cedar, bergamot, sandalwood, peach, pineapple, water lily
Click here to try Nautica Blue!
Opening
The differences between the openings of these two fragrances is that, Voyage gives off a juicy/citrus scent while being an aquatic cologne, and Blue is leaning more towards the woodsy/aquatic.
Yes, blue has citrus/fruity notes as well but it’s cedar note is more noticeable while Voyage’s fruit notes take center stage.
Voyage starts thinks off with apple, musk, some watery notes, and floral notes. This is a greenish floral fragrance, at times, particularly after the opening. You will get plenty of lotus and mimosa in Nautica Voyage. For such an inexpensive scent, it really is quite unique.
Nautica Blue is a blend of bergamot and pineapple, up top. The newer bottles really seem really quite sharp in the opening act. Like a sharp fruity detergent. It’s strange, as older bottles didn’t have this same level of intensity. It will get woodier, later on, and settle itself down.
It’s really a matter of taste…but I give Voyage a slight edge. Actually, with the newer batches, Voyage wins this category hands down.
Edge: Voyage
Projection
Both of these scents are moderate, however, Blue tends to be on the lighter side in my opinion. Neither is really a projection beast, but they get the job done, for the most part. Blue gets softer, much earlier than does Voyage.
Edge: Voyage
Longevity
I get about 7 hours of wear out of Voyage most of the time. Blue, on the other hand, is really hit and miss with somewhere between 2-5 hours depending on the circumstances.
Voyage definitely starts to open a lead over Blue with this category. The last batch of Blue that I tried, really hit the lower end of its spectrum, too. Voyage owns this category.
Edge: Voyage
Versatility
Nautica colognes are well known for being casual aquatic scents and that holds true in the case of these two. Blue is a fresh and clean fragrance that is quite simple and linear in its aroma. Both are good for work, school, casual situations.
Both would be best for younger guys, maybe Voyage has an edge for the older set head to head, but not enough to make a difference.
Edge: Push
Overall Scent
Voyage to me, smells better overall and add that to its better performance and it has to be the winner out of these two. I remember Blue being much better in the past, not as much of a detergent like smell. The opening of this latest batch, really turned me off this cologne.
Voyage is an easy to wear go to. It’s really the pinnacle of the Nautica brand, that they don’t ever seem to be able to top. For the price, it’s a great option. Crisp fruit notes, green/floral blend, and a musky finish. There’s a reason that this fragrance, has become a best seller, at this price point.
I’d rather wear Voyage over Blue, every time, nowadays. In the past, Blue might have gotten a few wears, but it’s lost a lot of luster in my book.
The good news is that, since these colognes are so inexpensive, one could simply buy both of them and not break the bank in the process. See if you actually like Blue, and if not, it’ll only set you back $10-15.
Winner: Voyage
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.