Albertina59

Hi to Alastair and Glynn. Today we received a refund of the enhanced insurance premium we paid, nothing extra. Not even an email of apology nor mention of any compensation. I fear this is all we will get. A fiasco and completely disappointing.

I still feel heartbroken over losing our holiday in such a despicable way, very difficult to come to terms with. I made it clear to Ambassador that the refund and offer towards our out of pocket expenses did not make things right for us. They ruined our festive plans. I highly doubt we shall use them again and that’s such a shame. So very sorry to hear the news Alastair. I suspect it’s the TA holding things up. Very pleased you took a cruise, at least you’ve had a break. Yes, we’d all have been due back this week, if only eh.

As a note to anyone either having already been refunded or awaiting refund of their fare, I’ve heard from Ambassador today that they are reimbursing our insurance payment. I replied that our loss is greater than that and we expect to receive a goodwill gesture if they expect to see us as returning future customers. Seasoned cruisers may observe that this will do no good, but my view is if you don’t ask, you won’t get. I sincerely hope that other disappointed people will do the same. Old customers can become new customers if treated properly.

Basically this is all such bad publicity for Ambassador and adds massively to the misery they’ve already caused a lot of people. What an utter shame.

Hello Alastair and Glynn, be of good cheer. We have our refund. We booked direct and chivvied them yesterday. Yours will surely follow via your agent. Let’s convene very soon over compensation for expenses and disappointment. A happy Christmas to you both. ⛄️🧑‍🎄😀

Just spoke to cruise firm.Refunds being done in 2 batches, first one today and another next week. Impressed upon them that refund is a matter of urgency, as we face a considerable amount of cash out of pocket. Apparently we are in the second lot.

Has anyone heard anything today please.

Or any of us ha ha. Am so gutted that we won’t all meet. My hubby and I had so looked forward to all the crack onboard. Lots of people just like us. Over the years we’ve met some lovely cruisers. We’re doing our best to make a special Xmas at home instead.

Hello Glynn, have you any news about your refund please.

Can you clarify things for me please

Thank you for letting me know.

Thanks Glynn.

Yes, we did this the very next day after the dreaded email informing cancellation Also spoke to them to confirm receipt of our option choice. Spent the next few days quite upset then also sent an email detailing our incidental losses which received an automated response. The latest has been an email from them offering 25% reduction on a future cruise in addition to the full refund. Apparently they wish to redeem our goodwill.

Just received Ambassador email offering 25% off future cruise in addition to refund. A sweetener, but not enough by a long chalk.

We have cruised quite a lot, the whole gamut from Thomson’s Island Escape through to the Caribbean with QM2, P & O, NCL. We sailed on the Magellan to the Baltic and have been impressed with Fred Olsen. Already this year we have sailed on the Arvia and the Iona to Norway. This Ambition cruise appealed due to the itinerary and its similarity to CMV. I agree that very few cruises are completely trouble free, but to be bumped is a new experience. My main beef is that Ambassador have had problems with Ambience historically and could and should have cancelled earlier giving us the option to book elsewhere. We paid quite a lot for our junior suite and drinks package and had anticipated a lovely Christmas and New Year break. Our disappointment is huge. Certainly our trust in this cruise line is severely damaged frankly. Despite ‘commercially sound’ decisions by Ambassador, real paying clients have been let down at a very special time of year.

In that case I hope to receive my refund and hopefully some compensation as well. Had felt very silly dealing with them at all. This will be absolutely the first and last time. Thanks for your insights.

This surely is excellent news. I totally feared them going under both metaphorically and actually, phew. I completely support the fight for consequential damages as well though.

Yes I was told that also re the booking money. Some people are facing heavy consequential losses and I hope they will fight for it.

This hasn’t been mentioned specifically, but people have made losses like travel to Tilbury arrangements, insurance and currency exchange in advance of their holiday. Plus in my case I also mentioned disappointment and stress. We shall see.

They let us down so badly when they knew the Ambience had issues earlier in the year. More notice could have saved the day. I spent 4 days ringing P & O, Saga and Cunard all to no avail. I am not sympathetic to them, just want my refund.

Agreed. I shall be so relieved when our money’s back and hope never to repeat this awful experience ever again.

Their fate will be their own fault.

My email claiming additional losses received an automated reply. Signs are not brilliant, however it is fairly early days.

Nothing as yet Glynn. Will keep you posted.