Silver Cloud

The 1994-built MS Silver Cloud cruise ship is the first and oldest vessel owned by Silversea, with sistership in the fleet Silver Wind (1995). In October 2017, the ship joined Silversea Expeditions fleet (Silver Explorer/now Exploris One, Silver Galapagos, Silver Origin) and started a new itinerary program with polar cruises to Antarctica and Arctic destinations.

The vessel (IMO number 8903923) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309027000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately-owned cruise company and top-luxury travel brand. It was established in 1994 as joint venture of V-Ships Monaco (fka Vlasov Group) and Lefebvre Family of Rome Italy. In 2018, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd acquired 2/3rd of the company. Silversea now has a fleet of smaller-sized boutique cruise vessels with passenger capacity between 100-700. The company's business model is to operate yacht-like vessels in the industry's ultra-luxury-all-suite ship category. Silversea's all-inclusive fares include beverages (also selected wines), gratuities (none are allowed), travel insurance, port charges, one or more shore excursions (per voyage).

The 300-passenger ship Silver Cloud underwent stem-to-stern refurbishment in October 2012, during a Sicily dry dock. All public spaces and suites (except the theatre and the gym), were refurbished with new carpets, decor, and furniture. The result is a more contemporary feel and look. Silversea Silver Cloud was redesigned using quite a lot of luxuries and characteristics which attract cruisers from across the world. That small, and in the same time spacious ship, delivers to guests who come onboard a detailed and also seductive voyage giving the feel of a larger cruise line.

In 2017, MS Silver Cloud was drydock refitted and refurbished (August-September) before joining the Silversea Expeditions fleet. The cruise ship's capacity was reduced from 362 to 260 passengers (on non-polar cruises). The ship's max capacity on polar cruises (Arctic and Antarctic itineraries) is 200 passengers.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Cloud staterooms (151 total, in 7 grades) are all Suites, including 15 connecting and 2 wheelchair-accessible cabins. All Silver Cloud suites have ocean views, 75% are Balcony. The six suites’ categories range in size from 240 ft2 to 1300+ ft2. The smallest is Vista Suite which doesn’t have a balcony. Next is the Veranda, identical to Vista but with 55-sq.foot balcony with glass door floor-to-ceiling instead of a picture window. The best value is offered by midship Veranda Suites, as they are very well located for a smoother ride. The three Silver Suites provide 541 sq.feet space, with a larger verandah, separate living and dining areas. The 827 sq.feet Owner’s Suite has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a 95 ft2 step-out balcony. The Royal Suites are two and pile on space with an additional 200 ft2 (19 m2) living space. The largest are the two Grand Suites (stunning ocean views!), with 1340 ft2 and 3x verandahs.

Beds can be configured as Queen or two twins, and passengers can even select specific types of pillows from a range of options. All suites feature direct-dial phones, binoculars, safes, iHome alarm clocks, LCD TVs with satellite reception and DVD. Even Vista Suites – the smallest ones, have walk-in closets with plenty of room. Silver and higher suites feature CD players. Owner’s, Royal, and Grand Suites provide full-size Jacuzzis and guest powder rooms. Upon arrival, a specially assigned butler will offer a choice of Bvlgari, Neutrogena, or Acqua di Parma bath products.

The boat has 9 decks, of which 7 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MS Silver Cloud cruise ship is a real miracle of high-level service and gourmet dining – both elegant and fun, ideal for couples to enjoy fine food and intimacy. The Silversea Cruises Cloud ship has one of the highest ratios space-to-passenger. The warm crewmembers are able to make each passenger feel at home. Many of the staff have sailed with Silversea for years. The small ship’s size means that your name will be remembered. Another plus is that Silver Cloud fares are all-inclusive. All food, wine, alcohol, gratuities, are included. Additional gratuities are discouraged, but some guests still give them for some exemplary service.

Follows the complete list of Silver Cloud restaurants and food bars.

