WIN A CRUISE ON QUEEN MARY 2! When you subscribe to either the hard-copy or digital-copy of Sail Away magazine, not only will you be donating £1 each month to the marine conservation charity, ORCA - you'll be entered into our cruise prize draw! Click to the link to find out more: sailawaymagazine.com/sail-away-magazine/
This ship just left our port yesterday. On the outside, it looked rather plain compared to some others that have been docked in our harbour, but I'm pleased to see the nice, rich, somewhat, old school, look of many things, on the inside. Looks like it is going to take cruise ships to bring this look back, again. Greens, browns, besieges and so forth; I'm sorry but you simply, cannot beat beautiful, rich, earth tones, something people today, seem to have completely, forgotten.
Lovely video and very informative, I really want to try the observatory bar in the evening it’s looks like a blast, but I’ll defo be avoiding the pool shower.. Manky! Hope to bump into you both onboard a ship one day guys!
Thanks Julie! Three Observatory Lounge was a lovely place - must be a lovely place to be when sailing through the Norwegian Fjords! They also do a really good Sex on the Beach :) we hope to bump into you too Julie, when’s your next cruise? And what are you going on?
We have made it through to the FINAL 8 of the WAVE AWARDS 2023! If you love our videos, and fancy your chance of WINNING a Riviera river cruise, please give us your vote here : www.worldofcruising.co.uk/wave-awards-2023-vote-now
Where abouts in the med was the bottle nose dolphins? Well any dolphin really. I know theres whales and dolphins round Gibraltar and turtles round greece. We are doing eastern med next april and just wondered where to look out 😊
Hey, so sorry for the delayed response some comments were hidden by YT! 🤦🏼♂️ I don’t think we saw any dolphins on this cruise however you just need to be lucky, keep your eyes peeled and patient. Finger crossed you spot some!! 🤞🏼☺️
I didn't see them in orkney apparently a fellow passenger claimed to have seen them early in morning. Have seen them on ferry from Denmark to Harwich and whale as well!
I didn't see them in orkney apparently a fellow passenger claimed to have seen them early in morning. Have seen them on ferry from Denmark to Harwich and whale as well!
We’ve been shortlisted for the WAVE AWARDS 2023 for “Favourite Travel Influencer”. If you love our videos, please show your appreciation by giving us your vote using the link below! There’s also a FREE CRUISE available - Best of luck 🤞🏻❤️ www.worldofcruising.co.uk/wave-awards-2023-vote-now
I am sure that once Ambassador have established themselves after a year they will look at improvements. They already have two ships operating in their first year of sailing .Good for them. Very fair review. Thanks
Hello James. Thanks for your comment. There has been many issues, but I'm glad to see that Ambassador are working hard to address many of the problems I observed when I was onboard, and which feature in this video. I hope they prosper in the months and years to come. While I like many of the larger cruise lines, it's nice to see the smaller lines compete and excel in areas which they fail to.
It's not it's too packed and too near the Buckinham. I don't think it should be on deck 7. The toilets a problem in wrong places lack of women's toilets and deck 5 doesn't have any had to keep going to cabin to use after dinner as queues for the ones on 7. Confusing and a shame disabked cannot access bar deck 12
Thanks for putting this together guys. We have many happy memories of the Pacific Dawn having sailed on her over a dozen times down here in Australia. So good to see that she has been repurposed and it's interesting to see how Ambassador have changed some of the areas around like the casino and the kid's clubs (Turtle Cove and Shark Shack) where our youngest daughter spent a lot of time in her younger days. Take care
Pacific Encounter is now based in Brisbane all year round and we are really getting to like that ship. Been on her twice now and we have another short cruise in a couple of weeks then an 80s theme in September with some crazy friends, so that should be fun. We also have Carnival Luminosa which we have been on a few times and have a few more booked and Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas. Both of those are seasonal though and are currently back in the US. Same with Princess, Coral Princess was here for a season and she'll be back again for the summer too. It is good that P&O keep a ship here all year though as we love to cruise all year round.
@@keanubrierly1157 Ovation is a Royal Carribean ship and is based in Sydney. Pacific Dawn was P&O and based in Brisbane. Her replacement is the Pacific Encounter.
Great videos guys thanks for making this, some areas look so disappointing but some areas look so nice like the bars. How they didn’t change some areas baffles me as I’ve been on Fred Olsen and Mattel’s and they seem brand new. Do they only have one ship at the moment?
No problem Cliff. Ambience is a very mixed bag in her present condition unfortunately. However, the bars, lounges and restaurants were decorated beautifully, and Ambassador excel when it comes to dining, entertainment and the fairness of their pricing onboard (£64 for 60 minutes of spa treatment, £5 per cocktail and £14.95 for a 3 course Indian meal at Saffron).
