16 nights onboard Ambience

Norway's Land of the Northern Lights & Scotland

On this captivating North Sea voyage, discover scenic wonders including Invergordon, Trondheim, Narvik, and the Shetland Isles. Immerse yourself in coastal Scotland's rich history, hunt the enchanting Northern Lights in Alta, and explore the picturesque charm of Lerwick. This sailing offers an unforgettable journey from the historic ports of Scotland and the Shetland Islands to the stunning Norwegian coast.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Invergordon
Invergordon, on Scotland's east coast, is rich in maritime history and Highland charm. Take a leisurely stroll along historic quaysides, explore coastal viewpoints, and experience the authentic Scottish atmosphere of this port town along the Cromarty Firth.

Trondheim
Trondheim, Norway is a place of medieval charm and scenic splendour. Explore the vibrant Bakklandet district, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque River Nidelva. With its rich heritage and stunning landscapes, Trondheim offers a truly unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Narvik
Narvik is a standout Norwegian destination. Ski the slopes of nearby Narvikfjellet depending on the time of year, or unwind on the sandy shores of Sandvika. Whatever your holiday style, Narvik offers an array of cultural, culinary, and outdoor activities.

Tromso
Situated within the Arctic Circle, Tromso was once the historic starting point for many Arctic expeditions. The city offers visitors the opportunity to witness the spectacular Northern Lights as well as enjoy a rich cultural scene, vibrant festivals, and stunning fjord landscapes.

Viewing of the Northern Lights subject to local weather and atmospheric conditions.

Leaving from: Tilbury

Cruise ship: Ambience

Visiting: Tilbury • Invergordon • Ålesund • Trondheim •

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line describes itself as a "premium value" service, offering value-for-money breaks aimed primarily at the over-50s.

The company, based in Essex, first sailed out of Tilbury in 2022, with its first Ambassador ship - Ambience, now joined by Ambition. Guests can expect talks, a vast array of entertainment, and a healthy choice of restaurants.

The tag claims "best value at sea" - we'd be inclined to agree.

1400

Passengers

1991

Launched

2017

Last refit

70285t

Tonnage

245m

Length

32.2m

Width

17kts

Speed

Decks

GBP

Currency

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Tilbury, England

Day 3

Invergordon, Scotland

Day 5

Ålesund, Norway

Day 6

Trondheim, Norway

Day 8

Tromsø, Norway

Days 9 - 10

Alta, Norway

Day 12

Narvik, Norway

Day 15

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Day 17

Tilbury, England

Day 1

Tilbury, England

Just 22 nautical miles down river from the Tower Bridge in London, Tilbury is a popular turnaround port for cruises visiting Baltic and Northern European destinations.

Day 3

Invergordon, Scotland

The port of Invergordon is your gateway to the Great Glen, an area of Scotland that includes Loch Ness and the city of Inverness. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, has the flavor of a Lowland town, its winds blowing in a sea-salt air from the Moray Firth. The Great Glen is also home to one of the world's most famous monster myths: in 1933, during a quiet news week, the editor of a local paper decided to run a story about a strange sighting of something splashing about in Loch Ness. But there's more to look for here besides Nessie, including inland lochs, craggy and steep-sided mountains, rugged promontories, deep inlets, brilliant purple and emerald moorland, and forests filled with astonishingly varied wildlife, including mountain hares, red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys.

Day 5

Ålesund, Norway

The coastal town of Ålesund is the commercial capital of the Møre og Romsdal district. But more important, it is noted for its characteristic Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings, which some claim make Ålesund one of the most beautiful towns in Norway. This Art Nouveau style emerged when the town was completely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904 destroyed nearly 800 buildings and left 10,000 residents homeless. It is said that the fire started by a tipped oil lamp. Rebuilding was carried out with the help of many young, foreign architects who added their own flourishes to the architectural blend of German Jugendstil and Viking roots. Today, narrow streets are crammed with buildings topped with turrets, spires and gables that bear decorations of dragonheads and curlicues. As one of the few remaining Art Nouveau towns in the world, in 1998 Ålesund was awarded the coveted Houens National Memorial Prize for the preservation of its unique architecture.

Day 6

Trondheim, Norway

One of Scandinavia's oldest cities, Trondheim was the first capital of Norway, from AD 997 to 1380. Founded in 997 by Viking king Olav Tryggvason, it was first named Nidaros (still the name of the cathedral), a composite word referring to the city's location at the mouth of the Nidelva River. Today, it's Central Norway's largest (and Norway's third largest) city, with a population of 150,000. The wide streets of the historic city center remain lined with brightly painted wood houses and striking warehouses. But it's no historic relic: it's also the home to NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and is Norway's technological capital.

Day 8

Tromsø, Norway

With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.

Days 9 - 10

Alta, Norway

Also known as the ‘City of the Northern Lights’, Norway’s northern coastal town is regarded as one of the best places in the world to view the natural phenomenon known as aurora borealis. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Sami people, Alta has a rich cultural heritage, home to the Unesco-listed site of Hjemmeluft, which features prehistoric rock carvings dating from around 4,200 to 500 BC. Like several other northern Norway towns, much of Alta had to be rebuilt after WWII and the town is now a fascinating blend of old and new, with notable modern buildings including the Northern Lights Cathedral.

Day 12

Narvik, Norway

At 68 degrees North, Narvik lies 140 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Its history as a settlement began in the Stone Age, and Vikings are also known to have lived in the area. The modern town came into existence in the 1870s to serve the needs of the iron industry. Iron ore is mined in neighbouring Sweden and, as an ice-free port, Narvik was chosen as the ideal export location. The LKAB mining corporation is still a major employer and landowner in the area, shipping some 25,000,000 tons of iron ore from the port annually. This industrial heritage has shaped the town and now forms the basis of some of its most popular tourist attractions. In 1883 a co-owned British-Swedish company was given permission to build a railway connecting the Swedish iron mines in Kiruna to Narvik. It opened in 1902 and the town, then christened Victoriahavn, grew up around it. Unfortunately much of Narvik was destroyed in World War II. Invaded by the Nazis on 9 April 1940, it was later retaken by the Allies, representing the first military defeat of Hitler’s troops, but was evacuated as part of Operation Alphabet when it came under German occupation again. The local war museum documents the turbulent history of this period.

Day 15

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland

In bustling Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, there's plenty to see in the narrow, winding streets extending from the harbor. The cathedral and some museums are highlights.

Day 17

Tilbury, England

Just 22 nautical miles down river from the Tower Bridge in London, Tilbury is a popular turnaround port for cruises visiting Baltic and Northern European destinations.

Ship Details

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambience

Here she is, our flagship of the fleet, our first lady of the sea: Ambience. Derived from the French word for ‘surrounding’, our ambition at Ambassador is to create the optimum atmosphere onboard; one that brings out the best in each of us. The perfect ambience.

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