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Abassador Ambition May 2026
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david63
Topic author - Site Admin

- Posts: 10970
- Joined: January 2012
- Location: Lancashire
Abassador Ambition May 2026
Greetings from the care home at sea = never seen so many "walkers" in my life, not even in the disability shops!
Day 1 - Saturday 9th May
So far this is a cruise of two halves - some good, some not so good. This is our fists time on Ambassador and unless there is a dramatic turn around it will probably be our last.
Everything set off fine - we had a car to take us to the port as it is only about 50 minutes from home as it was cheaper than paying to park! The car arrived on time and we were in the terminal, checked in, through security and on the ship in just over an hour - just wish all cruises could be like that.
As we have a suite I was led to believe that once onboard we would have access to the suite so off we go to try and find it only to find that the fire doors were closed with a sign that they would not be available until 14:00 and the only option was to go to the "canteen" lugging our carry on bags. Not happy bunnies. Every other cruise line we have been on has provided a "proper" lunch for suite passengers,
The one redeeming factor was that when we finally got to our suite the luggage was waiting fot us so that the unpacking could commence!! Once unpacking was done and everything sorted it was time for muster drill. Muster drill on Ambassador is still in the dark ages compared to other cruise lines in that you have to meet on deck and stand around waiting for the stragglers to arrive.
A quick explore (and with the size of this ship it is quick) brfore going back to the suite for a rest before dinner. As this is our first time on this ship there was the age old problem of finding a bar for a pre-dinner drink. Dinner was second sittinf in the Holyrood restaurant and we were pleased to find that our request of a table for two had been granted, Dinner was good and exceeded our expectations.
Day 1 - Saturday 9th May
So far this is a cruise of two halves - some good, some not so good. This is our fists time on Ambassador and unless there is a dramatic turn around it will probably be our last.
Everything set off fine - we had a car to take us to the port as it is only about 50 minutes from home as it was cheaper than paying to park! The car arrived on time and we were in the terminal, checked in, through security and on the ship in just over an hour - just wish all cruises could be like that.
As we have a suite I was led to believe that once onboard we would have access to the suite so off we go to try and find it only to find that the fire doors were closed with a sign that they would not be available until 14:00 and the only option was to go to the "canteen" lugging our carry on bags. Not happy bunnies. Every other cruise line we have been on has provided a "proper" lunch for suite passengers,
The one redeeming factor was that when we finally got to our suite the luggage was waiting fot us so that the unpacking could commence!! Once unpacking was done and everything sorted it was time for muster drill. Muster drill on Ambassador is still in the dark ages compared to other cruise lines in that you have to meet on deck and stand around waiting for the stragglers to arrive.
A quick explore (and with the size of this ship it is quick) brfore going back to the suite for a rest before dinner. As this is our first time on this ship there was the age old problem of finding a bar for a pre-dinner drink. Dinner was second sittinf in the Holyrood restaurant and we were pleased to find that our request of a table for two had been granted, Dinner was good and exceeded our expectations.
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Onelife
- Captain

- Posts: 14240
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
I’ve got a feeling this is going to be an enlightening review for those considering switching cruise lines…let’s hope further observations/experiences from David make that decision more obvious.
Thanks for posting David.
Thanks for posting David.
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Stephen
- Commodore

- Posts: 17809
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Down South - The civilised end of the country :)
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
Had the same thing David having just returned from our second Saga cruise (care home at sea). There was even a dedicated area for all the electric wheel chairs which i nicknamed the Formula 1 bay. Never saw that on our first cruise, in fact I don’t recall seeing hardly any wheel chairs or walkers first time round.
Allot older passenger compared to our first Saga cruise. I’m surprised we didn’t have the co-op following us hoping for business
Allot older passenger compared to our first Saga cruise. I’m surprised we didn’t have the co-op following us hoping for business
Last edited by Stephen on 10 May 2026, 12:09, edited 1 time in total.
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Ray B
- Senior First Officer

- Posts: 3568
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
David, I hope things improve for you, I've not been on Ambition only Ambience. Strange muster, as on Ambience it's simular to P&O, were you have your ship card scanned.
Did you find a bar suitable for a pre dinner drinks, there must be one.
I hope you will continue to update us on your cruise, good or bad, although I hope you find things are better once you get to know your way around.
Mobility, on my last cruise earlier this year I think we had a Battalion of scooters, never seen so many on a ship, but not that many Rolator aids.
I do look at my reviews before posting, and think have I dressed it up to much, but honestly my post are as I see it.
I look forward to your next post. I believe Foxy is going on Ambition soon so he will have a keen interest.
I the mean time ,have an enjoyable cruise.
Did you find a bar suitable for a pre dinner drinks, there must be one.
I hope you will continue to update us on your cruise, good or bad, although I hope you find things are better once you get to know your way around.
Mobility, on my last cruise earlier this year I think we had a Battalion of scooters, never seen so many on a ship, but not that many Rolator aids.
I do look at my reviews before posting, and think have I dressed it up to much, but honestly my post are as I see it.
I look forward to your next post. I believe Foxy is going on Ambition soon so he will have a keen interest.
I the mean time ,have an enjoyable cruise.
Don't worry, be happy
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Portsmouth
- Senior Second Officer

