10 Night Cruise sailing from Ft Lauderdale to San Juan aboard Silver Cloud.

As the inaugural ship in our fleet, Silver Cloud epitomizes everything that is Silversea. Since launching in 1994, the Cloud has travelled to all corners of the world while introducing its guests to our six-star level of luxury. Designed to provide the most intimate of sailing experiences, Silver Cloud offers fewer guests, more space and the ability to slip into exotic ports off the beaten path. This elite vessel is as a grand hotel, as gracious as a long-time friends' home. Each all ocean-view suite provides a sumptuous retreat. Each public space is intimate yet inviting. It's a warm feeling of home upon the seas of the earth.

Aboard Silver Cloud you will find a most accommodating place to view our world. Whether it's delicious onboard diversions, world-class cuisine, memorable dining venues or staying connected from anywhere, Silversea's impeccable standards apply to every detail of your voyage.

Highlights of this cruise:

Ft Lauderdale
What began as a trading post along the banks of the New River at the turn of the last century has turned into a popular resort, an affluent yachting capital and an enterprising city. Crisscrossed by 300 miles (483 km) of navigable waterways, Fort Lauderdale is popularly known as the Venice of America. Water plays such an integral part that the area is home to 100 marinas and boatyards and more than 42,000 yachts. In addition, there are miles of palm-shaded sand beaches that run parallel to the coastal highway A1A.

The downtown area is comprised of modern bank buildings and towering glass edifices. A recent multimillion-dollar beautification program did much to enhance the town centre and beach areas with landscaped parks and promenades. Along Las Olas Boulevard there are trendy shops, art galleries and several restaurants, offering both inside and outdoor dining. The eastern end of Las Olas meets the oceanfront, where resort hotels, restaurants and plenty of shops overlook the beach.

For a unique introduction to the Venice of America, you may want to take one of the yellow and green water taxis. This convenient local transport makes numerous stops along the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River, bringing you within short distance of shopping, dining and local attractions. Another option to see Fort Lauderdale from the water is on one of several sightseeing boats. These delightful cruises can be booked from locations at the waterfront and the Riverwalk area. They meander through the main waterways and past magnificent mansions owned by wealthy local families and celebrities from around the country and abroad.

Gustavia
Hilly St. Barthelemy, popularly known as St. Barth (or St. Barts) is just 8 square mi (21 square km), but the island has at least 20 good beaches. What draws visitors is its sophisticated but unstudied approach to relaxation: the finest food, excellent wine, high-end shopping, and lack of large-scale commercial development. A favorite among upscale cruise-ship passengers, who also appreciate the shopping opportunities and fine dining, St. Barth isn't really equipped for mega-ship visits, which is why most ships calling here are from smaller premium lines. This is one place where you don't need to take the ship's shore excursions to have a good time. Just hail a cab or rent a car and go to one of the many wonderful beaches, where you will find some of the best lunchtime restaurants, or wander around Gustavia, shopping and eating. It's the best way to relax on this most relaxing of islands.

Castries
There are islands in the Caribbean that are more popular than St. Lucia, though they may be far less beautiful. This island has been one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets. Visitors who have had unforgettable vacations on green-clad St. Lucia are pleased that the crowds are gathering elsewhere. However, increased building of resorts and villas will escalate tourism in the near future.

The shoreline of St. Lucia is nothing short of spectacular with its hidden coves and unspoiled beaches. The two sugarloaf-shaped cones, known as the Pitons, are the island's highest peaks and its most impressive landmarks.

The capital, Castries, is attractively situated in a sheltered bay against a backdrop of mountains. The strategic importance of its excellent natural harbour was recognized from the earliest days of European settlement; for years Britain and France fought bitterly for possession of the island. At the end of the 19th century, a boom in shipping put Castries in 14th place among the world's ports in terms of freight handled.

Numerous earthquakes, hurricanes and fires destroyed any remnants of Castries' colonial charm, leaving a modern town. There are only a few 19th- and early 20th-century French-style wooden buildings that were spared from destruction. The duty-free Pointe Seraphine shopping complex at the cruise terminal stands in stark contrast to the local market and the activities in lively downtown Castries.

Without a doubt, the island's spectacular scenery, unspoiled beaches and luxuriant vegetation make St. Lucia one of the Caribbean's great destinations.

San Juan
Although Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, few cities in the Caribbean are as steeped in Spanish tradition as San Juan. Within a seven-block neighborhood in Old San Juan are restored 16th-century buildings, museums, art galleries, bookstores, and 200-year-old houses with balustraded balconies overlooking narrow, cobblestone streets. In contrast, San Juan's sophisticated Condado and Isla Verde areas have glittering hotels, fancy boutiques, casinos, and discos. Out in the countryside, the 28,000-acre El Yunque rain forest is home to more than 240 species of trees that grow at least 100 feet high. You can stretch your sea legs on dramatic mountain ranges, numerous trails, in vast caves, at coffee plantations, old sugar mills, and hundreds of beaches. No wonder San Juan is one of the busiest ports of call in the Caribbean.