Silver Cloud (ship)

Last updated

Silvercloudship.jpg
Silver Cloud
History
Operator Silversea Cruises
Port of registryNassau, Civil Ensign of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas
BuilderCantieri Navali Visentini (hull) T. Mariotti (completion)
Yard number775
Launched6 March 1993
ChristenedEugenia Beck Lefebvre D'Ovidio (founders wife)
Maiden voyage2 April 1994
Identification
StatusIn Service
General characteristics
Type Cruise ship
Tonnage16,800  GT [1]
Length514 ft (157 m) [2]
Beam71 ft (22 m)
Decks9 total, 6 for passengers
Ice classice class rating of 1C
Speed18 knots (33 km/h)
Capacity296 passengers
Crew222

Silver Cloud is a small luxury cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises, the luxury brand of the Royal Caribbean Group conglomerate of cruise lines. She is Silversea's first ship and entered service in 1994. Her sister ship is the Silver Wind , launched in 1995. [3]

Contents

Silver Cloud currently sails on luxury expedition focused cruises for Silversea.

History

Silver Cloud departing Southampton 2011 in old livery Silver Cloud-1.jpg
Silver Cloud departing Southampton 2011 in old livery

Silver Cloud and her sister initial planning began in 1991 betweenAntonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio and V Ships, both who had been in a partnership together for Sitmar Cruises. [4]

They hired ship designer Petter Yran from Yran & Storbraaten. [5] The ships were intended to be luxuruies, with 75% with verandahs, something that was unheard of at that time in the cruise industry. [4]

The Silver Cloud's hull was constructed at Cantiere Navale Visentini Shipyard near Venice, Italy, and then towed to T. Mariotti for completion of the rest of the ship. The name Silver Cloud, named after the famed Rolls Royce, was chosen the cruise line's Chairman and former owner, Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, to signal to guests that they could expect top-class service. [6]

The ships's christening ceremony was in Monte Carlo on March 30, 1994. Prince Albert of Monaco attended, and the ships as named by Silversea co founders wifeEugenia Beck Lefebvre D'Ovidio. [4]

The Silver Cloud has been home to both the United States men's and women's national basketball teams during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil. [7]

Silver Cloud formerly sailed on European itineraries (both the North Sea and the Mediterranean) in summer. In winter, she cruised in the Caribbean and South America. [3]

Silver Cloud moored with HMS Belfast at Tower Bridge Silver Cloud and HMS Belfast (6086324873).jpg
Silver Cloud moored with HMS Belfast at Tower Bridge
Silver Cloud in original dark hull expedition livery and added zodiacs to upper decks. Silver Cloud (48561022302).jpg
Silver Cloud in original dark hull expedition livery and added zodiacs to upper decks.

In 2017, the ship underwent a comprehensive rebuild to bring her up to ice class, with the addition of a fleet of zodiacs added to the tops decks. [8] The interiors also received a refit, with a reconfigured observation lounge and refurbished public spaces. [9] The hull was repainted a dark blue to distinguish it as part of the expedition fleet. The is livery was later changed to match the grey hull of the rest of Silversea fleet. The ship primarily sails on expedition cruises, including polar regions.

Silver Cloud with original blue expedition livery Silversea Silver Cloud Paradise Bay Antarctica 4 (32394903247).jpg
Silver Cloud with original blue expedition livery

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Caribbean Group</span> Cruise holding company

Royal Caribbean Group, formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., is a global cruise holding company incorporated in Liberia and based in Miami, Florida. It is the world's second-largest cruise line operator, after Carnival Corporation & plc. As of March 2024, Royal Caribbean Group fully owns three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises with 65 ships in the current fleet and 5 ships on order until 2028. They also hold a 50% stake in TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

MS <i>Zuiderdam</i> Vista Class cruise ship owned by Holland America Line

MS Zuiderdam is a Vista-class cruise ship owned and operated by Holland America Line (HAL). It is the lead ship of the Vista-class vessels, so named for the extensive use of glass in their superstructure, and is sister to three other HAL ships, Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Noordam. The prefixes of the four ships' names represent the four directions of the compass in Dutch.

