Last Updated: 25 September 2025

Ambassador Cruise Line Quick Facts:

  • Fleet: Three ships – Ambience (1,400 passengers), Ambition (1,200 passengers), Renaissance (1,100 passengers)
  • Policy: Adult-only cruising (18+ except designated family sailings during school holidays)
  • Departure Ports: Eight UK locations including Liverpool, Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Bristol and Falmouth
  • Homeports: Ambience (Tilbury), Ambition (Newcastle), Renaissance (operates Caribbean fly-cruises from Barbados)
  • Inclusions: Drinks package, tips and service charges included in fare
  • Awards: Winner of Best No-Fly Cruise Line 2024
  • Destinations: British Isles, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Canary Islands, Caribbean
  • Unique Features: No-fly cruises, smaller intimate ships (vs 5,000+ passenger mega-ships), genuine single cabins available
  • Dining: Multiple restaurants per ship including specialty venues and casual buffet options
  • Recent Development: Merged with French company CFC in January 2025, forming Ambassador Group

The Adult-Only Answer to Mass Market Madness

I’d been on dozens of cruises before stepping aboard my first Ambassador ship. I wasn’t expecting much. Another British cruise line claiming to be “different”? Right.

But something clicked almost immediately. Sitting on deck the next morning with my tea, it hit me, oh the quiet. No kids bombing into pools, no tannoy announcements about ice cream parties at half six, no Disney characters blocking the corridors.

Ambassador had cracked what those of us who’ve cruised for years actually want, a proper holiday without dodging families and queueing behind pushchairs. Their solution? Adults only, done brilliantly, oh and they do great fish and chips too!

They’re not stuffy, they’ve just cottoned on that some of us like our entertainment served up properly, not shoved down our throats with breakfast. Anyway the rest of my cruise went extremely well and I was very happy with it.

The Three Ships That Define Ambassador

Ambassador Ambience Ship Facts:

  • Total cabins: 798 in 27 categories
  • Passenger capacity: Approx. 1,400 guests (max 1,596)
  • Crew: Around 660
  • Crew-to-guest ratio: Approx. 1:2.15
  • Gross Tonnage: 70,285 GT
  • Length: 245 meters (811 feet)
  • Beam (width): 32.25 meters (105 feet)
  • Draft: 8.22 meters (27 feet)
  • Decks: 13 total (11 accessible to passengers, 7 with cabins)
  • Cruise speed: 16.5 knots
  • Amenities: 5 restaurants, 9 bars and lounges including traditional British pub-style venues, 2 outdoor pools, 4 jacuzzis, spa, gym, library, casino, crafting studio, card room, outdoor movie screen
  • Cabin sizes: Most cabins around 190 sq ft (18 m²), suites up to 560 sq ft (52 m²)
  • Last refurbishment: 2022/2023
  • Flag: Bahamas
  • Homeport: London Tilbury Port
  • Built: 1991, formerly Pacific Dawn, Regal Princess, and others
  • Focus: Premium British-style cruising atmosphere with spacious public areas and personalized service.

The crown jewel homeported at Tilbury port, Ambience strikes that elusive balance between intimacy and amenities. This isn’t about cramming every possible facility aboard – it’s about perfecting the essentials.

What sets her apart is the Observatory lounge with those sweeping panoramic views that make sunset cocktails feel like a religious experience. The Palladium theatre hosts evening entertainment that actually feels sophisticated rather than cruise ship cheese. Five specialist dining venues include Buckingham restaurant, where the cuisine would hold its own in any decent land-based establishment.

Ambassador’s dining experience deserves particular mention. Borough Market offers relaxed buffet dining with proper station cooking – none of that heat-lamp nonsense you find elsewhere. Meanwhile, Buckingham delivers refined cuisine that genuinely surprises.