- Posts: 794
- Joined: August 2024
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
I'm looking forward to reading your review...especially what you did in the ports you visitied.
I was in a junior suite when I was on Ambition....did you find a pair of binoculars & world atlas behind the mirror ?
did enjoy the little treats they give you each day....I guess your getting them as well
Seems like a care home......you are so mean

I was in a junior suite when I was on Ambition....did you find a pair of binoculars & world atlas behind the mirror ?
did enjoy the little treats they give you each day....I guess your getting them as well
Seems like a care home......you are so mean
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david63
Topic author - Site Admin

- Posts: 10970
- Joined: January 2012
- Location: Lancashire
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
He is supposed to be on this cruise but no matter how hard I try I have not been able to see any foxes around the ship!
The state of some of them I will be surprised if they see the end of the cruise.
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Onelife
- Captain

- Posts: 14240
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
David, get your hunting horn out and watch who moves the fastest...that'll be foxy
Last edited by david63 on 10 May 2026, 21:57, edited 1 time in total.
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david63
Topic author - Site Admin

- Posts: 10970
- Joined: January 2012
- Location: Lancashire
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
Day 2 - Sunday 10th May
Woke up this morning after having a good sleep. One unusual thing is that we have the beds as a double (yes we are still talking - just) but there are two single duvets.
Went for breakfast and not wanting to face the canteen went to the MDR where guess what - it was buffet, but at least you were shown to a table. I have never been on a cruise with any cruise line where there is not at least one MDR that serves breakfast. It totally baffles me why a cruise line that is adults only which will tend to attract an elderly passenger demographic makes life so difficult. A buffet is bad enough but get a couple of mobility scooters in there and half a dozen walking stick users and it quickly becomes gridlocked!
After breakfast we decided we had better explore the ship to find out where everything is - that lasted 10 minutes.
Lunch was slightly more civilised in that only starters and desserts were buffet - main courses were server. At lunch we were sat next to another couple who were also on their first Ambassador cruise having cruises previously with Fred and Saga and they said that Ambassador will not be getting any more of their business.
One thing that I do have to admit is that the food on this ship is some if the best that I have had on any cruise ship - Cunard included.
Tomorrow is our first port of call - Brest.
More to follow.
Woke up this morning after having a good sleep. One unusual thing is that we have the beds as a double (yes we are still talking - just) but there are two single duvets.
Went for breakfast and not wanting to face the canteen went to the MDR where guess what - it was buffet, but at least you were shown to a table. I have never been on a cruise with any cruise line where there is not at least one MDR that serves breakfast. It totally baffles me why a cruise line that is adults only which will tend to attract an elderly passenger demographic makes life so difficult. A buffet is bad enough but get a couple of mobility scooters in there and half a dozen walking stick users and it quickly becomes gridlocked!
After breakfast we decided we had better explore the ship to find out where everything is - that lasted 10 minutes.
Lunch was slightly more civilised in that only starters and desserts were buffet - main courses were server. At lunch we were sat next to another couple who were also on their first Ambassador cruise having cruises previously with Fred and Saga and they said that Ambassador will not be getting any more of their business.
One thing that I do have to admit is that the food on this ship is some if the best that I have had on any cruise ship - Cunard included.
Tomorrow is our first port of call - Brest.
More to follow.
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Stephen
- Commodore

- Posts: 17809
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Down South - The civilised end of the country :)
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
Last edited by Stephen on 11 May 2026, 07:31, edited 1 time in total.
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Stephen
- Commodore

- Posts: 17809
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Down South - The civilised end of the country :)
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
I don't like the sound of the main dining room David and having to serv yourself, and i bet there was no white table cloths. How very Jims caff. 
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Ray B
- Senior First Officer

- Posts: 3568
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Abassador Ambition May 2026
Oh dear David, definitely picked the wrong Ambassador ship I think. It's soooo different on Ambience .
Foxy may have listened to Merv and is holding back until he see you getting the drinks in
Foxy may have listened to Merv and is holding back until he see you getting the drinks in
Don't worry, be happy