Also, with regards to your latter question; they should have refurbished them in the same way as Fred Olsen and Marella when they take ownership of a new vessel. They have 1 ship at the moment, but a second ship is joining in 2023 and will be called Ambition.
@@cliffgniliaw9642 I hope so too. They've released some artist impressions for Ambition, so hopefully that's a sign that they'll actually carry out some refurbishment to her.
Another lovely tour guys! I love a good art deco theme, so it s nice to see that in the main dining venue. I think it looks good value for money for what you get over all and the detonations. Were looking to book for later in the year, have you got any recommendations for ports / destinations?
Thanks for your comment! With only one pool and two hot tubs, I would probably sail someone with a colder climate! Also, the air con wasn’t that great. The Norwegian fjords on this ship would probably be quite nice, or the Baltic? Shame you can’t go to St Petersburg at the moment though - that is my favourite port in the Baltic
The 20s theme was strange. The company doesn't know whT its doing breakfast and dinner different service and food. Bizarre and dreaded who I was going to be sat with.
We mentioned we wished some of the bars onboard had bespoke drinks menu. After talking with Ambassador, they now offer the following in the Botanical lounge : a Bespoke menu featuring the following products; Thyme To gin - Infused Gin Cocktail A selected Gin menu Edinburgh Classic Gin Sipsmith London Dry Gin Drumshanbo Gunpwoder Gin Silent Pool Gin Botanist Islay Only at Botanical Strongbow DRAUGHT Draught Strongbow Margarita Draught Strongbow Bellini
I dont like that lounge don't understand why that is next door 9 Raffles 20s style bar and warning a trip hazard going through people tripped up. Would be too full to sit so didn't use them. Very nice to go out on deck to see but breezy sometimes. Shame cruise was in September more colder.
Thanks Philip. Even though I observed a few issues, value for money particularly on Inside and Outside cabins is irrefutable. It's just a matter of time for Ambassador to overcome these initial hurdles, but I'm confident that they will do it. All the best :)
Went around Great Britain in the summer. They did have a few problems and my brothers Christmas Cruise was cancelled at the last minute as the ship need to go to Germany for repairs to the lifeboat station. Book on another cruise to Iceland so we will see how they are doing. The food is first class as is the entertainment. Some of the more senior crew need to practice the way they handle passenger and not always say it’s not my fault!
I agree with you the breakfast and dinner very strange why vegan mest at breakfast not used in evening meal I wasn't given much vegetables to eat yet meat eaters wasted their veg! No roast dinner for vegan a shame! And no fish and chips on Friday
Hey thanks for commenting! Before we went on, we saw what Pacific Dawn looked liked, and was shocked to see EVERYTHING was the same (including little pot plants in the buffet!) 😅 hope you had a good time when was was Pacific Dawn?!
Excellent honest tour, as always love the drone footage 10/10. From your footage I like some parts, others not, it felt it lacked natural light? As you say though £70 for spa treatment and £5 cocktails are excellent. Think these ships will appeal to p&o and Cunard who like their older ships.
Thanks so much! Thats exactly what Dan said, many parts of this ship felt really dark - and was very reliant on synthetic lighting. But, there was plenty we did like. Yeah I think you’re right, definitely suitable for disgruntled P&O cruisers who haven’t liked the direction the company has been going in over the last decade. The value for money aspect will also appeal to Marella and Fred Olsen cruisers too!
The ship was light people shut curtains too much! The sun came in..the bedroom reading lights not very good couldn't see to read. The library liked the big atlas but it was damaged. Rip off over the navigation raffle and the photos (6.99 each)
I must say, the ship seems to have been fitted out very nicely and it is impressive the number of British ports that they leave from. I am a Fred Olsen devotee, but i would like to give Ambassador a try out in the future…. 👍
Hey thanks for watching and commenting! ☺️ Let us know if you end up booking one and what you think! Have you got any cruises planned for this year?! 😃
Nice video, very informative 👍. Can I just check, extra charge applies for dining in the Deck 12 restaurants with the £ sign? Restaurants without the £ sign is inclusive?
Thank you for your kind comment! Yes, the £ signs indicates that it is an extra charge venue. Saffron (Indian restaurant) was £14.95pp, and Sea & Grass (steakhouse) was £24.95pp.
No it's Deck 11 then door out to 12 the observation part then some steps to the top up. Very weird at night to see ferries ⛴️ and weird dinghies 3 people with a torch hmmm. Deck 9 didn't have a lot going on lol
Looks lovely, but the majority of this (including all of the decor) is from when the ship sat under P&O Australia as Pacific Dawn. All they’ve done is rebrand each venue. I still love it though, and the vibrant purple colours in the logo and mood lighting on the top deck at night, look fabulous.