• The Restaurant (open-seating dining room with top-quality gourmet cuisine; features the most the Mediterranean themed meals, and always available standard menu with daily specials; all three meals are waiter-served and a la carte)
• Le Champagne (20-seat French cuisine speciality restaurant; offers signature dishes by Relais Chateaux; dinner-only; reservations-only)
• La Terrazza (Terrace Cafe; complimentary buffet-style restaurant, offers both indoor seating and an alfresco terrace; wine is complimentary; there is also Afternoon Tea service; La Terrazza transforms each evening between 7:00 and 9:30 pm, into an Italian specialty restaurant, reservations-only, with a la carte menu)
• Pool Bar & Pool Grill (serve ship's pool deck area with fast food and drinks during the day; in the evening, the outdoor area becomes an al fresco dining venue with classic seafood and steakhouse choices, plus vegetarian and healthy selections)
• The Grill (offers gourmet dining under the stars with signature meals including lava-rocks grilled meat, seafood, Mediterranean vegetables, baked potatoes, salad of the day; wines are complimentary, except the premium ones from the Connoisseur’s Wine List; The Grill implements the line’s interactive dining concept “Black Rock Grill Experience”, which allows guests to cook their own meat and seafood).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Silver Cloud onboard activities vary from language lessons and lectures to bridge and dance classes. Evening entertainment includes “The Artists of Silversea” troupe, performing from Beatles to opera. The Bar is the most popular spot, great to dance, too. Remember to try your chance at the tiny casino. Silver Cloud also offers an Internet cafe – 100 minutes online access will cost you $45; 1,000 minutes are $250. The well-stocked library offers books, DVD’s, and newspapers. Silver Cloud offers complimentary transportation in town in select ports, and occasionally gratis shoreside events.

Silver Cloud has two hot tubs and saltwater swimming pool, as well as enough deck space for those who enjoy the sun. Just above the pool deck are the walking track and a gym with elliptical machines, free weights, treadmills, and yoga mats. A variety of fitness classes are offered daily. To pamper, there is a full hair salon, with nail services, nine treatment rooms for rejuvenating fantasies. Try a Swedish or warm stone massage, an anti-aging facial, or reflexology. Each changing room has a steam bath and sauna.

Additional amenities include a Launderette, Medical centre, complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Internet/WiFi Access.

Follows the complete list of Silver Cloud lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Casino (with slot machines and gaming tables; served by The Bar)
• Boutique shops (both offer duty-free shopping: luxury jewelry and watches, brand perfumes, fashion, designer handbags, photo/video accessories, Silversea logo merchandise, special occasion gifts, convenience goods)
• The Bar (lounge with ample comfortable seating; offers live music performances, large dance floor, complimentary cocktails)
• Show Lounge (former Venetian Lounge - ship’s theatre for live music and show productions; the daily enrichment program offers trivia games, dance classes, language lessons, lectures, media presentations)
• Conference Room (hosts group meetings and conferences; it is adjacent to the Card Room and the Internet Cafe)
• The Swimming Pool (with saltwater; heated during cool-weather cruises; the sunbathing area has teak chaise loungers, 2 whirlpools and tennis tables)
• Connoisseur’s Corner (formerly known as Humidor - ship’s smoking lounge furnished with leather armchairs and selling brand cognacs, vintage wines, fine cigars)
• Panorama Lounge (served by its own bar; offers live music and dancing, Continental Breakfast and Afternoon Tea)
• The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• The Spa at Silversea (features treatment rooms, and spa therapies including body wraps, massages and facials; sauna and steam rooms)
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures, pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (offers a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track, Golf Cage, paddle tennis, golf putting green
• The ship has a fleet of 18 Zodiacs (large-capacity inflatable boats) used for landings and shore explorations.
• Photo Studio (starboard on deck 5) is Silver Cloud ship exclusive venue designed via a partnership with Galardi Media Network (Switzerland). The Studio is a workshop room fitted with latest technology equipment - PC and MAC computers, high-resolution printers (free of charge / for creating postcards or frame-ready prints), touch-screen interface. The workshop is led by a professional and provides practice with professional photo equipment - 6x HP Envy 27 computers; 6x iMac 27 computers, 4x Loupedeck consoles (Adobe Lightroom), 2x DNP photo printers, 2x Epson plotters, 3x Samsung 55 screens (4K), 1x Samsung 65 screen (4K). Additionally, are offered 20-min private lessons.

