Ambassador Cruise Line has confirmed that its first-ever season of sailings from Portsmouth will begin in April this year, making cruising even more accessible to holidaymakers in the South of England who want to begin their holiday closer to home.
*All details correct at time of publish (19 February 2026)
Specialising in traditional, authentic experiences and offering the ‘warmest welcome at sea’ on adult-only sailings, Ambassador will operate three cruises departing Portsmouth International Port in 2026.
These sailings aboard Ambassador’s second lady of the sea, Ambition, will explore a wide variety of popular destinations across each itinerary, which includes:
Escape to Belgium, France & Holland, departing 6 April 2026 – six nights from £1.199 per person staying in a suite.
Springtime Sunshine in Portugal and Spain, departing 12 April 2026 – 10 nights from £829 per person staying in an inside cabin
Irish Mini-Break, departing 22 April 2026 – fully booked.
Guests aboard Ambition can look forward to enjoying Ambassador’s signature affordable quality experience, including outstanding cuisine, a wide programme of amazing entertainment, comfortable cabins and attentive service, all delivered in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Itineraries have been curated to ensure Ambassador provides Destination Experiences that will allow guests to truly discover the rich culture, history and natural beauty of the places they visit.
Offering a variety of experiences to appeal to all tastes and budgets, these include ports of call to Ijmuiden, the gateway to Amsterdam, and Antwerp in the heart of Belgium’s Flanders. Lisbon, Vigo for Santiago Compostela, and Dun Laoghaire for Dublin.
Andrew Williamson, Head of Cruise and Ferry at Portsmouth International Port, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Cruise Line to Portsmouth for its inaugural no-fly season.
“Having previously welcomed Ambition and Ambience on calling cruises into the city, we have built up a strong relationship with their team, who share our values, delivering a premium passenger service with a personal touch.
“With Ambassador specialising in UK regional cruising, Portsmouth is perfectly placed to welcome passengers from across the south coast, with direct motorway access and connections to London and beyond.”
Christian Verhounig, Chief Executive Officer at Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “Since Ambience sailed for the first time in early 2022, and following Ambition’s inaugural voyage in spring 2023, more than 220,000 guests have travelled with Ambassador across more than 100 sailings to over 60 countries and 200 ports, all while upholding the highest standards of safety and environmental excellence.
“In that time, we have cemented our position as the preferred cruise company for thousands of people – indeed, 94% of those that sail with us would recommend us to friends and family.
“To have become the preferred cruise line for so many thousands of guests in such a short space of time is a testament to the strength of our brand and the dedication of everyone in the Ambassador family.
“Launching our first season of sailings from Portsmouth is a significant moment for Ambassador and an important step in expanding our regional departure programme.
“Our guests value the simplicity and convenience of no-fly cruising, and the launch of Portsmouth as a new departure port provides the ideal gateway for guests living across the South of England.
“With a choice of itineraries visiting some of Europe’s most popular destinations, we’re looking forward to welcoming our valued guests from Portsmouth and further afield on board for the warmest welcome at sea in the months and years to come.”
Prior to embarking on Ambition in Portsmouth, guests can enjoy the city’s wide visitor offering, including the Historic Dockyard, the Mary Rose Museum, Spinnaker Tower and an extensive range of shops, restaurants and attractions along the waterfront.
Situated in one of the UK’s most historic maritime cities and offering an attractive new departure point for cruise guests, Portsmouth International Port benefits from excellent road and rail links, a modern cruise terminal and close proximity to the city’s vibrant waterfront.
To find out more about Ambassador’s no-fly cruises from Portsmouth, visit
www.ambassadorcruiseline.com/no-fly-cruises/cruises-from-portsmouth
or call 0808 102 8701.
Visit the Travel Pursuit News Hub for more exciting updates.
