Ambassador Cruise Line vs P&O Cruises

The core difference

Ambassador Cruise Line and P&O Cruises are both proudly British operations that sail from UK ports, serve afternoon tea, run gala evenings, and attract a predominantly British passenger base. That shared nationality can make them appear more similar than they actually are. In practice, these two lines occupy entirely different tiers of the British cruise market, with different ships, different price points, different levels of investment, and different target audiences.

Ambassador was founded in 2021 by Christian Verhounig, the former CEO of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which collapsed into administration during the pandemic in July 2020. CMV had served a loyal base of budget-conscious British retirees who valued affordable, traditional, no-fly cruising from regional UK ports. When CMV disappeared, those passengers lost their preferred line. Verhounig created Ambassador to fill that gap, purchasing second-hand ships at competitive prices and launching the first sailing in April 2022. The line describes itself as “Britain’s authentic no-fly cruise line,” operates three ships built between 1991 and 1999, and has built its identity around value pricing, regional UK port departures, and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere that feels more like a community than a resort.

P&O Cruises traces its heritage to 1837 when the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company began carrying passengers. In 1844, P&O launched leisure sailings to the Mediterranean — widely considered the birth of modern cruising. The brand as a dedicated cruise subsidiary has operated since 1977 and is now part of Carnival Corporation, operated by Carnival UK from Southampton. P&O markets itself as “Britain’s favourite cruise line,” operates seven ships ranging from the 76,000-tonne Aurora to the 185,000-tonne Arvia, and invests heavily in celebrity chef partnerships, purpose-built entertainment venues, and LNG-powered mega-ships that represent the cutting edge of British cruise ship design.

A critical clarification for Australian readers: P&O Cruises UK is a completely separate entity from the now-defunct P&O Cruises Australia. They shared the P&O name under the Carnival Corporation umbrella but were operationally independent brands with different ships, different management, and different products. P&O Cruises Australia ceased operations in March 2025 — its ships were absorbed into Carnival Cruise Line (now sailing as Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter) or sold (Pacific Explorer became Star Voyager for Resorts World Cruises). Australian travellers who remember P&O from Sydney should not assume the UK brand offers the same experience. P&O Cruises UK is more traditional, more formal, and operates exclusively from UK and European ports.

The scale difference tells the story most efficiently. P&O’s total fleet capacity is approximately 24,000 passengers across seven ships. Ambassador’s three ships carry approximately 3,700 passengers combined. P&O’s newest ship, Arvia, at 185,000 gross tonnes is larger than Ambassador’s entire fleet put together. These lines do not compete — they coexist in the British market at entirely different levels of investment, scale, and ambition.

What is actually included

The inclusion model is one of the most important practical differences between these two lines, and P&O holds a significant advantage on one critical point: gratuities.

P&O includes in the base fare: all main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and snacks), buffet dining and main dining room service, continental room service at breakfast, entertainment including theatre shows and live music, kids’ clubs on family ships, self-service laundrettes with free washing machines and dryers, port taxes and fees, and — crucially — gratuities. P&O incorporated service charges into the ticket price in 2019, eliminating the end-of-cruise bill shock that plagues many lines. On fly-cruise holidays, flights and transfers are also included.

P&O does not include: speciality dining (typically GBP 15 to 35 per person), alcoholic and soft drinks unless a package is purchased, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, The Retreat day pass (GBP 40 per day), Thermal Suite access (GBP 39 per day), shore excursions, and professional laundry. Suite guests receive complimentary room service from the main dining room menu at all times.

Ambassador includes in the base fare: full-board dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and late-night snacks), all main restaurant and buffet dining, entertainment including shows, live music, and cabaret, enrichment lectures and port talks, swimming pool and gym access, fitness classes, gala parties, and port charges.

Ambassador does not include: gratuities at GBP 7 per person per night for cruises of 14 nights or under and GBP 6 per night for longer voyages, drinks (alcoholic and most non-alcoholic), speciality dining surcharges, spa treatments, shore excursions, travel insurance, laundry, and internet. Room service is available but carries charges unless you are booked in a suite.

The gratuity difference is meaningful in practice. On a 14-night Ambassador cruise, gratuities add GBP 98 per person — nearly GBP 200 for a couple — on top of the advertised fare. P&O’s fare already includes this cost. Ambassador offers free parking and coach transfers at London Tilbury, which is a genuine value-add for its primary departure port, but it does not offset the gratuity gap for most bookings.

