Ambassador’s Story
Who is Ambassador Cruise Line?
Our purpose is to inspire and delight every guest to enjoy an authentic cruise experience effortlessly, and sustainably.
Ambassador Cruise Line is a brand-new cruise line and is the first new British cruise line to be launched since 2010. Its purpose is for every guest to enjoy an authentic cruise experience effortlessly, and sustainably. Ambassador’s staff and crew will be the friendliest, and most diverse, in the industry. Guests will make long-lasting friendships both with fellow guests and crew, creating a community at sea.
Ambassador’s extremely experienced management team is led by Chief Executive Officer, Christian Verhounig supported by Chief Financial Officer, Matthias Seeger, Chief Commercial Officer, Philip Gardner, Chief Operating Officer, Nick Hughes, Chief Administrative Officer, Simon Weeks, Chief Technology Officer, Gary Hides, and Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Nardini
The Chair of the Board of Directors is Gordon Wilson who has over 30 years of experience in the global travel industry. This includes his role as the President and CEO of Travelport until July 2019. He is a member of the Supervisory Board of BCD Holdings which owns global corporate travel management company, BCD Travel. He has been appointed to the Chair of the Board of Interactive Investor, the second-largest direct-to-consumer investment platform in the UK. Ambassador Cruise Line is based in Purfleet, Essex.
What is Ambassador Cruise Line?
Ambassador's first ship Ambience sails for the British market from London Tilbury. In addition, their second ship Ambition will launch on 4 March 2023 and also sail from Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol & Falmouth.
Ambassador Cruise Line is adult-focused and age-inclusive but primarily aimed at the 50-plus market. The cruise line will run a number of Multi-Generational cruises over the summer holidays. The company will deliver a seamless, authentic, and enriching cruise experience.
Where does Ambassador Cruise Line sail?
Departing from London Tilbury, Ambassador Cruise Line’s carefully curated no-fly programme of 31 inaugural-year sailings visits over 90 different ports. Featured destinations include the British Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, Greenland, the Arctic and Iceland, plus several short break cruises. For the winter months, a range of exploration style voyages will sail to the Canary Islands, Cuba, the Caribbean, Cape Verde and Scandinavia.
How will Ambassador Cruise Line look after guests?
Ambassador’s smaller to mid-sized classic cruise ship offers a higher space to guest ratio, making cruising more relaxed and will provide guests with reassurance.
Ambassador’s health and safety mandate ensures all crew are vaccinated and guests must be fully vaccinated subject to any exemptions. The cruise line works closely with all destinations to adhere to local health guidelines and requirements. Treating guests right is not just about the booking and onboard experience.
In accordance with The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, insurance cover is in place to financially protect all guests booking with Ambassador Cruise Line, for all monies paid either directly or via their travel agent. In addition, they operate a fully independently managed Trust Account where guests’ funds are deposited and only released when the cruise departs. The offer also includes a booking guarantee in the event we are forced to cancel a cruise.
Health Protocols
Health and guest safety are priorities at Ambassador Cruise Line who will set high standards of hygiene and cleanliness onboard with strict health protocols to protect all guests and crew. Ambassador work closely with the IMO (International Maritime Organization), other international bodies and destination stakeholders and strictly follow UK Government Task Force and international guidelines to maintain the highest standards.
Ambassador’s comprehensive health and safety protocols encompass the full journey for guests, covering the shipboard and shoreside experience. Ambassador Cruise Line continue to monitor and evaluate the pandemic situation and will post any updates on its website as further public health standards evolve.
What is the vaccination policy for children sailing on the Multi-Generational cruises?
Guests aged 18 and over
All guests over the age of 18 must be fully vaccinated. This includes two original doses, and a third booster dose.
Guests aged 12 – 17 years
Children aged 12-17 years, must have had two doses of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination in order to travel with us. If they have not had two doses 14 days prior to the sailing, unfortunately they will not be able to board the ship at your own expense.
