Ambassador Cruise Line, the UK based company which is scheduled to commence operations in the spring, said it has acquired a second ship that will enter service in 2023 and which will add a number of departure ports to the company's offering.

The company has purchased the 48,123 gross ton AIDAmira that started life as Mistral for the now defunct Festival Cruises in 1999 for an undisclosed sum.

To be called, Ambition, the ship will offer no-fly sailings predominantly targeting the 50-plus market with a premium-value, authentic cruise experience. “In addition to London Tilbury, she will also offer a summer 2023 programme of regional departures from ports such as Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and Falmouth, enabling guests across the UK to have a shorter distance to travel before experiencing Ambassador’s onboard service. The full programme is being finalised and will be on sale from Q2 2022,” the company said in a statement.

Ambassador Cruise Line.has the same senior management as Cruise & Maritime Voyages that collapsed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike the last named company, Ambassador Cruise Line owns the vessels it operates. The first ship of the company, Ambiance, was built in 1991 as Regal Princess for Princess Cruises.

Prior to entering service with Ambassador Cruise Line, she will undergo similar extensive upgrades as her new sister ship, Ambience, including the installation of the latest emission reduction technologies to secure IMO Tier III compliance. 

“This will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 95% compared to current standards. Along with installing updated ballast and sewage water treatment systems, both ships in the Ambassador Cruise Line fleet will be among circa 10% of the current world cruise fleet authorised to sail in strictly environmentally protected seas. These investments are a key part of the Ambassador Cruise Line strategy of operating with a high level of environmental responsibility as well as meeting the increased demands of guests who want to enjoy all the benefits of travel whilst making the lowest possible impact on the destinations they travel to,” the company said.

Photos: CGI of how Ambition will look in Ambassador colours, the ship as AIDAmira