Cruising on Ambassador's Ambition
A Review by Alan Fairfax
It’s January, rain is falling and wind blowing as I board Ambassador Ambition at London, Tilbury for my 23 day cruise to warmer and sunny locations.
My cabin is on deck 10, spacious with large double bed, dressing unit, 3 seater settee, a bathroom with both shower and bath and accessories of tooth brush and paste, shower caps, combs, ear buds etc. Drawer, shelf and hanging space was more than enough, even for an extended voyage. Hairdryer, safe, fridge and tv come as standard plus two UK electric sockets, a 2 pin European and two USB slots.
4pm the ships whistle sounds as we say farewell to Tilbury and begin our transit of the River Thames to the open sea and our first port of call, Leixoes Portugal in 3 days’ time.
Ambition by today’s standards is small carrying only 1200 passengers but like me I know this size appeals to many. The two main dining rooms, Buckingham and Holyrood both operate 2 seatings for dinner, 5.45pm and 8.15pm, should you prefer something a little less formal the buffet, Borough Market, is situated on deck 11. Buckingham also operates a buffet for breakfast and part waiter/part buffet service for lunch. For something special try Saffron, specialising in dishes from India or Lupinos, a Mediterranean style dining experience, plus the Al Fresco Grill for that burger by the pool.
Yes, I tried them all and came away happy and contented. Add to this, bars and lounges with entertainment, coffee locations, large theatre, 2 swimming pools, gym, sauna, steam and relaxation areas, hot tubs, large sunbathing areas and a wonderful ‘Blast from the Past’, ‘Late Night Nibbles’ you have a ship that should suit the expectations of everyone.
Day 3: following a crossing of the notorious Bay of Biscay we arrive in Leixöes, a port unknown to many has a modern terminal housing an outdoor amphitheatre, exhibition centre, seating, shops, reception area and a cruise turnaround area. Ride the shuttle to the port gate and stroll 50 yards to the magnificent golden sands of Praia de Matosinhos Beach. A short stroll through the small park housing the National Monument of the Lantern Tower of Senhor de Padrāo brings you to Rua dos Heróis de França an area of small pavement restaurants offering menus of fish, meats and local dishes. That afternoon we sail for our next port of call Lisbon.
Enjoy transiting the River Tegus into Lisbon passing the “Belem Tower” its history dating back to 1519 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on past the “Monument to the Discoveries” shaped as a ships bow, built in memory of Henry the Navigator before passing under the 7,740ft April 25th Suspension Bridge connecting Lisbon to Almada and overseen by the 360ft “Cristo Rei” (Christ the King) statue inspired by Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. The city is a mix of old and new, but all parts are readily accessible by one of the famous Lisbon trams or an open top tour bus. We spend the night in Lisbon due to an Atlantic storm making it unsafe to berth in Funchal. Next day we sail at 2pm for Funchal.
After a day at sea we arrive in Funchal, capital of the beautiful island of Madeira. Many don’t realise the island has so much to offer, mountains, rain forest, beautiful beaches and small picturesque villages. There are two hop on–hop off bus routes, one travelling inland exploring the interior, the other covering the coastal routes as far as Cámara de Lobos, the village made famous by Winston Churchill in 1950 when he completed a painting of the village whilst staying at Reids Hotel. Something different, a cable car to Monte Municipal Park, board a traditional wicker taboggan and slide down the streets back to Funchal or just wander the streets of Funchal and admire the wonderful public gardens, the old buildings and the cathedral dating back to 1518.
Next day sees us berthing in Santa Cruz de La Palma. A short walk takes you into the small town with narrow streets and pavement cafes, sit in the sun and watch the world go by or stroll along the promenade past the hotels and shops. Everything appears unhurried and relaxing.
Then onto Santa Cruz de Tenerife probably the best known port in the Canary Islands. An island to which the British flock 12 months of the year, boasting a tropical climate, it comes as no surprise the island produces tropical fruits such as the famous Canary Banana, which are exported all over the world. Tenerife is home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, at 3,718 metres set in the Teide National Park attracting visitors in their thousands each year who transit the cable car to watch the sunset over the ocean from its summit.
