Versace Man Eau Fraiche vs Nautica Voyage

For this fragrance comparison, I want to take a closer look at two best-selling men’s fragrances on the market, Nautica Voyage vs. Versace Man Eau Fraiche. Which of these colognes smells the best? The Versace summertime winner? Or can the inexpensive scent take the win? I will compare each in a number or categories, declare a winner, and have linked to my original reviews below.

Tale of the Tape

Nautica Voyage

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, lotus, amber, mimosa, and oak moss

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 oz

Read my original review: Nautica Voyage Review

Versace Man Eau Fraiche

Notes include: Lemon, Rosewood, Carambola, Cedar leaves, Tarragon, Sage, Musk, Amber, Sycamore

Click here to try: Versace Man Eau Fraiche By Gianni Versace For Men Edt Spray 3.4 Oz

Read my review: Man Eau Fraiche

Opening

Nautica Voyage opens with a cooled and crisp air about it and this is joined by a watery note. It has a floral and musky start with mimosa leading the way, but also a nice juicy green apple. It’s green and the musk kind of feels too strong, but it’s a decent start, just not my favorite aspect.

Versace Man Eau Fraiche hits with a blast of citrus notes, particularly the lemon, with a fairly unique inclusion of carambola. Beyond that, the fragrance includes tarragon and sage, for a bit of an herbal spice to it. It’s very clean and bright.

Which has the better start? I greatly prefer the way that Eau Fraiche begins. The lemon, bergamot, and starfruit together is great. I’m not too big of a fan of how Voyage opens, it’s okay, but never draws me in.

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Projection

Both of these fragrances fall squarely in the moderate camp. Then, they do move into a lighter and airy sort of freshness for the rest of the wear. There’s no clear advantage.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Voyage is a good performer for its price point, lasting on my skin, for 5-7 hours. Not amazing, but for under $20, it’s great. Eau Fraiche is a 6-7 hour performer for me. A little more consistent, maybe, but not a real advantage.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Voyage can work year round, but it is better in the warmer months, of the year. It’s a casual scent, that can fit into some work environments, but skews younger. Seasonally, the Versace fits the same role. It is more of an attractive scent and has more maturity.

If you had to wear one for a date, I’d go with Eau Fraiche. A refined fragrance and takes this category.

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Overall Scent

Nautica Voyage is a really great option for guys who want something inexpensive and mostly casual. I like it more as it wears on, the base notes are smoother, and I don’t get as heavy of a musk and mimosa note.

It becomes drier and woodier, with that same semi-aquatic feeling throughout. To me, it’s not an amazing cologne, just an over-performing cheap cologne.

Versace Eau Fraiche is a very good summertime scent. I really love the fruit notes in this one, it dries down with an amber and woody base, that also is quite nice. It’s just a better constructed fragrance than is Voyage. It smells better and is a step above the Nautica in quality.

This contest isn’t very close for me, as I’d rather wear Eau Fraiche a vast majority of the time, if I had to pick.

Winner: Eau Fraiche

Best Men's Colognes

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.