Just Back From Ambassador's "Ambience"

[London-Calling]

One Year On

 

I was fortunate to be onboard 'Ambience', the new Ambassador's cruise lines first ship, for her maiden cruise in May 2022. 

 

My original ship review was generally positive, but highlighted some serious issues.

 

13 months later, I have just returned from a second cruise onboard Ambience: a 17-night cruise to Norway’s North Cape and Spitzbergen.

It was an excellent itinerary of eight ports of call and eight days at sea, in between. Below are my opinions about the onboard experience, one year on.

 

June/July 2023: Ambience Cruise Review - HERE

 

 

[paulatsea]

15 hours ago, London-Calling said:

One Year On

 

I was fortunate to be onboard 'Ambience', the new Ambassador's cruise lines first ship, for her maiden cruise in May 2022. 

 

 

My original ship review was generally positive, but highlighted some serious issues.

 

 

13 months later, I have just returned from a second cruise onboard Ambience: a 17-night cruise to Norway’s North Cape and Spitsbergen.

 

It was an excellent itinerary of eight ports of call and eight days at sea, in between. Below are my opinions about the onboard experience, one year on.

 

 

June/July 2023: Ambience Cruise Review - HERE

 

 

 

Thanks very much - I have just read your excellent and thorough review - and will watch the YouTube video tonight with a glass of wine !

 

Its a shame the problems have not all been ironed out.

I prefer balcony cabins and these are expensive on ambassador (as there are less of them compared to other ships I suppose) which has put me off ambassador so far , along with the aircon , tatty furniture and lack of tables for 2 issues.

 

I cannot  believe someone would play a saxophone in their cabin - how incredibly stupid and selfish - was there any action taken about this ?

 

Glad you had a good holiday despite all the cabin moves and strange steward !

 

We went to Spitsbergen with Fred in 2017 - What an amazing place isn’t it ? Probably the most interesting cruise we have done. 

 

Do you plan to go on Ambition ?

 

[London-Calling]

Thanks Paulatsea.

 

To he honest I've experienced pluming, air-con issues and worn furniture on lots of older ships, such as CMV, Olsen and Thomson. Unfortunately it's not unusual. I guess that the way these lines offer some great fares, is that they do not spend a fortune on refits.

 

In addition, sadly tables for two are rare on many ships.

 

The Saxophone issue was dealt with.

 

Ambassador do offer some great late fares, even on their balcony cabins.

 

Yes I will try Ambition as soon as I have the time and money. She actual passed us, as we were going up to Norway, she was coming back. Please see video below:

 

 

 

 

 

[paulatsea]

1 hour ago, London-Calling said:

Thanks Paulatsea.

 

To he honest I've experienced pluming, air-con issues and worn furniture on lots of older ships, such as CMV, Olsen and Thomson. Unfortunately it's not unusual. I guess that the way these lines offer some great fares, is that they do not spend a fortune on refits.

 

In addition, sadly tables for two are rare on many ships.

 

The Saxophone issue was dealt with.

 

Ambassador do offer some great late fares, even on their balcony cabins.

 

Yes I will try Ambition as soon as I have the time and money. She actual passed us, as we were going up to Norway, she was coming back. Please see video below:

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you London-Calling - will watch both videos later.

[London-Calling]

 

 

 

 

 

[London-Calling]

One more video, Ambience in Norway:

 

 

[Britboys]

On 7/13/2023 at 4:13 PM, London-Calling said:

One Year On

 

I was fortunate to be onboard 'Ambience', the new Ambassador's cruise lines first ship, for her maiden cruise in May 2022. 

 

 

My original ship review was generally positive, but highlighted some serious issues.

 

 

13 months later, I have just returned from a second cruise onboard Ambience: a 17-night cruise to Norway’s North Cape and Spitzbergen.

 

It was an excellent itinerary of eight ports of call and eight days at sea, in between. Below are my opinions about the onboard experience, one year on.

 

 

June/July 2023: Ambience Cruise Review - HERE

 

 

 

Thanks for the interesting and comprehensive review. I have done one short cruise on Ambience and have another (6 night) one booked on Ambition for later this year.

Good to hear that many of the problems have been resolved. I only have two concerns about booking a longer itinerary with Ambassador which are the ongoing aircon problems and that (on Ambience at any rate) the swimming pool is not heated.

How long Ambassador plan operating Ambience is an interesting question. As you say, they probably got her at a knock-down price in the Carnival Corp Lockdown Sale but I think they spent quite a lot her in engineering terms to make her a low-emission vessel because of the much tighter environmental constraints being launched in many areas. I feel very little was spent internally, with the Purple Turtle Pub being the only significant change as it was previously the casino.