P&O also launched its first all-inclusive packages in December 2025, available for sailings from March 2026. The Classic Package at GBP 49 per person per day bundles a drinks package, essential Wi-Fi, and speciality dining credit. The Deluxe Package at GBP 59 per person per day upgrades the drinks selection and adds unrestricted Wi-Fi. These are optional add-ons rather than standard inclusions, but they represent a significant shift toward bundled value that Ambassador has not yet matched.

Ambassador offers its own fare tiers — the Saver Fare is the base cruise-only option, while the Ambassador Fare bundles a drinks package and gratuities from approximately GBP 25 per person per day. The Ambassador Fare is decent value for those who plan to drink, but it is less comprehensive than P&O’s all-inclusive packages, which also include Wi-Fi and dining credits.

Dining and culinary experience

The dining comparison reveals the sharpest product gap between these two lines. P&O has invested heavily in celebrity chef partnerships that have no equivalent in Ambassador’s offering.

P&O’s culinary programme is headlined by Marco Pierre White, who has designed menus for the main dining rooms fleet-wide and created dedicated restaurants including White’s Restaurant and Ocean Grill. Atul Kochhar, the Michelin-starred chef, created the Sindhu Indian-British fusion restaurants that appear across the fleet and the East pan-Asian concept on Iona and Arvia. Olly Smith, the wine expert, designed The Glass House wine bar with small plates and curated tastings on select sailings. Jose Pizarro brings Spanish cuisine to Arvia and Iona, and Tom Parker Bowles has made repeat guest appearances following strong feedback. P&O’s Food Hero sailings feature live appearances by these chefs with Cookery Club masterclasses, Q&A sessions, book signings, and hosted dinners. The Cookery Club on Britannia is a fully equipped teaching kitchen where guests can take classes led by guest chefs. On the newer Excel-class ships, Iona and Arvia each offer over 30 restaurants and bars, with included options like The Quays Food Hall serving street-food-style fish and chips, Asian fusion, and roast meats alongside multiple surcharge speciality venues.

Ambassador’s dining is more traditional and more modest. The main dining rooms — Buckingham on both Ambience and Ambition, plus Holyrood on Ambition — serve five-course a la carte dinners with a focus on British and international cuisine. Open seating operates for breakfast and lunch. Borough Market is the buffet-style venue on both ships with international options. Afternoon tea is complimentary and well executed. Speciality restaurants carry surcharges: Saffron serves Indian cuisine at around GBP 17 per person, Lupino’s offers Italian and Mediterranean food at around GBP 15 per person (Ambition only), and Sea & Grass on Ambience delivers a multi-course tasting menu across seven “acts” with optional wine pairings. The Chef’s Table on both ships is the most exclusive option — a VIP multi-course experience hosted by the Executive Chef including a galley tour. There are no celebrity chef partnerships.

The quality distinction is important to understand fairly. Ambassador’s food is described consistently as good, hearty British fare — think Sunday roasts, full English breakfasts, and traditional puddings done well. It is not gourmet dining and does not pretend to be. P&O’s included dining in the main restaurants is also variable — some long-term cruisers describe it as “bland” or “average at best” — but the breadth of choice, the celebrity chef pedigree, and the sheer number of venues create an experience that Ambassador cannot approach. If dining variety and culinary prestige matter to you, P&O is the only serious choice from this pairing. If you want honest, traditional British food served in a warm environment without pretension, Ambassador delivers that reliably.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation comparison reflects the broader difference between modern purpose-built ships and refurbished older tonnage.

P&O’s cabin range spans from inside cabins at around 101 to 213 square feet through sea view and balcony cabins to five distinct suite categories. Standard suites offer 382 to 698 square feet including balcony with a separate living area. Conservatory Mini Suites on Iona and Arvia feature bi-folding doors that fully open to create an indoor-outdoor living space — a clever design innovation at around 274 square feet. Family Sea View Suites on the Excel-class ships accommodate up to four guests in approximately 530 square feet. Penthouse Suites on Aurora, Azura, and Ventura reach up to 937 square feet. All suite guests receive butler service including unpacking and packing assistance, priority embarkation, breakfast at the exclusive Epicurean Restaurant, complimentary full room service from the main dining room menu, whirlpool bath, luxury toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, champagne and fresh fruit on arrival, and Nespresso machines in select suites. The butler service — booking spa appointments, making dinner reservations, and arranging in-suite event planning — is a genuine differentiator for P&O suites.