You will need to bring proof of vaccination for all guests aged 12 and over, and this will be checked on arrival prior to embarkation. The easiest, and our preferred way to do this, is to download and login to the NHS app, then download a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate as proof that you have received your full dose (including booster for guests over the age of 18) of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination. Your certificate can only be obtained via the NHS App or website, by calling the NHS 119 telephone service, or the HSC equivalent for Northern Ireland. Please note once the digital certificate is downloaded, it is now valid for 6 months. You may bring either a downloaded or printed paper copy of your COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
Pre-Travel Covid Testing for Guests Aged 12 and Over
In order to provide a seamless and smooth embarkation process when you arrive at London Tilbury and to save our guests time by not having to queue, we have decided that pre-departure COVID-19 tests are best taken at home.
We are delighted to be working with Chronomics, who provide a simple and fast way to order your home testing kits and provide you with a negative certificate, to present on arrival at the cruise terminal.
Further details of how to order your home testing kits will be sent to you by email, 14 days prior to your sailing date.
It is worth noting that your home testing kits will be provided at Ambassador’s cost and at no charge to our guests. However, if you do not follow the process set out when we communicate it to you 14 days prior to your cruise and if you arrive at Tilbury without a Chronomics negative test certificate, you will be charged £30pp to test on arrival.
Guests aged 5-11 years
If children aged between 5-11 years, have had two doses of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination, then they will follow the pre-travel testing procedures that are detailed above.
However any children aged between 5-11 years that have not been vaccinated (or only had one dose), must undertake a private PCR test, from an approved test provider, which must be dated within 48 hours of travel, at the point of embarkation. This must not be an Antigen or Lateral Flow test; it must be a PCR test and this will be at the guests’ cost. You will be asked to present the negative PCR test certificate at embarkation. If you are not able to present this to our staff when asked, unfortunately you will not be able to board the ship at your own expense.
Guests under 5 years
Guests under five years of age are exempt from pre-travel vaccination and testing.
Guest Requirements
Pre-sailing health questionnaire: Guests will be asked to complete a standard pre-sailing health questionnaire to identify any medical issues in advance of sailing.
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: It will be a requirement for all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to sailing, subject to any exemptions. Guests will also be subject to a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to sailing date. The situation will be under constant review with updates posted on Ambassador’s website.
Testing before you cruise: Ambassador will require guests to have compulsory testing before they sail.
Temperature testing onboard: Facilities will be available around the ship and onboard temperature testing will be under review. Ambassador will install temperature check systems in key areas onboard the ship such as the embarkation area and outside restaurants.
Face masks, social-distancing, and hand sanitation: Ambience is very spacious and therefore provides sufficient space for social distancing. If face masks are still recommended in communal areas, Ambassador will adhere to this policy. Ambassador will install additional hand sanitising stations onboard the ship and at the cruise terminal. The situation will be under constant review.
Onboard Ambience
Ambience is a spacious ship providing sufficient space for social distancing. The ship’s average maiden season occupancy is expected to be about 1,400 guests affording a guest space ratio of 50:2per guest (gross tonnage divided by number of guests, a metric for space on Ambience per each guest)
Upgraded air conditioning filtration: As part of the ship’s substantial upgrade in Q1 2022 prior to the commencement of service, significant enhancements will be made to the ship’s air conditioning and ventilation system with upgraded medical grade air filters and sterilised fresh air before circulation and non-recirculation.
Enlarged medical centre and team: During the refit, the ship’s medical centre and facilities will also be enlarged and upgraded to include a dedicated isolation centre and expanded medical team.
The Crew: Ambience will have a crew of up to 700 and, before joining the ship, all crew members will be fully vaccinated and tested. The crew to guest ratio will be 2.15 (one crew member for every 2.15 guests).
Cleaning: Ambassador will regularly disinfect the entire ship, including cabins, using certified high-grade cleaning products.
Ambience and Ambition
Evoking the instantly welcoming and comforting atmosphere of the cruise line’s onboard style, Ambassador Cruise Line has chosen to name its first cruise ship Ambience.
Ambience is designed to carry approximately 1,400 guests, creating an inviting and social atmosphere.
There are 798 cabins ranging from 18-52sq metres, a choice of five restaurants offering a selection of locally inspired dishes including speciality dining options as well as two cafes, nine lounges, two swimming pools, a spa, day and evening entertainment, fitness and leisure facilities complemented by enticing enrichment and lifestyle programmes.