Ambassador Ambition Ship Facts

  • Total cabins: 680, 113 Suites (including 10 Junior Suite Singles with balcony), 125 Balcony cabins, 217 Oceanview cabins, 223 Inside cabins
  • Passenger capacity: Approximately 1,200 guests
  • Crew: Around 450
  • Crew-to-guest ratio: Approx. 1 crew per 2.67 guests
  • Gross Tonnage: 48,123 GT
  • Length: 181 meters (594 feet)
  • Decks: 8 passenger decks with cabins from Deck 5 to Deck 12
  • Cabin Sizes: Mostly 140-190 sq ft for standard cabins; suites up to 558 sq ft
  • Specialty: Designed for British guests with UK plugs, tea/coffee facilities, and comfortable bed mattresses
  • Cabin layout: Inside cabins with picture panels, oceanview cabins with windows or portholes, and balcony cabins mainly on Decks 9-10 (some obstructed views on Deck 6)
  • Amenities: Multiple bars including traditional pub venues, restaurants, wellness and spa facilities
  • Built: 1999, refurbished 2023
  • Focus: Classically styled ship with cozy, British-centric service and atmosphere.

Homeported at Newcastle port, Ambition brings a more intimate feel whilst maintaining Ambassador’s sophisticated standards. The wellness programme here is particularly impressive, they’ve actually created dedicated spaces for meditation and fitness that feel peaceful rather than like afterthoughts.

What makes Ambition special is her sense of space despite the smaller size. Two main restaurants plus speciality dining options mean you’re not fighting for tables and the four bars and lounges each have their own distinct character.

The two swimming pools might not sound revolutionary, but when you consider you’re sharing them with 1,200 people rather than 4,000, suddenly they become quite civilised spaces.

Ambassador Renaissance Ship Facts:

  • Total cabins: 629 in 4 main categories, Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Suites
  • Passenger capacity: Approximately 1,100 guests
  • Crew: Around 500
  • Crew-to-guest ratio: Approx. 1:2.2
  • Gross Tonnage: 55,575 GT
  • Length: 219.3 meters (720 feet)
  • Beam: 30.8 meters (101 feet)
  • Decks: 9 passenger decks
  • Cabin Sizes: Interior cabins 96-172 sq ft, Oceanview 162-182 sq ft, Balcony cabins 215 sq ft with 53 sq ft private balcony, Suites up to 410 sq ft with 193 sq ft balcony and sitting area
  • Built: 1993, extensively refurbished in 2022 and 2025
  • Features: Modern stylish interiors, two-deck Grand Restaurant with panoramic sea views, specialty dining, Le Panoramique Lounge & Nightclub with 180° views, Ocean Bar with live music, Moana Pool with two whirlpools and retractable glass roof
  • Wellness facilities: Les Events Spa (50+ treatments), gym, library, craft studio, card room, retail boutiques
  • Focus: Sophisticated, adults-only British cruise experience with modern amenities, intimate atmosphere, and enhanced destination access for smaller Mediterranean ports and Caribbean itineraries
  • Currency onboard: GBP
  • Children’s facilities: Not available

The newest addition following Ambassador’s merger with Compagnie Française de Croisières, Renaissance brings a continental flair to the fleet. This intimate ship underwent comprehensive renovation in France and features a multi-lingual crew, handy when you’re exploring Mediterranean ports.

The swimming pool with retractable roof is brilliant for our unpredictable British weather, whilst the main restaurant split across two decks creates a more intimate dining atmosphere. Renaissance operates Ambassador’s inaugural Caribbean programme from Barbados, marking the line’s first proper fly-cruise offering.

Ship-Specific Information

Need detailed information on individual ships?

What Ambassador Gets Absolutely Right

A vibrant lifestyle advertisement for Ambassador Cruises showcasing the allure of the Mediterranean, focusing on a picturesque coastal town bathed in golden sunlight. The scene features charming, colorful buildings cascading down a hillside towards a sparkling turquoise sea, with a small, traditional fishing boat gently bobbing in the harbor and vibrant bougainvillea overflowing from balconies, hinting at the diverse destinations available. A sense of relaxed luxury is conveyed through the warm, inviting lighting and the overall composition emphasizing exploration and discovery, with the text “Ambassador Cruises Itineraries: Where Can You Go?” prominently aligned to the left in a clean, modern font against a slightly blurred background to maintain focus on the scenery. The overall aesthetic is bright, airy, and aspirational, embodying the freedom and adventure associated with Mediterranean travel and the Ambassador Cruises brand. Save This Pin

The No-Fly Revolution

Ambassador sails from seven UK ports, eliminating all that airport aggravation:

  • Liverpool – Perfect for North West England and North Wales
  • Tilbury – London’s cruise port, easily accessible from the capital
  • Newcastle – Ideal for the North East and Scotland
  • Dundee – Scotland’s east coast departure point
  • Belfast – Northern Ireland’s gateway to cruising
  • Bristol – Serving the West Country and South Wales
  • Falmouth – Cornwall’s picturesque departure port

Ambassador joins a growing number of cruise lines sailing from UK ports, but their adult-only approach sets them apart from the family-focused alternatives. Drive to the port, drop your luggage and you’re aboard with a gin and tonic in hand within thirty minutes. It’s just fantatic.