@@sailawaymag Thanks for replying. I’ve always enjoyed the P&O Australia ships. Even though they’re older than the big cruise lines, there’s just something about them that I just love. It was heartbreaking seeing pics of Pacific Sun (Henna), Pacific Pearl (Columbus) and Pacific Jewel (Kartika) being scrapped, especially after having such wonderful holidays on those ships. Pacific Dawn almost ended up the same way, so I’m glad she’s found a new life with Ambassador. Cruising has only just restarted in Australia, so I’m looking forward to trying out Pacific Adventure (former Golden Princess) and Pacific Encounter (former Star Princess). I also love Royal Caribbean and would gladly sail with them any time. ☺️
It’s heartbreaking when your favourite ship is sold or scrapped! Also wow we didn’t realise cruising had only recently started again! Royal Caribbean is defiantly one of our favourites, let us know what you choose in the end - we’re sure which ever one you pick you’ll have an amazing time! 😁
I agree with the final comments. They have brought a lot of ‘junk’ from the CMV days. The owners of the now finished CMV fleet have now reformed to ambassador. All the ornaments, artificial plants, cushions etc that have come from the old CMV fleet, look lovely now, but without a robust cleaning regime and a year or two under her belt, the decor will start to look shabby, dusty etc. Having said that, it’s lovely to see the old girl up and sailing again. We said on her in 2009 when she was Ocean Village two, prior to her leaving for Australia when ocean village finished in 2010. ❤️
Public areas are really nice, as for the accommodation it's very dated and needs to be refurbished very quickly as for balconys they are very small and have dirty old furniture on them. We ended up contacting Covid-19 whilst on cruise we were on.
Yeah, those were our observations too! It’s such a shame, because while the cabins are like that we wouldn’t sail on her. We like to have a balcony on a cruise, and they’re charging way above what the likes of P&O are - and with that in mind, why would I choose to sail with Ambience?! Oh god, sorry to hear you became ill! How were the COVID policies onboard? I hear they’re becoming a bit lax on a range of different cruise line!
Yes it is. Plus why several cafes and that awful theatre with only one main walkway to each aisle have to wait to exit very bad, a man fell thing to climb seats to get to seat. Very bad sound had loud singing and view blocked by pillar had neck ache trying to see west end show. Weird long haired male singer. Noticed all waiting staff male Asians...cleaner was Asian female like desk staff. Very few women on board. Lady blonde cruise staff didn't speak to her once was late boarding missed the photographs. The guests kept staring at me rude faces pulled.
To be honest, the drone is quite easy to fly - as long as you're aware of the out of bound zones. Thankfully, there weren't any of those in Tilbury whilst Ambience was alongside.
@@ARFilms2 hello :) you’ll be glad to hear that I use a DJI Mini 2. If you play around with the settings you should be able to get some really good shots. Resisting the urge to get the Mavic 3, but feel the Mini 2 does everything I need it to at the moment.
The tv channel there was a kids film but no I wouldn't recommend and someone commented I saw on cruise critic their children were suddenly not allowed on multi-gen cruise so older passenger wanted to cancel on another cruise to the one I was on..annoying folded up bu k beds to hit head on in cabin 5149. Had to walk down from Buckingham to end to access stairs to deck 5. Took days to realise this. To ensure didn't walk down corridor! The palladium theatre awful..the aisle third down on back end on deck 7 view blocked by pillar in fron and end people walked down there wasn't seeing in corner (no access down to next seats more narrow aisle. Very difficult to access once late had to return for show later made us tired. Theatre strangely isn't on deck 5 why is Dickens bar?
A really good and informative review, thank you. However, I do not agree with you about your conclusions at the end '...it would have been better if they changed the carpets' and 'updated the ship from the start'. Sure, if it had been worn-down or been broken, but it is not. As a cruise line they have very keen prices, and I rather pay £200 less than have a new carpet '...in line with the other decor'....but I guess, thats just me!
Hey Peter, thanks for watching and commenting! We just felt that these areas could have been updated, modernised and made to fit the “Ambassador” brand. However as you said each to their own. Have you got any up coming sailings planned?! 😀
I'm not a big fan of purple. Is this going to be a problem for me? Joking aside, it's one of the few lines that is near to us, so not having to travel 8 or 9 hours to Southampton on a cough full of coughing septuagenarians is a huge plus! It's around P&O prices (or less?) but is it better or worse than P&O, whose standards have been declining somewhat.
Hello Chris! Sorry to read that, the food was pretty good whilst we were on board - however we were only invited for the Naming Ceremony and Gala night so maybe they were pulling out all the stops to make up for all the negative areas we mentioned in our Review! You’re right, Ambassador like referring to themselves as “Premium value cruising” but we felt that it is more honest to refer to them as a budget cruise line! Hope you made the best of it, and that you have better food on your next cruise!
