AHOY FUN-LOVING BRITS!

It’s a brand-new series of ‘The Cruise: Fun-Loving Brits at Sea’, and to kick it off, our two cruising duos will be jumping aboard Ambition, their home for the next five days. Their first destination is the French coastal resort of Lorient.
In this episode, married couple and cruise veterans Glenys and Ian from Lancashire explore everything the ship has to offer; from afternoon tea and a thrilling circus show to a surprisingly spacious wardrobe and a slightly competitive game of skittles!
Meanwhile, father and son cruise newbies Graham and Lewis from Hull are out and about in Lorient taking in all things French, from the language to the seafood (much to Graham’s horror!). They then make their way to the ship to settle in and enjoy an essential cruise tradition: the Sailaway drink.
Today Glenys and Ian, and Graham and Lewis are in Lorient, France.

On today’s episode the ship is docked in Le Verdon France, where our competitive duo Glenys and Ian are taking a trip to Bordeaux’s wine country. They not only get their taste buds tickled by authentic French wine but also partake in a little friendly competition in wine blending. Back on the ship they enjoy one of their favourite pastimes, a competitive game of cards before Ian joins Glenys in his first ever facial at the ship’s spa.
Our other set of travellers, father and son duo Graham and Lewis, spend the day in Soulac sur Mer, where they go on a guided walking tour to learn more about the town, before son Lewis, takes Graham to an adventure park, where Graham’s competitive nature comes out to play! They spend their evening back on the ship and join a quiz night. This time it’s their general knowledge that’s put to the test.
Today Glenys and Ian, and Graham and Lewis are in Le Verdon, France.

Today our cruisers are exploring all that Bilbao has to offer. Father and son Graham and Lewis start their day with a hearty breakfast on the beach before exploring the streets of Bilbao. Later they take in the delights of a local food market before rustling up some food themselves at a cooking class! Back on the ship they take each other on in a competitive game of chess.
Meanwhile married couple Glenys and Ian have a go at pottery making, battling it out to see whose pot is best. Afterwards, they indulge in some of the finest cakes Bilbao has to offer, before a quick stop off at the shops to purchase those all-important holiday souvenirs.
Today Glenys and Ian, and Graham and Lewis are in Bilbao, Spain.

In today’s episode our travellers are all at sea! Husband and wife, Ian and Glenys take the opportunity to get involved with the ship’s activities beginning their day with a brisk walk around the top deck, with a competitive edge of course! Before participating in a game of golf putting, which quickly escalates into a showdown of who can sink the most hole-in-ones! Their evening takes a more glamourous turn as Glenys has a pamper session and Ian gets suited and booted and puts his best foot forward, as they ballroom dance the night away!
For our father and son pair, Graham and Lewis, their sea day is extra special because they celebrate Father’s Day. With a work-out session in the ship’s gym followed by an afternoon splashing about in the top deck pool – where dad Graham gives a bit of a helping hand to Lewis to help him learn to swim! They get their glad rags on in the evening to meet the captain of the ship, before enjoying a night of fine dining.
Today Glenys and Ian, and Graham and Lewis are at sea.

Porto is today’s port of call for our holidaymakers. For Graham and Lewis this means trying something new - tile painting, before heading off for a decadent lunch at one of Porto’s local delicacies, Francesinha. They spend their final evening seeing if they can come first in a ‘Secrets and Lies’ quiz back onboard.

Husband and wife Glenys and Ian kick off with their favourite pastime of shopping at a local boutique. For lunch they too indulge in a local speciality – a Pasteis de Balahau, washed down with a glass of local port of course! As their final activity in the city, they get all dressed up for one last souvenir to add to the collection, a vintage picture, before heading back to the ship to listen to a classical pianist.

It’s a new week and time for some new cruisers to board Ambition in the historic Spanish city of Cadiz. Best friends Kerri and Julie from Worthing start off their holiday in style with some traditional Spanish Flamenco dancing, followed by a sumptuous lunch on the beach, before they venture to the ship to settle-in in style with a seven-course taster menu!
Meanwhile mother and daughter Shin and Sarah from Bradford start their holiday energetically! Climbing the tallest tower in town, and hundreds of steps, for some sensational views. After a long descent they treat themselves to some Spanish sweet treats, before hopping onboard the ship and dancing the night away at the White Night party!
Today Kerri and Julie, and Shin and Sarah are in Cadiz, Spain.