<i>Vasco da Gama</i> (ship) German cruise ship

Vasco da Gama is a cruise ship operated by German cruise line Nicko Cruises. Completed in 1993, she previously sailed for Holland America Line as MS Statendam, for P&O Cruises Australia as Pacific Eden and for Cruise & Maritime Voyages as Vasco da Gama. In 2020, following CMV's filing for administration, she was sold by CW Kellock & Co Ltd. at auction to Mystic Cruises' parent company, Mystic Invest for US$10,187,000.

<i>Karnika</i> Cruise ship operated by Jalesh Cruises

Pacific Jewel was a cruise ship. Originally debuting in 1990, Pacific Jewel has operated for numerous cruise lines throughout her history. She debuted as Crown Princess for Princess Cruises in 1990 before being transferred to A'Rosa Cruises as A'Rosa Blu in 2002. In 2004, she was transferred to AIDA Cruises as AIDAblu. In 2007, she was transferred to Ocean Village as Ocean Village Two. In 2009, she was transferred to P&O Cruises Australia as Pacific Jewel. In 2018, she was sold to Jalesh Cruises and renamed Karnika, debuting in 2019. Jalesh Cruises ceased operating in October 2020. She was sold for scrap in Alang, India in 2020.

MS <i>Albatros</i> Cruise ship (1973–2021)

MS Albatros was a Royal Viking Star-class cruise ship, operated by the Germany-based travel agency Phoenix Reisen until 2020 when she was taken out of service, and scrapped in 2021.

<i>Star Pride</i> Cruise ship

Star Pride was the first of three German built cruise ships that were initially built for the Seabourn Cruise Line. She was known as Seabourn Pride and is now operated for Windstar Cruises and was the first of her class.

MS <i>Ambience</i> Cruise ship

The MS Ambience is a cruise ship operated by Ambassador Cruise Line. The vessel was delivered to Princess Cruises in 1991 by the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy as Regal Princess, sailing on their North American routes. After 2000 she was deployed on the company's Australian routes, then later in the Mediterranean and Baltic seas.

<i>Atlantic Star</i> (cruise ship)

Atlantic Star was a cruise ship built in 1984. She sailed for Sitmar Cruises, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, and Pullmantur Cruises. Under ownership of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the ship had been laid up since 2010 before being handed over to STX France in 2013 as a partial payment for the construction of what is now, Harmony of the Seas. She was later sold to a shipbreaker in Aliağa, Turkey, renamed Antic, and scrapped on 14 April 2013.

Silversea is an ultra-luxury and expedition travel brand headquartered in Monaco. Founded in 1994 by the Vlasov Group of Monaco and the Lefebvre family of Rome, it pioneered all-inclusive cruising with its first ship, Silver Cloud. Since July 2020, it has been owned by Royal Caribbean Group.

<i>Silver Wind</i> Cruise ship

Silver Wind is a small cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises, a luxury cruise line. The ship entered service in 1995 and is the second ship of her class, the first being her sister ship Silver Cloud, in service since 1994. She can accommodate 296 guests.

<i>Silver Shadow</i> (ship)

Silver Shadow is a cruise ship that entered service in 2000, and is operated by Silversea Cruises. The passenger capacity is 382 passengers, and there are 295 crew members. Her sister ship is Silver Whisper, and both ships were built by the Mariotti Shipyard in Genoa, Italy. They both have a high space-to-passenger ratio at 74, providing more space per passenger than any other cruise ship. Space ratio is calculated by dividing a vessel's gross tonnage by its passenger capacity. The passenger-to-crew ratio is also high, at 1.31 to 1.

