TRAVELCruise ship tours: Silversea Cruises' Silver CloudThe oldest and smallest vessel in luxury cruise line Silversea’s quintet of five star cruise ships, the sleek, yacht-like MV Silver Cloud was launched in 1994. It was joined by a nearly identical twin, the MV Silver Wind, in 1995.Peter KnegoMeasuring 16,800 gross tons, the 514-by-71 foot Silver Cloud has a capacity for 296 guests, giving it one of the cruise industry’s highest passenger space ratios of 56:8.Peter KnegoThe Silver Cloud’s hull was built by the Visentini Shipyard near Trieste, Italy and outfitted by the T. Mariotti Shipyard in Genoa. The ship is powered by diesel engines that drive twin screws at a service speed of 18 knots with a maximum speed of 20.5 knots.Peter KnegoMost recently refurbished in 2012, the Silver Cloud has six passenger decks and is manned by a European-trained, International staff of 222.Peter KnegoIn luxury cruise ship tradition, guests embarking the Silver Cloud are welcomed with a glass of champagne.Peter KnegoAt the top of the ship, Deck 9 begins with an open observation and sunning area.Peter KnegoDeck 9 continues aft of the Fitness Center with a sheltered sunning space.Peter KnegoThe midship portion of Deck 9 overlooks the pool area.Peter KnegoA jogging track continues aft of the pool area on Deck 9. Ten laps equals a mile.Peter KnegoMore sunning space is located in the far aft portion of Deck 9.Peter KnegoThe Pool Grill casual eatery seats up to 70 guests and occupies the starboard forward portion of the pool area on Deck 8.Peter KnegoThe port forward corner of the pool area is home to the Pool Bar, which accommodates up to 92 guests.Peter KnegoTeak wood decking surrounds the pool and two jacuzzis on midship Deck 8.Peter KnegoAt the far aft end of Deck 8, there is a sheltered terrace with seating that overlooks the ship’s wake.Peter KnegoForward and aft (shown) staircases and four elevators link Silver Cloud’s six passenger decksPeter KnegoThe aft staircase features an arc-shaped, with open stair towerson either side.Peter KnegoThe Silver Cloud’s well-equipped Fitness Center is located at the forward end of Deck 9 and features cardio machines, weight machines and free weights.Peter KnegoOff the starboard entrance to the Panorama Lounge on Deck 8, the Connoisseur’s Club cigar and smoking room seats up to 7 guests and offers a selection of fine cigars and cognacs for purchase.Peter KnegoLocated on aft Deck 8, the Panorama Lounge seats 138 guests and features a bar, dance floor and ocean views via full length windows on three sides.Peter KnegoThe Panorama Lounge is used for a number of activities from dance classes and language lessons to quizzes and games. Late at night, it becomes the ship’s nightclub.Peter KnegoThe Silver Spa is located on Deck 7 and features both men’s and women’s saunas as well as a fully equipped Beauty Salon offering a wide range of treatments, from hair styling and manicures to pedicures.Peter KnegoThe Spa also has a pair of treatment rooms with a variety of massage and skin therapies. This treatment room has an ocean view.Peter KnegoThis is the interior treatment room.Peter KnegoThe Library is on midship Deck 7 across from the Spa and boasts an extensive collection of books, DVDs and international newspapers.Peter KnegoThe Deck 6 lobby is home to the Cruise Consultant’s desk, Reception and Shore Excursion offices.Peter KnegoA 30-seat Card and Conference Room is located along the aft/starboard portion of Deck 6.Peter KnegoAdjacent to the Card Room, the Internet Center has six private computer workstations (internet access is available at an extra charge).Peter KnegoThe Silver Cloud has a state-of-the-art, double deck showroom on aft Decks 6 and 5 with tiered seating alcoves.Peter KnegoThe Showroom is equipped with the latest in sound and visual technology as well as a telescopic stage.Peter KnegoSpecial events such as the Captain’s Welcome Reception are held in the Showroom along with intensive enrichment lecture programs, cooking demonstrations and other activities.Peter KnegoAt night, the Showroom is home to Broadway-style productions featuring the ship’s orchestra and six member cast as well as guest singers and musicians.Peter KnegoThe entrance lobby spans the width of the ship on midship Deck 5.Peter KnegoA small jewelry boutique is located on the starboard side of the entrance lobby on Deck 5.Peter KnegoA larger boutique can be found on the port side of Deck 5.Peter KnegoPoker, black jack, roulette and slot machines can be enjoyed in the Casino on port Deck 5.Peter KnegoThe handsome Bar spans the width of the ship on Deck 5, with a seating capacity of 92 guests. Passages lead aft from here to the lower level of the Showroom.Peter KnegoThere is a self-service, complimentary Launderette on forward Deck 4.Peter KnegoSeating 324 guests, The Restaurant is Silver Cloud’s main eatery and is located on aft Deck 4. It features a domed center section and picture windows on either side and aft.Peter KnegoDining in the Restaurant is an elegant, open seating, multi-course event