Words by David Powell
My wife Jackie and I recently joined Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience at Tilbury, for the Weekend Escape to Holland and Belgium, a four-night cruise taking us to IJmuiden and Amsterdam, followed by a relaxing day at sea and then Zeebrugge for Bruges. It proved that you don’t need a fortnight away to enjoy the pleasures of cruising.
The ship
There’s something rather special about Ambience. An elegant, stylish and intimate ship, easy to find your way around with an instantly welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. At around 70,000 tonnes and carrying approximately 1,400 guests, Ambience is large enough to offer plenty of facilities.
Our check in was quick and efficient and we were onboard having lunch and enjoying a couple of glasses of wine in no time. Talking of drinks, although prices are very competitive, we did take advantage of the Expedition drinks package and is something I would highly recommend. Full details are on the Ambassador website.
The recent refurbishments have given many areas a fresh, contemporary appearance while still retaining the character of a traditional cruise ship. The Purple Turtle pub has a distinctly British feel, with quizzes and live music, while the Palladium theatre hosts the evening shows.
One of the many things I liked about this ship was the plentiful lounges and bars where you could sit and relax. SW19, Purple Turtle Pub, Botanical Lounge Bar, Raffles, Pool Bar, Centre Court (the atrium) and the Observatory Lounge at the top of the ship with great views. There’s a library and shops onboard too.
Cabin
Our balcony cabin on deck 10 forward was very comfortable, well decorated with bathroom and shower, along with two super comfy beds which had been made into a double. Useful additions included were UK 3 pin sockets, a small refrigerator, pool towels, safety deposit box, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, and TV, while a sitting area, balcony with two chairs, air conditioning and plenty of wardrobe and drawer space were made use of.
Food and drink
Ambience offers plenty of dining choice. The main dining venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner (two sittings) is the Buckingham Restaurant, which is beautifully furnished, very comfortable and offers a great menu every night with first-class service.
Borough Market on deck 12 offers a buffet style service for all meals again with a wide choice. There’s an Al Fresco Grill when weather permits and two speciality restaurants, Saffron, the Indian and Asian inspired restaurant and Sea and Grass which offers an exclusive tasting menu, a wonderful fine dining experience for a special evening – again highly recommended.
Spa and wellness
The Green Sea Spa and Wellness Centre has a fresh, contemporary feel. It is an oasis of calm located on deck two with an extensive beauty and therapy list at very reasonable prices. Open daily featuring classic massage therapies, ultimate body treatments, hair styling, hand and foot care and sauna to name but a few. Our sea day was the perfect opportunity for Jackie and I to enjoy a spa treatment.
Itinerary
Day one: IJmuiden and Amsterdam
After our smooth overnight sailing from Tilbury, Ambience arrived at IJmuiden the following morning. The Dutch port provides access to Amsterdam and many passengers headed into the capital on excursions arranged by Ambassador.
Few places in Europe capture the imagination quite like Amsterdam, where historic canals, narrow town homes, and countless bridges create an unforgettable visual charm. We enjoyed wandering through the historic centre and taking in the relaxed atmosphere. A canal cruise, again on offer as a ship excursion, is another excellent way to see the city.
Day two: Time to enjoy the ship
The second full day was spent at sea, giving us the opportunity to enjoy Ambience after a little lie-in. It was a wonderfully relaxed day; passengers could enjoy the open decks, live music and activities, or simply watch the North Sea pass by.
For us, it was an opportunity to explore more of the ship and enjoy the gentle rhythm of cruising. Lunch in Borough Market, an afternoon coffee and time on our balcony made the sea day feel like a holiday within a holiday. The evening gave everyone a chance to dress up for the formal night.
Day three: Zeebrugge, Bruges and Blankenberge
Our next port was Zeebrugge, the gateway to two very different Belgian experiences. For those visiting Bruges, the journey from the port is straightforward. The medieval city is one of Belgium’s great attractions, with cobbled streets, canals, stepped gabled buildings and the magnificent Market Square and Belfry. The quiet side streets, picturesque bridges and canals give Bruges its special character, while cafés offer Belgian chocolate, waffles and drinks.
For passengers wanting a shorter excursion, a shuttle bus was laid on to the nearby seaside resort of Blankenberge. It offers a completely different experience, with a broad sandy beach, promenade, a good selection of shops, cafés and a relaxed Belgian seaside atmosphere. It was an excellent alternative for a few hours by the coast.
Evenings on board
One of the pleasures of cruising is returning to your floating hotel after a day ashore. Our evenings usually began with a drink in the Botanical Lounge, which became a favourite place before dinner. Later, the entertainment programme offered production shows, live music, quizzes and other activities.
A short cruise that delivers
The Weekend Escape to Holland and Belgium gets the balance right. Interesting destinations, a full day at sea to enjoy the ship and, importantly for British cruisers, the convenience of sailing from Tilbury without flights. Ambassador Cruise Line gave us an incredible cruise experience on Ambience, not forgetting, of course, their signature ‘Baked Alaska’ parade on the last night.
The elegant ship, the friendly, smiling staff, the destinations, speciality dining, entertainment, and two excellent destinations – what a fabulous way to travel. For experienced cruisers it makes a relaxing short break and for first-time cruisers, an excellent introduction to life at sea.
As we sailed back towards the UK, I was reminded that a holiday doesn’t have to be long to be memorable. Sometimes four nights is enough to leave everyday life behind, discover somewhere new and return home feeling that you have really been away. It may be called a weekend escape, but the memories last considerably longer.
Factbox
Comparing a similar cruise to David’s:
Prices currently start from £519pp* for Ambassador Cruise Line’s Dutch and Belgian Delights in Five Nights sailing departing from London Tilbury on 26 July 2027 for five nights on Ambience. To find out more, visit ambassadorcruiseline.com.
*Based on two people sharing an inside cabin on the Saver Fare.
