CRUISING APRIL 2024: Princess Anne & Hebridean plus Ambassador

It was a return visit for her Royal Highness.

Princess Anne recently joined the ship for a special lunch to celebrate its 60 years.

In the first decade of the millennium Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth had twice chartered Hebridean Princess for a Royal Family holiday, replacing the much-loved Britannia.  Hebridean was built in Aberdeen in 1964 as RMS Columba and in 1989 converted into a small and unique luxury cruise ship.

Hebridean Princess is the only cruise ship to have received a Royal Warrant.

Managing Director, Ken Charleson, said: “We were delighted to welcome HRH The Princess Royal back on board Hebridean Princess to help us celebrate such a momentous occasion.  Since 1989, Hebridean Princess has established herself as the epitome of luxury, small-ship Scottish cruising, earning an enviable reputation for her renowned level of service and attention to detail”.
 
Nominally based at Oban, Hebridean operates all-inclusive, truly luxury cruises around the Highland and Islands of Scotland from March to November.  Cruising on Hebridean is a personal experience visiting some of the most inaccessible places anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Although fitted with the most up to date wi-fi there is no need for an App on the ship.  Everything is personised including the boarding.  Each of the 30 individual cabins has a name and its own character.  There is a tiny gym for those who need it.  And for whisky drinkers the bar is stocked with a huge choice of labels. A tiny kitchen produces cuisine to perfection.  See also ON TOUR SPECIAL: In the footsteps of the Royal Yacht.

www.hebridean.co.uk

TNU as a rule does not update stories but this one arrived the day after the 1 April publication and together with Christian Verhounig, Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Cruise Line’s anniversary piece below, sets the scene for 2024.

Figures released by Cruise Britain, representing UK harbours, show that the cruise sector successfully bounced back for ports and service providers around the UK in 2023 with record guest and port call numbers. The trend continues.

Landmark figures for have toppled previous pre-pandemic records. Across the year 2,499 calls were welcomed, pushing the previous 2019 record into second place. Growth rates for guests were extremely marked with the number of passengers embarking on their cruise at a UK port exceeding 1.5 million for the first time; this record year shows 26% growth against the previous highest in 2018.

In terms of transit passengers enjoying a day ashore in the UK, ports welcomed 2.16 million guests, representing 24% more than in 2019 which was itself a record year.

With each transit passenger being worth a conservative average of £70 to the local tourism economy every time they step ashore, the visitor figure for 2023 means a vital tourism injection of around £150 million to Britain’s coastal economies.

In 2023, cruise passengers arrived for the day or embarked through 57 cruise ports aboard 123 individual ships, with the vast majority of ships calling on multiple occasions. There were 53 different cruise lines welcomed in UK ports, varying from vibrant city centre locations to small coastal boutique towns.

www.cruisebritain.org


Ambassador Cruise Line is two years old

On 20 April 2022 MV Ambassador Ambience made its maiden voyage out of Tilbury, a short three-night cruise to Hamburg.

Here, in an exclusive for TNU,Christian Verhounig , Chief Executive Officer, reflects on the past two years, and looks to the future.

“As the world navigates through uncertain times, one thing remains constant: the desire for unforgettable travel experiences. Despite the challenges posed by the current economic climate, Brits are still eager to embark on memorable holidays in 2024 and beyond.  At Ambassador Cruise Line, we recognise this longing for adventure, and we're committed to providing travellers with exceptional journeys that offer true value for money onboard Ambience, which entered service in April 2022, and Ambition, which entered service in May 2023.

“With two fully upgraded ships, Ambassador is charting a course for success. Our revenue for the 2024/25 season is soaring, reflecting a remarkable 63% increase compared to the previous year, showcasing the trust and confidence our guests have in us.

“We take pride in crafting itineraries that cater to the diverse interests of our guests, offering a blend of breathtaking destinations and authentic experiences that promise unforgettable moments at every port of call. And with a focus on sustainability, our ships rank among the top 10%−15% of environmentally friendly vessels, granting access to some of Europe's most pristine corners.

“Key to our success is the unwavering dedication of our team, whose expertise spans across various industries, ensuring that every decision is grounded in data and insights. Together, we strive to exceed our guests' expectations, delivering amazing entertainment, outstanding cuisine and exceptional service throughout their voyage with us.

“In the 2024/25 season, we’re building on the success of our regional operation and expanding our offerings from a multitude of ports across the UK, including Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh and Falmouth. The promise of no-fly cruising from a port that’s close to home not only enhances accessibility for our guests but will also inevitably boost regional economies and benefit local communities the length and breadth of the country.

“Furthermore, our commitment to no-fly cruising resonates with guests seeking convenience and value. By eliminating the hassles of airport queues and flight cancellations, we offer travellers the freedom to begin their holiday sooner, embarking on unforgettable journeys without the stresses associated with air travel. Guests can board in under 20 minutes from parking their vehicle in one of our car parks close to the cruise terminals.

“As we unveil our 2025/26 season, we’re looking forward to welcoming many more guests onboard for the ‘warmest welcome at sea’.  Offering more departures than any other cruise line from seven regional ports across the UK, guests have plenty of choice for a cruise departing from close to home.

“We have reviewed guest feedback and researched trending destinations to curate a wonderful and unique range of diverse itineraries for all types of traveller. With 31 sailings and two Festive Events taking place on Ambience and 45 sailings and two Festive Events onboard Ambition in 2025/26, the Ambassador fleet will sail to 37 countries across three continents, calling at 130 ports while travelling almost 133,126 nautical miles.

“From the rising demand for Nordic cruises to the enduring popularity of round-Britain itineraries and Mediterranean escapes, experiences include a range of authentic sailings for the over 50s market plus five multi-generational sailings – the most in a season and featuring the first ever on Ambition from Newcastle and Dundee.

“The season also features popular festive sailings during the month of December, including three and six-night Festive Cruises, a 17-night European Coastal Christmas Cruise and an 18-night Christmas in the Canaries cruise. The season’s longest itinerary is the 40-night Jewels of the Caribbean sailing, departing in January 2026 on our flagship, Ambience.

“The success of our business is evident in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests, with a remarkable 94% saying they would recommend Ambassador to their friends and family. This endorsement speaks volumes about the exceptional experiences we provide and serves as a testament to our commitment to excellence. In an ever-changing world, one thing remains constant: the promise of outstanding no-fly cruise adventures with Ambassador – all for the best value”.

www.ambassadorcruiseline.com

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