AIDAmira sold to Ambassador Cruise Line, will sail as Ambition

AIDAmira has been purchased by the new British cruise line Ambassador, and is scheduled to enter service in 2023 following a thorough refit.

AIDAmira will be the second cruise ship in the Ambassador fleet, joining Ambiance, which formerly sailed as Pacific Dawn for P&O Australia.

AIDAmira will be renamed Ambition, and will join Ambiance in sailing roundtrip cruises from UK ports, according to Ambassador.

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“Like the Ambience, the Ambition will offer no-fly sailings predominantly targeting the 50-plus market with a premium-value, authentic cruise experience,” the cruise line said in a release.

While Ambiance will mainly sail from London Tilbury, Ambition will cruise from London as well as Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and Falmouth.

Ambassador said this program of regional departures in 2023 is intended to give guests across the UK a shorter distance to travel to get to the ship.

Ambassador did not reveal the planned itineraries for Ambition, but said they would go on sale in the second quarter of 2022.

Following her refit and refurbishment to align with Ambassador’s brand, Ambition will carry up to 1,200 guests in 714 cabins, 125 of which have balconies, and 113 of which are suites with up to 62 square meters of living space.

Ambition has two main restaurants and two specialty dining options, as well as a more casual bistro-style café, four bars and lounges and a pub.

The ship also offers a tiered main theater, casino, card room, library, and craft studio, as well as a wellness center, gymnasium, two swimming pools and a selection of retail shops.

Ambition is currently sailing as AIDAmira under Costa Cruises’ German cruise brand AIDA. She sailed a South African cruise season in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be replaced in that role by the AIDAaura.

Prior to sailing as AIDAmira, the ship operated as the Costa neoRiviera, and homeported in Dubai until 2017.

The ship will undergo similar extensive upgrades as her fleetmate Ambience, including the installation of the latest emission reduction technologies to secure IMO Tier III compliance.

This will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 95 percent, compared to current standards, Ambassador said.

“We are delighted with the warm reception given to the introduction of Ambassador to the market – a new brand, proposition and our first ship,” said Christian Verhounig, CEO, Ambassador.

“This announcement of the addition of the Ambition to the fleet reflects our confidence and willingness to invest in the future of Ambassador and the cruise sector,” he added.