Ambassador’s cabin hierarchy is simpler and the spaces are generally more compact, reflecting the age of the ships. Inside cabins on Ambience range from 96 to 172 square feet. Oceanview cabins, the largest category at 436 on Ambience, offer 162 to 190 square feet with a picture window. Balcony cabins provide approximately 215 square feet including the balcony. Junior Suites on Deck 11 offer around 377 square feet of living space plus a 46-square-foot balcony with a separate seating area and en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. De Luxe Suites, the top category, provide approximately 558 square feet plus a 67-square-foot balcony with a two-room layout including a separate sitting area and dressing area. Suite benefits include priority boarding, complimentary room service breakfast, upgraded bathroom amenities, preferred restaurant reservations, welcome sparkling wine, and a fresh fruit basket. There is no butler service.

All Ambassador cabins across both ships include tea and coffee making facilities, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, en-suite bathroom, UK 3-pin plug sockets with USB charging (USB-C being added to Ambience during its January 2026 refit), fridge, hair dryer, and personal safe. These are comfortable, functional cabins that deliver good value for money, but they lack the design sophistication and modern finishes of P&O’s newer ships.

The key differentiator for Ambassador is its extensive sole-occupancy cabin inventory. Ambience has 89 dedicated single cabins and Ambition has 78, spanning five categories from inside through balcony. These carry no single supplement — a meaningful saving for solo travellers who would pay 25 to 50 per cent more on most other lines. P&O has some single-occupancy staterooms but proportionally far fewer, and single supplements on standard cabins are higher.

Pricing and value

Comparing headline fares requires careful attention to what is and is not included in each price. Ambassador’s advertised rates are lower, but the true gap is narrower than the headlines suggest.

Ambassador positions itself firmly in the budget tier of the British cruise market. The 2026-27 season advertises full-board sailings from less than GBP 60 per person per night. A 7-night Springtime Fjords cruise starts from around GBP 629 per person in an inside cabin — roughly GBP 90 per night. A 31-night Classical Mediterranean on Ambition starts from GBP 3,389 per person. The line’s most powerful pricing tool is its second-guest-free promotions, which effectively halve the per-person rate for couples. A 40-night Caribbean voyage from GBP 4,949 for the first guest with the second guest free works out to approximately GBP 62 per person per night — extraordinary value for a 40-night cruise. Add gratuities at GBP 6 to 7 per night and the effective rate rises to around GBP 68 to 69 per night. Drinks, speciality dining, and excursions are additional.

P&O’s pricing sits in the mainstream tier. A 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Britannia starts from around GBP 752 per person for an inside cabin in Early Saver — approximately GBP 107 per night. A 14-night Spain, Portugal, and Canary Islands sailing on Ventura starts from around GBP 1,099 per person — roughly GBP 79 per night. A 7-night Mediterranean fly-cruise from around GBP 849 per person. The 100-night Arcadia world cruise from approximately GBP 10,780 per person — roughly GBP 108 per night. These fares include gratuities, which adds GBP 6 to 7 of implicit value per night versus Ambassador. P&O’s all-inclusive packages from GBP 45 to 59 per person per day add drinks, Wi-Fi, and dining credits for those who want a more bundled proposition.

The honest assessment is that Ambassador is genuinely cheaper for the same itinerary type, even after accounting for the gratuity differential. A couple booking a 14-night cruise could save GBP 500 to 1,000 or more by choosing Ambassador over P&O for a comparable destination. The trade-off is older ships, fewer dining options, simpler entertainment, and less polish. For pure budget cruising from UK ports, Ambassador is hard to beat. For value relative to the overall product quality, P&O offers a more complete experience at a moderate premium.

For Australian travellers converting to AUD, both lines price in GBP, so the exchange rate applies equally. Neither line offers AUD pricing as standard from Australian booking platforms, though Australian-based agencies will typically quote in AUD with the prevailing exchange rate applied.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer spa facilities at additional cost, but the scale and sophistication differ markedly.

P&O operates The Oasis Spa across the fleet, with the largest facilities on Iona and Arvia spanning two decks. These ships feature the Thermal Suite with heated loungers, sauna, sensory steam room with salt brine solution, experiential showers, and a hydrotherapy pool with massaging jets and air recliners — available at GBP 39 per day or GBP 129 per week. The Retreat on Iona and Arvia is an adults-only outdoor wellness area on Deck 18 with two infinity whirlpools overlooking the ocean, private cabanas, day beds and hammocks, and complimentary smoothies and fruit platters — available at GBP 40 per day or GBP 145 for seven nights. The gym offers floor-to-ceiling ocean windows and runs complimentary classes including meditation, HIIT, and functional training alongside paid yoga, Pilates, and spinning sessions. Salon services include Kerastase hair treatments and a dedicated barber shop. Treatment pricing runs from GBP 89 for a Swedish massage to GBP 199 for a Thai Herbal Poultice.