In 2018, Silversea introduced the "My Photo Academy" classes on Antarctica cruises on Silver Cloud. The new classes are part of the company's onboard enrichment program The Academy, and are held at the "Photo Studio". Here passengers have the opportunity to improve their photo skills by learning how to take and edit photos like professionals. Among the covered topics are social media (uploading/sharing/ Facebook-Instagram posting), introduction to photography, software lessons (Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop).

The new digital photography classes are offered both for groups and as private lessons. The Academy program offers various themed workshops for both beginners and professionals. 

Itineraries

Since 2017, Silver Cloud cruises to Antarctica and Arctic (polar regions) destinations. The new itineraries are part of Silversea Expeditions' program, with roundtrip departures from homeport Ushuaia (Argentina). During summer, Silver Cloud is deployed in Northern Europe, leaving from ports in Arctic Norway to the Norwegian Fjords and Svalbard Islands.

On polar cruises, the ship's max passenger capacity is reduced from 260 to just 200.

Before joining Silversea Expeditions fleet in 2017, Silver Cloud's itinerary program was based on Caribbean cruises with departures from Fort Lauderdale, Barbados and Puerto Rico. During summer, the ship sailed in Europe (Mediterranean voyages from Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul), with Transatlantic repositioning crossings. The ship also used to operate a limited number of South Africa roundtrips from Cape Town.

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (by the company's "Silver Sky" program) are inclusive of the luxury cruise fare, discount round-trip airfare (Economy Class) and airport-pier-airport transfers.

Silversea's "hotel and cruise" package "Silver Shore Simply Hotel" offers overnight 5-star luxury hotel stays with the option of adding transfers or upgrades. The upgraded cruise and hotel package ("Silver Shore Grande Hotel") offers 1-3-nights landmark hotel stays (or at a boutique property) and is inclusive of private transfers (airport-hotel and hotel-pier).

Silver Cloud ship's hull was constructed at the yard of Visentini (near Trieste Italy), while the superstructure and final outfitting were done at the T. Marotti shipyard (Genoa Italy). The ship has a twin sister - Silver Wind (1995-built).

Silver Cloud's Maiden Voyage departed on April 2, 1994, out of Civitavecchia-Rome. The inaugural cruise (Mediterranean itinerary) visited destinations in Italy, France and Spain. Following the European season, the ship was repositioned through the North Atlantic to North America (Canada, USA) and then to the Caribbean and South America.

Silver Cloud is a luxury cruise ship operated with all-inclusive deals. The boat has one of the best scores in terms of space-to-guest ratios (56,8) and also scores a very good guest-to-crew ratio (1,3). All officers and crew members are European-trained.

The ship is at the same age as the Monaco-headquartered Silversea owned by the Lefebvre Family (Rome Italy).

In August 2016 (during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Brazil) the vessel was chartered as a hotel ship (listed capacity 296 guests) for the USA's two basketball teams. For the 2016 Olympics' VIPs (organizers, committee members, sponsors, sports federations and other company representatives) as hotel ship was chartered NCL's Norwegian Getaway (capacity 4000 pax).

Silver Cloud's current Master is Captain Kosta Doroshenko.

Silver Cloud refurbishments review

After drydock refurbishment 2017 (August-September), Silver Cloud was transferred to Silversea Expeditions, joining there Silver Discoverer, Silver Explorer and Silver Galapagos.

As a top-luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud's max passenger capacity was decreased to 260 passengers. When operating on Arctic and Antarctica cruise itineraries, the ship is operated max passenger capacity of only 200.

The hull was ice-strengthened for operations mostly in polar waters. The vessel was fitted with a fleet of 18 Zodiacs (inflatable boats) for close-to-shore explorations. Its expedition team will offer a ratio of 1 team member for a group of 12 Silversea cruise passengers.

Follows the list of deck plan changes made during the vessel's 2012 drydock refurbishment - a 3-weeks refit done in Palermo Sicily.

