Rule Britannia! What to expect on a royal themed cruise this summer

UK cruises are the ultimate way to explore some of Britain’s highlights without ever having to deal with airport chaos, different currencies or foreign languages.

Many travellers first discovered the joys of cruising the UK post-pandemic and the good news is that adults-only brand Ambassador Cruises continues to offer a circumnavigation of the island.

This summer, however, it’s not just the country’s beauty and history that will be celebrated on Ambassador’s Round Britain cruise but also the coronation of King Charles III.

The no-fly cruise line, aimed at passengers over 50, is launching a royal themed cruise in June – and there will be ample opportunity to be supremely patriotic.

Like to party? Good news – there are celebrations aplenty in honour of all things British onboard Ambassador’s flagship Ambience (above, right).

The first bash onboard this themed cruise 2023 is the Great British Sailway Party (with a name like that we’re hoping they’ll go heavy on the cakes) which will be red, white and blue themed. So go on and dig around in your wardrobe for some suitably vibrant gladrags! Heck, why not treat yourself to a new frock? Yeah, maybe a tiara too for good measure.

While vessels don’t technically don’t have streets, that’s not stopping the cruise line from throwing a type of classic knees-up that truly befits our nation – a Rule Britannia Street Party. Fingers crossed for bunting, sausage rolls, live music and more. A benefit of the get-together? No putting up with tedious chatter from that annoying neighbour down the road!

Of course, food is at the heart of the other Ambassador celebrations, too. One such bonanza is the Royal Afternoon Tea which one assumes comes with piles of finger sandwiches and scones. Eating the repast with white gloves on is optional but the real question is – are you jam or cream first?

If you’re really treating yourself, why not enjoy a glass of champagne with it too? Coronations are once in a lifetime, you know, so why hold back?

Talking of, Ambassador is also laying on Special Royal Gala Night Menus for this themed cruise 2023. These decadent meals are normally six courses long and attended by your Captain – so we can’t wait to see what these extra-special dinners will have in store!

Not only will your tummies and spirits be cheered on this voyage but your brain will be fed too! A number of exciting guest acts and speakers will be sailing on Ambience during the themed cruise.

Former Royal Navy Warrant Officer First Class Gary Conniff is one such speaker. He was in service for 34 years after joining the Navy in 1973. He has plenty on his CV to shout about – after completing his specialist Communications Training, Conniff served on the destroyers HMS Glamorgan and HMS Glasgow and was then selected for service in the Royal Yacht Britannia [below].

Our King and indeed the late Queen enjoyed many treasured holidays onboard the Royal Yacht from 1954 until it was decommissioned in 1997. Queen Elizabeth II once described the ship – a private retreat for the royals – as the “one place where I can truly relax”.

In fact, one of her favourite trips was around the Western Isles of Scotland so you’ll be sailing in her footsteps when you call at Portree, Isle of Skye and Tobermory, Isle of Mull on your Ambassador UK cruise.

If you fancy going the whole hog and replicating her days onboard you should know that Queen Elizabeth [below, left] woke at 7.30am when she was out on the ship (oof, hadn’t she heard of a lie-in?), spent the day working on official documents (no no, a holiday is for switching off) followed by dinner and films, games or puzzles in the evening (OK, that we can get behind).

But back to the speakers. Not only can you quiz Conniff about royal life on the high seas but you can also persuade accredited royal photographer Ken Lennox to regal you with tales of the illustrious clan.

Lennox has jet-setted extensively to cover tours with Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Diana and followed the fortunes of Princess Anne, Prince Andrew (uh oh) and Prince Edward. We bet he’s seen a thing or two!

Also onboard the adults-only themed cruise is Sandie Izatt who will lead royal themed craft workshops and Carl Schofield, one of Lancashire’s top comedians.

Schofield has performed all over the country, as well as on TV and radio, and is renowned for his after-dinner speaking as well as his top-class cabaret comedy. So if the sight of your partner in their Union Jack flag paraphernalia doesn’t get you giggling, this guy certainly will!

So in between the laughter, the paper-mâché and the devilled eggs, where will the Ambassador UK cruise take you?

Sailing from London Tilbury (hooray, no need to worry about luggage restrictions so you can fit in that crown and orb) you’ll cruise up the east coast of the UK, with your first call at Invergorden [above, right]. The Scottish town is steeped in naval history and is situated amidst the natural majesty of the Scottish Highlands.

Next is Kirkwall (home to the seriously impressive St. Magnus Cathedral [above, right] and myriad neolithic standing stones) followed by Portree [above, left] where you might be mistaken for thinking you’ve wandered into a fantasy landscape thanks to Skye’s surreal crags and peaks.

After calls at Tobermory, Belfast, Liverpool and Cobh as you make your way down Britain’s west coast, you’ll stop at St. Mary’s – the largest of the Isles of Scilly – then St. Peter Port in Guernsey. Part-Francophile fishing port, part-buzzy capital, this charming island town remains quaint and unspoiled, brimming with eateries, boutiques, markets and museums.

Ambience will then briefly stop in Le Havre, France for the day before returning to London Tilbury, giving you plenty of time to perfect your royal wave as you sail into port.

Maybe just squeeze in one more sausage roll in before you disembark.