British Isles Discovery with Ambassador Cruise Line Onboard Ambition ...

Ambassador Cruise Lines are a dedicated no fly cruise company that are rapidly expanding the number of small regional ports they visit and operate from. This eliminates delays at airports and also travelling to the larger ports to pick up a cruise. I sailed from Bristol and large numbers joined the cruise there and at Falmouth thus eliminating the necessity of otherwise having to travel to Southampton. With up to 1,200 passengers Ambition has 680 cabins, 125 of them with balconies and 113 are suites.

The British Isles Discovery cruise is a round trip from Bristol calling at Falmouth, Honfleur Dundee, Scrabster, Portree, Tobermory and Belfast. There was a choice of excursions to choose from for all these ports of call. I chose to visit the Bayeux Tapestry from Honfleur whilst others went to the    D-Day landing beaches and museums.

At Belfast, I went to the stunning Titanic Experience and at Dundee took the walking tour where we went on board Shackelton and Scot's R.S Discovery and met Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx on a street corner. Complementary shuttle buses were provided from the dock side to the city/town centres if you preferred not to go on an excursion but you should note that some landings were by tender and not suitable for anyone with walking problems.

There are numerous screens and display monitors around the ship both fixed to the walls and on pedestals where you can see what’s happening for that day and during the cruise. When it comes to relaxing and socialising there are numerous venues and bars with some offering live music, games, quizzes and light entertainment whilst two outside on the pool deck can help get the perfect tan or read quietly in the shade both with attentive wine waiters hovering nearby.

Nicely situated just outside the theatre for pre and post-show drinks are the comfortable Pendennis Bar, and the comfortable Purple Turtle Wine Bar.

What impressed me was that Ambition has lots of areas where you can be quiet and private should you want to. Do check out the wicker pods on the Pool and Jacuzzi Deck where, as a couple you can stretch out in private and still see what’s going on around you. Another nice touch is that the Spa, Sauna and Wellness areas have complementary fluffy bath robes which really add to your experience and I often saw people walking/sitting around the pool deck wearing them.

Cruise ships have to have their act together when it comes to dining onboard. The food was very good and although allocated a table for the evening meal when I arrived onboard in the main dining room I chose to take my breakfasts and midday meals in the buffet/self service Borough Market. I did like the way that in this less formal dining areas the cutlery hangs from a wooden tower on the table so can just lift off what you need when you need to.

As an alternative to the main restaurant for your evening meal you can also try The Holyrood Restaurant and if you like a mid afternoon snack why not drop into the Alfresco Pizza Grill on the pool deck. The pizzas are wonderful here and trust me one slice of each and chips is not enough!

If you fancy something special one night try the Saffron Restaurant serving Thai and Goan cuisine. I have to say the meal I had here was quite superb and one of the best Indian meals I have ever had.

Then there’s Lupino’s, a Mediterranean-style restaurant with a relaxed, al-fresco feel where you can watch the chef preparing your meal. Its tapas style starters are mixed with lovely crisp fresh Mediterranean salads and a choice of main dishes.

Then just when you think you can’t eat anymore there are late night nibbles and finger food served in the bars after 10:30.