Ambassador operates the Green Sea Spa & Wellness Centre, a more modest facility with individual treatment rooms, massage and facial treatments, hair salon services, nail treatments, and a sauna and steam room. The sauna and steam room are complimentary for all guests — a small but notable inclusion that P&O reserves for its Thermal Suite pass holders. The gymnasium is fully equipped and complimentary. Fitness classes including yoga, chair yoga, and dance sessions are included in the fare. The Green Sea Spa on Ambience is receiving a refresh during its January 2026 drydock with new flooring, tiling, artwork, and greenery.

The spa gap mirrors the overall product gap. P&O’s facilities on the Excel-class ships are comprehensive, modern, and designed to compete with shoreside wellness centres. Ambassador’s spa is functional and pleasant but operates on a smaller scale with fewer options. For spa-focused travellers, P&O is the clear choice. For guests who simply want access to a sauna and a massage on a sea day, Ambassador covers the basics competently.

Entertainment and enrichment

This is where the product philosophies diverge most visibly, and where P&O’s investment advantage shows most clearly.

P&O’s flagship entertainment feature is the SkyDome on Iona and Arvia — a retractable glass-roof venue with no equivalent in the Ambassador fleet or, indeed, on any other British cruise line. The SkyDome hosts acrobatic shows, aerial acts, physical theatre, open-air cinema screenings, late-night DJ sets under the stars, and bespoke productions created in partnership with Creativiva. It transforms throughout the day from a relaxed poolside atmosphere to a vibrant evening performance space. The Take That connection is another significant differentiator: Gary Barlow serves as Music Director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona, curating live music performances and supporting emerging talent through the Talent of Tomorrow programme. Arvia exclusively stages “Greatest Days — The Official Take That Musical.” Nicole Scherzinger has created contemporary late-night shows for the SkyDome. The Headliners Theatre on the Excel-class ships hosts full-scale West End-style production shows, comedy, and musical performances in a state-of-the-art two-deck auditorium. P&O also offers cinema screenings, escape rooms, cookery classes, wine tasting with Olly Smith, and extensive daytime programming including sports courts and family entertainment.

Ambassador’s entertainment programme is traditional, intimate, and suited to its older demographic. The main theatre hosts nightly performances including West End-style musical revues, cabaret acts, comedy shows, classical music recitals, and Theatre@Sea productions created in partnership with Peel Entertainment. Recent additions include “Ding Dong” (a comedy play), “Global Explosion” (a cultural dance show), and “Bard on Board” (a Shakespeare vignette). The Observatory and Piano Bar offer live music and late-night cabaret in a more intimate setting. Murder mystery evenings, ballroom dancing, quizzes, and game shows fill the programme. Daytime enrichment includes lectures on wildlife, geology, history, photography, and culture, with expert guest speakers on themed and longer voyages. The themed cruise programme is a genuine strength — the 80s Themed Cruise, Supercraft Cruises with TV producer Julie Peasgood, Marine Wildlife Conservation Cruises with ORCA conservationists, gardening cruises, comedy cruises, and solar eclipse cruises create focused experiences that attract passionate niche audiences.

The entertainment gap is substantial but nuanced. P&O offers more, bigger, and more modern entertainment — the SkyDome alone is worth experiencing, and the celebrity partnerships create moments that Ambassador cannot replicate. But Ambassador’s programme is well suited to its audience. Passengers who choose Ambassador are typically not seeking West End spectacle or DJ sets under the stars. They want conversation, live music in a bar, a good quiz, and enrichment lectures that teach them something about where they are sailing. Both lines deliver what their respective audiences want — the difference is in ambition and investment rather than satisfaction.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison is where the gap between these two lines becomes most stark. P&O operates seven ships totalling approximately 24,000 passenger capacity. Ambassador operates three ships totalling approximately 3,700. P&O’s flagship Excel-class ships, Iona and Arvia, are LNG-powered mega-vessels at approximately 185,000 gross tonnes carrying 5,200 passengers each — among the largest ships ever built for the British market. Ambassador’s flagship, Ambience, is a 70,285-tonne ship built in 1991 carrying approximately 1,400 passengers.

