Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line is a new cruise travel brand (2020-established/2021-inaugurated) and a UK-based company headquartered in Purfleet-on-Thames (Essex England). The company targets the British source market exclusively (50+ age travelers), trying to take the place of the popular Cruise And Maritime Voyages/CMV (2009-2020).

The company's Founder, President and CEO is Christian Verhounig, who is also the Owner and CEO of CVI Group Ltd (shipowner).

The shipowner CVI Group Ltd is a London City-based company incorporated on August 18, 2020, with first statement date August 17, 2021.

Ambassador's current executive managers include Phil Gardner (CCO-Chief Commercial Officer), Matthias Seeger (CFO-Chief Financial Officer), Nick Hughes (COO-Chief Operating Officer), Gordon Wilson (Board of Directors' Chair), Gordon Nardini (CMO-Chief Marketing Officer), Simon Weeks (CAO-Chief Administrative Officer), Mo Parvez (Finance's Director), Michelle Lupino (Destination Management's Director), Glynn Perkin (CTO-Chief Technology Officer), Chris Coates (Ambassador-at-Large), Dave Eastwood (Reservations' Director), Bob McGowan (Guest Experience's Director), Nicola Harper (Head of Distribution), Ian Benjafield (Head of Communications).

Ambassador's principal homeport is Tilbury-London, and all itineraries are roundtrips. The company doesn't offer fly-cruise deals. In April 2022 was announced the Ambition ship's UK homeports - Tilbury, Newcastle Port Tyne, Liverpool, Avonmouth-Bristol, Falmouth, Dundee Scotland, Belfast.

Company history and changes

In late-August 2020 was announced that CVI Group acquired/purchased most of the CMV's assets, including websites, intellectual property, and customer databases.

In May 2021 was announced that Ambassador is the new operator of the "Crypto Cruise Ship" Satoshi/now Ambience.

In September 2021 Ambassador announced the "premium coach service" providing nationwide/UK access to Port Tilbury from 80 bus pick-up points in England and Wales. All buses are air-conditioned, with restrooms, media/TV, executive seats.

On January 27, 2022, was announced that Carnival Corporation/shipowner (via Costa Crociere SpA) sold AIDAmira to Ambassador Cruise Line. The ship (renamed Ambition) starts services for Ambassador in 2023.

In May 2022, Ambassador launched the partnership with Readly AB (2012-founded Swedish digital subscription service with 6000+ newspapers and magazines/UK and global/ available via a mobile app for a monthly fee). The partnership deal was signed by Bob McGowan (Ambassador's Head of Guest Experience) and Ranj Begley (Readly's UK Managing Director and CCO/Chief Content Officer).

In June 2022, Ambassador signed a deal with Telenor Maritime to design, install and support the shipboard Internet and WiFi connectivity networks fleetwide. The system combines Ku-band VSAT antennas (12-18GHz) and Mobile Backhaul broadband technology (wireless communication systems transporting data between the shipboard network and the Internet).

For summer 2022 (on MS Ambience) Ambassador launched a kids-sail-free promotion (offering prices as low as GBP 1 per child). The promo was for the 14-night "Hidden Nordic Treasures Multi-Generational Cruise" roundtrip from London-Tilbury (first departure July 23rd) visiting Denmark (Copenhagen, Ronne/Bornholm Island, Skagen), Estonia (Tallinn), Finland (Helsinki), and Sweden Stockholm, Visby/Gotland). The kids sailings also featured circus-themed activities and workshops.

Changes in 2023

In February was signed a multi-year partnership deal with London Stadium 185 Ltd the operator of the 2012-opened, 66000-seat London Stadium owned by E20Stadium LLP). By the deal, the cruise brand is promoted across the stadium’s events calendar - including Premier League Football, Major League Baseball, Athletics and Concerts. The deal was signed by Gordon Nardini (Ambassador's CMO) and Graham Gilmore (London Stadium's CEO).

In mid-October was launched the Ambassador Cruise Line App (mobile application). The App is for devices with iOS and Android systems, and is available for download at Apple's App Store and Google Play's Android Apps.

