Ambassador Cruise Line's Festive Event

I recently had the chance to experience a festive event on board Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambition, and it was a brilliant showcase of what clients can expect from a Christmas or winter sailing with this adults-focused cruise line.

From the start, everything felt smooth and well organised, with speedy, efficient boarding at Tilbury and a very warm welcome on arrival. A chilled glass of champagne set the tone for the evening, as guests gathered in their festive best ready for a night of great food and entertainment. 

For our overnight stay, we chose to stay in an inside cabin which was comfortable, warm and beautifully decorated. To be fair, we did not spend long in our cabin as there was so much to see and do on the ship that we simply got changed into our glad rags and began the evening. 

Our first point of call was to head to the Cavern bar which is essentially the main nightclub/entertainment hub on the ship. We purchased a bottle of Prosecco between us and enjoyed listening to the resident duo which got us in the mood for our festive feast. 

Upon booking, you were able to pick a dining time (like you would with any traditional style ship) and we chose the 8pm dining. We were then treated to a delicious five course meal that included the following:

- A beautifully presented mixed seafood starter which was light yet indulgent

- A perfectly cooked beef tenderloin with all the trimmings which was rich and full of flavour 

- A showstopping Christmas baked Alaska including the ever so fun Baked Alaska parade by all the waiting staff and chefs. Napkins in the air galore!

The service throughout was attentive but relaxed, with courses flowing seamlessly and plenty of festive cheer in the restaurant. 

After our dinner we were then treated to an array of fantastic entertainment, showcasing what Ambassador really has to offer. We began with a trip to the West End style theatre with a circus themed stage show by the very talented cast. The energy and vocals were impressive! After the show we headed through the lounges and back up to the Cavern bar for a late night Christmas themed celebration with all the resident musicians. The bar was absolutely packed and the drinks were certainly flowing! 

The following morning, with slightly sore heads, we made our way to the Borough Market which is the ship's buffet area for a much needed breakfast before disembarking the ship. The choice was plenty and we definitely needed the re-fuelling before our drive back up North.

The Festive events are already on sale for 2026 and they suit all manner of guest (it is adult only as a rule for these events). We saw lots of company Christmas parties having fun through to couples who were simply trying out the ship before committing to a longer sailing. Throughout the ship, all the amenities and show cabins were open to be able to view which acted as a very good opportunity for Ambassador to really showcase themselves. There were a lot of people enquiring about future cruises whilst on board! 

Ambition itself is a smaller, stylishly designed ship with an easy to navigate layout and a friendly, classic cruise atmosphere. While she particularly appeals to middle/older age groups, the festive events in particular felt very inclusive. It is a great option for anyone looking for a festive celebration with a difference, combing restaurant-quality dining, live entertainment and a comfortable overnight stay, all in one place. 

I for one will certainly be recommending these events to families and friends and may even find myself at one of the 2026 events - if you'd like some more information then please do reach out to me and I will happily guide you towards booking your next festive event with Ambassador Cruises.