Onboard credit explained: What is it, and where to spend it?
Thursday, 23 July 2026
When travelling with Ambassador Cruise Line, we take care of all the finer details, so you don’t have to. Our comfortable and cosy cabins on Ambience, Ambition and Renaissance offer you a place to rest your head, our selection of bars, restaurants and entertainment areas offer you a place to laugh and catch up with friends, and our pools and spa allow you to relax and unwind on sea days.
Your cabin cost covers a full cruise experience, including full board cuisine, invitations to the Gala and Captain’s Dinner, onboard entertainment and use of facilities like the pool and spa, but there are additional services, experiences and activities on each ship that you may choose to purchase to enhance your sailing. This is where onboard credit comes in.
In this guide, we explain a little more about what onboard credit is, how you get it and where you can spend it on our ships.
WHAT IS ONBOARD CREDIT?
Onboard credit is a simpler way of spending on every Ambassador ship. During embarkation, you’ll be given a cruise card which acts as your method of payment while on board. This means you can explore our ships without needing to carry around cards or cash, with all purchases and expenses being charged to your account, payable via invoice at the end of your cruise.
You must manually add onboard credit to your account; however, you may find that there is a deal that accompanies your cruise that offers you some free onboard credit when you book through the website. This will be added to your account before your sailing, ready for use upon embarkation.
Read more: Embarkation Day: Exactly What Happens and When
HOW CAN I ADD ONBOARD CREDIT?
Simplicity is the goal, and adding credit to your account is no exception. You can add credit before and during your cruise via My Ambassador Sailing under the Gift Package section which accepts Mastercard, Amex, Visa credit cards and Visa debit cards. While sailing, you can head to reception to add credit via cash or card.
Keep tabs on your onboard credit via the app or onboard kiosks, but worry not – you can still spend without available credit; any additional expenses will be invoiced at the end of your cruise.
WHERE CAN I SPEND ONBOARD CREDIT?
Onboard credit can be spent almost anywhere on our ships, with the main exception being the casino. There is a range of opportunities to splash out and enjoy some celebratory spending, because what’s not to celebrate about being at sea?
This opens the door to really mould your sailing to your preferences. If you’re cruising for relaxation, you can use onboard credit to purchase a range of treatments from the spa. If you’re a food fanatic, onboard credit can be used to cover meals at our speciality restaurants. However you like to cruise, enjoy it your way with onboard credit.
Let’s look at some of the ways you may choose to spend your onboard credit.
Excellent Cruise
The ship is small so meeting fellow passengers is more likely. In the dining room I like how the staff allocate seating to help with mixing. Great food. The staff are all friendly and efficient. Palladum shows are so professional. Excellent cruise.
– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot
EXPERIENCE OUTSTANDING CUISINE AT OUR SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS
Every sailing is special, and many guests choose to celebrate as such. While your cabin cost covers full board dining, our speciality restaurants offer a memorable meal with exceptional flavours and thoughtful service.
All three of our ships feature Saffron, which offers an authentic journey into the sights and flavours of South Asia, and Chef's Table, a VIP multi-course dining experience, created and hosted by the Executive Chef with all bookings including an exclusive tour of the Galley. Ambience is home to Sea & Grass, offering seven handcrafted courses with optional wine pairings. Guests on Ambition can enjoy a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Lupino's. Renaissance has her own arsenal of flavours with Pan-Asian cuisine at Lotus and Caribbean charm and cocktails at Kreole by Mondi. For steak lovers, The Grill offers an authentic steakhouse experience serving premium cuts and grill favourites. This limited-time pop-up is hosted on selected evenings inside Sea & Grass on Ambience and Lupino's on Ambition.
Saffron
Sea & Grass
Lupino's
Lotus
Kreole
Chef's Kitchen
The Grill
DISCOVER LOCAL CULTURE WITH A DESTINATION EXPERIENCE
Whether the ship is docking at a bucket-list destination or somewhere you can’t wait to revisit, many guests choose their sailing based on its ports. But with so much to see and do, combined with booking requirements, transport needs, and a potential language barrier, getting about in port can be overwhelming.
Destination Experiences are our carefully curated selection of excursions designed to make the most of your time at port and showcase the best of what each breathtaking destination has to offer. From guided excursions to panoramic viewpoints, off-road segway adventures, full-day coach tours and food and wine tasting afternoons, there’s something for everyone. Book your Destination Experiences in advance to secure your place at the best possible price, but remaining spaces can be booked while on board.
HAVE A BROWSE OF THE SHOPPING GALLERIA
The Shopping Galleria is stocked with all your holiday essentials, as well as tempting luxury brands including Swarovski, Tissot, Clinique and Dior that are worth perusing. Whether you're hoping to pick up some gifts for family and friends, or fancy treating yourself to something special (you are on holiday after all!), you’ll be spoilt for choice. We even have a range of official Ambassador Cruise Line merchandise, including hats, t-shirts, hoodies and bags, perfect for souvenirs and if you miss winning a keyring or fridge magnet from one of the onboard quizzes.