Next day is Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The port certainly lives up to its name ‘The Palms’, tastefully designed buildings, the waterfront, a wonderful park area boasting bars and restaurants, sun shining from an azure blue sky causes the mercury to hover on 20c. Yachts, sleek cabin cruisers mingle with ships of the Spanish Navy and a sea going Customs Cutter. A wonderful port to sit, relax, take in the sun and watch the world go by or for the more energetic there is horse riding, sand dune buggies, whale and dolphin watching and much more.
Sailing early evening we head for Lanzarote. Take a ships tour to the southern end of the island, Playa Blanca, an area I fell in love with many years ago. The new marina, a hive of activity as locals and visitors alike trawl the tapas bars, restaurants and boutiques. This island has much to offer, black sand beaches of El Golfo, the Timanfaya National Park, volcanic plains, small sandy coves and the beautiful sandy beach of Playa Blanca. Visit the home of César Manrique, the famous Spanish artist and architect who set up the Manrique Foundation for the improvement of Lanzarote art.
Visit the grounds and large villa once owned by Omar Sharif in the 1970’s which he lost over a game of Bridge. The stakes were high and he didn’t realise he was playing a Bridge Champion. After losing he never returned to the island. The gardens are now home to the Lagomar Restaurant, one of the islands most exclusive.
Our last port in the Canaries is Fuerteventura with its mile upon mile of beautiful wind swept sandy beaches leading to crystal clear blue waters, a favourite with wind surfers. Head inland to the beautiful area of La Oliva and then begin the climb into the hills with the roads getting narrower. Stop at the view point dominated by two kings’ statues, Ayose and Guise who ruled the island when it was two kingdoms, Jandía and Maxorata. The bronze statues stand nearly 4 metres high, and the views are breath taking as you look across the island.
Saying farewell to the Canaries we head north to Malaga arriving 2 days later missing out Morocco due to storms and rough seas. For those who have not visited Malaga it’s a beautiful city with small walkways between the buildings housing some wonderful cafes and restaurants where the architecture takes you to a bygone age. There is much to see in Malaga and the Hop-On, Hop-Off tourist bus is a great way to see it. The bus station for this is only a few metres from the shuttle drop off point. The bus has 13 drop off/pickup points so it allows you to see the major sights.
The day passes very quickly and soon we are walking through the Palm Park near to the port listening to the endless squawking of the Parrots in the trees before boarding the shuttle back to the ship ready to sail to Cadiz.
Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Spain traces its history back over 3,000 years. Plaza de la Catedral is home to the Baroque styled Cadiz Cathedral completed after 116 years in 1838. In the same square, the Santiago Church, the Church of St. James dating back to 1638 and a starting point for pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. The church with its coloured striped exterior stands out in the bright sunshine, inside, its ornate altar wall of statues and carvings. There is also a Hop On/Off bus stop outside the port gates offering an interesting tour of the old quarter, parks and beaches.
Our final port before heading north is Gibraltar, The Rock, home to about 300 Barbary Apes, a major attraction. On a clear day the views from the rock top enable you to see the coast of North Africa. In the town are many duty free shops selling phones, cameras, cigarettes, alcohol and the like at attractive prices due to there being no VAT. Unfortunately, we have to leave early to avoid an incoming storm so it’s an early sailing to Vigo.
Vigo on the north west corner of Spain, our last port of call is reputed to be Spain’s busiest fishing port. This area has a rugged coastline but with beautiful beaches and secluded coves, many describe it as the real Spain. Lunchtime our tour stopped at the Pazo Los Escudos Hotel and Spa Resort where tapas and local wine were served. A great ending to some interesting ports of call.
This was a trip where unfortunately the weather was less than kind with heavy rain, high winds and rough seas causing missed ports and shorter stays in others.
On a brighter note, Ambition was a delight to sail on. The staff were exceptional, nothing was too much trouble for them. When the seas were rough staff in the buffet were always available to carry your meals to your table for you, my cabin steward kept the cabin immaculate, bar service was quick and delivered with a smile and my table waiter always made sure that the wine glasses were kept topped up at dinner. The live music in the various lounges could not be faulted and the shows in the Palladium Theatre were of a good standard.
The performances of “Abba Singalong” and “Magic of the Musicals” deserve a special mention, they were excellent as was the comedy and magic of Dain Cordean. Add to this the ease of boarding and disembarkation at Tilbury it turned into a great cruise and I look forward to boarding Ambition again in the near future. Alan paid for his cruise with Ambassador Cruise Lines
Alan Fairfax February 2026 Picture credits: Alan Fairfax
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