<i>Silver Whisper</i> Cruise ship

Silver Whisper is a cruise ship that entered service in 2001, and is operated by Silversea Cruises. The passenger capacity is 382 passengers, and there are 295 crew members. Her sister ship is Silver Shadow; both ships were built by the Mariotti Shipyard in Genoa, Italy. They both have a high space-to-passenger ratio—the ship's gross tonnage divided by the passenger capacity—at 74, providing more space per passenger than any other cruise ship. The passenger-to-crew ratio is also high, at 1.31 to 1.

<i>Silver Explorer</i> Expedition ship

Silver Explorer is an expedition ship operated by Silversea Cruises. The ship typically hosts cruises to Norway, the South Pacific, and Antarctica. It is the first ship of Silversea involved in expedition cruising.

<i>Silver Spirit</i> (ship) Luxury cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises

Silver Spirit is a luxury cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises. The sixth ship of the Silversea fleet, she entered service in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sitmar Cruises</span>

Sitmar Cruises and its predecessor Sitmar Line were company names derived from the acronym for the Società Italiana Trasporti Marittimi. SITMAR originally was an Italian shipping line founded by Russian émigré Alexandre Vlasov, however the company's headquarters were later transferred to Monaco. Vlasov initially operated cargo services from 1937, gradually replacing these with passenger services from 1947 until 1988, when SITMAR was sold to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). After the sale, most of the former SITMAR ships were transferred to the fleet of P&O subsidiary Princess Cruises, while one, TSS Fairstar, became the sole vessel of the newly created P&O-Sitmar Cruises. The only ship originally ordered by SITMAR still sailing, is the MS Ambience for Ambassador Cruise Line.

<i>La Belle Des Oceans</i>

La Belle Des Oceans is a small, yacht-type cruise ship operated by CroisiEurope. She has previously been operated by a number of cruise lines under different names, the most recent of which was Silver Discoverer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio</span> Italian businessman (born 1953)

Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio is an Italian-born Monegasque billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and former owner of Silversea Cruises, a company founded by his father. In June 2018, he sold two-thirds of the company to Royal Caribbean for US$1 billion, retaining a one-third stake in the company. As of August 2023, his net worth was estimated at US$1.6 billion.

Silver Muse

Silver Muse is a cruise ship owned by Silversea Cruises. It was constructed by Fincantieri in Genoa and joined the company's fleet in April 2017.

<i>Silver Endeavour</i> Megayacht operated by Crystal Cruises

Silver Endeavour is a cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises. Originally built for Crystal Cruises by MV Werften in Stralsund, Germany, she was laid down in 2018 and completed in June 2021. She is the world's largest ice class expedition yacht, bearing a Polar Class rating of PC6.

<i>Silver Nova</i>

Silver Nova is a luxury cruise ship, the 12th ship in service with Silversea Cruises. She was ordered in 2018 and completed in 2023. Nova is the first ship in the company's new Evolution-class, and designed with the intent of environmentally friendly cruising. It is the first hybrid luxury cruise ship, powered by a combination of liquefied natural gas (LNG), fuel cell system, and batteries, enabling it to be emissions free when in port. The ship was built at a Meyer Werft in Germany, featuring a unique asymmetrical design.

References

Notes

  1. Ship details by "Largay Travel"
  2. Ship details Archived 19 July 2012 at archive.today by "Seven Blue Seas Vacations"
  3. 1 2 "Silver Cloud". Condé Nast Traveler website. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Peisley, Tony (2004). Silversea Cruises: The First Ten Years: 1994-2004. Silversea Cruises, Inc., (January 1, 2004).
  5. "YSA Design | Projects". ysa.design.
  6. latteluxurynews (11 December 2019). "Do you know the link between Silversea and Rolls Royce?". LATTE Luxury News.
  7. For U.S. Basketball Players, the Olympics Are a Cruise, Ship, That Is By ANDREW KEH; 6 August 2016 the New York Times
  8. "Silversea's Silver Cloud: First glimpse as she joins expedition cruise fleet".
  9. "Silversea reveals plans for Silver Cloud interiors". CruiseandFerry.net.

Bibliography