6 Best Smelling Nautica Colognes

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Nautica has created plenty of men’s fragrances which are quite good and also fit into the theme of the oceanic/aquatic lifestyle. What is great about the company is that it offers men some great colognes at a very inexpensive price point.

Now, the quality in terms of uniqueness or ingredients isn’t as high as some of the higher level designers but if you find one of these options that you like, they can have plenty of use as an everyday wear. Also see: Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Blue Cologne Comparison

What are the Best Nautica Fragrances for Men?

Best Overall Nautica Cologne

Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
It made the list of best value colognes for under $30 because of it’s fantastic scent and performance. It’s an green fragrance with aquatic elements, as goes with the whole Nautica theme, and is probably best served for use in the spring or summertime as a casual everyday scent.

Voyage features notes of mimosa, apple, oak moss, musk, lotus, amber, and cedar. This cologne is less oceanic than the other scents that come out from Nautica and Voyage starts out with that crisp apple note, a floral mimosa, and the ubiquitous musk.

It’s a rather cold or chilled start, with an aroma that reminds one of dew or cucumber. Then, as it settles down dry oak moss and cedar start to come through with the apple top note, and add a masculine outdoorsy aspect to the composition.

You get a scent that is quite green, fresh, woodsy, with a pinch of salt underneath. Voyage is the best selling and most popular scent from Nautica. I still don’t think that they’ve managed to top this one, in all the years after its initial release.  My Full Review

Best New Release

Nautica Midnight Voyage– Ever since the original Voyage came out, the brand has put out a ton of flanker fragrances which share the name. However, most of them have either been mediocre in terms of smell or performance.

Enter Midnight Voyage. Right off the bat, I can tell you that it’s another one, that presents itself sort of like Dior Sauvage. Almost every brand has their own version of a cologne laden with amber or ambroxan, to capitalize off its success.

Midnight Voyage doesn’t smell all that much like Sauvage, but it is in the same neighborhood. It definitely has elements of the original Voyage’s DNA, but also the mint note of Voyage Heritage (which wasn’t a great scent, it could’ve been).

Midnight uses mint, amber, and pink peppercorn to give it a fresh and somewhat spicy profile. However, you do get that summertime and nautical vibe, from other notes that are unlisted. Maybe some light citrus? Smooth and it actually has decent performance.

Top Woodsy/Floral

Nautica White Sail for Men by Nautica 3.4oz 100ml EDT Spray
White Sail takes a turn away from the aquatic fragrances and towards a more earthy/woodsy scent. It is light an smooth with notes such as amber, teak wood, lavender, vetiver, and pink pepper.

The lavender and pink pepper seem to be the most prominent notes that stand out, with some additional floral notes, to round things out. It can actually be kind of tough to distinguish between these ingredients, but overall it does have a refreshing and somewhat spicy scent.

Longevity could definitely use some work, but the aroma itself is nice. White Sail has been discontinued for a while, but you can still come across bottles online, even if it is getting tougher. This does have a different vibe, from the rest of the Nautica offerings, though, still deserves a spot on the list.

white sail

Sporty Aquatic Soapy

Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 fluid ounce
Smooth and light with fruity notes such as pineapple and peach which highlight this fragrance but it is held together by its woody heart. Sandalwood is pretty prominent and smooth here, as are a few different floral notes, plus musk.

The pineapple and peach can be sharp at the start, but with the dry down it is more of a sporty aquatic and the fruit notes are much more tempered than they had been previously. The musk here is light and the whole composition is sunny and relaxed.

It isn’t a jump out at you type of cologne where you will be amazed by its unique scent. However, it is very solid, smells good, and can be had at a great price.

I personally feel, that the quality has taken a big hit since the 1990s, but it can be a worthwhile cheapie to pick up for some. It’s gotten more detergent-like and less pleasing. Though, I’d definitely go with one of the others before this. Read my review here

nblue

Top Classic Clean and Oceanic Fragrance

Nautica Classic for Men by Nautica 3.4 oz 100ml EDT Spray
A blend of spice, woods, and citrus notes which gives off a summery feel. It has a body wash/soap kind of vibe to it. It’s clean and masculine, though it can have performance issues.

