16 nights onboard Ambition

Marvels of France, Portugal, and Spain

See the coastal landscapes of France, Portugal, and Spain on this idyllic sailing expedition. Experience the maritime charm of Lorient, a French port with a rich naval history, and explore Le Verdon with its white sand beaches. Cruise to Getxo, a Spanish town blending modernity and tradition, and also your gateway for an optional tour to Bilbao. Discover Leixoes in Portugal with the option for a tour to Oporto. Visit Cadiz, an ancient port city steeped in history, and stepping stone for optional tours to Seville and the iconic Gibraltar with its stunning rock formation. Explore Vigo, known for its seafood and cultural sites, with the option for tour to Santiago de Compostela. Then conclude your journey in the historic French port of Brest before heading home. With unique coastal destinations, great food, and a wealth of historical treasures to uncover, this sailing is sure to inspire fond memories.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Le Verdon
Le Verdon, France is a coastal town on the doorstep of Bordeaux's famous wine country. Explore historic harbours like Port-Medoc, visit coastal viewpoints such as Pointe de Grave, and take time to enjoy local flavours along the Gironde Estuary.Leixoes
Near the city of Porto, Leixos is one of Portugal's major seaports and is widely associated with the exporting of port wine. Day trips to Porto are a popular activity, but there are also quayside beaches and cafes to enjoy on either side of the Douro River.

Vigo
Stretching along Spain's Basque coast is historic Getxo. Blending cultural richness with seaside charm, Getxo offers gorgeous promenade walks and the chance to indulge in traditional Basque cuisine in the town's famous Old Port.

Brest
Located on the briny coast of Brittany, the French port of Brest offers a seafaring spirit and countless maritime attractions. Stroll along quaysides, discover historic fortifications, and enjoy some unique Breton cuisine.

Leaving from: Falmouth

Cruise ship: Ambition

Visiting: Falmouth • Lorient • Le Verdon-sur-Mer • Getxo •

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.

1200

Passengers

2022

Launched

41123t

Tonnage

216m

Length

29m

Width

20kts

Speed

Decks

GBP

Currency

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Falmouth, England

Day 3

Lorient, France

Day 4

Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France

Day 5

Getxo, Spain

Day 7

Leixões, Portugal

Day 9

Cádiz, Spain

Day 10

Gibraltar, Gibraltar

Day 12

Vigo, Spain

Day 14

Brest, France

Day 16

Bristol, England

Day 17

Falmouth, England

Day 1

Falmouth, England

The bustle of this resort town's fishing harbor, yachting center, and commercial port only adds to its charm. In the 18th century Falmouth was the main mail-boat port for North America, and in Flushing, a village across the inlet, you can see the slate-covered houses built by prosperous mail-boat captains. A ferry service now links the two towns. On Custom House Quay, off Arwenack Street, is the King's Pipe, an oven in which seized contraband was burned.

Day 3

Lorient, France

Day 4

Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France

Situated on the Garonne River, 70 miles (113 km) inland from the Atlantic, Bordeaux's origin can be traced back to the 3rd century when it was Aquitaine's Roman capital called Burdigala. From 1154 to 1453, the town prospered under the rule of the English, whose fondness for the region's red wines gave impetus to the local wine industry. At various times, Bordeaux even served as the nation's capital: in 1870, at the beginning of World War I, and for two weeks in 1940 before the Vichy government was proclaimed. Bordeaux's neo-classical architecture, wide avenues and well-tended public squares and parks lend the city a certain grandeur. Excellent museums, an imposing cathedral and a much-praised theatre add to the city's attractions. The principal highlights, clustered around the town centre, can easily be explored on foot.

Day 5

Getxo, Spain

Day 7

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 9

Cádiz, Spain

Believed to be the oldest town on the Iberian Peninsula, the Andalusian port of Cádiz enjoys a stunning location at the edge of a six-mile promontory. The town itself, with 3,000 years of history, is characterised by pretty white houses with balconies often adorned with colourful flowers. As you wander around be sure to take a stroll through the sizeable Plaza de Espãna, with its large monument dedicated to the first Spanish constitution, which was signed here in 1812. Cádiz has two pleasant seafront promenades which boast fine views of the Atlantic Ocean, and has a lovely park, the Parque Genoves, located close to the sea with an open-air theatre and attractive palm garden. Also notable is the neo-Classical cathedral, capped by a golden dome.

Day 10

Gibraltar, Gibraltar

Tagged on to the end of Iberia, the intriguing British outpost of Gibraltar is dominated by a sandy peninsula and the stunning 1,400-feet-high limestone Rock. Although small, Gibraltar has always been seen as having great strategic importance on account of its advantageous position where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, just 12 miles from the coast of Africa. Ever popular with British holidaymakers, Gibraltar is very much a home from home, boasting excellent duty-free shopping in many familiar British high street shops. Please note: Gibraltar’s small size and narrow winding roads mean that excursions are operated by 22-seater mini-buses, accompanied by a driver/guide. Local health and safety regulations prohibit the carriage of walking aids and collapsible wheelchairs on these vehicles. If you do wish to bring a mobility aid, we can arrange the Rock Tour by taxi, which has extra space. If this suits your requirements, please advise the Tours and Travel office when you join the ship, as numbers are limited.

Day 12

Vigo, Spain

Dating from Roman times, the Galician city of Vigo has a fine natural harbour and is renowned as the biggest fishing port in the world. It is also full of history - it was in this fjord-like quay that the English and Dutch defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1702. Today, the attractive marinas stand in contrast to the industrialised areas of the city, while further exploration will reveal the characteristic 17th-century architecture and attractive countryside beyond. The charming Old Town is a delight, with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets and shaded squares. Nearby is the Cathedral city of Tui, and further to the north is the pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela, which can be reached by car in approximately 1¼ hours.

Day 14

Brest, France

Day 16

Bristol, England

The South West's largest city, Bristol has become a hub of culture and creativity with a wealth of art galleries and theatres, a revitalised waterfront and the title of the UK's first bike city. The quirky city is full of history, including Brunel's SS Great Britain, the world's first great ocean liner.

Day 17

Falmouth, England

Ship Details

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambition

Here she is, Ambition. Our second lady of the sea. Aptly named to further emphasise our commitment to inspire and delight every guest to enjoy an authentic cruise experience effortlessly, and sustainably.

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