18 nights onboard Ambience

Christmas in the Canaries

Embark on a Christmastime adventure, first stopping in the vibrant port of Leixoes with the option to tour to Oporto. Then it's on to Lisbon, a city of historic charm and contemporary allure. Relax and enjoy Christmas Day at sea where our crew will take care of all the festive trimmings for you. Explore captivating Casablanca, then sail to the volcanic landscapes of Arrecife in Lanzarote. Continue your journey in the Canary Islands, visiting Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. Spend New Year's Eve exploring the botanical richness of Funchal in Madeira before concluding with the maritime charms of Getxo for optional tours to Bilbao, Spain and Brest along France's Breton Coast.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Lisbon
Portugal's bustling capital of Lisbon allures with its mix of Old World charm and seaside vibes. Lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets in the Alfama district, lunch atop the scenic overlook of Santa Catarina, and savour Lisbon's rich cultural tapestry.

Casablanca
Casablanca, Morocco's modern metropolis, entices with a blend of the traditional and the contemporary. The Hassan II Mosque is the second largest mosque in Africa and well worth a visit. Eclectic architecture and vibrant city markets offer a rich cultural tapestry against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Home to the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife boasts architectural marvels like the Auditorio de Tenerife and the more classical Plaza de Espana. The city is widely known for its famous beaches and year-round public festivals.

Funchal, Madeira
Madeira's capital Funchal dazzles visitors with panoramic viewpoints and subtropical allure. Explore the city's cultural richness and natural beauty with the mighty Atlantic Ocean ever in view.

Leaving from: Tilbury

Cruise ship: Ambience

Visiting: Tilbury • Leixões • Lisbon • Casablanca •

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 4

Leixões, Portugal

Day 5

Lisbon, Portugal

Day 7

Casablanca, Morocco

Day 9

Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain

Day 10

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Day 11

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Day 12

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Day 15

Getxo, Spain

Day 17

Brest, France

Day 19

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 4

Leixões, Portugal

Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet 'port' wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal's major sea ports and is also home to one of the country's oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961.

Day 5

Lisbon, Portugal

Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

Day 7

Casablanca, Morocco

Many of you might will have a picture of Casablanca in your head, that has no doubt been taken from the classic Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman 1942 film – all gin joints, Moroccan souks and old stone medina alleys. But of course, time has gone by and the Casablanca of today may still have an old-world, romantic charm, but it has moved with the times and is now a thriving commercial capital, packed full of cultural attractions, contemporary galleries and top-notch restaurants just waiting to be discovered. The multifaceted port city, which fronts the Atlantic Ocean in western Morocco, combines its French colonial heritage with traditional Arab culture and European Art Deco and modernist architecture.

Day 9

Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain

A volcanic island designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote’s dramatic landscapes were shaped by an explosive past. Today, its pretty beaches and virtual absence of rain together with duty-free shopping make the island an extremely desirable destination. The main port and capital, Arrecife, is a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens. Outside the capital there is plenty to explore, from the dazzling white salt flats of Janubio and the rugged terrain of Fire Mountain to the eerie caves of Los Verdes and an array of unspoilt fishing villages scattered around the coast. The island is home to a great selection of restaurants and local specialities including garbanzos compuestos – a chickpea stew; papas arrugadas – potatoes with carrots, peas, ham and green pepper; and of course, plenty of fresh seafood. Please note that those planning to participate in one of the shore excursions from this port may need to take an early lunch on board ship to suit the excursion schedules.

Day 10

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms.

Day 11

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Perhaps the prettiest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is an almost circular isle with the peak of Pozo de Las Nieves, its highest point, at the centre. With a wealth of natural beauty and all the exciting attractions of city life in the capital, the island offers the best of both worlds. You will no doubt wish to see the sights of the capital’s old quarter, which dates back to the 15th century and encompassses the Vegueta and Triana districts, and wherever you go you can enjoy the glorious subtropical climate, perfect for growing exotic palms and fruits.

Day 12

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.

Day 15

Getxo, Spain

Day 17

Brest, France

Day 19

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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