Nautica is a soft men’s cologne with oceanic elements but the sandalwood and cedar give it an outdoorsy base to start from. The citrus notes are bright and clean, but understated, which makes this a nice freshening spray on those days when the temperature starts to rise.

There used to be more of a spice to Nautica cologne, in the older bottles of this scent, but doesn’t seem to have that same little kick it once did. Nautica classic does however, deliver the type of aroma you would expect from the themes of this brand.

nautica

Most Underrated Scent and Top Summer Pick

Nautica Island Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz.
A great and inexpensive summer cologne option, if you can find a bottle. Gives the same kind of Carribean feel as something from the Tommy Bahama line of scents.

Island Voyage is fresh and pleasant all around with melon and citrus top notes. This might be the most underrated or unknown of the Nautica colognes, but it should’ve been more popular.

It’s got a chilled juiciness at the start and later a pepper note emerges to give the scent a somewhat spicier disposition.

Island Voyage is more aquatic than the original Voyage and the lemon and melon combo give it a better opening, in my mind. There is also the usual lavender and a nice touch of iris during the dry down. This is another summertime wear for the daytime and really does a nice job of separating itself from the ever popular Voyage.

island voyage

Alien Goddess EDP by Mugler

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Alien Goddess is a 2021 release from Mugler’s long running Alien line of perfumes for women. I got a sample of this from a bundle of various scents and have been giving it a try, as of late. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth getting?

What does Alien Goddess Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, coconut water, jasmine, vanilla, heliotrope, cashmeran wood

Click here to try: Alien Goddess at Macy’s

alien goddess review

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Mugler describes Goddess: At a time when people seek light in the darkness, a solar goddess is paving the way to a miraculous but true destiny.

In perfect harmony with body and soul, she is ready to magnify the world around her with glory, generosity and benevolence.

Bringing her life-giving power and beauty to a barren planet with her golden flower as a healing gift to the world and universal call to all women.

Goddess opens up with it’s watery coconut aroma that is paired with jasmine and the initial burst of the Bourbon vanilla. The bergamot citrus is pretty darn light here, in comparison with the rest of the composition.

It is a bright, sweet, and creamy concoction. Very much in the same sort of lotion-y floral design as something like, Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford (maybe, eau de Soleil?). Though, these aren’t the same as one another at all, just that kind of style.

The fragrance is light and the floral notes will begin to take center stage, as we move on. Vanilla and the coconut will stay, but mainly as background players. Jasmine and heliotrope sort of split duties here, though I’d say jasmine is a tad stronger.

However, the dry down heliotrope adds more of a powdery aroma versus that initial creaminess.

The final phase will be jasmine, vanilla, and the cashmeran wood. It’s all coming together like a total summertime beachy wear. Not overly tropical, but for sure something to spray on during a warm day.

The coconut not does linger around when it’s sprayed on clothing, more so than it does on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s in the moderate camp. Not a monster like many other Mugler scents, especially from the Alien line, but it isn’t a skin scent for me either.

It’ll stick around in the 4-6 foot range for much of the wear and it does leave a decent scent trail. I guess in comparison to other Mugler perfumes this is ‘weak’, but compared to other scents on the market, it definitely isn’t.

I actually get a very good longevity on my skin with Goddess. It fell somewhere in the 8-9 range. Which, is pretty darn good, just not elite.

On clothing, this one stayed on a t-shirt for a long time after application. The performance is solid, it just never screams for attention.

Seasonally, this is spring through summer mostly. Though, it wouldn’t be out of place on a warmer autumn day.

Alien Goddess isn’t a formal fragrance or a sexy club scent. More casual or a daily wear. It’s not going to blow the doors off with its power, with normal application. So, it’s pretty safe to wear in many situations.

Overall Impressions of Alien Goddess

Overall, do I like Alien Goddess? Yes, I think that it’s a nice spring and summer perfume. It’s a nice and different take on the Alien name.

Is it absolutely amazing? No, but it’s certainly above average and solid all around. Goddess just isn’t quite as loud as other Mugler scents can be. But, it still delivers a good performance and a great smell.

I like the mix of the coconut, vanilla, and particularly the heliotrope. Goddess gives you bursts of creaminess and a powdery finish. Not too complex, but it is bright, beach, and a fun experience overall.

