USA Basketball 'Living the Dream' in Rio
Life is good as an Olympian when you have your own ship
Nicole Winchester, CBC Sports
Living in the Athletes' Village sounds like fun, but why sleep there when you can have your own suite?
Team USA Basketball have again opted for lavish digs far from the other teams in Rio: It is staying on a nine-deck cruise ship, the Silversea Silver Cloud, moored at Port Maua.
A week-long trip on the 296-passenger ship can cost upwards of $13,000 US. The ship's amenities include a pool, gym, and cigar lounge, and according to CruiseCritic.com, it has among the highest space-to-passenger ratios in the industry, which is reflected in the spacious all-suite cabins. It's protected by 250 federal police both on land and water.
The deck appears to be a popular spot for the players to relax and unwind before the fierce competition of the Games.
Though the Silver Cloud is also outfitted with a spa and salon, it's possible the ship is just not up to NBA standards. It was reported that DeAndre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins, and DeMar Derozan mistakenly visited Termas Monte Carlo, an infamous Rio brothel, while looking for a men's spa. Teammate Carmelo Anthony thinks we should all "move on."
Meanwhile, in the Athletes' Village, other NBA players need to do some DIY before they can do their daily ablutions.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IOCLuxuryLodging?src=hash">#IOCLuxuryLodging</a>. Putting together a shower curtain so we can shower and not flood the place. <a href="https://t.co/omaBJ7Dlje">pic.twitter.com/omaBJ7Dlje</a>
—@andrewbogut