Yes breakfast constantly rotated rude waiter directing us and missed for tea or my mum.not given her correct order twice despite pointing this out. Got vegan mostly at breakfast yet dinner lack of choice. Soups OK but butter very annoying. Marmalade dolloped on plate was sour! No choice of spread and didn't like the plant based egg option so didn't have that or the sausage again. The drinks one evening got someone else's lucky wasn't charged extra for mistake very sour sprite lime cocktail. Drinks were foul flat cola. Had ginger ale was OK. Didn't like whole milk was not offered semi skimmed. Was fed up of tetley tea. Was given orange on last day (watered down very strong) when asked for pineapple. Rude group of people forced to sit with was glad when they finished. Warming don't go on cruise if wanting to sit alone! Plus annoying lifts which don't tell you when arrived on floor (bad for disabled)
Looks a classy affair to me - we are booked on her in December for the Hamburg Christmas Markets - give Ambassador time - final tweaks like remaining carpet replacements can be done over the season as she is bringing in revenue!
Hope you’re right Colin, but speaking to Ambassador the carpet replacements you mentioned don’t seem to be in the pipeline anytime soon. We were very impressed with the dining and entertainment though. And as for the onboard prices, the BEST ever!
We should be glad that a cruise line with this business model is still available to us after the pandemic. Despite there being no fiscal relationship between Cruise and Maritime Voyages and Ambassador, the cashflow model seems very similar. If I have to wait for some new carpets and other dated or weary features to be renewed, I can do that. The quality of the experience seems to be well in line with the ticket price.
Not if you book a balcony it isn’t! Ambassador offers pretty good value for money on inside and outside cabins, but balcony cabins are pretty extortionate and fail to offer what other cruise lines do. Every person is different, but I wouldn’t sail on Ambience again until she’s received a full renovation with a particular focus on the cabins. Ambassador can’t keep banging on about “premium value” in their adverts, and then give people the cabins that we viewed. The adjective “premium” doesn’t hold any substance - and Ambassador would be better calling itself a budget cruise line; which it is. It’s ultimately still CMV, they’ve just bought a lot of purple paint and tried to convince everyone that they’re a “premium” brand which is absurd.
Did you go on the maiden voyage? If not you should have watched those who did walk tours then you would have not gone with expectations. Can I also ask if you have any connection with cruise lines other than personal holidays? You said ships do a FULL make over after being taken over but this information is incorrect.
No, I was onboard for the renaming ceremony. I’ve seen plenty of people’s photos and comments, and much of what I’ve seen reflects my experience onboard. I’m an officer in the merchant navy, and also enjoy going on cruises for holiday! I have referenced Marella and Fred Olsen, and said that they carry out refurbishment when they took ownership. Speaking as someone that has worked for Marella, I know that this is the case - or at the very least they refurbish the areas that need attention. When they took on Celebrity Galaxy which is now Marella Explorer, TUI spent a fortune on her. I said in my review of this ship that the bars and lounges were fine and didn’t need attention, but the pool areas, cabins and corridor are unarguably tired and should have been dealt with when Ambassador took ownership! Some people will be fine with the ship the way it is, but it won’t be for everyone.
WIN A CRUISE ON QUEEN MARY 2!
When you subscribe to either the hard-copy or digital-copy of Sail Away magazine, not only will you be donating £1 each month to the marine conservation charity, ORCA - you'll be entered into our cruise prize draw! Click to the link to find out more:
sailawaymagazine.com/sail-away-magazine/
This ship just left our port yesterday. On the outside, it looked rather plain compared to some others that have been docked in our harbour, but I'm pleased to see the nice, rich, somewhat, old school, look of many things, on the inside. Looks like it is going to take cruise ships to bring this look back, again. Greens, browns, besieges and so forth; I'm sorry but you simply, cannot beat beautiful, rich, earth tones, something people today, seem to have completely, forgotten.
Lovely video and very informative, I really want to try the observatory bar in the evening it’s looks like a blast, but I’ll defo be avoiding the pool shower.. Manky!
Hope to bump into you both onboard a ship one day guys!
Thanks Julie! Three Observatory Lounge was a lovely place - must be a lovely place to be when sailing through the Norwegian Fjords! They also do a really good Sex on the Beach :) we hope to bump into you too Julie, when’s your next cruise? And what are you going on?
We have made it through to the FINAL 8 of the WAVE AWARDS 2023! If you love our videos, and fancy your chance of WINNING a Riviera river cruise, please give us your vote here : www.worldofcruising.co.uk/wave-awards-2023-vote-now
What do you think of Ambience? Would you sail on her? Let us know in the comments below!