Very much in the same vein as fragrances like Bronze, Soleil Blanc, and Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder. Not an exact replica of any, but they all fit within this summertime creamy/beachy category.

I kind of wish that Alien Goddess had a stronger use of the bergamot up top, than it actually does. Aside from that, I don’t have many complaints about how it smells.

I like that it has a sweet quality to it, but not overly sugary and enough of a floral presence to keep it interesting…not devolving into pure vanilla and coconut. It’s worth a shot, if this sort of perfume sounds intriguing to you. Though, it isn’t a must have for most folks.

Luna Rossa Ocean by Prada

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Prada is continuing its releases under the Luna Rossa line and its latest addition is called Ocean. This is one that I wanted to try out for a while and so I finally got a hold of a sample, to put it through some testing. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a buy?

What does Luna Rossa Ocean Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, iris, pink pepper, artemisia, lavender, sage, suede, saffron, musk, vetiver, caramel, patchouli

Click here to try:  Luna Rossa Ocean at Macy’s

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Prada describes Ocean: Prada Luna Rossa Ocean has a unique neo-fresh olfactory signature that reinvents the emblematic fougère family. Sublimating notes of aromatic freshness mixed with the sophisticated sensuality of bergamot, a contrast is created with the sophisticated essence of vetiver. Everything intertwines in the heart notes with an elegant iris accord.

Ocean opens up with what I would term an impression of a ‘light blue’ color. It uses bergamot and some other light citrus notes extremely well in the opening. It’s fresh and juicy.

The usual Luna Rossa lavender note, is actually lighter in this composition. You get a smooth sweetness of suede, caramel and tonka bean. I don’t think those notes are officially listed, but their aroma is definitely in there. Perhaps, as a part of the ‘saffron accord’.

The main floral note here is the iris. Along with that suede quality and juicy citrus, you will get a fresh and aromatic aroma, with a touch of the lavender.

Smooth, sweet, spicy, but don’t expect an aquatic based on its name. Less of the ocean and something that would smell very pleasant while on the boat or shore.

Pink pepper gives it a nice warmth, but isn’t all that heavy. Personally, I don’t really get much of the artemisia note, not too much of an herbal bitterness to my nose.

That’s what much of the initial wear will consist of. Then, Ocean will begin to shift away to a drier and muskier clean.

Iris and lavender take on a larger role, along with vetiver and the musks. The opening citrus fades by a lot, and so does much of that initial sweet character. It has a certain soapiness, not over the top with it, maybe call it a ‘general cleanliness’.

The dry down is nice, a basic dry floral and musk. Yet, Ocean seems to retain some of its own unique character.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Ocean starts off with pretty good power. The sillage trail is there and it will project itself with a nice radius off of you. I’d call it the upper end of moderate sillage, at its peak.

The problem is that doesn’t stay near that level for all that long and this is a softer cologne for the rest of the way.

In terms of how long it lasts, Ocean only hits the 4-6 hour range, on the skin. It’s not great and that’s this fragrances, biggest weakness.

Beyond that, the power is really only sticking around for 2-3 hours of that, while quickly declining. The rest of the time, this Luna Rossa scent will be very close to the skin.

As far as what season to wear Ocean, pretty much any. Probably worst in the colder weather by moderate to warmer temperatures, this one pairs very nicely with.

One good thing is, that it can be worn pretty much anywhere, by anyone. Maybe not the most formal scent or one that’s going to be a night club banger. However, it is super versatile outside of that.

Other people seem to enjoy this one and it’s already gotten itself a mass appeal vibe to it. Ocean is an east to wear and easy to like cologne. It does seem familiar in many ways, but I cannot think of any scent in particular that it smells like.

Overall Impressions of Ocean

Overall, do I like Luna Rossa Ocean? Yes, but it does have its issues.

I think the opening hour or so is absolutely beautiful. I love the way that is smells early on. After that, it’s nice, but a pretty standard soapy clean kind of fragrance. Not bad, but doesn’t capture my attention to the same extent.

Though, overall the aroma is something that I’m certainly attracted to and I dig the experience as a whole.

