Ambassador Cruises Drinks Packages

Ambassador Cruises operates differently from the mega-ship crowd when it comes to drinks packages. Their smaller ships and British-focused approach means the usual cruise industry drinks package rules don’t always apply.

Ambassador Cruises has four drinks packages: Adventurers (kids’ soft drinks), Experience (non-alcoholic), Explorer (includes standard alcohol) and Expedition (premium alcohol). Prices range from £13 to £45 per day. Packages cover the full cruise and reflect British drinking preferences.

My Ambassador Drinks Package Discovery

I sailed on Ambassador Ambience expecting the usual cruise ship drinks package circus. Instead, I found a more civilised approach that actually reflects how British cruisers drink. The bar staff knew passengers by name within two days, the wine selection included decent British and European options and nobody tried to upsell premium packages every five minutes.

What struck me most was the quality of house wines. While most cruise lines serve industrial plonk as “house” selections, Ambassador’s house wines were genuinely drinkable. The house red on my sailing was a Spanish Tempranillo that I’d happily order in a decent gastropub. Their house white, a Portuguese Vinho Verde, had proper character rather than the bland, mass-produced whites you get elsewhere.

The cocktail program surprised me too. Rather than flashy presentations with dry ice and theatrical nonsense, Ambassador’s bartenders focused on properly made classics. Their gin and tonic used Bombay Sapphire as the house gin and they knew how to make a proper Negroni without drowning it in syrup.

But here’s what really made my experience fun: the pace. On mega-ships, bars operate like fast-food outlets with rushed service and assembly-line efficiency. Ambassador’s bartenders actually conversed with guests, remembered drink preferences and created the relaxed atmosphere you’d want on holiday.

Ambassador Cruises Drinks Package Options

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1. Adventurers Package (children 0-17, min 5 nights):
   • Unlimited soft drinks and juices (e.g., Coca Cola, Sprite, Irn Bru)
   • Excludes alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, room service, and gratuities
   • Priced from £13 per person, per night
   • Available only on multi-generational cruises alongside adult packages
2. Experience Package (non-alcoholic for adults):
   • Unlimited soft drinks, mocktails, non-alcoholic beer/rum/gin
   • Includes gratuities and service charges on drinks
   • Excludes all alcoholic beverages, premium teas/coffees, and room service
   • Prices from £20.95 per person, per night
3. Explorer Package (moderate alcohol inclusion):
   • All Experience package drinks plus cocktails, house wines by the glass, house spirits (gin, whiskey, vodka), liqueurs, brandy, sherry, and aperitifs
   • 50% discount on premium beverages from the bar
   • Includes gratuities and service charges
   • Excludes premium wines, specialty teas/coffees, and room service
   • Prices from £38.95 per person, per night
4. Expedition Package (most inclusive):
   • Includes all Explorer package drinks plus premium wines by the glass, premium spirits (vodka, whiskey, rum), specialty teas and coffees
   • Includes all gratuities and service charges on drinks
   • Does not include bottled drinks, minibar items, or room service beverages
   • Prices from £44.95 per person, per night

Packages must be purchased for the whole cruise duration and are non-transferable. They can be booked pre-cruise or onboard within 24 hours of embarkation. Pricing varies by cruise length and booking timing. The drinks menus and availability may vary by ship and itinerary.

Understanding Ambassador’s Drinking Culture

The British Pub Philosophy

Ambassador consciously models their bars after British pub culture rather than American cruise ship excess. This means slower service that encourages conversation, comfortable seating arrangements that promote socialising and drink selections that reflect actual British preferences.

You’ll notice this in practical ways: bar stools are positioned for chatting, not rushed consumption. Tables accommodate groups rather than forcing everyone to crowd the bar. The music volume allows actual conversation. These details matter when you’re spending a week aboard.

Venue-Specific Experiences

• The Navigator Pub: Ambassador ships feature traditional pub-style venues that serve as social hubs. Here, the drinks package feels most valuable because the atmosphere encourages lingering over pints and conversation. The pub typically offers the best selection of British ales and traditional pub snacks.
• Main Bars: These spaces focus on cocktails and wine service with a more refined atmosphere. Perfect for pre-dinner drinks or evening socialising. The bartenders here tend to be more skilled at classic cocktail preparation.
• Pool Deck Bars: Casual venues serving simple drinks and frozen cocktails. Package value is lower here since individual drink prices are typically more reasonable for basic beer and simple mixed drinks.

