Ambassdor Cruise Line will come back “stronger than ever” next year after it was forced to cancel two Christmas sailings over safety issues, according to its chief executive.
The line was forced to axe two Ambience sailings this week after hairline cracks were found in sheaves that were holding the ship’s lifeboats in position during safety checks.
In a statement posted on his personal Facebook account, chief executive Christian Verhounig stressed the line had “no option” but to cancel its Festive Market Getaway and Christmas and New Year Canary Islands cruises as he quashed online rumours about financial issues.
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“I want to reassure you that we are a financially robust business with trust arrangements in place and full insurance cover for incidents of this kind designed to ensure that all our guests are and will remain fully protected,” he said.
“Ambassador and Ambience will be back in operation in the new year, stronger than ever.”
Verhounig went on to say the line had put together a “comprehensive and generous package” to compensate affected passengers as he apologised to those affected.
He wrote: “It is never an easy decision to cancel or terminate a cruise, particularly at this time of year, but the health and safety of all who sail with Ambassador is and will remain our priority.
“I fully understand that an apology does not cover what many of you may be feeling right now, which is why we have done our absolute best to ensure we have put together a comprehensive and generous package to compensate for the necessary but regrettable changes to these itineraries.”
Ambience has sailed to the Bremerhaven drydock in Germany to undergo repair work.
It is expected to return to service on January 5, 2023, for a 42-night cruise to the Caribbean.