Today the ship arrives at the Rock – a slice of Britain in the Med as our duos explore all things Gibraltar. Shin and Sarah go searching for clues that they’re back in Blighty, including some good old-fashioned fish and chips on the beach. Back on the ship, it’s time to get quizzing, followed by a celebratory Sailaway drink on deck.
Meanwhile, it’s Julie’s birthday! Kerri has a few surprises up her sleeve to spoil her bestie rotten. The ladies enjoy a very special birthday afternoon tea at the world-famous Rock Hotel. Back on the ship Julie gets pampered, and the pair are treated to a professional photoshoot followed by a silent disco to top the day off!
Today Kerri and Julie, and Shin and Sarah are in Gibraltar.

It’s day three for our cruisers on Ambition, and they have a whole day onboard as they sail to Vigo. Kerri and Julie are trying a spot of whale watching from the ship’s top deck before they sit back and sunbathe, cocktails in hand! They end the day with a special pirate show in the Palladium theatre.
Shin and Sarah test their rhythm at a soft shoe shuffle dance class before going on their very own tour of the bridge and Shin achieves her dream of meeting the ship’s captain and even gets to steer the ship!
Today Kerri and Julie, and Shin and Sarah are at sea.

It’s the penultimate day of the Ambition cruise and our travelling teams have arrived at the port city of Vigo in northwest Spain. Kerri and Julie are off on a tour with a twist as they don their helmets and explore the seaside by electric bike! Back on the ship it’s time for more exercise, with a power walk around the track and a gym session. To top off a tiring day, there’s always room for cake and champagne!
Shin and Sarah are heading out on a historical walking tour complete with a medieval fortress and some tasty tapas! They find a beautiful cathedral and take some time to remember someone very close to them. Back onboard, they treat themselves to a cheeky spa session and a dinner for two.
Today Kerri and Julie, and Shin and Sarah are in Vigo, Spain.

In today’s episode it’s the final day of the cruise for this week’s holidaymakers and our mother and daughter duo Shin and Sarah take a tour of Brest’s National Botanical Gardens. They get to try a traditional French crepe, before heading back to the ship to take part in a spirited game of quoits! Cruise newbie Sarah gets to experience her first ever gala night, and they are joined by unexpected guests as they enjoy an evening of fine dining and a surprise finale!
Our other set of seasoned cruisers, best friends Kerri and Julie take in some culture as they go on a guided walking tour around the city of Brest, visiting the oldest street, taking a ride in a cable car and having a go at playing a local musical instrument. Back on board they get dressed up to the nines to enjoy their final evening at gala night.
Today Kerri and Julie, and Shin and Sarah are in Brest, France.

It’s the first week onboard Ambassador’s flagship: Ambience, and a new set of cruisers are joining the ship. Today they are in the historic Sardinian capital of Cagliari, before it sets sail around the Mediterranean. Married couple and first-time cruisers Clive and Bernie, from near Preston, are exploring the beautiful ancient city by vintage car, before enjoying their evening onboard Ambience with a special Sailaway drink and evening dinner.
Glaswegian best friends Anne and Yvonne are starting their holiday in foodie fashion at the city’s vibrant market, before heading for a classic Sardinian lunch. Later on, they’re all aboard and celebrating their upcoming voyage with a cruise cocktail and delicious dinner.
Today Clive and Bernie, and Anne and Yvonne are in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.

It’s day two on Ambience for our cruisers and today the ship is arriving in the beautiful and historic port of Syracuse on the island of Sicily, in Italy. Husband and wife Clive and Bernie are throwing themselves into Sicilian life with a classic cooking class, followed by some traditional vase painting. Back on the ship, they’re dining out at one of Ambience’s speciality restaurants: Saffron.
Best friends Anne and Yvonne are starting the day in peace and tranquillity, with some cliffside yoga. They’re then hopping on a boat tour to learn all about the history of the area and even explore a sea cave! After a busy morning it’s back onboard for a well-earned trip to the ship’s salon and a relaxing drink to end another cruise-tastic day.
Today Clive and Bernie, and Anne and Yvonne are in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy.

Today our cruisers are all at sea! Married couple Clive and Bernie have breakfast on their balcony before Bernie has a go at a line dancing class. Later they have a relaxing mineral mud wrap at the onboard spa, ahead of their chef’s table experience in the evening.
Best friends Anne and Yvonne soak up the rays with a bit of sunbathing before Anne leaves Yvonne to try her luck with a bit of quizzing. Reunited they go head-to-head in a curling competition. Later they spectate a cocktail flaring competition before a night at the theatre watching a ‘Divas Through the Decades’ spectacular.
Today Clive and Bernie, and Anne and Yvonne are at sea.

