Ambassador Ambition

[barney]

Returned yesterday and thought I'd give a review of Ambition, for anyone who is interested.

For context, this was a 'squeeze in' cruise.
We had no intention of another holiday so soon after, but given the constant rain we had to endure, thought blow it ! We'll go way again.
We were considering an all inclusive in the Canary islands when this email popped up, with a surprisingly good offer.

What first caught my eye was that the ship was sailing from and returning to Bristol.
Then, that all of the ports were destinations that we had never visited.
Then the deal.

Again, for context, I was looking at around £3.5k for a couple of weeks in a Riu hotel in Lanzarote.
This particular cruise actually cost £2k almost to the penny for 10 nights and included port parking and the top drinks package that included all premium brands.
So, that was a good start.
This was for an outside cabin. Unfortunately all the balconies had gone.

So, off we set for Bristol port, which for us is very easy. Just two roads really. A361 & M5.
A very easy journey was matched by a very easy embarkation.
We arrived at the luggage drop off (all brilliantly sign posted) and some guys took our cases.
We were then directed to the car park opposite.
Walked back to the Terminal where we cleared security (one minute) checked in and boarded the bus to the ship.
From pulling up to onboard was exactly 25 minutes.
Absolutely first class.

Our first impression of Ambition was that she was a classy older ship, a bit in the style of Oriana or Oceana.
She is very well maintained and the crew were very smiley and greeting.

So, to the cabin.
This is the first time we've not had at least a balcony since back on the Oriana.
We opened the door, looked at each other and said, well this is alright, isn't it.
It was spotless and bigger than I imagined.
The bathroom was smaller than I'd hoped, but fine for us. I'd reckon that the larger passengers might have struggled a bit in the shower, which had a glass door by the way.

Out and about on the ship, everywhere was well maintained and clean. She doesn't look like a ship that been around since 1999, except in style.

On to the cruise itself.
Again, we were both concerned about the old fashioned fixed time dining.
We opted for 8.15pm as 5.45pm is miles too early for us.
We were shown to our table in the Hollyrood restaurant and our dining companions were a coupe of a similar age from Bristol.
We immediately got on fine, so no problems there.
The standard of food and service in the MDR was very good.
Starter, soup or salad course, main course, dessert (pudding for you northerners) plus cheese & biscuits and coffee.
I can honestly say that I didn't have a duffer in the nights we ate there.

Breakfast was either the buffet or the MDR.
Not being a lover of buffets, we opted for the MDR, which ironically, was still a buffet but with guaranteed seating.
You are shown to a table by staff who fill it up in areas to avoid pinch points. Table for two is not an option, but we had no issues with this.
If two was an option, we would have taken it, but it wasn't an issue.
So, you sit, the waiter fills your glass with juice. Offers coffee and off you go to the buffet to get your food, with the table reserved for you.
Make your choices, and return to eat.
All pretty civilised to be honest and no wandering around with a plate trying to find somewhere to sit.
We did use the buffet twice when it was warm in the morning and you could sit outside, which was equally nice.

Lunch was either buffet, MDR or the outside grill. Similar to all other cruise lines.

Ports -
1 - Falmouth - just got off for a mooch and a coffee. It was nice
2 - Cherbourg - did a D Day trip to Gold beach, Arronmanches and then on to the war cemetery. It was as interesting as it was moving.
3- Sea day - ate and drank
4 - Bordeaux - very nice
5- Bilbao - very nice
6- Gijon- really nice - our favourite
7 El Ferrol - ok but not that interesting
8- sea day - ate and drank
9 - Isles of Scilly - absolutely loved it - will go back again.
10- back in Bristol

Disembarkation was just as easy as getting on.
Given a time to be at the theatre.
Walk off, on to bus.
Back to the building to get the luggage and away in about twenty minutes.

The other thing I'll mention is the entertainment
It was a very small crew of nine in total, who were all singers and dancers.
There was three main guy singers and two main girl singers.
All very talented and it was all different for us. We enjoyed it.
They also put on small plays around some of the bars.
They call these vinettes and are very funny and last about ten minutes or so.
Again, very different.

So, overall impression.
We both thought that it was excellent value for money.
The drinks package meant that we only had trips on our invoice (plus some bags of crisps - don't ask)
The package was totally comprehensive with the exception of champagne.
All the top brands including Whitley Neal etc. included.
If we had to pay separately for the package I'd have opted out and just paid as you go.
Mrs B hardly drinks, and although I did my best to make up for her shortfall, I failed miserably.
The bar prices were actually very reasonable. Far cheaper than where we live.

Would we sail Ambassador again?
Definitely.
We thoroughly enjoyed it.

If anyone has specific questions, drop them on this thread and I'll do my best to answer.

PS - should also add that we were very lucky with the weather. Not a drop of rain.

[Stephen]

Thanks for the review Barney, interesting.

I assume the MDR evening dinner was waiter service?

I wonder if they do ship visits.

[barney]

Thanks for the review Barney, interesting.

I assume the MDR evening dinner was waiter service?

I wonder if they do ship visits.