Update: Even with the newer releases in the series, this is my favorite scent of the bunch. The EDP didn’t really last much longer for me. The Parfum has good performance, but is a different sort of smell from the first two, it’s my second pick.

The main problem with this one, is the performance. Ocean becomes a skin scent much more quickly than the other Luna Rossa fragrances. I don’t mind a softer scent, but this is one the makes you spray a lot, just to get any sort of projection and sillage.

The longevity when you do spray a lot, will get around six hours. Again, that’s not great, in a world wear there are designer colognes in this price range that can hit double digit hours.

Luna Rossa Ocean is a great fragrance at the start, that turns into a rather middling kind of cologne. Which, can make it a tougher decision, as to whether or not one should buy a bottle.

I lean towards yes, because I do think the start is great. Plus, I’ve already seen it go on sale a few times. At a discount, it could be a solid pickup.

It does have very positive aspects, a pretty unique take on the Luna Rossa concept, and is a crowd pleaser. Full price might be too much, but if you can get a discount, it’s worth a shot.

Polo Blue Gold Blend by Ralph Lauren

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Polo Blue Gold Blend isn’t one that’s really been on my radar, since I’ve never been a massive fan of Ralph Lauren’s Blue line. I like all the fragrances, but nothing that has totally ever drawn me in. But, since Macy’s had full bottles of this on sale for $50, I decided to grab one and give it a review for the site. How does it smell? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Polo Blue Gold Blend Smell Like?

Notes include: melon, ginger, vetiver, sage, incense, citrus, apple, amber, and more

Click here to try: Polo Blue Gold Blend EDP

My Full Review

Polo Blue Gold Blend opens up with a mix that leans fruitier than towards its herbal spiciness. Early on, it’s melon, apple, and what seems like a lime within the citrus mix. Very fresh and has a nice crisp bite.

The main spice in the starting stage, is from the ginger. There’s briefly a pepper note, with sage playing the backup role, until when it will take over both of these notes later on. 

You can tell that this is very much a Polo Blue flanker, closer to the EDP version, but sort of a midway point between that and EDT.

After that initial phase, the melon and apple notes move the citrus out of the way. The spices begin their shift, incense emerges, along with the ambroxan starting to really waft up from the base. 

The impression that it gives off, as it dries down is being much less fruity and more of a fresh cologne. The melon and apple are solid, but don’t have that same punch as the opening citrus.

Sage and incense with lavender and ambroxan is essentially what I get for most of the dry down period. Clean with that warm amber smell and bits of spice and dry woodsy notes peaking through.

gold blend review

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s pretty good. Not overly loud but not a skin scent either. On the longevity end, it might be a little bit better than the original but really, not by much. It’s definitely in the realm of average, in that regard.

Gold Blend also falls into the same longevity range as the other Polo Blue’s. I get in the 5-7 hour range, with it seemingly falling closer to the five or six area, thus far.

Seasonally, I’d wear this in the spring and summer months. It’s actually got the ability to venture into the nightlife during those months, so that’s a nice advantage to have.

It’s fine for daily wear, casual, sporty, etc. Not really anything formal, but could fit in, for most occasions. It’s also versatile enough to be worn by men of all ages. Really a jack of all trades, when it gets warm outside.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Polo Blue Gold Blend

Overall, do I like Gold Blend? I do. However, it’s about to the same extent as others in this series. Actually, I’d rank the EDP and Deep Blue above this version. Not way ahead, but I think they’re both somewhat better.

I like the opening act with the lime, melon, and apple notes. It’s nice and juicy with a spicy kick to it, while being similar to the other Polo Blue colognes.

At that point, it’s got itself some nice power and a clean and fresh aroma that is quite attractive. 

Once it dries down, it’s a pretty boring scent. I mean, still enjoyable, just a standard blue ambroxan based cologne. At times, if feels like a not as good, AdG Profumo that’s mixed with Polo Blue and added the amber in the base (perhaps, some Bleu de Chanel?).

Not bad company to be in, but just not anything better than either, particularly the Armani scent. The incense is a great touch, in Gold Blend, one of the highlights for me.

Update: I really started to dislike this one the more that I wore it. It’s pretty mediocre beyond some interesting points. So, I’ve downgraded it somewhat in the score. Not that it matters too much, as it’s not around anymore.

