Ambassador Cruise Line officially named its first ship, the Ambience, in a ceremony with Sally Gunnell as godmother. The former British Olympian and athlete christened the first ship in the Ambassador fleet at a special ceremony held in London Tilbury on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
Ambassador is the first British cruise line to launch in over a decade. Departing from London Tilbury, the non-stop itineraries offer an authentic and great-value cruising experience, primarily aimed at travelers over 50.
More than 500 guests, partners, and suppliers were on board to celebrate the naming and blessing of the ship, enjoy a nine-course celebratory meal that included Ambassador's signature "Baked Alaska" parade, and dance the night away on board.
Managing Director Christian Verhounig said: “Almost 25 years ago today, I joined my first cruise ship as a bartender. Although I instantly fell in love with the cruise industry, I never would have imagined that one day I would be the managing director of a new cruise line and witness the naming of its first ship. Launching a cruise line during the pandemic demonstrates our belief in and commitment to the cruise and travel industry. Sustainability is also important to us. We have invested significant amounts in upgrading the Ambience, including bringing the ship up to IMO Tier III standards, which enables the Ambience to sail through some of the most environmentally protected areas in the world.”.
Godmother Sally Gunnell said: “It is a pleasure to be the godmother of Ambassador Cruise Line’s first ship. Ambassador celebrates its first anniversary this month and, since its launch in 2021, has firmly established itself in the cruise industry. Ambassador has brand values that I also strongly believe in, from community and well-being to being sustainable and ethical. This commitment demonstrates that Ambassador is a responsible cruise line, and I am honored to work with them.”
Ambience's inaugural season features 31 sailings calling at over 90 different ports. Itineraries include its four-night inaugural voyage to Hamburg, which departed on April 20 at 5:00 p.m. Subsequent itineraries include explorations of the British Isles, the Norwegian fjords, the Nordic countries, Greenland, the Arctic, and Iceland, as well as several shorter cruises. For the winter months, a series of exploration voyages will sail to the Canary Islands, Cuba, the Caribbean, Cape Verde, and Scandinavia.
Ambience has an average capacity of 1,400 guests and, thanks to its careful configuration, offers a feeling of spaciousness without losing privacy.
