Two hundred and fifty-eight guests, two hundred in polar waters
Here is a figure worth explaining, because it surprises anyone reading a
brochure. Silver Cloud carries 258 guests in normal operation. In the Arctic and
Antarctic, the operating limit falls to two hundred. This is not a commercial
restriction: it is what polar navigation rules and the organisation of landings
allow.
The practical consequence is pleasant. On a polar departure the ship is less
loaded than its nominal capacity, and the crew-to-guest ratio improves
accordingly.
The hull
One hundred and fifty-six metres, about 16,800 gross tons, around 220 crew.
The ship was launched in 1993 and named at Monte Carlo in March 1994. It was
converted into an expedition vessel in 2017, after two months in dry dock at
Malta.
The conversion added extended steel reinforcement, a new polar-type bulbous
bow, underwater detection sonar, windows able to take polar temperatures and a
mudroom. Its ice notation is 1C. The ship carries twenty-four Zodiacs.
About seventy-five per cent of suites have a balcony. The others have a
window. The difference is settled at booking, never afterwards.
Within the expedition fleet
Silver Wind is its sister, converted four years later and fitted with a stern
extension. Silver Endeavour is rated PC6, a higher ice notation. Silver Origin serves a single
destination only. Silver Whisper remained a classic ship.
What the package contains
Gratuities included. Wines and spirits included. Wi-Fi included in every
suite. A butler in every suite category, without exception, which most
competitors do not match.
Air travel, however, is no longer included. On 11 September 2025 Silversea
withdrew the fare that carried it door to door. Flights and transfers are now
bought separately, through the line or through your advisor. Older documentation
will say otherwise, and it will be wrong.
Excursions vary with the fare and with whether the voyage is a classic cruise
or an expedition. On expeditions, landings are included at the higher fare. Ask
for the exact formula on your departure.
Who comes aboard
No children's programme, no club, no childcare. Under six months is refused.
On the expedition ships, under-fives do not ride Zodiacs. A traveller under
eighteen shares the suite of an adult aged twenty-one or over, or takes an
adjoining suite.
Since July 2020, Royal Caribbean Group has owned the line outright.
Third-party listings that still name the founding family among the owners have
simply not been updated.
Leaving from Quebec
Allow a connection, often two on distant itineraries, and a hotel night
before embarkation. The air ticket is now bought separately, which gives more
freedom and demands more attention.
Voyages AquaTerra is licensed by Quebec's Office de la protection du
consommateur. Money paid goes to the trust account Quebec law requires, and the
Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents applies to your booking.