Where abouts in the med was the bottle nose dolphins? Well any dolphin really. I know theres whales and dolphins round Gibraltar and turtles round greece. We are doing eastern med next april and just wondered where to look out 😊
Hey, so sorry for the delayed response some comments were hidden by YT! 🤦🏼♂️
I don’t think we saw any dolphins on this cruise however you just need to be lucky, keep your eyes peeled and patient. Finger crossed you spot some!! 🤞🏼☺️
I didn't see them in orkney apparently a fellow passenger claimed to have seen them early in morning. Have seen them on ferry from Denmark to Harwich and whale as well!
I didn't see them in orkney apparently a fellow passenger claimed to have seen them early in morning. Have seen them on ferry from Denmark to Harwich and whale as well!
We’ve been shortlisted for the WAVE AWARDS 2023 for “Favourite Travel Influencer”. If you love our videos, please show your appreciation by giving us your vote using the link below! There’s also a FREE CRUISE available - Best of luck 🤞🏻❤️
www.worldofcruising.co.uk/wave-awards-2023-vote-now
I am sure that once Ambassador have established themselves after a year they will look at improvements. They already have two ships operating in their first year of sailing .Good for them. Very fair review. Thanks
Hello James. Thanks for your comment. There has been many issues, but I'm glad to see that Ambassador are working hard to address many of the problems I observed when I was onboard, and which feature in this video. I hope they prosper in the months and years to come. While I like many of the larger cruise lines, it's nice to see the smaller lines compete and excel in areas which they fail to.
Beautifully filmed and presented
WHAT A GREAT IDEA, the Botanical Lounge is lovely. It deserves some unique drinks. Another great review.
Thanks Brigid :)
It's not it's too packed and too near the Buckinham. I don't think it should be on deck 7. The toilets a problem in wrong places lack of women's toilets and deck 5 doesn't have any had to keep going to cabin to use after dinner as queues for the ones on 7. Confusing and a shame disabked cannot access bar deck 12
Thanks for putting this together guys. We have many happy memories of the Pacific Dawn having sailed on her over a dozen times down here in Australia. So good to see that she has been repurposed and it's interesting to see how Ambassador have changed some of the areas around like the casino and the kid's clubs (Turtle Cove and Shark Shack) where our youngest daughter spent a lot of time in her younger days. Take care
Hey Rob, thanks for watching! What ships do you sail on these days now that Pacific Dawn is no longer the option!? 😃
Ovation of the seas has taken her place in australia
Pacific Encounter is now based in Brisbane all year round and we are really getting to like that ship. Been on her twice now and we have another short cruise in a couple of weeks then an 80s theme in September with some crazy friends, so that should be fun. We also have Carnival Luminosa which we have been on a few times and have a few more booked and Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas. Both of those are seasonal though and are currently back in the US. Same with Princess, Coral Princess was here for a season and she'll be back again for the summer too. It is good that P&O keep a ship here all year though as we love to cruise all year round.
@@keanubrierly1157 Ovation is a Royal Carribean ship and is based in Sydney. Pacific Dawn was P&O and based in Brisbane. Her replacement is the Pacific Encounter.
Very high quality content . Fantastic video thank you for your efforts . Can't wait to cruise on a ambassador .
Thank you! What sailing have you booked!?
Great videos guys thanks for making this, some areas look so disappointing but some areas look so nice like the bars. How they didn’t change some areas baffles me as I’ve been on Fred Olsen and Mattel’s and they seem brand new. Do they only have one ship at the moment?
No problem Cliff. Ambience is a very mixed bag in her present condition unfortunately. However, the bars, lounges and restaurants were decorated beautifully, and Ambassador excel when it comes to dining, entertainment and the fairness of their pricing onboard (£64 for 60 minutes of spa treatment, £5 per cocktail and £14.95 for a 3 course Indian meal at Saffron).
So it’s seems like they are good value for money, however not like Marella where all drinks are included??
Also, with regards to your latter question; they should have refurbished them in the same way as Fred Olsen and Marella when they take ownership of a new vessel. They have 1 ship at the moment, but a second ship is joining in 2023 and will be called Ambition.
@@sailawaymag let’s hope they take note and make the 2nd ship perfect for its maiden sailing!!
@@cliffgniliaw9642 I hope so too. They've released some artist impressions for Ambition, so hopefully that's a sign that they'll actually carry out some refurbishment to her.
Top Class vlog.
Thank you, that's really appreciated :)
What a beautiful ship.
Thanks for watching Liz!
Another lovely tour guys! I love a good art deco theme, so it s nice to see that in the main dining venue. I think it looks good value for money for what you get over all and the detonations. Were looking to book for later in the year, have you got any recommendations for ports / destinations?
Thanks for your comment! With only one pool and two hot tubs, I would probably sail someone with a colder climate! Also, the air con wasn’t that great. The Norwegian fjords on this ship would probably be quite nice, or the Baltic? Shame you can’t go to St Petersburg at the moment though - that is my favourite port in the Baltic
The 20s theme was strange. The company doesn't know whT its doing breakfast and dinner different service and food. Bizarre and dreaded who I was going to be sat with.