The performance is pretty standard. Not great, but won’t completely crap out on you, in a few hours. For the spring and summer months, it’s a perfectly fine wear, that isn’t going to offend and can be an easy one to spray on.

Is it worth it? For the fifty bucks that I paid, sure. If it’s going closer to that hundred mark, I wouldn’t be so thrilled about it. I should probably get some use out of this bottle, personally. Polo Blue Gold Blend is a nice and adequate fragrance, just nothing amazing.

Dior Sauvage vs Invictus Cologne Comparison

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In today’s cologne comparison, I’m going to do a head to head matchup between two more extremely popular fragrances for men, Dior Sauvage and Invictus. Which of these scents smells better? Which has better performance? Which one is the more versatile cologne? Please continue below for my full take on these two fragrances.

Which is Better? Sauvage EDT vs. Invictus

Tale of the Tape

Sauvage

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Invictus

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Opening

The opening of Sauvage gives off an aroma of amber, pepper, and the sharp bergamot note. There is a bit of spice to it but I do get a lot of the ambroxan. It’s nice and dries down to a clean/soapy scent with some slightly spice wood notes and the ever present bergamot.

Invictus has a candy-like opening of grapefruit/orange while retaining an aquatic appeal. It’s youthful and summery. Invictus also ramps it up with a bay leaf spice and amber.

It’s like the candy sweetness of one of the 1 Million fragrances with its oceanic element giving it a different direction. It does change somewhat, as it moves along, but you get most of what the fragrance is up front.

In this case, I enjoy the bergamot/amber combo than the artificial candy scent that Invictus puts out. I’ve actually grown to enjoy Invictus more than I used to, but I still think that the opening of Sauvage is better…and I’m not even a huge Sauvage EDT fan.

It was almost enough to tip the scales in favor of Invictus, but not quite.

Edge: Sauvage

Projection

Both Sauvage and Invictus are strong from the start. Invictus dips somewhat after a few hours of wear, while Sauvage mostly keeps chugging along.

These scents lean towards the stronger side of things, but I think Sauvage is slightly ahead. That being said, I think that the sweetness of Invictus can be much more noticeable/annoying, when over-sprayed.

I think Sauvage will leave a greater scent trail behind you, as well. It’s a more consistent sillage.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Sauvage gives me 6-8 hours of wear, usually towards the higher end of that range. Meanwhile, Invictus gives 6-7 hours most of the time, and can occasionally surprise with an extra hour. Sauvage is more consistent in this regard.

Both are pretty good, but not elite with the longevity. Most of the time, they will be about even, but Sauvage has an extra gear that Invictus lacks.

For some people, Sauvage can go even longer than what it seems to do for me.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

I think both of these colognes has good versatility in terms of when you can wear it. They can both be casual scents and then also be worn for a night out or for romantic wear.

Both are mostly spring/summer scents and while you could technically wear both in the colder months of the year, they aren’t really in their element.

I might give the edge to Sauvage, as it can have a more mature vibe, but it really isn’t enough to separate them. As I don’t feel, that either is a formal type of scent.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like both of these scent, but I’m not personally crazy about either one. Other folks, seem to have a much higher opinion of both, than I do. However, if I had to choose one to wear, I’d pick Sauvage. It’s just better, in my opinion.

If you really like the way Invictus smells, that’s cool. However, I can’t place it all that highly even in the Paco Rabanne family of scents anymore. I’d rather wear, Invictus Intense over the original and either 1 Million cologne over both of them.

To me, Sauvage smells better than either Invictus option. tThough, I’d wear 1 Million Prive ahead of any of them.

Sauvage is a bright and upbeat cologne that has amber-y citrus freshness, that dries down into a clean and soapy blend with woody undertones. It’s nice and works well.

As of right now, if you enjoy both of these colognes, you might select Invictus, since you can usually find bottles for much cheaper than you can for Sauvage. If it’s just based of smell and performance, go with Sauvage. There are plenty of other cologne alternatives to Dior Sauvage too.

Both have become insanely popular over the years, so, you won’t really stand out with either choice.

Winner: Sauvage