London-Calling

Here's a strange incident, from my recent Ambience cruise:

I changed cabin after a few days, moving to 9183, on deck nine (air-con. issues). I located the room steward, in the morning, informing him that I had moved. He appeared rather unhappy and just replied “When”.   (I guess that he was upset, that he had an extra cabin to service). He never formally introduced himself to me. When I was walking down the corridor, he appeared to hide from me, in a cabin that he was cleaning or even in a cupboard. He never said good morning or good afternoon to me, in fact he never spoke to me again, all cruise.  This was hardly Ambassadors “Warmest welcome at Sea”.   However, his cleaning of the cabin was excellent, as were his towel animals.

In one of my cabin’s draws, I has put some extra mini-milk cartons, teabags and coffee sachets, which I had collected , from the reception, as a reserve. These were for use with the in-cabin kettle. There was also a spare box of tissues, that I had acquired. I was not stealing them, I would have left them in the cabin, when I disembarked, if I did not use them all. However, on the last evening of the cruise, the steward clearly went through all of my draws and took these away. 

This is not acceptable behaviour to me. However readers, do you think that I'm being over-sensitive? 

(99% per cent of the staff that I met onboard, were GREAT!)

At least if the cabin is too hot, they can just open the door. I'm sure the majority of cabins have working air-con, well I hope so.  I bet they love the experience!

I think a newbie would have a great cruise with Ambassador, as long as their cabin air-con works!

Yes, one might just lose a freind! 

The Ambassador Cruise Line Now has a "Refer A Friend" scheme, for onboard credit.

It's on this blog and on there web site:

Ambassador Reports Strong Demand | WaterWorld by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

(Scroll down the blog page)

Later this year, Ambassador cruise line have some ‘Festive’ events, onboard their two ships: Ambience & Ambition, at Tilbury (UK).

You get a welcome aboard cocktail, half a bottle of wine per-person, a five course dinner and show, with the option of overnight accommodation and breakfast. The prices are about Premier Inn levels, but with the rare opportunity to explore a cruise ship.

It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon/evening and experience the food and entertainment. Various cabin grades are normally open for viewing.

Dates/details on the Ambassador web site and my blog:

Ambassador Festive Events | WaterWorld by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

My June Ambience review here:

Ambassador’s Ambience Ship: One Year On | WaterWorld by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

My June review of Ambince:

Ambassador’s Ambience Ship: One Year On | WaterWorld by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

There late deals are great too!

On 5/14/2023 at 12:45 AM, swansea_lad said:

Would you recommend Ambassador for a first time cruise?  I am looking for a No Fly Cruise.  Thanks

Definitely!

My June cruise review:

Ambassador’s Ambience Ship: One Year On | WaterWorld by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

Some more images here:

Ambassador say:

DRESS CODE

During the day, attitudes are very relaxed, and informality is the key. Casual clothing is quite sufficient during the days at sea and for time spent ashore. On certain destination experiences and at some religious sites, discretion should be used so as not to cause inadvertent offence with inappropriate clothing. Advice will be given on board in such cases. Every day, the Daily Programme suggests, as a guide, a mode of dress for that particular evening’s events. Generally, there are two ‘formal’ or Ambassador nights planned on each cruise when many gentlemen wear a dinner jacket, although a lounge suit is quite acceptable. The ladies on these occasions have a chance to dress up and often opt for evening or cocktail dresses. On evenings proposed as ‘smart’, a suit or smart jacket and trousers, with or without a tie, for the men is suggested and the ladies have further opportunities to look elegant in a cocktail dress, trouser suits and stylish co-ordinates. A ‘casual’ recommendation often covers evenings spent in port or when a special event such as a deck party is scheduled. In these cases, the choice of dress is left entirely to you.

Yep...take sunscreen, T-shirts, waterproofs and winter gear.

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

You need to be prepared for all weathers. It has been pretty warm in Norway, with some calm seas, the past few weeks. However, it gets cooler as you approach the North Cape. You will probably need a winter cost, hat and gloves.

Enjoy!

Hi, I'm just back from Norway and saw quite a few Hurtigruten ships, in various ports. Enjoy!

One more video, Ambience in Norway:

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:

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

So it transpires that Icon is 250,000gt so BIGGER than Oasis!

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Thanks Biker 19. where is that thread please?

I believe that this is a rendering of RCI next ship "Icon Of The Seas":

The new "Ambassador" cruise line have delayed the maiden season of their second ship "Ambition" in 2023.

Some eleven cruises are cancelled.

The reason is NOT technical, it is somewhat surprising, to me anyway.

The official statement and some comments are, here;

Ambassador’s “Ambition” Inaugural Season Delayed | Malcolm Oliver's WaterWorld (wordpress.com)