Our preferred cruise line is ALWAYS Crystal, but we were looking for a particular Baltic Sea itinerary, and we loved that this cruise left and returned to Tower Bridge in London.
My husband and the couple we were travelling with were disappointed in the ship, feeling that it is showing its age. For example, on several afternoons, there was no hot water for showers before dinner. But that was not an issue for me. What I missed was a "central meeting place", as we have on the Crystal ships - a "lobby", as it were. But that is not an issue of age for the Silver Cloud. It is simply a matter of it being a small ship.
However, we missed the "festivity" that we enjoy on a Crystal cruise. Part of the reason might have been the profile of passenger on the cruise - mostly Brits in the 70s and even 80s. There was no dancing and very little live music, which we also missed.
Very atttractive and well maintained cabin except for occasional lack of hot water. The maid and butler did a great job.
We were in London on our own.
We walked to Rosenberg Castle ourselves because we wanted to see the crown jewels, and then walked around the city.