We mentioned we wished some of the bars onboard had bespoke drinks menu. After talking with Ambassador, they now offer the following in the Botanical lounge : a Bespoke menu featuring the following products;
Thyme To gin - Infused Gin Cocktail
A selected Gin menu
Edinburgh Classic Gin
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Drumshanbo Gunpwoder Gin
Silent Pool Gin
Botanist Islay
Only at Botanical Strongbow DRAUGHT
Draught Strongbow Margarita
Draught Strongbow Bellini
I dont like that lounge don't understand why that is next door 9 Raffles 20s style bar and warning a trip hazard going through people tripped up. Would be too full to sit so didn't use them. Very nice to go out on deck to see but breezy sometimes. Shame cruise was in September more colder.
I'm surprised about draught was told drink wasn't draught. Noticed coca cola was served in a can for lady yet my diet cola was t in a can..
Great tour - brought back some memories of her past sister ship Ocean Village 2. She looks very elegant and great value! On my wish list - thanks guys
Thanks Philip. Even though I observed a few issues, value for money particularly on Inside and Outside cabins is irrefutable. It's just a matter of time for Ambassador to overcome these initial hurdles, but I'm confident that they will do it. All the best :)
Went around Great Britain in the summer. They did have a few problems and my brothers Christmas Cruise was cancelled at the last minute as the ship need to go to Germany for repairs to the lifeboat station. Book on another cruise to Iceland so we will see how they are doing. The food is first class as is the entertainment. Some of the more senior crew need to practice the way they handle passenger and not always say it’s not my fault!
Hello Dave, thanks for watching! Glad you have a great time on your British Isles cruise. That is certainly an itinerary we are eager to try!
I agree with you the breakfast and dinner very strange why vegan mest at breakfast not used in evening meal I wasn't given much vegetables to eat yet meat eaters wasted their veg! No roast dinner for vegan a shame! And no fish and chips on Friday
I went on this ship in 2020 when it was the pacific dawn docked in Brisbane Australia. Looks the same
Hey thanks for commenting! Before we went on, we saw what Pacific Dawn looked liked, and was shocked to see EVERYTHING was the same (including little pot plants in the buffet!) 😅 hope you had a good time when was was Pacific Dawn?!
Excellent honest tour, as always love the drone footage 10/10.
From your footage I like some parts, others not, it felt it lacked natural light?
As you say though £70 for spa treatment and £5 cocktails are excellent. Think these ships will appeal to p&o and Cunard who like their older ships.
Thanks so much! Thats exactly what Dan said, many parts of this ship felt really dark - and was very reliant on synthetic lighting. But, there was plenty we did like.
Yeah I think you’re right, definitely suitable for disgruntled P&O cruisers who haven’t liked the direction the company has been going in over the last decade. The value for money aspect will also appeal to Marella and Fred Olsen cruisers too!
The ship was light people shut curtains too much! The sun came in..the bedroom reading lights not very good couldn't see to read. The library liked the big atlas but it was damaged. Rip off over the navigation raffle and the photos (6.99 each)
I must say, the ship seems to have been fitted out very nicely and it is impressive the number of British ports that they leave from. I am a Fred Olsen devotee, but i would like to give Ambassador a try out in the future…. 👍
Hey thanks for watching and commenting! ☺️
Let us know if you end up booking one and what you think! Have you got any cruises planned for this year?! 😃
What is that tiny pool at the fore of the ship? Is that "crew pool" or something like that?
Nice video, very informative 👍. Can I just check, extra charge applies for dining in the Deck 12 restaurants with the £ sign? Restaurants without the £ sign is inclusive?
Thank you for your kind comment! Yes, the £ signs indicates that it is an extra charge venue. Saffron (Indian restaurant) was £14.95pp, and Sea & Grass (steakhouse) was £24.95pp.
@@sailawaymag and the sauna and steam room is free? The spa with extra charge?
@@yeehawongi4920 spas on cruise ships are usually extra charge, but I’m not sure how much sorry!
@@sailawaymag the sauna and steam is free?
@@yeehawongi4920 it’s part of the so so I’d imagine there’s a charge!
Are there any daily gratuity charges onboard?
Can you access the front area about half way up ? Possibly deck 9. This is where you appear to be able to stand and watch where the ship is going ?
We couldn't when we were onboard, but we believe they have opened up the viewing area now from what we have heard! Sorry we can't be of more help!