Today our travellers are taking in the sights of Argostoli, on the Greek island of Cephalonia. Husband and wife Clive and Bernie have a lakeside spot of lunch before heading onto the lake itself for some turtle spotting. Later they indulge in Bernie’s favourite pastime, shopping! As their final activity on land, they make some unique jewellery to celebrate their 49th wedding Anneiversary. Back on board, Clive sets about arranging a surprise for Bernie, before ending the day with a glass of bubbly in the hot tub.
Best friends Anne and Yvonne start their day with some history and culture taking in a local lighthouse and monastery before heading off for a spot of wine-tasting. Back on the ship the party animal Yvonne coaxes Anne to celebrations onboard – the white night party.
Today Clive and Bernie, and Anne and Yvonne are in Argostoli, Cephalonia, Greece.

It’s the final day for our Ambience adventurers and today they’re on the stunning Greek island of Corfu. Clive and Bernie are celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary today, and they have a day of romance ahead and start with a trip to the aptly named Canal D’Amour (canal of love) beach, for breakfast, sandcastles and of course, ice cream! Back on board, and Clive has organised a very special surprise for Bernie, that takes her breath away up on the ship’s bridge.
Friends Anne and Yvonne start their day with a less traditional sightseeing stop as Anne takes Yvonne to the cemetery before trying their hand at traditional candle making. Back on Ambience and Anne has a birthday surprise for Yvonne: a special Christmas bauble! They end their final night onboard with a birthday celebration for Yvonne.
Today Clive and Bernie, and Anne and Yvonne are in Corfu, Greece.

This week brings two pairs of first-timers onto the cruise. Long time couple and avid dog lovers, James and Damien start their trip exploring the Dutch city of Amsterdam, taking in the sights via a canal cruise before heading to see how a traditional stroopwaffel is made before tasting it. They finish off painting some bowls as gifts for their dogs before getting onboard the ship.
Mum and daughter from London, Jacque and Tamara, take a tour to Old Amsterdam, the northern area of Volendam famous for wooden shoes and Dutch cheeses and they get hands-on with both.
Today James and Damien, and Jacque and Tamara are in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

It’s day two aboard Ambience, and our cruising couples have got a whole day at sea. Mother and daughter Jacque and Tamara are getting crafty with a jewellery making class, before they test their footwork at a Latin dance class! They get competitive with a game of shuffleboard out on deck before winding down with some special spa treatments.
Civil partners James and Damien also have a full day ahead but decide to start slowly with some yoga, before getting their game faces on for a spot of ladder golf! Later on, it’s bingo time, a cruise classic, before they head to the Palladium theatre for a special show with a very special guest!
Today James and Damien, and Jacque and Tamara are at sea.

In today’s episode, Ambience arrives in the picturesque Portuguese capital of Lisbon. James and Damien are taking in one of the most famous local delicacies as they visit a traditional sardine shop and have a try for themselves. Sticking with the marine theme, they then head out into the choppy seas to try and spot some dolphins!
Jacque and Tamara are also immersing themselves in the city with a tuk-tuk tour, to take in all the sights. Later, they’re donning their aprons as they learn to make the all-time favourite Portuguese treat: pastel de nata, yum!
Today James and Damien, and Jacque and Tamara are in Lisbon, Portugal.

En route to their final destination of Gibraltar in the Med, this week’s holidaymakers enjoy a day at sea. Mum and daughter, Jacque and Tamara from London get crafty, learning to sculpt towels into animal shapes, they also try their hands at watercolour painting and carpet bowls for the first time with mixed results.
James and Damien from Essex get put through their paces at an aerobics class before a relaxing session of couples’ reflexology in the spa has an unexpected effect on James. The evening is rounded off with the formal Captain’s Gala, full of glitz and glam and a sparkling dessert that gets its own parade.
Today James and Damien, and Jacque and Tamara are at sea.

It’s the final day for this weeks’ intrepid travellers and the ship is arriving in the British-Mediterranean aka Gibraltar! Couple James and Damien start the day in style with a waterside breakfast at a bistro by the marina. They then head up to the famous rock nature reserve via cable car and visit two fascinating stops: the Queen’s Balcony and World War II Tunnels.
Mother and daughter Jacque and Tamara are also exploring the reserve, with visits to the awe-inspiring St Michael’s Cave and the Sky Walk, which is not for the faint-hearted! They see plenty of cheeky monkeys along the way! Back on the ship, they end their wonderful week with a very classy tasting menu dinner, bon appetit!
Today James and Damien, and Jacque and Tamara are in Gibraltar.