Ambassador Cruise Line: the back story

About Ambassador Cruise Line: the back story

By the ULTIMATE the world’s cruise lines Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Ambassador launched in 2022 with a simple promise: affordable quality and no flights. Its ships sail from seven British ports, from Tilbury to Dundee and Belfast, and the third ship, Renaissance, has opened Caribbean fly-cruises.

A new line with classic ships

Ambassador Cruise Line calls itself Britain’s authentic no-fly cruise line, and its offer is affordable quality and the warmest welcome at sea. Its first ship, Ambience, set sail from Tilbury in April 2022; Ambition followed in May 2023 with 1,200 guests in 680 cabins; and Renaissance, renovated in France and sailing with a multilingual crew, has joined for her first Ambassador season.

Sailing from close to home

Where most lines concentrate on Southampton, Ambassador spreads its departures around Britain: London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury, Bristol, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast and Liverpool. From them it sails the British Isles, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland in summer, with short breaks, and heads for the Canaries, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Caribbean in winter.

Britain’s authentic no-fly cruise line.

The dining room and beyond

Full board is included on all three ships: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, served in two sittings. On Ambience and Ambition the Buckingham Restaurant is the formal room, with a Baked Alaska parade on gala nights, and Borough Market is the casual hall of food stations, from fish and chips to a Sunday roast. For a supplement there is the seven-act Sea & Grass tasting menu, Saffron’s Indian cooking, Italian at Lupino’s and, on Renaissance, Lotus and Kreole by Mondi.

Evenings

The Palladium Theatre on Ambience stages West End-style shows; live bands, classical recitals and guest lecturers fill the rest of the programme. Ambience and Ambition are for guests aged 18 and over, while Renaissance welcomes families with children from three.

Two fares

The Saver Fare covers the essentials: cabin, full board, entertainment, facilities and port taxes. The Ambassador Fare adds a drinks package and gratuities. Otherwise gratuities of £7 per person per night are added to your onboard account.

Our advice: Ambassador suits travellers who would rather drive to Dundee or Bristol than fly. Pick the port first, then the voyage; a week to the Norwegian fjords on the Ambassador Fare is the simplest way to see the line at its best.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Ambassador Cruise Line: the back story before you go.