I am surprised that so many pax can overlook the aircon issues. I don't need a luxury cabin but I do want one that has functioning aircon.

As someone who prefers a traditional style cruise on a smaller ship, I really hope Ambassador sort these problems and thrive in a very competitive market.

[London-Calling]

HI Andrew, thanks you for the thank you. I completely agree. Ships and cabins change temperature during a cruise, therefore the need to be able to regulate the air-con is a must.

 

I'm sure most of Ambience's cabins have functioning air-con, but which ones don't. Its a bit like Russian roulette, it would seem.

 

Malcolm

[Britboys]

25 minutes ago, London-Calling said:

HI Andrew, thanks you for the thank you. I completely agree. Ships and cabins change temperature during a cruise, therefore the need to be able to regulate the air-con is a must.

 

I'm sure most of Ambience's cabins have functioning air-con, but which ones don't. Its a bit like Russian roulette, it would seem.

 

Malcolm

Indeed, which is okay whilst not sailing at capacity so spare cabins are available. Should they start sailing with a full ship however, it could be a problem...

[CruisingSarah]

On 7/13/2023 at 4:13 PM, London-Calling said:

One Year On

 

I was fortunate to be onboard 'Ambience', the new Ambassador's cruise lines first ship, for her maiden cruise in May 2022. 

 

 

My original ship review was generally positive, but highlighted some serious issues.

 

 

13 months later, I have just returned from a second cruise onboard Ambience: a 17-night cruise to Norway’s North Cape and Spitzbergen.

 

It was an excellent itinerary of eight ports of call and eight days at sea, in between. Below are my opinions about the onboard experience, one year on.

 

 

June/July 2023: Ambience Cruise Review - HERE

 

 

 

 

 

Just wanted to say thank you Malcolm for the two excellent reviews which were very useful to us pre-cruise.

 

We are just back from a 7 day Fjords trip on Ambience.  I will get around to writing a review too in the coming days.  I have a lot to say, not too much of it good unfortunately, and we also experienced issues with the air conditioning/heating in the cabin, basically it was not functioning at all, and in certain public areas too, either freezing cold or unbearably hot.

 

Our cruise was totally full and reception had signs up to say don't bother asking to change cabins.

 

One cabin we heard of had severe water ingress which was present on boarding and they had tried to dry out but it persisted all cruise.

 

There was significant water ingress from above into the buffet restaurant on both sides close the doors nearest the pool.  We did have exceptionally bad weather but nonetheless would expect the restaurant ceilings to be water tight.

 

Happy to answer any queries and will get a review up soonish.

 

 

[London-Calling]

Hi Sara, thanks for the rhanks.

 

Sorry to hear that you had issues. I have just remembered that a theatre show was cancelled on my cruise, due to water ingress into the theatre, pre show. Yet we had pretty good weather.

 

Ambience is an old lady in need of a good overhaul.

 

Regards

Malcolm

[Sand$!]

Big big thank you for the detailed review. We are sailing London to Sydney in Jan 2024 on Ambiance and getting very excited now and your review helped calm a few nerves. We have sailed a number of times from cheap and cheerful quick to a number of longer world repositions. Your detail and personal observation in the review also made me laugh. We booked for value not premium so liked your comment and made us feel comfortable in we can make our cruise what it is. On the drinks package side we booked so long ago our top drinks package was included for free in the price so I believe we will be “quids in” for a having a few coffees and imbibing as and when with wine at dinner. Interesting you say the later deals reduce pricing, is that on direct website? I can see the individual pp price for an inside cabin which we like is currently still a couple of thousand more than we have paid. Is the price reduction usually after the 90 days out pay in full has passed. Because we are British expats living in Aus and still working, planning cannot be last minute but interested in this area of booking later as retirement looms might be a way to get things even better value? Again thank you for the review your time spent writing it up is well appreciated. 

[Sand$!]

Update on my saving, my saving is a thousand in Aus dollars at the moment but that could be also due to conversion fluctuations so very interested in late booking drops information not for this cruise information but in general. Thanks

[Gwendy]

Loved this ship when she was Pacific Dawn.  I was looking at the part world cruise from Perth to Tilbury but unfortunately a bit too expensive as a single.  In 2018 I sailed with CMV from Singapore to Tilbury.  Very cheap and cheerful.  You can overlook some issues for that price.  

[ceeceeDee]

Yes, Gwendy, the old Pacific Dawn was my favourite P&O Australia ship. Last sailed on her in 2018. I was amused to see that the cabin carpets are the same as when I last sailed on her!😆

I must say that I like her purple and white hull as the Ambassador livery. The old girl looks pretty good.