No it's Deck 11 then door out to 12 the observation part then some steps to the top up. Very weird at night to see ferries ⛴️ and weird dinghies 3 people with a torch hmmm. Deck 9 didn't have a lot going on lol
Looks lovely, but the majority of this (including all of the decor) is from when the ship sat under P&O Australia as Pacific Dawn. All they’ve done is rebrand each venue. I still love it though, and the vibrant purple colours in the logo and mood lighting on the top deck at night, look fabulous.
Hey Mason, thanks for watching! We was also surprised that Ambassador didn’t change that much! What’s your go to ship these days!? 😁
@@sailawaymag Thanks for replying. I’ve always enjoyed the P&O Australia ships. Even though they’re older than the big cruise lines, there’s just something about them that I just love. It was heartbreaking seeing pics of Pacific Sun (Henna), Pacific Pearl (Columbus) and Pacific Jewel (Kartika) being scrapped, especially after having such wonderful holidays on those ships. Pacific Dawn almost ended up the same way, so I’m glad she’s found a new life with Ambassador. Cruising has only just restarted in Australia, so I’m looking forward to trying out Pacific Adventure (former Golden Princess) and Pacific Encounter (former Star Princess).
I also love Royal Caribbean and would gladly sail with them any time. ☺️
It’s heartbreaking when your favourite ship is sold or scrapped! Also wow we didn’t realise cruising had only recently started again!
Royal Caribbean is defiantly one of our favourites, let us know what you choose in the end - we’re sure which ever one you pick you’ll have an amazing time! 😁
Another great tour videos guys. Your drone footage is always amazing!
Thanks Christina :)
She’s coming to cobh next week
I agree with the final comments. They have brought a lot of ‘junk’ from the CMV days. The owners of the now finished CMV fleet have now reformed to ambassador. All the ornaments, artificial plants, cushions etc that have come from the old CMV fleet, look lovely now, but without a robust cleaning regime and a year or two under her belt, the decor will start to look shabby, dusty etc. Having said that, it’s lovely to see the old girl up and sailing again. We said on her in 2009 when she was Ocean Village two, prior to her leaving for Australia when ocean village finished in 2010. ❤️
Public areas are really nice, as for the accommodation it's very dated and needs to be refurbished very quickly as for balconys they are very small and have dirty old furniture on them. We ended up contacting Covid-19 whilst on cruise we were on.
Yeah, those were our observations too! It’s such a shame, because while the cabins are like that we wouldn’t sail on her. We like to have a balcony on a cruise, and they’re charging way above what the likes of P&O are - and with that in mind, why would I choose to sail with Ambience?! Oh god, sorry to hear you became ill! How were the COVID policies onboard? I hear they’re becoming a bit lax on a range of different cruise line!
Yes it is. Plus why several cafes and that awful theatre with only one main walkway to each aisle have to wait to exit very bad, a man fell thing to climb seats to get to seat. Very bad sound had loud singing and view blocked by pillar had neck ache trying to see west end show. Weird long haired male singer. Noticed all waiting staff male Asians...cleaner was Asian female like desk staff. Very few women on board. Lady blonde cruise staff didn't speak to her once was late boarding missed the photographs. The guests kept staring at me rude faces pulled.
The night time drone footage is just amazing, how you manage to get those shots amazes me. Does it take much practice to fly?
To be honest, the drone is quite easy to fly - as long as you're aware of the out of bound zones. Thankfully, there weren't any of those in Tilbury whilst Ambience was alongside.
@@sailawaymag that’s handy then! I guess in certain areas it should let you know it’s a forbidden zone to fly?
Yeah, the drone won’t take off - or it shades in red on the GPS map no-go areas
Which drone did you use, I have a DJI mini 2 which is great but would struggle with nighttime shots like the ones you got?
@@ARFilms2 hello :) you’ll be glad to hear that I use a DJI Mini 2. If you play around with the settings you should be able to get some really good shots. Resisting the urge to get the Mavic 3, but feel the Mini 2 does everything I need it to at the moment.
Are there any facilities for children?
Hey Andy, unfortunately there are no kids clubs or facilities onboard
@@sailawaymag thanks for the info...
The tv channel there was a kids film but no I wouldn't recommend and someone commented I saw on cruise critic their children were suddenly not allowed on multi-gen cruise so older passenger wanted to cancel on another cruise to the one I was on..annoying folded up bu k beds to hit head on in cabin 5149. Had to walk down from Buckingham to end to access stairs to deck 5. Took days to realise this. To ensure didn't walk down corridor! The palladium theatre awful..the aisle third down on back end on deck 7 view blocked by pillar in fron and end people walked down there wasn't seeing in corner (no access down to next seats more narrow aisle. Very difficult to access once late had to return for show later made us tired. Theatre strangely isn't on deck 5 why is Dickens bar?