Seasonal Drinking Patterns

• Mediterranean Cruises: Hot weather increases consumption of cold drinks, making packages more valuable. Passengers spend more time in air-conditioned bars during midday heat. Wine with lunch becomes more appealing when you’re relaxing indoors.
• Northern European Itineraries: Cooler weather shifts preferences towards warming drinks and spirits. Hot toddies, Irish coffee and whisky service become more popular. Indoor bar time increases during rougher seas.
• British Isles Cruises: Port-heavy itineraries reduce onboard drinking time. Many passengers prefer experiencing local pubs and breweries in ports rather than ship bars. Package value decreases with frequent port stops.

Ambassador’s approach differs significantly from mainstream cruise operators:

How Ambassador Compares to Other Cruise Lines

Advantages Over Larger Lines:

• No mandatory purchase for all cabin guests (unlike Royal Caribbean’s policy)
• More reasonable individual drink prices (£4-5 for beer vs £6-8 on mega-ships)
• Better wine selection curated for British tastes rather than mass market appeal
• Less aggressive upselling tactics from bar staff • Personalised service that remembers guest preferences
• Proper glassware instead of plastic cups for most drinks
• Realistic package pricing that reflects actual consumption patterns

Limitations Compared to Premium Lines:

• Smaller selection of ultra-premium brands (no Dom Perignon or 25-year whiskeys)
• Limited specialty coffee options compared to lines with dedicated coffee shops
• Fewer bars and lounges per ship means less variety in ambiance
• Less elaborate cocktail programs without molecular mixology or theatrical presentations
• No 24-hour bar service on smaller ships

Why Ambassador Actually Works: Ambassador occupies the middle ground between budget cruise lines with terrible drinks and luxury lines with excessive markup. Their approach suits passengers who want quality without paying premium cruise prices.

For context on industry-wide drinks package value, read our analysis of whether all-inclusive drinks packages are worth the money.

Advanced Package Strategies

The Wine Lover’s Approach

Serious wine drinkers should focus on Ambassador’s wine-by-the-bottle programs alongside or instead of packages. Their wine list includes some excellent mid-range bottles at reasonable cruise ship pricing. A couple sharing a bottle with dinner often spends less than two package costs while enjoying superior wine.

Wine Program Benefits:

• Bottles can be consumed over multiple meals
• Leftover wine stored and returned to your table
• Access to wine cellar selections not available by glass
• Wine pairing dinners offer exceptional value for enthusiasts
• Sommelier recommendations help discover new favorites

The Strategic Drinker’s Timeline

• Embarkation Day: Assess bar pricing and drink quality before committing to packages. Order a few individual drinks to gauge value and taste quality.
• First Sea Day: Monitor your natural drinking patterns. Do you actually want multiple drinks daily, or are you content with dinner wine and an evening cocktail?
• Port Days: Track how much time you spend onboard versus exploring destinations. Package value drops significantly if you’re spending 8+ hours in ports daily.
• Final Assessment: Most passengers can accurately predict package value by day three. Ambassador’s flexible policies allow purchase then if it makes sense.

Group Dynamics and Package Decisions

• Couples Strategy: One person buying a package while the other pays individually often optimises costs. The package holder orders wine for the table while the individual payer sticks to beer or simple drinks.
• Friend Groups: Ambassador’s no-sharing policy means each person must evaluate their own consumption. Don’t let peer pressure drive package decisions.
• Multi-Generational Groups: Grandparents often drink less than adult children assume. Evaluate each person’s actual preferences rather than making group decisions.

Booking Strategy: Pre-Cruise vs. Onboard

Pre-Cruise Advantages:

• Guaranteed package availability
• Often 10-15% cheaper than onboard pricing
• One less decision during embarkation
• Can budget total cruise costs accurately

Onboard Purchase Benefits:

• Assess your actual drinking patterns first
• Avoid package if you discover extensive port touring
• No commitment if seasickness affects appetite
• Can trial individual drinks to test value

Insider Tip: Ambassador often offers packages during the first sea day at pre-cruise prices. This gives you 24 hours to assess your drinking patterns before committing.