Changes in 2024

In January was launched the "Ambassador Guarantee". The initiative targets first-time cruise customers booking a 4-night or longer itinerary. If the guest didn’t enjoy his/her first voaye, the company offers to cover all transportation costs for the return back home from the next available call port to the homeport, plus issuing a full refund for the fare paid.

In March was appointed Carly Bowkett as the company's BDM/Business Development Manager. Previously employed by Protected Travel Ship (Store Manager), she manages Ambassador's trade sales in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, reporting directly to Karen Cameron (Deputy Head of Trade & Divisional Sales Manager).

In June, food and beverage menus were updated fleetwide to include more vegetarian and vegan items. Also in June was announced the expansion into North America's market with the opening of a dedicated office (open Monday to Friday between 9 am-9 pm) and a toll-free phone line (1-800-537-1499) in the USA.

In July were introduced the cruise ship tours "Exploring Ambition" and "Exploring Ambience". The guided tours allow passengers a behind-the-scenes look at the vessel, visiting its galleys/kitchens, the Engine Control Room, the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse, and the Theater Lounge. The ship tour package includes a gift bag with branded merchandise (lanyard, souvenir mug, paper and pen); a Visitor Pass, a photo with the Captain (in the Wheelhouse), a Q&A session (with the ship's Hotel Director), snacks and beverages. Ambassador Cruise Line's ship tour is limited to 10 guests (per group) and is priced at GBP 89 per person.

In November, the company's executive team joined Simon Weeks (as Chief Revenue Officer) and Bob McGowan (as Chief Experience Officer), both former CMV/Cruise & Maritime Voyages employees.

Ambassador Cruise Line UK currently owns and operates two ships - Ambience (1991-built, fka MS Satoshi, CMV Amy Johnson, P&O Pacific Dawn, Regal Princess) and Ambition (1999-built, fka AIDAmira, Costa neoRiviera, Grand Mistral, MS Mistral).

Ambassador's principal homeport is Tilbury-London, and all itineraries are roundtrips. The company doesn't offer fly-cruise deals.

Ambition ship's itinerary program (the inaugural 2023 season) started with the Maiden Voyage from Tilbury on March 4th (2023). The liner's UK homeports are London-Tilbury, Newcastle Port Tyne, Liverpool, Avonmouth-Bristol (Royal Portbury Dock), Falmouth, Dundee Scotland, Belfast Northern Ireland. In May 2022 was announced Ambience ship's "Grand Round the World Cruise" (120-night itinerary roundtrip from Tilbury) as well as the 6x UK homeports for the boat (Newcastle, Liverpool, Avonmouth-Bristol, Falmouth, Dundee, Belfast).

Ambassador's 2024-2025 itinerary program groups Ambience's and Ambition's voyages visiting a total of 127 call ports in 34 countries (6 continents). The itineraries visit popular European destinations like the Mediterranean and the Norwegian Fjords, as well as the Caribbean. The program includes two multigenerational voyages as well as themed cruises attended by celebrity guests (experts, lecturers, entertainers) and short breaks popular among the British as weekend getaways and for visiting Europe's largest Christmas Markets.

In March 2024, Ambassador Cruise Lines unveiled its 2025-2026 itineraries, featuring departures from 7 ports across the UK. The ships Ambience and her sistership Ambition are scheduled to visit a combined total of 130 ports across 3 continents starting 2025. Destinations include Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and the Caribbean. Departures originate from 7 regional ports across the UK, spanning from London Tilbury to Newcastle Tyne, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol Royal Portbury, and Falmouth. Ambience is due to host 31 sailings and two festive events, while Ambition is expected to offer an additional 45 sailings and 2 festive events. The itineraries cater to the over 50s market, with 5 multi-generational sailings also available.

In August 2024, Ambassador Cruise Line announced a partnership with Baggex Group (Felixstowe England-based company specializing in luggage delivery services) to manage all passengers' home-to-port luggage requirements. Luggage collection and return services (bookable directly with Baggex via phone/email) are priced at GBP 50 per item each way.