that begins with a choice of included wines for lunch and dinner.Peter KnegoSilversea’s cuisine has a genuine Italian flair and is among the best at sea. Even simple courses like spaghetti pomodoro and homemade salt caramel gelato are of the finest quality.Peter KnegoLocated on aft Deck 8, La Terrazza is Silver Cloud’s 172-seat casual eatery, offering a combination of buffet and menu service for breakfast and lunch.Peter KnegoLa Terrazza has an al fresco terrace directly aft with a view overlooking the ship’s wake.Peter KnegoLa Terrazza’s buffet has courses such as smoked salmon and lox with all the trimmings for breakfast and sushi, cold cuts, a salad bar, pizza and pasta for lunch.Peter KnegoAt 4:00 PM each day, La Terrazza is the setting for an afternoon tea with a choice of twelve freshly brewed tea leaves or any combination thereof.Peter KnegoHighlights at tea time include special daily confections such as chocolate pancakes, a selection of cookies, tarts, finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream.Peter KnegoEach evening, La Terrazza becomes a reservations-required, full-service Italian Trattoria with limited seating for just 110 guests.Peter KnegoDinner in La Terrazza begins with an outstanding selection of breads.Peter KnegoThe Pool Grill transforms into The Grill each evening with a fixed menu of prime cuts and fresh fish that guests can grill on a tabletop black stone to their liking.Peter KnegoDinner in the al fresco, candlelit Grill begins with homemade chips, pico de gallo and guacamole.Peter KnegoA selection of side dishes such as baked potato with all the trimmings, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes accompany the main course in The Grill.Peter KnegoLe Champagne is Silver Cloud’s only extra-tariff dining venue and features a fixed menu curated by Relais et Chateaux. Located on the starboard side of Deck 4, it accommodates 40 guests.Peter KnegoTable settings in Le Champagne include elegant linens, flatware and stemware.Peter KnegoLocated at midship on Deck 6, the 587-square-foot Owner’s Suite tops the accommodation tier aboard Silver Cloud. This is a view of the spacious living room area.Peter KnegoIn addition to a living room, the Owner’s Suite has a private dining nook and can be expanded to 827-square-feet by annexing the adjacent suite.Peter KnegoThis is the Owner’s Suite bedroom.Peter KnegoAll suites on the Silver Cloud have a walk-in closet but the one in the Owner’s Suite is especially large.Peter KnegoThe Owner’s Suite balcony has space for a lounger, two chairs and a small dining table. It can be accessed from the living room and the bedroom.Peter KnegoThe marble top bathroom in the Owner’s Suite has a tub in addition to a shower.Peter KnegoNespresso machines and a supply of espresso can be found in the Owner’s Suite, the Grand Suites, Royal Suites and Silver Suites aboard the Silver Cloud.Peter KnegoThe top four suite categories aboard the Silver Cloud also feature CD players.Peter KnegoOwner’s, Grand and Royal Suites have a separate powder room.Peter KnegoSporting a similar layout to the even larger Grand Suites, two 736-square-foot Royal Suites are located at the forward end of the ship and feature an elegantly curved living and dining room area.Peter KnegoRoyal Suite bedrooms have a picture window instead of balcony access.Peter KnegoA passageway in the Royal Suite serves as the walk-in closet and provides access to the bathroom.Peter KnegoRoyal Suites have forward-facing verandas.Peter KnegoThis is the tub and shower area in a Royal Suite.Peter KnegoLuxe Bvlgari products (shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, lotion) are provided in all suite categories aboard Silversea’s ships.Peter KnegoThree 541-square-foot Silver Suites with spacious dining and living areas are located on midship Decks 5, 6, and 7.Peter KnegoThis is the bedroom of a Silver Suite.Peter KnegoSilver Suite balconies are especially wide and are furnished with a pair of rattan chairs and a lounger.Peter KnegoThis is the walk-in closet of a Silver Suite.Peter Knego102 Veranda Suites comprise the majority of Silver Cloud’s accommodation and measure a generous 295-square-feet.Peter KnegoThe living room portion of a Veranda Suite can be partitioned off from the bedroom with a curtain.Peter KnegoVeranda Suites have teak-lined balconies that measure 49-square-feet.Peter KnegoThis is the walk-in closet in a Veranda Suite.Peter KnegoVeranda Suite bathrooms are richly appointed in veined marble and dark wood tones.Peter KnegoShowers in all suites feature a rainforest and a massage shower head.Peter Knego36 Vista Suites are similarly appointed to Veranda Suites but have a picture window in lieu of a balcony and measure 240-square feet.Peter KnegoVista Suite bathrooms are also identical to those in Veranda Suites.Peter KnegoVista Suite 451 has been specially modified to accommodate guests in wheelchairs.Peter Knego81. The bathroom in Vista Suite 451 has an especially large shower with an unfolding seat to accommodate guests in wheelchairs.Peter Knego