Completed in 1994, the Silver Cloud was the first of a pair of beautifully designed 16,800-ton, 514-ft, all-suite ships that have attracted the top end of the cruise market with considerable success. The Silver Wind followed a year later. The two siblings combine the personal attention and elegant ambience of top-of-the-line small ships with a wider range of offerings more typically found on large ships. Italian-built and -owned, the Silver Cloud has a crew of 212 Italian officers and European and Asian staffers.
Silversea Cruises joined the luxury end of the cruise business in 1994, and in tonnage and passenger capacity, the ships fall about midway between the smaller Seabourn trio and the larger Regent (formerly Radisson) Seven Seas threesome. Family-owned by the Lefebvres of Rome who formerly owned Sitmar Cruises, they aim to project an Italian heritage. The ship exhibits touches of Italian decor, Murano glass fixtures and Italian-inspired paintings and drawings. In the first quarter of 2007, Silversea placed an order for a 36,000-ton, 540-passenger vessel for delivery in late 2009, with an option for a second.
The Silver Cloud's clientele consists of affluent, mainly mature couples and singles often traveling as pairs, attracted by most of the amenities of a big ship and the elegance of a small one. The ship is English-speaking, so nearly all the non-North American passengers are conversant. On some of the more exotic cruises, Europeans combined with Australians outnumber the Americans aboard. All gratuities are included and nothing more is expected, though regular passengers usually add something, especially for extra in-suite services.
The 7- to 16-day itineraries focus on the Mediterranean in the summer. The Silver Cloud heads via Suez into the Indian Ocean for the Persian Gulf region, the Seychelles and South Africa during the late fall, winter and spring. Then it's back to the Mediterranean. Cruises often include overnights in ports, allowing two full days ashore for more comprehensive touring inland. Concierge service is available for those wishing to tour independently.
Public rooms are located aft and the cabins more quietly forward. The main bar, a spacious room with varied seating arrangements and a dance floor, is the ship's social nexus before meals. The tiered show room, with some whimsical Murano glass accents, spotlights cabaret most evenings in addition to lectures and films. The small casino is usually abuzz. Ample deck space amidships on Deck 8 surrounds the long, narrow pool and its two flanking whirlpools, and a bar anchors one end. The fitness center offers an exercise room and state-of-the-art machines in a relocated oceanview space formerly occupied by the domed forward observation lounge. The men's and women's saunas and steam rooms, beauty treatments, and a variety of massages remain on Deck 7, and next door a new Tranquility Room offers a soothing place to relax before or after treatments. A beauty salon adjoins. Additional offerings include a small library, a conference room, boutique and a concierge to arrange rental cars and golf outings.
The high-up Panorama Lounge lays out coffee and pastries, tea and cocktails. Breakfast and luncheon buffets are great attractions, and the same space transforms into an Italian restaurant at nights, with reservations. This room is appointed with parquet, illuminated paneling, and columns graced with Murano glass; it can seat all passengers and officers at one sitting. Fine Continental cooking predominates, with many Italian specialties included. Poured wines are complimentary, and the wine list is as extensive as any at sea. Alternative dining is in La Terrazza with indoor and outdoor seating among potted palms.
All accommodations are classified as suites and of the 148 total, 110 have private balconies, most typically furnished with cushioned white plastic chairs and teak-wood decks. The smallest dimenions are 240 sq ft for the veranda-less Vista Suites while the owner's suite measures a whopping 1,314 sq ft. The Silver Suites may offer the best value with an L-shaped lounge and dining area, and the bedroom either curtained off or open to the natural light. All accommodations have sitting areas with full-size sofas, two comfortable chairs, and cocktail tables that can be raised for in-room service. All furnish desks, vanity tables, TVs with VCR and DVD players, personalized stationery, stocked minibars, fresh fruit, walk-in closets, and marble baths with hair dryers, robes and slippers.
With an all-inclusive—albeit high—price, and excellent food and personal service, the Silver Cloud provides one of the top cruise experiences afloat.
