Ambassador cruise itineraries cover 34 countries and 127 ports, including Norway, Iceland, Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and the Baltics with no-fly cruises from the UK. Caribbean fly-cruise itineraries visit 8 major ports.
I’ve been on three Ambassador cruises so far, Norway, the Canaries and one round the British Isles and honestly, each one’s been completely different but absolutely brilliant. The best bit is being able to drive to whatever port works for me. No mucking about with flights, no airport hassles, just chuck the bags in the car and off you go. Saves me hundreds compared to flying somewhere first. The only downside is some ports you’re only there for half a day, which can feel a bit mad when you’re trying to see everything. But the lecturers on board are really good at telling you what’s worth prioritizing, so you don’t waste time wandering around aimlessly.
Want to know more about Ambassador’s sophisticated adults-only cruises, their smaller ships, no-fly departures from eight regional UK ports, and unique destinations? Read our full Ambassador Cruises Guide.
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Where Ambassador Cruises Actually Go
The beauty of Ambassador’s itinerary planning is they’ve focused on destinations that work brilliantly for no-fly cruises whilst still offering proper adventure. They operate from eight UK ports, which means you’re not stuck with just Southampton like most other lines.
Mediterranean Routes
Their Mediterranean cruises are particularly clever. Instead of rushing through the usual suspects, they include some gems most cruise lines skip entirely. You’ll find yourself in places like Mahón in Menorca, where the gin distillery tours are absolutely fantastic, and Ajaccio in Corsica, where Napoleon’s birthplace feels refreshingly uncrowded compared to the usual Mediterranean madness.
The Western Mediterranean cruise ports include:
- Barcelona and Valencia (Spain)
- Marseille and Nice (France)
- Civitavecchia and Livorno (Italy)
- Palma de Mallorca and Mahón (Balearic Islands)
- Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory)
For Eastern Mediterranean cruise ports, expect:
- Dubrovnik and Split (Croatia)
- Kotor (Montenegro)
- Corfu and Santorini (Greece)
- Malta and Sicily
- Turkish coastal cities
Northern European Adventures
The Norwegian fjords ports are where Ambassador really shines. Their smaller ships can get into ports that the mega-ships simply cannot reach. Flåm is stunning obviously, but they also stop at Ólden, where the glacier hike is genuinely breathtaking if you’re reasonably fit.
Baltic itineraries typically include:
- Copenhagen (Denmark)
- Stockholm and Gothenburg (Sweden)
- Helsinki (Finland)
- Tallinn (Estonia)
- St. Petersburg alternative ports (given current restrictions)
- Oslo and Bergen (Norway)
Atlantic Island Hopping
The Canary Islands ports are perfect for winter sun seekers. What’s brilliant is they often include Madeira and sometimes even the Azores, which gives you this lovely island-hopping feel without the Caribbean price tag.
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Caribbean Fly-Cruise Options
Ambassador operate from Barbados using their Renaissance ship. It’s their only family-friendly vessel, and the Caribbean cruise ports they visit are well chosen:
- St. Lucia (Castries)
- Antigua (St. John’s)
- St. Maarten (Philipsburg)
- Dominica (Roseau)
- Grenada (St. George’s)
- St. Vincent (Kingstown)
- Martinique (Fort-de-France)
- St. Kitts (Basseterre)
The fly-cruise aspect means you’ll need to factor in flight costs and the inevitable airport faff, but you get the benefit of year-round Caribbean weather and some genuinely spectacular snorkelling opportunities.
UK Departure Ports: Your Options
One of Ambassador’s biggest selling points is their regional UK departure ports. This isn’t just Southampton and Dover like everyone else. They use:
| Port | Best For | Parking Cost | Drive Time from London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | Northern England, easy motorway access | £12-15 per day | 4.5 hours |
| Bristol | South West England, Wales | £10-12 per day | 2 hours |
| Newcastle | Scotland, North East England | £8-10 per day | 5.5 hours |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland, ferry connections | £8-12 per day | N/A (ferry required) |
| London Tilbury | South East England | £12-16 per day | 1 hour |
| Falmouth | Cornwall, Devon | £8-10 per day | 5 hours |
| Portsmouth | South coast convenience | £12-14 per day | 2 hours |
The parking fees might look steep, but when you factor in airport parking plus flights for two people, you’re still looking at significant savings with cruises from UK ports.
Seasonal Itinerary Patterns
Understanding when Ambassador goes where can save you money and help you pick the best weather:
Spring (March-May)
- Mediterranean positioning cruises (great value)
- Canary Islands (perfect weather, fewer crowds)
- Early British Isles (can be chilly but stunning)
Summer (June-August)
- Norway and Baltic (midnight sun season)
- British Isles (warmest weather, longest days)
- Mediterranean (hot but busy)
Autumn (September-November)
- Mediterranean (lovely weather, fewer families)
- Canary Islands repositioning
- Atlantic crossings
Winter (December-February)
- Caribbean (Renaissance ship only)
- Canary Islands (winter sun without long flights)
- Limited Mediterranean (mild but some rough seas)
Amazing Finds and Unusual Ports
After all my Ambassador cruises, I’ve discovered some absolute crackers that most people miss. In the Channel Islands, St. Peter Port in Guernsey has the most incredible seafood restaurants tucked away from the main shopping area. Ask any local where they eat fish and chips, and they’ll point you somewhere completely different from where the tour groups go.
