13
May
2021
|
13:47
Europe/Amsterdam

The most exciting new development in the UK travel industry

Summary

Ambassador Cruise Line has officially launched in the UK market. The exciting announcement will be welcomed by the UK travel industry. The first British cruise line since 2010 will commence sales in June 2021 with the first cruises beginning operation in the Spring of 2022.

Ambience-exterior

In the most significant signal yet of the return of the UK travel economy, the first new British cruise line since 2010 has been launched, with sales commencing in June 2021 and its inaugural cruises beginning in Spring 2022.

Ambassador Cruise Line offers a premium-value, authentic cruise experience, sailing for the British market from its home port of London Tilbury. It will offer no-fly itineraries that are adult-focussed and primarily aimed at the 50-plus market. Ambassador’s first ship, Ambience, is designed to carry approximately 1,400 guests, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere. There are 798 cabins, 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.

The maiden season for Ambience commences on 6 April 2022 with an inaugural short break cruise to Hamburg, before embarking on a mixed itinerary programme with sailings to the Norwegian Fjords and the British Isles planned throughout spring. The first full year programme operating until May 2023 will consist of 33 sailings visiting over 90 different ports, featuring the Baltics and St. Petersburg, Greenland, the Arctic, and Iceland, whilst for the winter months a range of expedition style voyages will sail to the Canary Islands, Cuba, the Caribbean, Cape Verde and Scandinavia.

Through funds managed by Njord Partners LLP, London the company is fully equity-financed (no financial debt). The Chair of the Board of Directors is Gordon Wilson who has over 30 years’ experience in the global travel industry including 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 has an extremely experienced management team led by CEO Christian Verhounig supported by CCO, Christopher Coates, CIO, Gary Hides and CFO, Simon Weeks.

Gordon Wilson remarks: "We are hugely excited to launch the first British cruise line in over a decade. It is just what the industry needs right now to reboot the British cruise market and inject confidence into the sector. Ambassador Cruise Line offers the best of British cruising – we’re a new company offering a distinctive product but maintaining traditional cruising values which we know are important to our guests.

This is just the beginning. We have ambitious growth plans, and the travel industry is a crucial partner in this. We’re looking forward to working collaboratively with agents, partners and the shipping community. Investment on this scale, and the launch of such a significant business as we emerge from the pandemic will make a significant contribution to the local economy and travel industry, particularly as we look to fill at least 100 jobs from the UK.”

Ambassador’s proposition is to bring back the joy of cruising in ships which look and feel like cruise ships and which take environmental responsibility seriously. As such, prior to its first voyage, 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 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 seas, including those strictly environmentally protected. Guests will notice that single-use plastic onboard has been eliminated, and technology has been used as an innovative 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.

Treating our guests right is not just about the booking and onboard experience. In accordance with The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, we have insurance cover in place to financially protect all guests booking with Ambassador Cruise Line. In addition, we will operate a fully independently managed Trust Account where guests’ funds are deposited and only released when the cruise departs. Our offer also includes a booking guarantee in the event we are forced to cancel a cruise.

Cruise customers, and the travel trade, understand that cruise lines are already one of the most extensively regulated sectors of the tourism industry for health and safety. Ambassador will also operate a policy whereby all guests and crew will need to be vaccinated prior to setting sail to provide that additional peace of mind.

Detailed prices for individual cruise itineraries will be available in June 2021 including some introductory offers. A 68-page brochure will also be launched.

The trade sales team will be reaching out to agents and encouraging trade partners to sign up to the registration website for more news and information about the range of itineraries and Ambience.

-Ends-

Editor’s notes:

  • Ambience’s maiden voyage will sail on a short break cruise to Hamburg on Wednesday 6 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 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

About Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line is a brand-new premium-value cruise line. It is the first new British cruise line to be launched since 2010. Its purpose is to inspire and delight every guest to enjoy an authentic cruise experience effortlessly, and sustainably.

Ambassador’s extremely experienced management team is led by Chief Executive Officer, Christian Verhounig supported by Chief Commercial Officer, Christopher Coates, Chief Information Officer, Gary Hides and Chief Financial Officer, Simon Weeks.

Through funds managed by Njord Partners LLP, London, the company is fully equity-financed (no financial debt). 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 Chief Executive Officer 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 will sail for the British market from London Tilbury on an ex-UK no-fly range of voyages that are adult-focussed and primarily aimed at the 50-plus market. The first ship, Ambience, will sail in Spring 2022 and is designed to carry up to 1,400 guests in 798 cabins. After completing its inaugural season in Spring 2023, the cruise line plans to extend sailings from additional regional ports. Ambassador is based in Purfleet, Essex.

Ambience’s inaugural voyage will be a short break cruise to Hamburg on Wednesday 6 April 2022.

www.ambassadorcruiseline.com

Further press information from Jules Ugo, Hollie Thomson and Lydia Matthews at [email protected]