Ambience will make its first sailing for Ambassador Cruise Line in April 2022, which departs from London Tilbury.
Ambience will be upgraded with emission reduction technologies, prior to the start of the cruising season. She will not only adhere to the latest updated rules regarding emission reductions (Tier II from 1January 2022 in certain NOX Emission Control areas) but will already be compliant with rules which come into force by 1 January 2025 (Tier III of the IMO NOX regulations –aiming to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 70% compared to the Tier II standards).
In addition, Ambience will be equipped and outfitted with the latest ballast and sewage water treatment systems, enabling her to sail in all strictly environmentally protected seas. Within the guest areas, Ambience is being refurbished and upgraded, with sustainability central to decision making.
Onboard, no single-use plastic is a prerequisite, and from in-room amenities, to staff uniforms, the cruise line has selected eco-conscious products. Ambassador Cruise Line is also committed to smart technology with a strong paperless ethos, reducing wastage. Technology has also been used as an alternative to printing materials, shore plans and activity schedules.
Ambience
- Ambience’s maiden voyage will sail on a short break cruise to Hamburg on Wednesday 20th April 2022
- 70,285 tonnes
- 1,400 guest capacity
- 798 cabins: (23% balcony) ranging from 18-52sq metres
- Guest to space ratio: 50.2 per guest (gross tonnage divided by the number of guests, a metric for space on the Ambience per each guest)
- Crew to guest ratio: 2.15 (one crew member for every 2.15 guests)
- Classification Society: Lloyds Register of London
Ambition
- Ambition’s maiden voyage itineraries will be unveiled during Q2 2022
- Gross tonnage: 48,123
- Guest capacity: 1,200
- Cabins: 714 cabins: (including 125 balcony cabins, 113 suites/mini suites, 473 (66%) balcony view)
- Space ratio: 40 (gross tonnage divided by number of guests, a metric for space on Ambition per guest)
- Crew: 500
- Guest/crew ratio: 2.40
- Classification Society: Rina, Italy
- Previous names: Mistral, Grand Mistral, Costa neoRiviera, AIDAmira
- Built in 1999
Cruise is generally not seen as environmentally friendly and consumer sentiment is moving towards holidays that protect the environment. You’re not building new ships, so what are doing to mitigate the impact of operations?
Ambience will be upgraded with emission reduction technologies to be IMO Tier III compliant, prior to the start of the cruising season. She will not only adhere to the latest updated rules regarding emission reductions (Tier II from 1 January 2022 in certain NOX Emission Control areas) but will already be compliant with rules which will come into force by 1 January 2025 (Tier III of the IMO NOX regulations – aiming to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 70% compared with the Tier II standards). In addition, Ambience will be equipped and outfitted with the latest ballast and sewage water treatment systems, enabling her to sail in all strictly environmentally protected seas.
Within the guest areas, Ambience is being refurbished and upgraded, with sustainability central to decision making. Onboard, no single-use plastic is a prerequisite, and from in-room amenities to staff uniforms, the cruise line has selected eco-conscious products.
We are also committed to smart technology with a strong paperless ethos reducing wastage. Technology has also been used as an alternative to printing menus, shore plans and activity schedules. The huge investment in this area means Ambience will be an innovator in its class and fully Tier III compliant.
What is included in the price?
Full-board will be included in the price, including breakfast lunch and dinner. There are coffee and tea making facilities in every cabin and coffee, tea and water is available 24 hours a day in the buffet area.
How does Ambassador differ from other cruise lines offering ex-UK departures?
Ambassador’s smaller to mid-sized classic cruise ship offers a higher space to guest ratio. Facilities are plentiful but not gimmicky and do not take up space that guests enjoy for relaxing. Retaining the traditional values is at the heart of our offering. Being a smaller operator means we can build relationships between staff and guests and create a sense of community. We really want guests to come back year after year, meet up with friends they first met on previous cruises and be recognised by crew.
Restaurants offer variety and we are putting together a tailored entertainment and enrichment programme aimed specifically at our 50-plus market. We will encourage feedback to shape this as we grow.
We have put a sustainable and ethical ethos at the heart of our new operation – everything from the engine room to no single-use plastics onboard and local community partnerships.