Ambassador Cruise Line is enhancing its offerings with new sailings from Portsmouth, targeting the south of England.
- Starting in 2026, Portsmouth will join seven UK ports in Ambassador’s expanded cruise programme.
- 84 itineraries are planned, visiting 146 ports with 27 new destinations across three continents.
- The cruise line aims to attract over-50s and families with its extensive range of itineraries and offers.
- Early booking incentives include significant discounts and special offers to entice travellers.
Ambassador Cruise Line is set to begin sailings from Portsmouth, a strategic move to attract passengers from the south of England. This development is part of the company’s broader expansion strategy for the 2026-27 cruise programme, highlighting its commitment to enhancing accessibility for its clientele. With the addition of Portsmouth, passengers have a new convenient option among the seven UK departure points, facilitating embarkation for residents in the southern regions.
The cruise programme, set to go on sale imminently, boasts an ambitious agenda of 84 itineraries that will facilitate exploration of 146 ports in 48 different countries. This includes 27 new destinations, ensuring that both seasoned and new travellers have fresh adventures to anticipate. By covering three continents and over 140,000 nautical miles, Ambassador aims to offer an expansive array of travel experiences.
Ambassador Cruise Line has announced that its two ships, Ambience and Ambition, will operate numerous voyages spanning diverse destinations from March 2026 until March 2027. Ambience will host 37 cruises along with seven festive events, while Ambition is set to undertake 47 sailings. Notably, Ambition will cease dual pickups in Dundee, Newcastle Tyne, and Bristol, potentially streamlining its operations.
The cruise line is particularly focusing on over-50s travellers but also includes multi-generational journeys, appealing to a wide demographic. New destinations such as Croatia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Montenegro are included, providing varied travel options. Major cities being introduced in the itineraries include Malmö, Trieste for Venice, and Dubrovnik, among others.
Christian Verhounig, the Chief Executive, expressed confidence in the company’s achievements since 2022, with over 100,000 guests onboard and adherence to top safety and environmental standards. Verhounig emphasised the high satisfaction rates, noting that 94% of guests would recommend the cruises to peers, underscoring the line’s strong reputation.
To complement this expanded itinerary, Ambassador is introducing a range of early booking offers. Travellers can benefit from enticing deals such as buy-one-get-one-free fares, half-price for solo travellers, and a 20% discount on premium drinks packages. These offerings, coupled with a comprehensive 116-page brochure, are designed to boost advance bookings and excite potential passengers.
Ambassador Cruise Line’s strategic expansion into Portsmouth heralds a promising era of enhanced accessibility and diverse itineraries.
