Ambassador Cruise Line marks inaugural Portsmouth season

Ambassador Cruise Line has commemorated its first season sailing out of Portsmouth with an event at the Spinnaker Tower.

The line hosted trade partners alongside the mayor of Portsmouth, representatives from Portsmouth International Port and partners including Hampshire Cricket, as the landmark was lit up in purple to mark Ambassador’s first successful turn-around season from the port.

The launch of the new southern port forms part of the line’s “wider strategy” to offer passengers sailings from “closer to home”, with departures now available from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast and Bristol Royal Portbury.

Departures from Portsmouth started on April 6 with more than 3,500 passengers on board Ambition, followed by three more departures.

Ambition will return to Portsmouth with four sailings in April and May 2027, with two incentives in place to encourage early bookings.

Between April 22 and May 6 there will be a lower £50 deposit offer and 10% off 2027 Portsmouth sailings.  

Chief marketing officer Gordon Nardini said: “Bringing sailings to Portsmouth has been an important step in our ambition to make cruising more accessible to guests across the region, and to see our first season here be so successful is something we are incredibly proud of.

“We are confident that Portsmouth as a departure gateway will continue to grow in popularity as more guests look to enjoy the simplicity and convenience of no-fly cruising and the affordable quality experience that sits at the heart of our brand.”

He added: “With the cost of land-based holidays continuing to rise due to ongoing geopolitical events, our great value offering has never been more compelling, particularly for guests looking to start their holiday closer to home without the uncertainty, complexity and price fluctuations of air travel.

“As we look ahead to 2027 and beyond, the success of our inaugural season and healthy future demand gives us real confidence in the future of Portsmouth as part of our regional programme, and we are excited to build on this strong foundation with our partners in the seasons to come.”

Portsmouth International Port director Mike Sellers said: “We are delighted to host the popular UK cruise line Ambassador for their first turnaround season operating out of the city. 

“This has been the result of building our relationship with Ambassador, who have chosen Portsmouth previously for tourist calls, so it is testament to the hard work of the port team that we have their confidence to deliver many more sailings from the city and become a departure gateway.”