Proper British Hospitality

The crew-to-passenger ratio allows for genuinely personalised service. Your cabin steward actually remembers your name and that you prefer extra towels without you having to ask repeatedly. This attention to detail extends throughout the ship’s operations – it’s the difference between feeling like a guest and feeling like a number.

Ambassador’s dining philosophy focuses on quality over quantity, with menus that actually change and ingredients sourced from ports when possible. You’ll find proper British classics done well, think excellent fish and chips, proper Sunday roast, and afternoon tea that doesn’t come from a packet. Their curries are particularly brilliant, reflecting Britain’s genuine love affair with Indian cuisine. But they’ve also moved beyond the old stereotypes, with modern British cuisine that would hold its own in any decent gastropub. You won’t find the same tired buffet offerings day after day.

Thoughtful Itineraries

Ambassador’s itineraries focus on ports that massive ships simply can’t access. Instead of fighting crowds at overcrowded tourist traps, you’ll find charming coastal towns and cultural places across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and beyond. We’ve got a guide to all Ambassador’s cruise destinations they go to.

Many of their routes operate as no-fly cruises, departing from UK ports for added convenience.

Do You Have to Pay Gratuities on Ambassador Cruises?

Yes, gratuities are automatically charged on Ambassador cruises – there’s no getting around it. But here’s exactly what you need to know before you sail.

The Ambassador Gratuities Breakdown

Ambassador operates what they call an “automatic service charge and gratuity system.” Fancy words for: they’ll add ÂŁ6-7 per person, per night to your onboard account whether you like it or not.

The exact amount depends on your cruise length:

  • ÂŁ7 per person per night for cruises 14 nights and under
  • ÂŁ6 per person per night for cruises 15 nights and longer

Good news for families: children under 12 don’t get charged gratuities.

The Drinks Package Trap

Here’s where Ambassador gets sneaky. If you buy any of their drinks packages, the gratuities are already baked into the price – and you can’t remove them. Ever.

So if you’re thinking “I’ll just adjust my gratuities later,” forget it. Once you’ve bought that drinks package, you’re locked in. It’s one of the few cruise lines that works this way, so don’t get caught off guard.

Can You Actually Opt Out?

This is where it gets interesting. Unlike other cruise lines where you can easily adjust or remove gratuities online, Ambassador doesn’t make it that simple. Their booking system doesn’t give you the option to decline gratuities upfront.

However, you can speak to Guest Services onboard if you have genuine service issues. They’ll try to resolve problems before making any adjustments. But here’s the reality: they really don’t want you removing gratuities, and they’ll make that clear.

What Your Money Actually Covers

Ambassador pools all the gratuities and spreads them among the crew – from your cabin steward to the dining room staff to the behind-the-scenes team you never see. It’s not just going to your waiter or room attendant.

The cruise line makes a big deal about how this money helps “make your cruise special.” Translation: the crew’s base wages are low, and they rely on these gratuities to earn a living wage.

What Ambassador Doesn’t Do

Now, before you get too carried away, here’s what you won’t find.

Size Means Fewer Options

The smaller ship size means fewer dining venues and entertainment options compared to those floating cities. You won’t find multiple comedy clubs, vast shopping centres, or Broadway-calibre productions. But here’s the thing, that’s entirely the point. It’s quality over overwhelming choice.

Weather Can Be Challenging

British weather remains stubbornly unpredictable on Northern European itineraries and smaller ships definitely feel rough seas more than those massive vessels. Pack proper clothing and seasickness remedies if you’re sensitive to motion.

The Demographic Reality

The passenger demographic skews heavily toward the 60+ age group, which creates a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere but might feel too sedate if you’re looking for vibrant nightlife and party scenes. They still suit those looking for a singles cruises when over 50.

