Aboard Silver Cloud with Silversea
Cruise Overview
Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city.
Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees.
Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness.
Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia.
Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival.
The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate.
The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years.
It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839.
During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes.
Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster.
It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia.
Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle.
Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.
The Bonaparte Archipelago is a rugged maze of islands that stretch almost 150km along Western Australia’s remote Kimberley coast.
Remaining relatively unspoilt and remarkably pristine, Swift Bay is landscaped by heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters.
On the walls of these shelters are examples of both Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art.
Join your expedition team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles.
Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees.
Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness.
Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia.
Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival.
The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate.
The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years.
It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839.
During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes.
Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster.
It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia.
Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle.
Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.
The Bonaparte Archipelago is a rugged maze of islands that stretch almost 150km along Western Australia’s remote Kimberley coast.
Remaining relatively unspoilt and remarkably pristine, Swift Bay is landscaped by heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters.
On the walls of these shelters are examples of both Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art.
Join your expedition team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles.
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Silver Cloud
Launch Year: 1994 Length: 155 Width: 21 Currency: USD Capacity: 254 Crew Count: 212 Deck Count: 7 Cabin Count: 126
With 20-brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants in Antarctica and a pole-to-pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud breaks the ice between expedition and luxury.
Silver Cloud is the first hybrid ship in our fleet and brings the remote and remarkable to you in ultra-luxurious comfort. Her large suites, destination itineraries and unparalleled service make her truly special. Four dining options will tantalise your taste buds, and as 80% of her suites include a veranda, watching a breaching whale from the comfort of your balcony never been so personal. A limited number of guests in polar waters (240 vs. 254), mean that Silver Cloud has one of the highest crew to guest and space to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 20 zodiacs, 10 kayaks, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous explorations.
4 dining options, 20 Zodiacs and 10 kayaks equal almost limitless possibilities aboard Silver Cloud. Explore her large suites and spacious public areas by viewing her deck plan here.
Silver Cloud Facilities
Silver Cloud Includes
Cabin Details
Silversea’s suites offer one of the highest space-per-guest ratios of any luxury cruise accommodations. All Silversea suites have ocean views, and most include a private teak veranda so that you can breathe in the fresh sea air simply by stepping outside your door. And regardless of the ship or suite category, all guests will be pampered with the personalised services of an attentive butler.
For a truly personal experience, customise your suite with an abundance of thoughtful options and luxurious amenities from Bulgari toiletries and personalised stationery to a bar with your favourite wines and liquors. Settle in with a complimentary movie or choose instead to simply watch the ocean swim by. You can even have dinner in-suite served course by course by your butler. Then, when it’s time to retire, curl up beneath Egyptian cotton linens and a fluffy duvet, with your choice of nine different pillow types. The ultimate in luxury cruise accommodations, Silversea’s suites are your home away from home.
