Ambition
Sails from Tilbury, England · Fly into LHR
Page updated
Ambition in port at Casablanca, August 2023 · Photo: Farid Mernissi, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Ambition
Ambition is an Ambassador Cruise Line cruise ship of the Mistral class, in service since 1999. She measures 48,123 gross tons and carries 1,248 guests with a crew of 670. She sails Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands, Mediterranean itineraries. We rate her 3.2 out of 5.
Ambition was completed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in 1999 as Mistral for Festival Cruises and later sailed as Grand Mistral, Costa neoRiviera and AIDAmira. Ambassador bought her from AIDA in 2022, and after being named by sailor Shirley Robertson she made her first Ambassador cruise from the Port of Tyne on 12 May 2023. She measures 48,123 gross tons and carries 1,248 guests at double occupancy, with two main restaurants, a tiered theater, a pub, a wellness center and two pools. She joins Ambience at Tilbury in winter for Christmas market and winter sun cruises, and in summer sails from regional UK ports such as Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, Dundee, Belfast and Portsmouth.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 1,248
- Crew 670 · 1:1.9
- Entered service
- 1999
- Refitted 2023
- Length
- 216 m
- Longer than 58% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 8
Ambition is smaller than 54% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 65%. At 38.6 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 54% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Dining
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Pools & decks
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Value
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Ambassador Cruise Line fleet average across 3 rated ships in service.
More from Ambassador Cruise Line
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
3.2 ★Renaissance1993 · 55,575 GT · 1,258 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanRenaissance was built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and entered service in December 1993 as Holland America Line's Maasdam. Sold in 2020 to Seajets, which laid her up as Aegean…
3.2 ★Ambience1991 · 70,285 GT · 1,400 guests · Northern Europe · Norwegian FjordsAmbience is the flagship of Ambassador Cruise Line, built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and delivered in 1991 as Princess Cruises' Regal Princess, one of a pair of ships with…Official deck plans
Photos
Ambition in port at Casablanca, August 2023Photo: Farid Mernissi, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- Northern Europethe Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, May to September
- Norwegian Fjordsfjords and the North Cape, with midnight sun in summer
- Canary Islandswinter sun off North Africa, often with Madeira and Morocco
- MediterraneanWestern Med, Greek Isles and Adriatic, mostly April to November
Home port: Tilbury, England.
Flying in for your cruise?
Ambition sails from Tilbury, England. The airport is London Heathrow (LHR), with 40 lounges to wait in before you board.
- Emirates LoungeLHR Terminal 34.9 ★
- Plaza Premium Lounge (T4)LHR Terminal 44.9 ★
- Plaza Premium Lounge (T5)LHR Terminal 54.9 ★
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Ambition?
Ambition is operated by Ambassador Cruise Line and belongs to its Mistral class.
How big is Ambition?
Ambition measures 48,123 gross tons and 216 metres in length, with 8 decks.
How does Ambition compare in size with other cruise ships?
Ambition is smaller than 54% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 65%. At 38.6 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 54% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Ambition feel?
Ambition has a passenger space ratio of 38.6: 48,123 gross tons for 1,248 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Ambition feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Ambition carry?
Ambition carries 1,248 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 670 (about 1.9 guests per crew member).
When did Ambition enter service?
Ambition entered service in 1999 and was last refurbished in 2023.
Where does Ambition sail?
Ambition sails Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands and Mediterranean itineraries. Her home port is Tilbury, England.
Which airport should I fly into for Ambition?
Ambition sails from Tilbury, England. Fly into London Heathrow (LHR), which has 40 airport lounges listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Ambition?
Ambassador Cruise Line publishes the deck plans for Ambition; this page links to Deck plans.
How is Ambition rated?
Cruise Frog rates Ambition 3.2 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (4/5) and lowest on entertainment (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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