P&O’s fleet spans a genuine range. The two Excel-class ships are state-of-the-art with cutting-edge technology and environmental credentials. Britannia, built in 2015, is the mid-fleet workhorse at 143,000 tonnes. Ventura and Azura, from 2008 and 2010, are solid mid-generation vessels. Arcadia and Aurora, the two adults-only ships, offer a more intimate experience at around 84,000 and 76,000 tonnes respectively. This spread means P&O can segment its audience — contemporary experiences on the mega-ships, traditional cruising on the smaller vessels, and adults-only sailings for couples seeking quiet.

Ambassador’s three ships are all second-hand acquisitions. Ambience was built in 1991 as Regal Princess for Princess Cruises and has sailed under multiple names since. Ambition was built in 1999 as MS Mistral for Festival Cruises and has likewise changed hands repeatedly. Renaissance, acquired through the January 2025 merger with Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres, was built in 1992 as Maasdam for Holland America Line. All three have been refurbished — Ambience underwent a major drydock in January 2026 with propulsion upgrades, USB-C ports in cabins, and a spa refresh; Ambition was refurbished in November 2025 including the installation of a kidney dialysis treatment centre. These are characterful older ships that have been maintained and updated, but they cannot match the hardware, design, or technology of modern vessels.

For destination coverage, P&O operates from Southampton across Norwegian Fjords, Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Iberia, Caribbean (fly-cruise from Barbados), British Isles, Baltic and Scandinavia, Cape Verde and West Africa, and annual world cruises. The 2026-27 Caribbean programme places both Britannia and Arvia in Barbados, with Iona joining for 2027-28. World cruises are a P&O tradition — Arcadia’s 100-night Epic World Explorer departed in January 2026 visiting 28 ports across six continents including an overnight in Sydney, while Aurora sailed a 75-night Grand Voyage.

Ambassador operates from up to nine UK ports — London Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Edinburgh Leith, Liverpool, Bristol, Belfast, Falmouth, and Portsmouth (new for 2026) — more regional departure points than any other cruise line. The 2026-27 season covers 84 itineraries, 146 ports in 48 countries across three continents. Core destinations include Norwegian Fjords, British Isles and Ireland, Iceland, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, and short European breaks. The Caribbean fly-cruise programme on Renaissance from Barbados, Martinique, and Curacao launched for winter 2025-26 and continues with a second season from October 2026 to April 2027. Themed cruises including solar eclipse sailings, crafting cruises, and wildlife conservation voyages add variety.

P&O wins on breadth, scale, and global reach. Ambassador wins on regional UK port accessibility. If you live in Newcastle, Liverpool, or Belfast, being able to drive to your departure port and board a ship without flying or travelling to Southampton is Ambassador’s strongest competitive advantage.

Where each line excels

P&O excels in:

• Celebrity chef dining. The Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, and Olly Smith partnerships create a culinary programme that no other British line matches. Food Hero sailings with live celebrity chef appearances are a genuine unique selling point. The Cookery Club on Britannia lets you learn from the chefs themselves.
• Modern ship design. Iona and Arvia are state-of-the-art LNG-powered vessels with the SkyDome, 30-plus dining and bar venues, and contemporary design that feels current and purpose-built. These ships represent the best of modern British cruise ship engineering.
• Adults-only ships. Arcadia and Aurora offer dedicated adults-only cruising on more intimate vessels with a refined atmosphere, world cruises, and a loyal following. These ships appeal to P&O’s older, more experienced cruisers who prefer a quieter pace.
• Included gratuities. Baking service charges into the fare since 2019 simplifies budgeting and removes a source of friction that affects Ambassador and many other lines.
• World cruises. P&O’s annual circumnavigation programme is one of the strongest in the British market. Arcadia’s 100-night world cruise visits six continents including Australian ports — a genuine option for Australian travellers wanting to join a sector.
• Entertainment investment. The SkyDome, Gary Barlow’s 710 Club, the Take That musical, Nicole Scherzinger productions, and West End-style theatre create an entertainment programme that Ambassador’s smaller, older ships cannot approach.

Ambassador excels in:

