Is Silver Cloud too "tired" for transatlantic voyage 1011?

[Del Mar Cruisers]

My husband and I are considering taking Voyage 1011, San Juan to Barcelona. In general we have heard lovely things about Silversea, and in reviewing the 2010 catalog the text and photos have been very enticing.

But in looking into this cruise and ship in particular we have heard some things that are somewhat disturbing. And we are particularly concerned because this cruise has so many days at sea, which we generally love, but if the ship and its amenities are not as promised it could be an especially disappointing voyage.

1. We have heard that the ship is "worn and tired" and somewhat "shabby." The furniture is scratched, the bedspreads old, mirror plating worn out, rug and upholstery faded, etc. etc. etc. It appears as if for some reason your oldest ship has not been refurbished, and we are wondering if it is going out of commission in the future?

2. We have heard that the size of your fitness center is very small, with only a few pieces of equipment. Where does the truth lie, and do you have a schedule of the daily fitness classes that would be offered on our cruise?

3. Are there daily bridge classes?

4. How large is the casino? The showroom? What will the shows be like?

Thank you all for your help; we love this itinerary and our only hesitation is the ship itself. It will be a birthday trip for both my husband and myself, plus I will be retiring just before this trip so it will be a celebration of that event also. Will this be a special trip???

[sea bright]

We booked this trip for the itinerary, but have the same concerns. We've sailed twice on the Shadow - one a TA a couple of yeras ago- and loved it, but the Cloud is smaller and older so we are somewhat hesitant. Input from anyone who has been on the Cloud recently would be much appreciated!

[martini cruiser]

I'm not on your voyage but on the Silver Cloud v 1927 and would love to hear comments on the condition of the Silver Cloud and recent experiences.

 

Martini Cruiser

[sw18]

Whilst the Cloud did not have the same refit that was undertaken on the Wind I understand that carpets/decor have been replaced in public areas & soft furnishings replaced in the suites.

 

I was last on the Cloud in 2006 on a crossing & this easily rates as my best ever cruise - unless the ship has become hideously worn in the last 3 years I think you'll have a great time. Silversea make much more of an effort with their crossings than the other high end lines, who tend to go for just one or two, port ten day cruises (e.g. Seabourn, Crystal), giving you the days at sea and a short cruise on either side of the pond......enjoy!

[LOVE@CRUISE]

Our TA told us this week that it just went through a soft makeover. replacing all the torn and tattered. Anyone been on it recently? We want to do this very same cruise! Anyone with current first hand info, please share!

[seagirl2002]

We will do the trip from Reykjavik to Montreal and then on to New York starting end of next week. I will post a review as soon I am back

[LOVE@CRUISE]

Just talked with Silversea Corporate Office and she informs me that Cloud was refurbished in May with new carpets, upholstery, bedding; etc. So an end to the rumours. .....she's ready to go!

[Kununoppin]

. . . do you have a schedule of the daily fitness classes that would be offered on our cruise? Are there daily bridge classes? How large is the casino? The showroom? What will the shows be like?

 

At 296 maximum capacity, this is a small ship and does not have lots of programming. If you are looking for programming like the big ships have, you'll probably be disappointed.

[MJN1]

Del Mar Cruiser,

we just came off the Cloud 2 weeks ago (GuyJ - many thanks for the pics posted with the "big guns", we were overlooking them form our cabin...)

 

To answer your questions:

 

1."worn and tired" - yes a bit

somewhat "shabby." - not really

furniture scratched - sometimes, but not something to put you off

bedspreads old - not that we noticed

mirror plating worn out - a bit

rug and upholstery faded - they were in the process of replacing sofa (by the way - 3 cushion length to answer another question some time ago) and chairs, but we only noticed because one day when we came back they were red vs previously blue

etc. etc. etc. - they were also finishing installing the flat TV screens in all cabins.

In summary, yes the ship is the 2nd oldest in the fleet and missed the refurb the Wind went through, but I could not recommend AGAINST it.

2. size of your fitness center very small, only a few pieces of equipment: same as always, 7 aerobic machines (if I remember correctly) and 3 weight machines, benches, weights . There was always one available, and it was really only crowded around 5 pm, empty most other times (and the ship was nearly full, albeit with a very "senior" crowd).

 

a schedule of the daily fitness classes: yes, at least one a day (with one to max 3 passengers participating)

 

3. daily bridge classes: unsupervised bridge only, no instructor on board on our cruise. Don't know for 1011.

 

4. How large is the casino? see floor plan on the website. Several tables, not Las Vegas size, but more than sufficient for number of passengers on board (and for losing your money...)

 

The showroom? What will the shows be like? - - again see the deck plans. The shows were OK ( a couple of dance shows with 6-8 performers, a painist, etc.) SS is not in the show business like the big mega-ships are....

[Del Mar Cruisers]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful comments; we have just booked the Silver Cloud San Juan to Barcelona next April and are very, very excited.

[chicagogal]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful comments; we have just booked the Silver Cloud San Juan to Barcelona next April and are very, very excited.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[HotelGal]

See you onboard- just booked same cruise whilst sunning my buns on the Shadow. Its my very first transatlantic, so am excited. Look forward to meeting you; am an avid solo traveller and like meeting new folks!

[unfathomable]

MJN1 nailed it.

 

On a transatlantic, you might get bridge instructors, dance hosts and more content in the on board program -- things like lectures, cooking demos....

[wripro]

And more time to eat more meals.

[patnlcc]

We hope you folks are booked on the April 2010 San Juan to Barcelona rather than the 2011 cruise, because we are too!! We live in Scotland and are really looking forward to some warmer weather!! Out first time with Silversea - have been three times with Princess.