Ambassador Cruise Line has signalled its confidence in the British tourism and cruise market by purchasing a second ship.
Ahead of the line’s first sailing this spring aboard the 1,400-passenger Ambience, the first British cruise line to be launched since 2010 has announced the purchase of a second vessel. Ambition, which was previously called AIDAMira and sailed for the German line AIDA, will undergo an extensive refurbishment before entering service in 2023.
Like her sister ship, Ambition will offer no-fly sailings predominantly targeting the 50-plus market with a premium-value cruise experience. In addition to London Tilbury, the ship will also offer a summer 2023 programme of regional sailings from ports including Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and Falmouth.
Ambition will carry up to 1,200 guests in 714 cabins, of which 113 are suites and 125 have balconies. The ship will have two main restaurants along with speciality dining options, a bistro-style café, four lounge bars and a pub. Other amenities include two swimming pools, a gym, theatre, shops, casino, card room, library and craft studio. The ship’s sailing programme is being finalised and will go on sale later this year.
The extensive upgrades will include the installation of the latest emission reduction technologies, which will cut nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 95% compared to current standards, along with updated ballast and sewage water treatment systems.
Ambassador had pledged a commitment to high levels of environmental responsibility and recently announced a partnership with the marine conservation charity ORCA, which includes the first-ever anti-whaling campaign launched by a cruise line.
Christian Verhounig, the line’s CEO, said:
“We are delighted with the warm reception given to the introduction of Ambassador to the market with a new brand, proposition and our first ship. This announcement of the addition of Ambition to the fleet reflects our confidence and willingness to invest in the future of Ambassador and the cruise sector. We are particularly excited to be offering regional departure options for Ambition in 2023, whilst also offering guests who travel from London Tilbury a greater choice of sailings and ships on which to enjoy them. Clearly, we are all focused on the success of Ambience’s maiden season which commences in April this year, but we believe existing and new guests will be thrilled to hear about Ambassador’s growth plans”.
Ambassador was launched following the collapse of the popular Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) which was a victim of the pandemic. Ambience was originally destined to become CMV’s flagship, and the Ambassador management team includes several executives who were previously with CMV.
Author Bio:
Known as the ‘River Cruise Queen’, Jeannine Williamson is an award-winning travel writer, cruise expert and our cruise correspondent, who has clocked up thousands of nautical miles.
Photograph courtesy of Ambassador Cruise Line
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