This was our 41st cruise and first time on Ambassador – we normally now go on Cunard and Holland America.
Our experience is as follows: 1.
TILBURY (LONDON) – rather primitive port – no real car waiting area and no lounges or relaxation area.
The previous cruise arrived back late and we experienced debarking of passengers mingling with the embarking passengers.
Getting the luggage to the luggage handling area was a challenge as there was a large coach blocking the path and there was a distinct lack of porters and trolleys.
Once we had managed to dispose of the luggage there was a long queue to check the Covid Test Status (as apparently required by Tilbury not Ambassador) and then an equally long queue for check-in.
There was no apparent priority for Suites.
The whole process took around 90 minutes.
Debarking was much smoother marred only by the queue of people waiting inside to avoid the rain and the over early start ! 2.
FIRST IMPRESSION OF SHIP.
We boarded the ship on Deck 5 which is the reception and main atrium level.
We had been advised at port that we would need to register our credit cards on board.
There was a long queue so my wife went to our room and I waited in the queue.
After around 20 minutes was advised my reception that their system was not working and that they would call us to register in a couple of days.
Most of the guests queuing were trying to register their cards.
The Ship should have told everyone not to bother ! Reception were very nice and friendly but did not really have a good grasp of English.
The first impression therefore was not positive.
3.
OUR SUITE We had a Junior Suite on Deck 11.
This is spacious and comfortable with a king size double bed, sofa bed, dressing table with chair, occasional table with two chairs, a bowl of fruit, bottle of wine, complementary water (only one as there is a notice that you will be charged £1.50 for any further), kettle, tea and coffee etc and a stocked but chargeable mini bar/fridge.
The bathroom is small and cramped.
The bath slippery and high and difficult to get out of as only grab rails on the right hand side.
The shower is fixed (small shower head).
Several of the floor tiles felt loose.
Periodically (around once per week) the toilet blocked.
The balcony is small, very narrow with two seats and a round table and open railings.
At this stage we felt ‘what have we got ourselves in to – we have three weeks of this’.
There was ample hanging space and stowage for cases and loads of cupboard drawers – however they constantly stuck and were difficult to open.
Our cabin steward was friendly and often around – at times more than the Butlers on Cunard.
He (and all the staff) are worked extremely hard.
4.
MUSTER DRILL was in the Palladium Theatre without the need to take life jackets.
Short welcome aboard address and then back to whatever we wished to do.
5.
DINING FACILITIES.
There are two main dining areas: the BUCKINGHAM Dining Room and the BOROUGH MARKET casual eatery.
There are some speciality areas within the Borough Market.
There are severalCafeeria’s dotted around the ship – all these charge (in pound sterling) added to your account.
There are of course several bars the main one being the PURPLE TURTLE on the 8th floor where during the day they host game shows and quizzes and in the evening entertainment with singers and resident bands.
6.
DINING ROOM A horseshoe layout.
Comfortable and welcomed each meal by Restaurant Manager, Maitre d’ and several Head Waiters.
We had a table for 4 with our friends.
We all had special meals (ordered beforehand) and were allocated a fixed table for dinner and a different fixed table for breakfast and lunch (breakfast and lunch are generally – shown where to sit as you come in) Our waiter was excellent; friendly, always smiling, funny and very likeable.
Two sittings for dinner – 5.45pm and 8.15pm, We were on the second sitting.
They had prepared a full dinner for us from our chosen menu and it was HOT and tasty (often at first the pre packed meals are luke warm).
There is a separate VEGAN and VEGETARIAN menu that changes every day.
The Restaurant Manager, Maitre d’ and Executive Chef came to our table to welcome us ! They impressed on us to order whatever we wanted and they would do their best to accommodate us.
The meals were very good – we had Kosher Hermolis meals – no difference between Lunch and Dinner.
Breakfast however was unappetising – seems they do not take too well to freezing – and we only had a few preferring to eat either in our Suite or in The Borough Market.
Our waiter brought a breakfast to our suite on a day when we were pushed for time due for a shore excursion at an arranged time.
There are no kosher wines and no sommelier – the wait staff bring the drinks which are more attractively priced than other cruise lines.
Overall all a good dining experience, fabulous waiter, good food and overall comfort.
Lacks the finesse of say Cunard’s Queens Grill but it is a third of the price so very good value.
7.
BOROUGH MARKET.
Several different eateries, all served.
This keeps the different types of food separate.
There is a health food, Vegan/vegetarian servery with different courses every day.
Often went there for lunch and afternoon tea – where they had vegetarian shortbread.
The staff were not knowledgeable enough about their product and had limited English.
The seats are comfortable but perhaps not enough of them at certain times especially on sea days.
There are two 24 x 7 coffee dispensers and the quality of the coffee is higher than many other cruise lines we have experienced.
There are seats to eat outside (under cover) but not as comfortable.
There is purchase Ice Cream Bar which apparently had issues and was rarely open (but reasonably priced) and a Grill Bar serving burgers, pizzas, chips etc open at slightly different hours than the Borough Market.
8.
LOUNGES and POOL There are several lounges but at times not sufficient on rainy sea days (fortunately not often on our cruise).
There is one main pool – again with inadequate space for seats to accommodate all guests.
There is a walking track on Deck 14 and an enclosed outside deck on Deck 7.
There is a large screen showing quizzes throughout the day with the capacity for film shows at night.
The music is not too loud and obtrusive as other Cruise Lines and there is little or no pressure to buy cocktails and other alcoholic drinks.
9.
SHOPS and PHOTGRAPHERS.
The shops are adequate but unexciting.
No souvenirs such as pens and small gifts etc.
Prices reasonable for on board but not cheap.
The photographer is friendly, the quality good but fixed sizes and during the cruise several packages offered.
The photographer was at every port of call, every formal night – we had 3- and the occasional smart casual evening.
10 SHORE EXCURSIONS.
Reasonably priced and ranged from excellent (Lisbon) to okay (Praia Cape Verde).
The administration was very good.
11.
ENTERTAINMENT.
The in-house entertainment was superb both in quality and diversity.
The smallish in number singers and dancers are of very high quality – they ALL sing and dance.
In three weeks they did 9 different shows all of high standard (ranging from Very good to excellent depending on one’s taste).
There is recorded music rather than a resident band.
This works great as the show is not for even punctuated with the constant ‘thanking our wonderful band’.
There were two plays and several vignettes played by a small cast of good actors one of whom hosted a Book Club over 4 sessions.
The guest artistes ranged from excellent (Benjamin Moss) to very poor.
The lecturers were on the whole poor (one was an ex prison governor who had a very dry unexciting delivery and mainly read his notes and slides) 12.
VALUE FOR MONEY.
Extremely good value in the lower categories of Cabin to good value as you go up the accommodation chain.
Good enjoyable cruise – there are no loyalty benefits and no separate facilities for Suite Guests (such as concierge lounge) but there is priority embarkation and debarkation.
Will have no qualms about sailing Ambassador in the future.