The overnight stops are where Ambassador really excels. When they dock overnight in places like Bergen or Amsterdam, you get to experience the evening atmosphere, which is completely different from the daytime tourist rush. The bars fill up with locals, and you get a much more authentic feel for the place.
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Planning Your Ports Strategy
Here’s something most first-timers get wrong: you don’t need to book Ambassador cruises shore excursions for every single port. Ambassador’s port lecturers are genuinely knowledgeable, and they’ll tell you honestly which ports are easy to explore independently and which ones really benefit from organized tours.
For example, in most Norwegian ports, you can walk straight off the ship into the town center. But for somewhere like St. Petersburg alternatives or remote Scottish islands, the organized excursions make much more sense.
Port Time
Ambassador’s port times are generally realistic, but some destinations get shortchanged. Here’s what to expect:
- Full day ports (8+ hours): Perfect for independent exploration
- Half day ports (4-6 hours): Stick to one main attraction or area
- Tender ports: Add 30-45 minutes each way for boat transfers
- Late departure ports: Brilliant for dinner ashore and evening wandering
Weather and Sea Conditions
The North Sea and Atlantic can be properly rough, especially during spring and autumn. If you’re prone to seasickness, choose Mediterranean itineraries or pack decent sea sickness remedies.
The Norwegian fjords are spectacular but can be cloudy and rainy even in summer. Pack layers and waterproofs, and don’t expect guaranteed sunshine for those Instagram photos.
What Makes Ambassador Different
Unlike the massive cruise ships that dominate popular ports, Ambassador’s smaller vessels mean you’re often the only cruise ship in port, or one of just two or three. This makes a huge difference to your shore experience. Local restaurants aren’t overwhelmed, attractions aren’t packed, and you get a much more authentic feel for each destination.
The adults-only atmosphere on Ambassadors Ambition and Ambience ship changes the whole dynamic too. Ports feel more relaxed when you’re not dodging pushchairs or listening to screaming toddlers in museum queues.
Booking Strategy and Best Deals
Ambassador’s pricing follows some predictable patterns. Book early for the best cabin choice and decent prices, but last-minute deals can be spectacular if you’re flexible. The sweet spot seems to be about 6-8 months before sailing for the best balance of choice and price.
Interior cabins are perfectly adequate on Ambassador ships because you’ll spend most daylight hours either on deck or ashore. Save your money for shore excursions and drinks instead of upgrading to a balcony you’ll barely use.
Destinations Worth Repeating
After multiple cruises, some Ambassador cruises destinations keep calling me back. The Norwegian fjords are stunning whatever the weather, and each cruise takes a slightly different route so you see new fjords each time. The Baltic capitals are fascinating historically, and there’s so much to explore that one visit barely scratches the surface.
The British Isles itineraries deserve special mention because they visit places that are genuinely difficult to reach otherwise. Some of the Scottish islands they visit have irregular ferry services and limited accommodation, so seeing them by cruise ship is often the most practical way.
Common Questions and FAQ
Do Ambassador ships visit the same ports as other cruise lines?
While there’s overlap with popular ports like Barcelona or Bergen, Ambassador includes many smaller ports that larger ships cannot access. Their Scottish island itineraries and some Norwegian fjord ports are unique to smaller ship operators.
How much time do you actually get in each port?
Port times vary significantly, from 4 hours in smaller ports to overnight stays in major cities. The daily program clearly states all aboard times, and these are generally realistic rather than rushed. Most ports give you 6-8 hours ashore.
Can you explore ports independently without booking excursions?
Absolutely, and in many cases it’s preferable. Ambassador provides excellent port information, and many European ports have city centers within walking distance of the ship. The guest services team can advise which ports are suitable for independent exploration.
What happens if the weather is bad in port?
Ambassador rarely cancels ports entirely, but rough weather can delay departures or affect tender operations. They’re generally good at keeping passengers informed and will adjust schedules when necessary. Norwegian fjords and Scottish islands are particularly weather-dependent.
Are the Caribbean ports different from other cruise lines?
Ambassador’s Caribbean itinerary focuses on the Eastern Caribbean and includes some less-visited ports like Dominica and St. Vincent alongside the popular islands. The smaller ship size means less crowding at each destination.
How far in advance should you book shore excursions?
Popular excursions can sell out, especially on smaller ships, so booking 2-3 months ahead is sensible. However, you can often book alternatives once on board, and many ports are perfectly manageable independently.