• Budget pricing. Ambassador is the most affordable full-board cruise line sailing from UK ports. Second-guest-free promotions on longer voyages can bring effective per-person rates below GBP 60 per night. For price-sensitive travellers, nothing in the British market competes.
• Regional UK port departures. Sailing from up to nine UK ports — including Newcastle, Liverpool, Dundee, Belfast, and Bristol — eliminates the need to travel to Southampton. For passengers in Scotland, northern England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, this is a practical advantage worth hundreds of pounds in transport costs and travel time.
• Solo traveller infrastructure. With 89 dedicated sole-occupancy cabins on Ambience and 78 on Ambition — all without single supplements — plus welcome cocktail parties, dedicated solo dining tables, and meet-up events, Ambassador offers the strongest solo proposition of any British cruise line.
• Adults-only consistency. Almost every Ambassador sailing is restricted to guests aged 18 and over, providing a guaranteed child-free atmosphere without needing to select a specific ship or sailing. From 2027-28, every no-fly sailing will be adults-only.
• Themed cruises. The 80s cruise, Supercraft crafting cruises with Julie Peasgood, marine wildlife conservation cruises with ORCA, gardening cruises, comedy cruises, and solar eclipse sailings create focused experiences that attract passionate communities. This is niche programming done well.
• No-fly philosophy. Ambassador’s entire identity is built around eliminating airports. For passengers who dislike flying, have mobility concerns that make airports difficult, or simply want the convenience of driving to a UK port and walking onto a ship, Ambassador delivers a seamless experience.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

P&O Cruises

Arcadia 100-Night World Cruise (departed January 2026). The Epic World Explorer circumnavigates the globe on an adults-only ship, visiting 28 ports across six continents including an overnight call in Sydney. Australian travellers can book sectors — joining or leaving in Sydney or other ports along the route. From approximately GBP 10,780 per person for the full voyage. This is the most relevant P&O itinerary for Australians, offering a chance to experience the line without flying to Southampton.

Arvia 14-Night Caribbean Fly-Cruise (winter 2026-27). Based in Barbados with air-inclusive packages from the UK via Virgin Atlantic and TUI Airways. Islands include St Lucia, Grenada, Martinique, St Kitts, St Maarten, and Tortola. Australians would need to arrange their own flights to Barbados, but the Caribbean programme on one of P&O’s newest mega-ships with the SkyDome under tropical stars is a compelling proposition.

Iona 7-Night Norwegian Fjords (summer 2026). The quintessential P&O experience — ex-Southampton on the line’s largest ship with the SkyDome, Gary Barlow’s 710 Club, and 30-plus dining options while sailing through Geirangerfjord, Olden, Bergen, and Stavanger. From approximately GBP 849 per person. Easily combined with a UK holiday for visiting Australians.

Aurora 75-Night Grand Voyage (January 2026). A more intimate world cruise on P&O’s smallest and most classic ship, adults-only, with a traditional atmosphere that appeals to experienced cruisers. Aurora is the fleet’s most characterful vessel, and the Grand Voyage format suits travellers who want depth rather than the full 100-night commitment.

Ambassador Cruise Line

40-Night Jewels of the Caribbean on Ambience (departing London Tilbury, January 2026). From GBP 4,949 with second guest free — effectively around GBP 62 per person per night for a 40-night cruise. No-fly from London, crossing the Atlantic and exploring the Caribbean before returning to the UK. Exceptional value for the duration.

7-Night Norwegian Fjords from Newcastle (spring-summer, Ambition). The ability to sail to the fjords from Newcastle rather than Southampton is Ambassador’s ace card for travellers already in northern England or Scotland. From approximately GBP 629 per person for an inside cabin.

13-Night Solar Eclipse Cruise to Iceland (2026-27 season, from London Tilbury). One of two solar eclipse-themed sailings, this 13-night voyage to Iceland combines natural phenomenon with Ambassador’s enrichment programme. A genuinely unique itinerary for a specific audience.

31-Night Classical Mediterranean on Ambition (from London Tilbury, February 2026). From GBP 3,389 per person for a month-long no-fly Mediterranean sailing. With second-guest-free promotions, a couple could cruise for a month for less than GBP 3,500 total — remarkable value even accounting for gratuities and drinks.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

P&O Cruises

Iona or Arvia — The Excel-class flagships are the P&O ships to experience. The SkyDome, Gary Barlow’s 710 Club, Headliners Theatre, and 30-plus restaurants and bars represent the full P&O investment. If you are comparing P&O to any other line, these are the ships that showcase what the brand can deliver. Both are LNG-powered with modern environmental credentials. Arvia is marginally newer (2022 versus 2020 for Iona) and hosts the exclusive Take That musical “Greatest Days.” Choose based on itinerary rather than ship — the products are virtually identical.

Britannia — The pre-Excel flagship, refreshed for its 10th anniversary in 2024 with a modern colour scheme aligned to the newer ships. The Cookery Club teaching kitchen is unique to Britannia. At 143,000 tonnes and 3,647 passengers, it feels more manageable than the 5,200-guest Excel-class ships. A good choice for travellers who want the P&O culinary experience without the mega-ship scale.