• (deck 4) The Le Champagne (French restaurant) dining experience was enhanced by a new entrance hall, LED-backlit wine cellar, new flooring, fabrics and seating layout.
• (deck 5) The Bar lounge's colour palette was changed
• (deck 7 port side) The Owner's Suite was fitted with a new wet room, featuring a separate from the bathtub rainforest shower.
• (deck 7) The La Terrazza buffet was upgraded with more 2-seat tables, plus new banquettes on its walls.
• (deck 7) The Spa complex and the Beauty Salon were renovated.
• (deck 8) Panorama Lounge received new furniture, carpeting, curtains, renovated dance floor (new wood flooring).
• (deck 8) The Grill (interactive gourmet dinner concept) was introduced, and the pool deck was outfitted with new outdoor furniture. Grill Bar was upgraded to "Hot Rocks" (steakhouse/seafood menu).
• (deck 9) The jogging track received new synthetic turf
• (deck 9) Observation Lounge was added in the place of the Fitness Center, while the Gym was moved to deck 6 (starboard).
• Renovated was the interior decoration in all cabins, public areas and all dining venues.
• All suites were updated with new fabrics for their sofas and chairs, new balcony furniture, carpeting, curtains, headboards, new deluxe mattresses (custom-made exclusively for the Silversea company).
• New Suite category (Medallion Suite) was added.
• All suites with bathtubs were upgraded with rainforest showers (glass-enclosed, with seats).
• The colour palette of the lobby area (deck 5) was changed, along with general renovations and upgrades (new carpeting, new artworks along staircases and in all public areas).

Silversea Expedition World Cruise 2022 Silver Cloud

Silversea scheduled for Silver Cloud in 2022 a 167-day World Cruises (themed "THE UNCHARTED WORLD TOUR"). The list of visited ports and destinations included South America, Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India, Arabian Gulf, Suez Canal (transition), Europe (Mediterranean, Atlantic Coast, UK, Arctic).

The unique itinerary included a total of 107 ports in 30 countries. Silversea Silver Cloud deals were inclusive of flights (Business Class Air), charter flight (Santiago to Ushuaia), private transfers (airport-hotel, ship-airport), group transfers (hotel-ship), USD 2000 per person in OBC (onboard credit), special gifts (Expedition Gear), complimentary laundry, free medical service, unlimited Wi-Fi Internet, Visa Package (USA-Canada-UK-Australia-Germany only).

World Voyage 2022 was also available for booking in smaller itinerary segments.

• 22-days from Valparaiso to Papeete ($24420 pp)
• 12-days from Papeete to Lautoka ($15095 pp)
• 14-days from Lautoka to Cairns ($17915 pp)
• 22-days from Cairns to Singapore Cairns $21475 pp)
• 16-days from Singapore to Cochin ($13250 pp)
• 19-days from Cochin to Athens ($11900 pp)
• 14-days from Athens to Lisbon ($14970 pp)
• 17-days from Lisbon to Reykjavik ($13620 pp)
• 13-days from Reykjavik to Tromso ($20000 pp)

Silversea Expedition World Cruise 2021 (CANCELED)

For Silver Cloud, Silversea planned the company's first "Expedition World Cruise" (themed as "Uncharted World Tour"). The 169-day itinerary included 107 ports and destinations in 30 different countries. The cruise was scheduled to start from Ushuaia (Argentina) on January 30, 2021, and end in Tromso (Norway) on July 18, 2021. Prices started from ~USD 103,000. The 2-Bedroom Owner's Suite was initially priced nearly USD 1 million (for the entire voyage).

However, due to the COVID crisis, this voyage was canceled.

Also in 2021, the fleetmate Silver Whisper was planned to start from Fort Lauderdale Florida (January 7, 2021, departure) the "Finest World Tour 2021". The 150-day itinerary visited 54 ports/destinations in 34 different countries, ending in NYC New York.

Inaugural Antarctic itineraries 2018

The following table shows the ship's Inaugural Antarctica cruise (2018) from Argentina - 10-day roundtrip from Ushuaia. Prices started from ~USD 18500 pp (with double occupancy).

Next table shows ship's Inaugural Arctic cruise (2018) from Norway - 12-day from Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen Island, Arctic Norway) to Kristiansund. Prices started from ~USD 11900 pp.