News & Media

4th May 2022

AMBASSADOR CRUISE SHARES PORT OF TYNE’S GREEN AMBITION WITH LOCAL DEPARTURE ITINERARIES

The UK’s newest, home-grown cruise operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, will be offering cruise holiday itineraries departing from the Port of Tyne.

This means holidaymakers from the North East region will no longer need to travel hundreds of miles to a southern port if they are joining one of Ambassador’s no-fly premium – value cruises.

Ambassador Cruise Line offers consumers environmentally sustainable cruises aboard two small to mid-size classic ships,  Ambience which was officially launched in April, by Sally Gunnell OBE and new sister vessel, Ambition due to sail in 2023

Ambition and Ambience offer no-fly sailings with a premium-value, authentic cruise experience. The full itinerary programme is currently being finalised and voyages including departures from the Port of Tyne will commence from summer 2023.

Kate O Hara, Commercial Director for Cruise at the Port of Tyne, said: “Working with a brand new UK cruise company offering brand new cruise holiday experiences from the North East is very exciting and reinforces our position as the premier cruise hub for the north east.” 

She added: “Cruise holidays that commence at the Port of Tyne are extremely popular and we are seeing the radius for passengers embarking from our shores expanding steadily. People want convenience and they are also very mindful of reducing their carbon footprint, so having a shorter distance to travel before joining an Ambassador cruise is a big benefit.”

Environmental sustainability is a core strategic objective for the Port of Tyne, which made a commitment to becoming Net Zero by 2030 and an All Electric Port by 2040. Ambassador Cruise Line shares similar sustainability goals.

Both Ambition and Ambience have been upgraded with the latest emission reduction technologies to secure IMO Tier III compliance. This reduces 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 the benefits of travel whilst minimising the impact on destinations they travel to.

Ambassador Cruise Line CEO, Christian Verhounig, said, “We are delighted to be offering cruises departing from the Port of Tyne and look forward to welcoming our guests onboard our beautiful new ships.”

Ambition will carry up to 1,200 guests in over 700 spacious cabins, 125 of which have balconies. She will feature two restaurants offering speciality dining, a bistro style café, four bars and lounges and a pub. These facilities will be complemented by a wellness centre and gym with multiple swimming pools, theatre, casino, library, boutiques and a craft studio.

The full programme of itineraries and enticing offers from Ambassador Cruise Line will be detailed in a bumper 2023-24 season brochure available shortly.