Yep.
Full waiter service in the evening.
We had a very attentive guy called Defari plus a wine waiter who was far more in the background.
Service was top notch.
We dropped him an envelope on the last night and he hugged us both.
I’d also add that the cabin steward Pitu was very good.
Discreet but did his job well.
The Expedition package included the gratuities.
Otherwise it’s £7 per person per day.

[Stephen]

He wasn’t hugging you he was picking your pockets

[oldbluefox]

Thank you barney and welcome back home.

That sounds really promising for our cruise with them next year. I must say the option of cruising out of Newcastle or Liverpool really appealed to us rather than the long trek down to Southampton but having read your review we are really looking forward to a cruise much more akin to what we used to get from P&O. We are visiting some of the ports you had on your itinerary so it was handy to hear what you thought of them. It will make a change to visit somewhere different.

Interesting review. Thanks for posting.

S&f and all that

[oldbluefox]

Looking at Ambition it reminds me very much of Adonia. I wasn't keen on the theatre on Adonia as the seating wasn't tiered to any great extent so if you sat at the back all you saw were heads, shoulders if you were lucky, but Ambition seems to be much more tiered. Otherwise everything else looks very similar.

Just checked and Adonia was 30277 tonnes compared to Ambitions's 48123 tonnes.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Looks interesting. We're booked on Saga next year and Arvia with the family in 2026. Will consider for 2027, though currently leaning towards Princess or Cunard depending on Itinerary.

[Stephen]

The only thing that would put me off are the dining times. One is too late the other too early.

[barney]

The only thing that would put me off are the dining times. One is too late the other too early.

We initially suspected that Stephen but as it turned out, the second sitting suited us perfectly.
Around fiveish as it gets a bit cooler, we went for our nightly gym session while most people were getting ready for dinner.
Left the gym about six to shower and get ready for the evening.
Sevenish went for pre dinner drinks and into dining at 8.15.
After dinner, to the theatre or bars and bed about half eleven or so.
I agree that for us the early sitting is too early.
Another thing is that the majority wanted first sitting so the restaurant was full but on the second sitting it was far quieter. I expect people who wanted first but got second went to the buffet. According to some, the buffet evening menu was identical to the mdr, you just served yourself.

[Stephen]

I also normally go to the gym at six barney for some glass weight lifting. I vary the weights between spirits and wine. Occasionally I over do it with a pint and then have to have a lay down for several hours to recover

[Onelife]

Excellent review Barney…I’ve been on you tube and done a couple of ship tours which gives a good impression of what one can expect…just a shame they haven’t got a casino as this would put me off somewhat.

[Onelife]

I also normally go to the gym at six barney for some glass weight lifting. I vary the weights between spirits and wine. Occasionally I over do it with a pint and then have to have a lay down for several hours to recover

One of your better posts Stephen

[Ray B]

A good review Barney, hope it's the same quality on Ambiance, which we will be on in October.
Sorry I will not be able to review the gym as I come over all sweaty and get the shakes anywhere near the thing.
Glad you had a good time.

[david63]

What's this "gym" thing that everyone is talking about? Do other ships have one?

[barney]

What's this "gym" thing that everyone is talking about? Do other ships have one?

We are both pretty fit and definitely aim to stay that way for as long is possible.
I had a knee replacement back in 2016 which absolutely highlighted to me the importance of mobility.
I hated not being able to get around as previously.
We now do a daily Pilates class as well as a bit of other gym work and also walking a lot.
Actually just got back from a long walk to Fremington Quay.
I weighed myself before the cruise. 78kg
I weighed myself at the end of the cruise. 78kg
That’s despite the endless food and drinks.
There will come a time when we won’t be able to be so physically active, but that’s hopefully years away.
I feel very sorry when I see people of similar ages struggling to do things that we take for granted.
Your health is your wealth.

[Stephen]

78kg……….what’s that in feet and inches.

[Mervyn and Trish]

About a pint and a half.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I weighed myself before the cruise. 78kg
I weighed myself at the end of the cruise. 78kg
That’s despite the endless food and drinks.

Maybe your scales are broken? Just an idea.....

[barney]

I weighed myself before the cruise. 78kg
I weighed myself at the end of the cruise. 78kg
That’s despite the endless food and drinks.

Maybe your scales are broken? Just an idea.....

It was the scales in the GYM Merv

[Mervyn and Trish]

Ah, that Gym word again. I must look it up.

[barney]

Until today, I never realised that I was such a freak

I’ve always trained and stayed fit, even back in my misspent youth .
Mrs B the same.

When I still worked, I had irregular hours so it suited me to train as and when I saw fit.

We did try to do a downloaded Pilates class on a sea day onboard but the ship movement put the kybosh on that

[Mervyn and Trish]

You should have tried Pirates instead.

[Stephen]

Do you have to stand on one leg for that and go Arggggggh.

[Ray B]

Yes,and have a parrot on your shoulder called Onelife.

[Onelife]

Yes,and have a parrot on your shoulder called Onelife.

…Squawking… Barney’s Fit…Barney’s Fit…Barney’s Fit