Package Restrictions and Fine Print

Usage Rules

• Packages must be purchased for entire cruise duration
• No sharing between passengers
• Valid in main bars and restaurants only
• Some specialty venues may have restrictions
• Gratuities not included in package price

Important Limitations

• One drink per passenger at a time
• No takeaway drinks to cabins
• Package expires at disembarkation
• Refunds only for medical emergencies
• Room service drinks charged separately

Ambassador Fleet Differences

Ambition-Class Ships

Ambition and Ambience:

• Multiple bars including traditional pub-style venues
• Wine bar with extended selection
• Pool deck bar for casual drinking
• Main restaurant wine service included

Specialty Dining Considerations

Ambassador’s specialty restaurants may have different wine lists with premium pricing. Package holders receive discounts but not full coverage for ultra-premium selections.

The break-even point for Ambassador Cruises’ drinks packages depends on the package cost and how many drinks you consume daily

Based on 2025 pricing:

• Premium/Explorer Package costs about £38.95 per day.
• Expedition Package costs about £44.95 per day.

Typical individual drink prices onboard:

• House wine by glass: £5-7
• Draught beer: £4-5
• Spirits and mixers: £6-8
• Cocktails: £7-9
• Soft drinks: £2-3

Break-even analysis:

• For the Explorer package (£38.95/day), you need around 5 to 6 alcoholic drinks daily (e.g., wine, beer, cocktails) to break even.
• For the Expedition package (£44.95/day), about 6 to 8 drinks, including premium choices, will cover the cost.

If you drink fewer drinks or mostly soft drinks, packages may not provide value. Consider your drinking habits and cruise length before purchasing.

This aligns with expert recommendations for maximizing the package value on Ambassador Cruises..

Alternative Strategies to Packages

Wine by the Bottle

Ambassador offers reasonable wine bottle pricing for dinner. Couples sharing a bottle with meals often spend less than individual package costs.

Beer Bucket Deals

Some bars offer beer bucket promotions during happy hours. Regular beer drinkers might find better value with these targeted offers.

Port-Based Drinking

On Ambassador’s British Isles cruises, consider drinking in local pubs during port stops. You’ll experience authentic local beverages while saving money.

Package Purchase Process

Pre-Cruise Booking

• Available through Ambassador’s website after final payment
• Travel agent can add during booking process
• Email confirmations include package details
• Changes possible up to 48 hours before sailing

Onboard Purchase

• Guest services desk during embarkation
• Any bar during first sea day
• Package activated immediately upon payment
• Cannot be cancelled once activated

Common Questions About Ambassador Drinks Packages

Can I share my drinks package with my cabin mate? No, packages are linked to individual guest cards and cannot be shared between passengers.

What happens if I’m seasick and can’t drink? Ambassador doesn’t offer refunds for seasickness, but they may allow package suspension in extreme cases with medical documentation.

Are drinks packages worth it on shorter cruises? On 3-5 day cruises, packages rarely provide value unless you’re planning significant onboard drinking time.

Are soft drinks included in the Ambassador cruise fare? Soft drinks aren’t included in the basic cruise fare. They’re covered if you buy a drinks package, or can be purchased individually.

Is bottled water included in the Ambassador drinks package? Bottled water (such as Purezza brand) in cabins or minibar is not included in any Ambassador Cruise Line drinks package and is charged separately (about £1.65 per bottle). Guests can buy a refillable Purezza water bottle for £17.95 to get unlimited refills during the cruise. Water by the glass is included in all packages, but bottled water purchases are extra.

Do packages include room service drinks? No, room service beverages are charged separately regardless of package level.

What about specialty restaurant wine? Package holders receive discounts on specialty restaurant wine lists, but coverage varies by venue and bottle selection.

Do all guests in a cabin have to purchase the same drinks package? Yes, Ambassador requires all adults in the same cabin to buy the same drinks package, to prevent sharing.

How many bottles of wine can I bring onboard with me? Ambassador allows each guest to bring one bottle of wine or champagne onboard at embarkation. The bottle must be in carry-on luggage, not checked bags. If you bring wine to the main dining room, expect a corkage fee of around £15-20 per bottle. Some specialty restaurants may refuse outside wine entirely. Beer and spirits aren’t permitted as carry-on items.

For more cruise planning advice, explore our guides to Ambassador cruise destinations and Caribbean fly-cruise options.