Picking a cruise can be confusing, especially if you are new to the game. Not all cruise ships and cruise lines are the same. There is a whole range of products and prices on offer. Newbies may need some help navigating the maze.
There is no “Best ship” or “Best cruise line”, in the same way that there is no “Best car”. It all depends on what you require and your budget available.
For example, if you live in the UK and your three main criteria are “no-fly”, “adults only” and “lowest price”, there is only one answer in my opinion: The Ambassador Cruise Line
If you had different criteria, for example “high quality” and/or “fly-cruise” and/or “muli-generational”, you would choose a different cruise line.
There are numerous cruise options aimed at Brits, such as P&O, Cunard, Fred Olsen and Marella. Then there are the big global players such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and the Mediterranean Shipping Company. I would always recommend shopping around and comparing prices and products.
I’m not suggesting that Ambassador offer the highest quality cruises. The experience that they offer is not perfect, either. However, their fares can be difficult to beat. They currently have a “Turn of the Year” promotion, plus a “Enjoy Yourself on Your First Cruise – or Your Money Back!” guarantee. However, like Furniture shop, they always have a “Sale”.
Ambassador now operate two ships, ‘Ambience’ and ‘Ambition’. They cruise from London, Tilbury, and seven regional UK ports.
Neither of their two ships would be classed as mega-ships, by modern standards. They are small to medium in size and passenger capacity. However, in cruising, bigger is not necessarily better.
Q: Which Ambassador cruise should I choose?
In 2024, Ambassador are offering cruises from 3 nights to 120 nights. I’d recommend a ‘Norway’ itinerary for it’s breath-taking scenery, the ‘Mediterranean’ for sunshine and interesting historic ports or an ‘around-Britain’ itinerary, to take you to parts of the country that you have not seen.
Ambassador now offer departures from London, Tilbury and various regional ports: Belfast, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falmouth, Liverpool and Newcastle. You should check their web site and cross reference the itinerary that you are interested in, with the ship and departure port.
Q: Which ship is best, Ambience or Ambition?
You are in luck. I have just written a comparison review of the two ships. It’s not as if one is “bad”, but I do have my preference. See the link below:
Ambassador’s: Ambience vs Ambition
Malcolm
(I do not sell cruises. I do not get commission. I do not get free cruises. I only recommend ships/lines that I have personally enjoyed).