SAVOUR THE MEMORIES WITH OUR ONBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
Our experienced photographers and videographers are on hand to capture the key moments from before you step on board through to your time enjoyed at sea. All photos and videos taken by our onboard team are available to purchase as a variety of keepsakes, from carefully curated compilations as a slide show or DVD, bespoke photobooks, keyrings, magnets or even a Christmas bauble. Take home a physical memory that lasts forever.
FEEL REJUVENATED AFTER A TRIP TO THE GREEN SEA SPA
Whether you're looking for a morning pick-me-up, returning from a busy day ashore, or enjoying a sea day, Green Sea Spa is our onboard oasis designed for ultimate relaxation. Our team of wellbeing experts have carefully curated a range of treatments that will leave you feeling rejuvenated, ready to embrace your upcoming cruising activities or blend back into everyday life upon the end of your sailing. From various massage, detox and healing therapies to hair, hand and foot care, there's something for everyone. Treat yourself to a facial, lie back and enjoy a massage, or stop by and have your hair made up for the onboard Gala Night.
Read more: The Joy of Adult-Only Cruises
From arriving at the Port of Liverpool…
From arriving at the Port of Liverpool we received the best courteous treatment. Cases taken and at our cabin door as we arrived, Greated by our steward who informed us of treats wine fruit and chocolates awaiting for us such wonderful service.
Clean comfortable room excellent food, all staff on board cheerful attentive all happy to ensure our cruise met expectations.
Shows best ever, plenty of variety throughout the day spar is a must.
Can't wait to book our next adventure.
Well done yet again AMBITION our lady of the seas.
– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot
GET CREATIVE WITH A CRAFTING CLASS
If you’re looking for a hands-on activity to fill a sea day, our onboard crafting classes are a fun way to learn a new skill and connect with other guests. Under the guidance of expert crafters, learn how to repurpose old materials into something new, and take home a unique, hand-made memento from your sailing. Every class offers an inclusive and accessible onboard experience for guests of all ages and abilities.
SWIRL, SNIFF AND SIP WITH A WINE/WHISKEY TASTING OR COCKTAIL DEMO
Many guests enjoy a speciality cocktail while lounging around the pool, a nice glass of wine with their meal, or a stiff vintage whiskey at the bar of an evening. So why not bring your favourite tipple to life with a wine or whiskey tasting, or a cocktail-making demonstration?
Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple or as a larger group, our intimate cocktail-making and wine and whiskey tasting sessions are a great way to fill your time at sea. It's not just about trying the drinks; it's about understanding how to pair them for best enjoyment. Return home with the knowledge of a sommelier to impress your next dinner guests.
These experiences are available to book via My Ambassador Sailing on selected sailings or with a member of the Bar Team, subject to availability.
STEP BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SHIP
Have you ever wondered what it takes to keep a cruise running smoothly? While you’re enjoying your sailing, our dedicated teams are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure your journey is memorable. Join an exclusive behind the scenes tour to get a glimpse into the bustling kitchens where our cuisine is prepared, backstage at the Palladium, the engine room and more, and receive a bag of branded goodies at the end! Tour guests can also take a photo with the captain on the bridge and ask any burning questions directly to the Hotel Director.
Our tours are a great way to fill a morning at sea, offering the opportunity to explore the lesser-known areas and processes that ensure a smooth sailing. Spaces on our behind the scenes tours: Exploring Ambience, Exploring Ambition and Exploring Renaissance are limited; book ahead of time via My Ambassador Sailing on selected sailings or at Reception to secure your spot.
STAY CONNECTED WITH A WI-FI PACKAGE
Our ships are equipped with full-service Wi-Fi because while your sailing may be a getaway, it’s good to stay connected. With three levels of Wi-Fi Package to suit your needs, you can keep in touch with family and friends, upload your cruise pictures to your social media profile as they’re happening and stream TV shows and movies for cosy nights in your cabin.
RAISE A GLASS WITH A DRINKS PACKAGE
Take the calculations out of your cruise with a pre-agreed Drinks Package. Pick from three levels that suit every guest's preferences, whether you stick to non-alcoholic options or enjoy a tipple (or two, or three, or four!). If you prefer to pay as you go, onboard credit can be used to purchase drinks at all of our on board bars.
Read more: Why you should upgrade your drinks package on a cruise
We loved it from the moment we stepped…
We loved it from the moment we stepped on board. Great friendly staff and fantastic food. This is our 2nd time with Ambassador ambition and won't be our last. Everyone of the staff are amazing. Special thanks to Rene and April who looked after us in Buckingham Restaurant and Roy who looked after our cabin.
– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot
GET READY TO SAIL
If you’re planning to join us for a cruise or have already booked your sailing, we hope this guide has given you some insight into how onboard credit works on our ships. For more information about our ships and what you can expect whilst on board, take a look at our FAQs, or alternatively, look at our blog for travel inspiration.
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WHY CRUISE WITH AMBASSADOR
Make the most of every moment with Ambassador. Sailing from UK ports with welcoming service, comfortable smaller ships and a wide range of destinations, it’s easy to enjoy your cruise with unforgettable experiences both on board and ashore.