Arcadia — The adults-only world cruise ship. Smaller at 84,000 tonnes and 2,094 passengers, Arcadia offers a more refined atmosphere and the Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White. Best suited for experienced cruisers who value quiet over spectacle. The 100-night world cruise sector through Sydney is the most relevant P&O option for Australian travellers wanting to experience the line from home waters.

Aurora — The smallest and oldest ship in the fleet at 76,000 tonnes, Aurora is also adults-only and carries the most traditional P&O atmosphere. Christened by Princess Anne and celebrating 25 years of service in 2025, it has a loyal following among repeat passengers who prefer its intimate character. From December 2026, selected sailings will open to families for the first time.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambience — The flagship, based primarily at London Tilbury. The largest Ambassador ship at 70,285 tonnes and approximately 1,400 passengers. Houses the Sea & Grass tasting menu restaurant and Chef’s Table. The January 2026 drydock brought propulsion upgrades, USB-C ports in cabins, and a refreshed Green Sea Spa. The best Ambassador ship for longer voyages and world cruise segments.

Ambition — Based at Newcastle with a new Portsmouth departure added for 2026. Slightly smaller at 48,123 tonnes and 1,200 passengers, but the line deliberately limits capacity below the ship’s maximum to maintain a higher space ratio. Houses the Lupino’s Italian restaurant. The November 2025 refit added a kidney dialysis treatment centre — a thoughtful touch for Ambassador’s older demographic. Best for regional UK port departures from the north.

Renaissance — Acquired through the CFC merger, this former Holland America Line ship operates the Caribbean fly-cruise programme from Barbados, Martinique, and Curacao. At 55,575 tonnes and approximately 1,100 passengers with nine guest decks, it has a classic feel inherited from its Maasdam heritage. The most relevant Ambassador ship for travellers interested in the line’s Caribbean offering rather than the core no-fly UK programme.

For Australian travellers specifically

Neither Ambassador nor P&O Cruises UK has a meaningful direct presence in the Australian market. Both are relevant primarily for Australians planning UK-based travel who want to incorporate a cruise, or for those interested in world cruise sectors that touch Australian waters.

P&O has marginally more Australian relevance. Its world cruises regularly call at Australian ports — Arcadia’s 2026 circumnavigation includes an overnight in Sydney, and Aurora’s Grand Voyage also visits Australasian waters. Australian travellers can book world cruise sectors joining or departing from Australian ports through agencies like Cruise Guru and Clean Cruising. P&O UK sailings are listed on Australian booking platforms, with Clean Cruising quoting ex-Southampton cruises from approximately USD 97 per day for Australian bookers. However, there is no dedicated Australian programme, no ships homeported in Australia, and no direct P&O marketing to the Australian consumer. The brand name carries recognition in Australia because of the defunct P&O Australia operation, but the products are fundamentally different.

Ambassador has a more proactive Australian outreach effort relative to its size. The line employs Dean Brazier as Head of Sales and Marketing for Australia and New Zealand and has conducted trade engagement activities at Australian ports including walk-arounds and luncheons. Ambassador cruises are bookable through CruiseAway, Australia’s cruise specialist. The line has a dedicated webpage for Australian and New Zealand travellers. Ambience visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Fremantle during its 120-night world cruise in 2024 — the first time an Ambassador ship sailed in Australian waters. However, this was a one-off world cruise call rather than a regular programme. Future world cruises may include Australian ports, but there is no scheduled regular deployment.

For Australian travellers visiting the UK who want to add a cruise, the choice comes down to preference and budget. P&O from Southampton offers a polished, well-established product with modern ships, celebrity chef dining, and a wider choice of itineraries. Southampton is approximately 75 minutes by train from London Waterloo — convenient for Australians basing themselves in London. Ambassador from Tilbury (approximately 40 minutes from central London by road) or regional ports offers a significantly cheaper entry point, a traditional adults-only atmosphere, and the convenience of driving to a port if you are hiring a car.

Both lines operate in British pounds and price in GBP. Neither offers regular AUD pricing for Australian bookings, though Australian-based agencies will convert to AUD at booking. The exchange rate applies equally to both.

The cultural experience on both lines is thoroughly British. Entertainment references, food, humour, and social customs reflect UK culture. For Australian travellers, this is part of the charm — a genuine immersion in British life at sea. But expectations should be set accordingly. These are not lines designed for the international traveller. The comedy will reference British television. The music will skew toward British nostalgia. The afternoon tea will be impeccable.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmosphere on these two lines reflects their fundamentally different positions in the market, and it is the atmosphere more than any single amenity that determines whether a passenger rebooks.

