Silver Cloud currently sails on luxury expedition focused cruises for Silversea.
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.[1]
They hired ship designer Petter Yran from Yran & Storbraaten.[2] The ships were intended to be luxuruies, with 75% with verandahs, something that was unheard of at that time in the cruise industry.
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.[3]
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.
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.[4]
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. 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.[5] The interiors also received a refit, with a reconfigured observation lounge and refurbished public spaces.[6] 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.