Insider Secrets Worth Knowing

Secrets Most Passengers Never Learn

  • Here’s something most passengers never discover: the 2am room service hot chocolate. It’s made with proper Belgian chocolate and arrives with homemade shortbread. They don’t advertise it because they’d be overwhelmed with orders.
  • When booking shore excursions with Ambassador, skip the online catalogue and book through the concierge desk instead. They often have access to smaller group tours that don’t appear in standard offerings, particularly valuable on crowded Mediterranean routes where you’d otherwise be herded around with hundreds of other tourists.
  • The WiFi works best on deck 8 forward, near the library. Interior cabins below deck 6 struggle with connectivity, so if internet access matters to you, factor that into your cabin choice.

Services: What You Need to Know

  • Bridge Tours: Every Tuesday at 10am sharp – free but limited to 12 people, so sign up on embarkation day
  • Afternoon Tea: Ask about the secret menu – smoked salmon and dill cream cheese sandwiches that aren’t listed
  • Laundry: Bring your own detergent pods to avoid paying inflated shipboard prices
  • Photography: Sunrise portrait sessions cost a fraction of what you’d pay shore-based professionals

About Those Dress Codes

Ambassador’s approach to dress codes is sensibly enforced but not obsessively rigid. Smart casual works for most dining venues, but pack at least one proper dinner outfit for formal nights. Ambassador passengers tend to dress up – you’ll feel genuinely underdressed in khakis and polo shirts when everyone else has made an effort.

How Ambassador Compares

If you’re weighing up alternatives:

First-Timer Considerations

New to Ambassador? The line offers an excellent introduction to cruise travel without the overwhelming scale of mega-ships. Their “Ambassador Guarantee” provides genuine peace of mind – if first-time cruisers don’t enjoy their voyage, the company covers transportation costs home from the next port and offers a full refund. That’s confidence in their product.

Solo Travel Done Right

Ambassador offers proper single cabins, not just double cabins with punitive single supplements. They’re compact but efficiently designed, making them excellent options for independent travellers seeking sophisticated cruise experiences without paying through the nose for the privilege.

Entertainment That Actually Entertains

Ambassador’s entertainment programme leans toward sophisticated variety shows and tribute acts rather than the usual cruise ship cheese. Evening shows feel like intimate theatre performances rather than arena spectacles where you need binoculars to see the stage.

Daily activities include bridge tours on Tuesdays at 10am, craft sessions for a fiver each (excellent value), wellness classes including yoga and circuits, plus wine tastings and cocktail-making demonstrations that don’t feel like amateur hour.

Common Questions People Actually Ask – FAQ’s

Do Ambassador ships have casinos? Yes, but they’re intimate gaming salons rather than Vegas-style operations. Think elegant card rooms with a few slot machines rather than warehouse-sized gambling dens.

Can I bring my own alcohol aboard? One bottle of wine or champagne per person at embarkation. No spirits or beer allowed. Ambassador drinks packages offer reasonable value, especially considering drinks are included in most fares.

Are there genuine single cabins? Yes, Ambassador offers proper single-occupancy cabins on all ships, not just double cabins with eye-watering supplements.

What’s actually included in the fare? Drinks package covering wines, spirits, tea and coffee, plus all tips and service charges. That’s unusual value in today’s cruise market where everything seems to cost extra.

Do they accommodate special diets properly? Absolutely. Inform them at booking or at least 30 days before sailing. Their chefs are particularly good with gluten-free and vegetarian options – they actually understand what they’re doing rather than just offering salad.

How strictly is the adult-only policy enforced? Passengers must be 18 or older except during designated family sailings in school holidays. The rest of the time, it’s properly adults-only.

Who goes on ambassador cruises? Passengers on Ambassador Cruises are predominantly adults aged 50 and over, including solo travelers, couples and retirees who favor traditional British cruising, classic entertainment, sociable atmospheres, and relaxed itineraries, distinguishing the line from family-focused and youth-oriented cruise options.

Finding the Best Ambassador Deals

Ambassador offers some genuinely good value, especially if you know where to look. Their all-inclusive approach means fewer nasty surprises once you’re aboard – drinks, tips and service charges are already sorted. Watch for their “buy one, get one half price” offers which pop up regularly, particularly for off-peak sailings.

The best deals often appear for last-minute bookings, especially on longer itineraries where they’re keen to fill cabins. If you’re flexible with dates, you can snag some proper bargains. Check our Ambassador cruise offers for current promotions.

You can also explore their Christmas sailings for festive celebrations at sea.