Full Tour of Ambassador Cruise Line's New Ship Ambition
This video takes you through every major area of Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambition, a medium-sized cruise ship carrying up to 1,200 passengers. Originally built in 1999 but recently renovated with a £35 million investment, the ship has been completely refreshed to look modern throughout. The tour covers cabins ranging from inside rooms sleeping four to deluxe suites, all public decks from the sun deck down to the shopping gallery, dining venues, bars, entertainment spaces, and even a rare behind-the-scenes look at the ship's bridge.
Ambition departs from six UK ports—Dundee, Newcastle, Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol, London, and Falmouth—making it ideal for travellers who prefer not to fly. The ship caters primarily to guests aged 50 and over, though family-friendly sailings run during school holidays. Cruises on Ambition are known for exceptional value, with fares starting as low as £25 per person per night, making it a genuine budget option compared to mainstream cruise lines.
Key Moments
Standout Features and Spaces Aboard Ambition
- Two swimming pools, two jacuzzis, a giant outdoor chessboard, and a walking track on Deck 12's sun deck
- Free spa access including sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas (with spa treatments available from £64 for five services)
- A large gym with comprehensive weights and equipment, plus free fitness classes
- Complimentary ice cream throughout the day and the cheapest drink prices across all major cruise lines
- Five-course dinners in the main restaurants, with a seven-course gala dinner on formal nights featuring the traditional baked Alaska parade
- Rare access to the ship's bridge, offering a glimpse behind the scenes

What to Know Before Booking Your Ambition Cruise
- The ship has 680 cabins; only 125 include balconies, so inside and window cabins offer significantly cheaper rates
- Specialty restaurants include Lupinos (Mediterranean cuisine) and Saffron (Indian, Thai, and Chinese), each requiring a small extra charge for dinner
- The buffet at Borough Market serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner daily, with free coffee and Tetley tea available throughout the day
- Alfresco Grill offers burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and chips available in the afternoon at no extra cost
- Entertainment includes the Palladium Theater with live performances most nights, the Cavern nightclub with game shows and cabaret, and live music in multiple lounges
- The ship features a well-stocked library, card room, arts and crafts area, and shuffleboard court (sheltered from wind and rain under the lifeboats)
- There is no casino, but a card room hosts organized games
Common Questions About Cruising on Ambition
What makes Ambition such good value compared to other cruise lines?
Ambition offers several money-saving advantages: drink prices are the cheapest of any major cruise line, spa access is completely free, ice cream is complimentary all day, and gym use and fitness classes cost nothing. The base fares themselves are substantially lower than comparable ships, starting from £25 per person per night.
How many cabins have balconies, and does that matter?
Only 125 of the 680 cabins have balconies. If you're happy with an inside or window cabin instead, you'll pay roughly half the price of a balcony room, making this an excellent way to save money while still enjoying a comfortable cruise experience.
What dining options are available?
Included in your cruise are breakfast and dinner in the Hollywood or Buckingham restaurants, with five-course dinners served nightly and seven-course gala dinners on formal nights. The Borough Market buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Additional specialty restaurants—Lupinos and Saffron—charge a small extra fee. The Alfresco Grill serves casual items like burgers and pizza in the afternoon at no charge.
Is the ship too old, given it was built in 1999?
Although Ambition was built in 1999, the recent £35 million renovation has completely modernized the vessel. Throughout the video tour, the ship looks fresh, contemporary, and well-maintained—you would not guess its age from appearance alone.
What entertainment and activities are included?
Entertainment is included in your fare and ranges from live theatre performances and cabaret in the Cavern nightclub to live music in multiple lounges, shuffleboard, table tennis, foosball, arts and crafts, organized card games, and free access to the gym and all fitness classes. Most evenings feature organized entertainment such as game shows and themed performances.