A really good and informative review, thank you. However, I do not agree with you about your conclusions at the end '...it would have been better if they changed the carpets' and 'updated the ship from the start'. Sure, if it had been worn-down or been broken, but it is not. As a cruise line they have very keen prices, and I rather pay £200 less than have a new carpet '...in line with the other decor'....but I guess, thats just me!
Hey Peter, thanks for watching and commenting! We just felt that these areas could have been updated, modernised and made to fit the “Ambassador” brand. However as you said each to their own. Have you got any up coming sailings planned?! 😀
@@sailawaymag Hi again! Yes, I will sail with them to Iceland in July... can't wait!!!
Have the best time ever!!☺️
I'm not a big fan of purple. Is this going to be a problem for me? Joking aside, it's one of the few lines that is near to us, so not having to travel 8 or 9 hours to Southampton on a cough full of coughing septuagenarians is a huge plus! It's around P&O prices (or less?) but is it better or worse than P&O, whose standards have been declining somewhat.
ive just stepped off this ship and the food is not really very good at all but it is budget cruising after all.
Hello Chris! Sorry to read that, the food was pretty good whilst we were on board - however we were only invited for the Naming Ceremony and Gala night so maybe they were pulling out all the stops to make up for all the negative areas we mentioned in our Review! You’re right, Ambassador like referring to themselves as “Premium value cruising” but we felt that it is more honest to refer to them as a budget cruise line! Hope you made the best of it, and that you have better food on your next cruise!
Yes breakfast constantly rotated rude waiter directing us and missed for tea or my mum.not given her correct order twice despite pointing this out. Got vegan mostly at breakfast yet dinner lack of choice. Soups OK but butter very annoying. Marmalade dolloped on plate was sour! No choice of spread and didn't like the plant based egg option so didn't have that or the sausage again. The drinks one evening got someone else's lucky wasn't charged extra for mistake very sour sprite lime cocktail. Drinks were foul flat cola. Had ginger ale was OK. Didn't like whole milk was not offered semi skimmed. Was fed up of tetley tea. Was given orange on last day (watered down very strong) when asked for pineapple. Rude group of people forced to sit with was glad when they finished. Warming don't go on cruise if wanting to sit alone! Plus annoying lifts which don't tell you when arrived on floor (bad for disabled)
Looks a classy affair to me - we are booked on her in December for the Hamburg Christmas Markets - give Ambassador time - final tweaks like remaining carpet replacements can be done over the season as she is bringing in revenue!
Hope you’re right Colin, but speaking to Ambassador the carpet replacements you mentioned don’t seem to be in the pipeline anytime soon.
We were very impressed with the dining and entertainment though. And as for the onboard prices, the BEST ever!
@@sailawaymagthe carpets were OK the issue is that awful palladium
.....you wanna pay Fred Olsen prices for a new carpet !?
A balcony cabin with Ambassador is about the same price as it is with Fred Olsen.
@@sailawaymag Nope, that's not the case any search on balcony cabins with tour operators will show.
We should be glad that a cruise line with this business model is still available to us after the pandemic. Despite there being no fiscal relationship between Cruise and Maritime Voyages and Ambassador, the cashflow model seems very similar. If I have to wait for some new carpets and other dated or weary features to be renewed, I can do that.
The quality of the experience seems to be well in line with the ticket price.
Not if you book a balcony it isn’t! Ambassador offers pretty good value for money on inside and outside cabins, but balcony cabins are pretty extortionate and fail to offer what other cruise lines do. Every person is different, but I wouldn’t sail on Ambience again until she’s received a full renovation with a particular focus on the cabins.
Ambassador can’t keep banging on about “premium value” in their adverts, and then give people the cabins that we viewed. The adjective “premium” doesn’t hold any substance - and Ambassador would be better calling itself a budget cruise line; which it is. It’s ultimately still CMV, they’ve just bought a lot of purple paint and tried to convince everyone that they’re a “premium” brand which is absurd.
Did you go on the maiden voyage? If not you should have watched those who did walk tours then you would have not gone with expectations. Can I also ask if you have any connection with cruise lines other than personal holidays? You said ships do a FULL make over after being taken over but this information is incorrect.
No, I was onboard for the renaming ceremony. I’ve seen plenty of people’s photos and comments, and much of what I’ve seen reflects my experience onboard. I’m an officer in the merchant navy, and also enjoy going on cruises for holiday! I have referenced Marella and Fred Olsen, and said that they carry out refurbishment when they took ownership. Speaking as someone that has worked for Marella, I know that this is the case - or at the very least they refurbish the areas that need attention. When they took on Celebrity Galaxy which is now Marella Explorer, TUI spent a fortune on her. I said in my review of this ship that the bars and lounges were fine and didn’t need attention, but the pool areas, cabins and corridor are unarguably tired and should have been dealt with when Ambassador took ownership! Some people will be fine with the ship the way it is, but it won’t be for everyone.