Abassador Ambition May 2026

[Stephen]

Foxy, i think David needs a bit of moral support. Time to come out of your den and show yourself

[oldbluefox]

It’s easier to find Where’s Wally

[Stephen]

You can't miss David. He'll be the one in the Hazchem suit

[oldbluefox]

The number of times I stand back to let people through I wonder if I am invisible as they plough through without any form of acknowledgement whatsoever. Some people are just plain selfish and ignorant. A nod, a smile or a thank you cost nothing.

[Portsmouth]

This looks bad......
Appears according to Daily Express & other news outlets that there is Norovirus on the Ambition
One death already of a very elderly person and up to 50 with the virus so far
Stay Safe David & Foxy
https://people.com/1-dead-50-others-sho ... p-11973599

[oldbluefox]

Judging by the age of some of those onboard I’m not surprised and it’s not unusual that some don’t make it home again. However norovirus restrictions are in place and it’s a case of do as you are told.

[Stephen]

The number of times I stand back to let people through I wonder if I am invisible as they plough through without any form of acknowledgement whatsoever. Some people are just plain selfish and ignorant. A nod, a smile or a thank you cost nothing.

And it's mostly the elderly that are the culprits.

[Ray B]

Ambition Update – Delights of Western France & Spain Explorer

Ambassador Cruise Line can confirm that a number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness (GII) during the 14-night Delights of Western France & Spain Explorer sailing. The GII illness is the most common cause of the "winter vomiting bug" or "stomach flu”.

The ship departed Belfast on Friday 8 May and Liverpool on Saturday 9 May 2026, with our figures reporting an increase in cases following the embarkation of guests in Liverpool.

We would like to reassure guests that we take any illnesses onboard our ships extremely seriously. Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness. The comprehensive health and safety measures introduced onboard include increased cleaning and disinfection measures in public areas, assisted service in selected dining venues and ongoing guidance to guests regarding hand hygiene, including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitisers and the prompt reporting of any symptoms to the onboard medical team.

Any guests or crew presenting symptoms are being supported by the ship’s medical staff and isolated as appropriate in accordance with EU SHIPSHAN public health protocols. Medical consultations relating to GII are being provided free of charge.

As part of the vessel’s scheduled call into Bordeaux, we followed due protocol and advised the French health authorities of the situation. The authorities requested they conduct a routine review of the ship’s health status and records. A specialist medical team and our sanitation consultants have also been dispatched to the vessel to support the onboard medical team. While on board, the specialist medical team collected existing samples for laboratory testing at Bordeaux University Hospital, with results requiring a minimum of six hours to be processed

While the investigation and testing are ongoing, all guests and crew have been instructed to remain onboard under the direction of the local shore authorities. Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark.

As a result of these developments, all shore excursions scheduled for today have been cancelled and guests due to travel on excursions will receive a full refund.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the medical team for their exceptional care, professionalism, and unwavering support during this time. Their swift response and continued commitment have been invaluable.

We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and will provide further updates as soon as additional information becomes available.

[david63]

I like the bit that says "request guests to stay onboard" - there is no way to get off if we wanted to.

[oldbluefox]

Thanks for that Ray. That’s pretty much what we’ve been told. Meanwhile the sun has come out although there’s still a chill wind. Heard a few moans but these things happen. Everyone is waiting to hear if clearance has been granted.
No chance of getting off even if you wanted to. The gangplank has been taken down!!!

[Stephen]

Gastroenteritis, i’ve had it, not good.

I’ve had to get in an industrial printer ready for the compo form demand.

Stay safe

[Meg 50]

I remember the gangway in Bordeaux being interesting - it was almost vertical at one point (when eventually they found the right one....) and almost flat when the tide turned!
so if you do escape ( disembark) be careful

Here is the BBC's take on proceedings - somewhat less optimistic than Ambassador's line...

edited with link - it didn't like the one I posted!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5pe4yel1ko

[Stephen]

Had the same thing on our recent Saga cruise Meg. Started off very steep but reduced as the tide changed. Very difficult for the very elderly which of course slowed up the process of disembarkation.

We couldn’t understand why they didn't use two gangways.

[Stephen]

More info on the gastrointestinal illness outbreak.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5pe4yel1ko

[david63]

Re gangways - we have been told that there will be three in operation during our two days day in Bordeaux and they will be used as the tide necessitates. The downside is that one of them will be unsuitable for scooter.

[Mervyn and Trish]

More info on the gastrointestinal illness outbreak.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5pe4yel1ko

That's nothing to do with gastroenteritis. They've just found out Foxy and David are aboard and are taking no chances.

[Stephen]

Are they still onboard. I thought they were being chucked off loaded

[Ray B]

So who is going to crack first and buy a drink?

[Stephen]

So who is going to crack first and buy a drink?

The way things are going it might be room service.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Do steerage passengers get that? It goes without saying David's butler will fetch him a sandwich and G&T.

[Onelife]

I know one thing, if I found myself in David And Foxy’s situation I wouldn't be letting any cabin steward within one foot of my cabin door.

[david63]

Day 5 - 13th May - Bordeaux

Woke this morning to find the ship docked, literally, docked on the main road - well not exactly the road but next to it, slap bang in the town centre. Never having been to Bordeaux before it appears to be quite impressive.

OK so it is the 13th so now the bad news that you already know - we are doomed because of the infection on the ship we are not allowed to go ashore until the authorities have cleared us - OK an hour or so will not be a problem - wrong! We now have to wait for a medical team to come and do some tests which will take ay least six hours to get the results of.

Fortunately the weather picked up from the early moring chilly start to be a really good day with the yellow blob in the sky (no not Trump) doing its job. We spent most of the day on the balcony watching the good people (well I assume they are good) of Bordeaux going about their daily business - and the gorilla in the square - don't ask.

About 20:30 the Captain came on to say that the results had come back as positve that it is Norovirus so all is good and we can now get off the ship if we want and that tomorrow will be as planned.

Knowing the French it would not surprise me if we have protesters waiting for us in the morning.

All being well I will report more tomorrow - bye for now.