P&O’s atmosphere varies by ship — and that segmentation is deliberate. On Iona and Arvia, the mood is contemporary and energetic. The SkyDome creates moments of spectacle. The 710 Club hums with live music. The pool deck is lively, especially on Caribbean deployments. The passenger demographic is younger and broader than on the rest of the fleet — families, couples in their 40s and 50s, and first-time cruisers. These are modern resort ships that reward exploration, with enough venues that you could spend an entire sailing discovering new corners. On Arcadia and Aurora, the atmosphere shifts to something quieter and more traditional — closer to Ambassador’s demographic, in fact, with predominantly older couples who value conversation, enrichment, and a gentler pace. Britannia, Ventura, and Azura sit somewhere in between — mainstream family cruising with a British accent. P&O maintains a traditional dress code with smart casual as the standard and formal gala evenings on most sailings — black tie is expected in the main dining rooms on gala nights, though the rule is not enforced in casual venues, the theatre, or most bars.

Ambassador’s atmosphere is consistent across all ships — warm, unpretentious, social, and thoroughly traditional. The passenger base is predominantly British, aged 60 to 75, retired or semi-retired, and often former CMV loyalists who know exactly what they want from a cruise holiday. The atmosphere skews friendly and communal. Solo travellers are genuinely welcomed rather than tolerated. Dining is social — people talk to each other at neighbouring tables. The entertainment is accessible rather than ambitious. The dress code is smart casual with optional gala nights that do not carry the formality pressure of P&O’s black-tie evenings. The ships have character — the patina of age, the quirks of refurbished older vessels, the sense of sailing on a ship with a story. This is not a criticism. Ambassador’s passengers are not looking for the latest design innovation. They want a floating community that feels comfortable, affordable, and genuinely welcoming. The line delivers that with considerable warmth.

The divide is cultural as much as commercial. P&O on its larger ships can feel anonymous — 5,200 passengers is a substantial number and some cruisers report feeling lost in the crowd. Ambassador at 1,200 to 1,400 passengers creates a genuine sense of community where you recognise fellow guests by the third day. P&O’s adults-only ships are more comparable to Ambassador’s atmosphere, but even there, the product finish, dining options, and entertainment investment create a different energy. Ambassador is the neighbourhood pub. P&O is the chain hotel — polished, professional, and well-resourced, but less personal.

The bottom line

Ambassador Cruise Line and P&O Cruises are both British lines sailing from British ports with British food, British entertainment, and a British passenger base. But they solve fundamentally different problems for fundamentally different travellers.

Choose P&O if you want a modern, well-invested cruise experience with celebrity chef dining, innovative entertainment, the SkyDome, and included gratuities. Choose it for the broader fleet with ships ranging from intimate adults-only vessels to state-of-the-art mega-ships. Choose it for the world cruise sectors that visit Australian ports, the Caribbean fly-cruise programme from Barbados, and the all-inclusive packages that simplify budgeting. Choose it for the celebrity partnerships — Gary Barlow, Marco Pierre White, Nicole Scherzinger — that create moments you will not find on any other British line. Accept that the Excel-class ships carry 5,200 passengers, that balcony cabins on the newer ships are on the smaller side, that speciality dining adds up quickly without an all-inclusive package, and that the line’s heritage claims sometimes sit uneasily alongside its Carnival Corporation ownership.

Choose Ambassador if you want the most affordable full-board cruise from UK ports, an adults-only atmosphere without exception, and the convenience of sailing from a regional port near your UK base. Choose it for the exceptional solo traveller programme with dedicated cabins at no single supplement. Choose it for the themed cruises that create genuine communities of interest. Choose it for the no-fly philosophy that eliminates airports entirely. Choose it for the second-guest-free promotions that deliver 40-night cruises for the price of a fortnight on P&O. Accept that the ships are 25 to 33 years old and show it, that the dining programme is traditional rather than innovative, that the entertainment is modest by modern standards, and that the line has virtually no Australian presence.

For Australian travellers specifically, P&O is the more accessible choice — world cruise sectors through Sydney, established Australian booking channels, and a more polished product that meets the expectations most Australian cruisers carry from their experiences with Celebrity, Princess, and the former P&O Australia. Ambassador is a discovery for the traveller who already knows they will be in the UK, who prioritises value above all else, and who appreciates the warmth of a smaller, quieter ship where everyone knows your name by embarkation evening. Both lines have their loyalists for good reason. The question, as always, is not which line is objectively better — it is which line is better for you.