This is the second Ambassador Cruise we have taken both on the Ambience.
It did not disappoint.
Embarkation at Tilbury was very much smoother – we were on the ship within 15 minutes of arrival at the terminal.
This time we upgraded to a Deluxe Suite which is spacious with a good balcony and large sitting area.
The bed is comfortable and there is a turndown service but no chocolates.
However we had daily capapes (asked and received vegetarian) and there is an adequate and replenished supply of coffee pods.
These are Segafredo so not common (we had brought some Nespresso pods with us which didn’t fit).
There is a chargeable mini bar.
The room is somewhat tired.
The bathroom very much so.
The bathroom was large with a large bath that was very difficult for us to get into and out of (it was slippery).
We requested and received a non slip mat.
The bathroom amenities are all bottled – we asked them to supply some hard soap – and during the cruise they suddenly took all the holders down and replaced them on our last day.
This we felt was unprofessional and we have complained to Ambassador.
There was also an issue with the air-conditioning for our first three days when the room was freezing.
This was eventually fixed.
Room service is chargeable – we did not use.
Breakfast in the suites only is free of charge – all other rooms there was a charge (around £8.95).
We were with our friends and had a table for 4 – otherwise intimate tables for 2 are in short supply.
We have a special diet that was very well catered for.
There was a meeting with the Executive Chef and Restaurant Manager on the first day and they are very attentive and eager to please.
There were around 100 people with special dietary requirements including Kosher, Halal, Vegetarian, Vegan, Lactose Free, no meat only fish etc etc and all were well catered for.
The afternoon tea is well worth being on board for – although it is a narrow one hour window so get there early.
Our waiters struggled with speaking English but our Head Waiter was excellent in every way.
The entertainment is superb – the ships cast are the best we have encountered at sea (we have taken nearly 50 cruises on several cruise lines) and their repertoire is amazing.
There is no resident band and this works very well.
There were two guest entertainers – a very average comedian and a comedienne/singer who was excellent.
Most of the ports were by tender.
This was at times difficult and long queues lined up in the atrium waiting to get off.
The few shore excursions we took ranged from Excellent (Skara Brae and Standing Stones of Brodgar) to expensive and very average (King John’s Castle Limerick).
The itinerary was too full – we only had one sea day in 2 weeks – and if the cruise could be stretched for an extra 3 days at sea then this would greatly enhance a very good experience.
When one considers that the cost is roughly 1/2 that of the other more established cruise lines Ambassador is great value for money and we booked again on board taking advantage of a very good offer.
Do not expect high class Cunard Queen’s Grill Service.
Do expect very friendly, accommodating and attentive staff, excellent entertainment and delicious meals.
What more can one ask for ?
