Ambassador Cruise Line is expanding its offering as it joins forces with a French operator – what can you expect?
Ambassador Cruise Line is expanding its offering as it joins forces with a French operator – what can you expect?
Big news for cruise lovers: adults-only Ambassador Cruise Line and French operator Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) are merging to form the Ambassador Group, a leading European premium affordable value cruise line, targeting the no-fly silver market.
Whether you’re a fan of exploring Europe by sea or dreaming of a Caribbean getaway, this new partnership promises exciting opportunities for travellers.
The new Ambassador Group will operate three small-to-mid-size ships:
– Ambience and Ambition from Ambassador’s fleet.
– Renaissance, CFC’s 1,200-guest vessel recently refurbished with multimillion-euro upgrades.
Each ship will retain its unique national flavour, offering a distinctly British experience aboard Ambassador’s ships and a French touch aboard Renaissance. This means guests can expect the familiar comfort and traditions they love, whether they sail from the UK or France.
In an exciting first, the Ambassador Group will launch a fly-cruise programme to the Caribbean in winter 2025/26. Partnering with Corendon, a leading European travel operator, the itineraries will include stops in Barbados, Martinique and Curaçao. This marks the group’s debut in the fly-cruise market, offering travellers from the UK, France and the Netherlands the chance to enjoy tropical escapes during the colder months.
More details about the Caribbean cruises, including itineraries, will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
The Ambassador Group is making sustainability a priority. All three ships, including the Renaissance, will meet strict environmental standards after upgrades in early 2025. This includes compliance with IMO Tier III regulations, ensuring that your holiday is not only enjoyable but also eco-friendly.
The merger brings exciting perks for cruisers:
– Expanded itineraries across Europe and beyond.
– Authentic experiences tailored to British and French preferences.
– Sustainable travel with upgraded ships designed to protect the environment.
– A focus on exceptional service, ensuring your time at sea is unforgettable.
Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line, shared his enthusiasm: “The combination of Ambassador and CFC is a bold step towards our shared vision for the cruise industry. By uniting our strengths, we are creating an organisation that delivers exceptional experiences to our guests while upholding sustainable practices.”
Maëlysse Pierrot-Guibourt, CEO of CFC, added: “This exciting merger underscores our collective confidence in the cruise industry’s bright future and our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. CFC is a new and growing French brand, and this merger with Ambassador, a successful, ambitious British brand that wants to grow markets and destinations, is extremely positive for both businesses.”
Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) was established in 2022 in Marseille, France. The ship Renaissance, acquired later that year, began operations in summer 2023 following a comprehensive multimillion-euro refit and upgrade in Brest, France.
Renaissance homeports in Le Havre and Marseille, offering a year-round schedule of no-fly cruises. Its itineraries span Northern Europe, including the British Isles, Iceland, Norway and Scandinavia, as well as the Mediterranean, with visits to 40 diverse ports of call.
CFC provides an authentic premium French cruise experience, featuring French-speaking crew, superb gastronomy and a rich cultural programme plus a variety of immersive destination experiences.
With plans to expand their European and Caribbean offerings, the Ambassador Group is positioned to become a key player in the no-fly cruise market, catering to travellers who value convenience, comfort and sustainability. Whether you’re planning a scenic European voyage or a sun-soaked island adventure, the Ambassador Group promises to deliver premium cruises at an affordable price.
Keep an eye out for more updates, especially details about the exciting Caribbean itineraries launching in late 2025!
Book your Ambassador cruise today
Sailawaze Editor Harriet has been a travel writer for nine years and specialised in cruising for nearly four. She recently won Specialist Travel Writer of the Year at the Travel Media Awards 2024 for her coverage of the cruise industry. Globetrotting highlights include flyboarding in Malaga, exploring waterfalls in Belize, ziplining in Costa Rica, truffle-hunting in Tuscany and whale-watching in Iceland. Next on her cruise bucket list is Antarctica – or any opportunity to see the Northern Lights!
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