Ambition to house refugees

[Pirateguy]

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-charter-second-cruise-27726582

[Surfacer]

Pirateguy,

 

I have just been in contact with Ambassador's Customer Services to enquire about this. Spotted it on Saturday morning in the news and, naturally, Customer Services were not available.

 

The first part of the response this morning was that the Customer Services operatives had, themselves, only just found out.

 

The second part of the response focussed on our particular cruise which is not scheduled to depart until the middle of the year. We were told that since this is so far away that our particular cruise would not be affected.

 

They went on to say that anyone on earlier, or affected, cruises would be receiving an e-mail this afternoon.

 

However, at 12:37 today, I am still able to book a place on the inaugural cruise on-line.

 

 

[yorkshirephil]

This is the email Ambassador sent out:

Dear Guest,

We would like to sincerely apologise to every guest and trade partner who saw the recent announcement in the national press regarding our decision to Charter Ambition to the Scottish Government, in order to facilitate the Scottish resettlement program for the Ukraine population to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine.

We are disappointed that this announcement was shared prematurely without the appropriate advance communication and consultation we had intended for our valued guests.

To that end, we would like to alleviate any current concerns or unnecessary uncertainty by now providing an additional explanation.

As a new brand in the cruise industry, we, ourselves, were adversely affected by the war in Ukraine. Ambience’s initial launch was delayed and many of our esteemed crew incurred additional unforeseen personal challenges. We personally felt the impact acutely and the experience heightened our interest in wanting to support those most detrimentally affected by the devastation of the war.

When the opportunity to work with the Scottish government to support the Ukrainian population presented itself, we felt morally obliged to accommodate such a worthwhile cause and amend some of Ambition’s initial itineraries for 2023. We had fully intended to communicate this decision via the appropriate channels, extending the courtesy and respect to our guests and trade partners you would expect. Now, belatedly we are hopeful that despite the incongruous news, you will join us in confidence and understanding to support this humanitarian strategy.

Let us explain what this will mean:

• Ambition will be in Scotland from early September 2022 for 6 months and will then go into dry dock for soft refurbishment of public areas and cabins and her engine upgrades, rendering her one of the top 10% of sustainable ships afloat, like Ambience.

• This means that her inaugural season will unfortunately be delayed until mid-May 2023. We are working internally to ascertain the impact of this across our scheduled itineraries and will be able to offer you, our valued guests, recompense for the inconvenience you will incur as a result of this delay.

• Guests will be able to receive either a full refund or an enhanced incentive to transfer to a comparable sailing or a discount against any Ambassador sailing in 2023. If you desire a full refund, this will be offered without compromise on any Ambition sailing up to, and including 11th May 2023. Ambition cruises departing after 12th May 2022 will be operating as scheduled. Please note that in securing a full refund, any additional incentives will not be valid for future, separate re-bookings. These offers will be communicated to you by email on or before 26th August, at which time you will also be able to choose an option online for your affected sailing. Please note you will not be able to action any cancellations or transfers until you receive this email, and we will not be able to manually action this through our call centre. Please do not contact us before you have received this email.

Your patience at this time is welcome. As ever, our guests remain our number one priority, as do the values by which we operate our business.

We hope to be able to offer you a wonderful experience on board Ambition once we establish clarity around this realignment and fully explore all available options for your compensation offer.

Kind regards,

Christian Verhounig / CEO | Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line

Copyright 2022 Ambassador Cruise Line is a trading name of Ambassador Cruise Holidays Limited. Ambassador Cruise Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 13299365.

Ambassador Cruise Line, Gateway House, Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1NS.

[Britboys]

Time will tell as to whether this is a sensible decision or not. With Ambience having a delayed maiden voyage/season and being introduced with quite a few problems, it is a brave decision by a new cruise line to delay the maiden season of the second ship...

[Host Jazzbeau]

I do appreciate their solidarity with Ukraine.  And hopefully the income from this 'charter' will finance renovations that avoid the problems of Ambience.  

 

Slava Ukraini!

[paulatsea]

I find the explanation hard to believe - unless they are hosting the refugees for free or at cost only.
Perhaps I am being too cynical - but happy that the refugees have somewhere to stay.

 

[London-Calling]

The new "Ambassador" cruise line have delayed the maiden season of their second ship "Ambition" in 2023.

Some eleven cruises are cancelled.

The reason is NOT technical, it is somewhat surprising, to me anyway.

The official statement and some comments are, here;

 

Ambassador’s “Ambition” Inaugural Season Delayed | Malcolm Oliver's WaterWorld (wordpress.com)

Edited August 17, 2022 by London-Calling

[Britboys]

The revised Maiden Voyage is now set for 12th May from Newcastle and is 14 nights to France and Spain.

[richard_london]

Apparently, according to this article, the MS Victoria (the first ship chartered the Scottish government) is being chartered in a deal worth £6.7 million.  The company behind the charter would get a cut of that, so not all would go to the MS Victoria's owners.

 

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/20581599.scottish-cruise-ship-deal-ukrainians-completed-bradford-travel-firm/

 

As the Ambition is a larger vessel we can assume the charter is higher than that figure. 

 

So I imagine that has something to do with it and it isn't an entirely benevolent gesture by Ambassador.

 

[vhagues]

On 8/15/2022 at 6:25 PM, yorkshirephil said:

This is the email Ambassador sent out:

Dear Guest,

We would like to sincerely apologise to every guest and trade partner who saw the recent announcement in the national press regarding our decision to Charter Ambition to the Scottish Government, in order to facilitate the Scottish resettlement program for the Ukraine population to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine.

We are disappointed that this announcement was shared prematurely without the appropriate advance communication and consultation we had intended for our valued guests.

To that end, we would like to alleviate any current concerns or unnecessary uncertainty by now providing an additional explanation.

As a new brand in the cruise industry, we, ourselves, were adversely affected by the war in Ukraine. Ambience’s initial launch was delayed and many of our esteemed crew incurred additional unforeseen personal challenges. We personally felt the impact acutely and the experience heightened our interest in wanting to support those most detrimentally affected by the devastation of the war.

When the opportunity to work with the Scottish government to support the Ukrainian population presented itself, we felt morally obliged to accommodate such a worthwhile cause and amend some of Ambition’s initial itineraries for 2023. We had fully intended to communicate this decision via the appropriate channels, extending the courtesy and respect to our guests and trade partners you would expect. Now, belatedly we are hopeful that despite the incongruous news, you will join us in confidence and understanding to support this humanitarian strategy.

Let us explain what this will mean:

• Ambition will be in Scotland from early September 2022 for 6 months and will then go into dry dock for soft refurbishment of public areas and cabins and her engine upgrades, rendering her one of the top 10% of sustainable ships afloat, like Ambience.

• This means that her inaugural season will unfortunately be delayed until mid-May 2023. We are working internally to ascertain the impact of this across our scheduled itineraries and will be able to offer you, our valued guests, recompense for the inconvenience you will incur as a result of this delay.

• Guests will be able to receive either a full refund or an enhanced incentive to transfer to a comparable sailing or a discount against any Ambassador sailing in 2023. If you desire a full refund, this will be offered without compromise on any Ambition sailing up to, and including 11th May 2023. Ambition cruises departing after 12th May 2022 will be operating as scheduled. Please note that in securing a full refund, any additional incentives will not be valid for future, separate re-bookings. These offers will be communicated to you by email on or before 26th August, at which time you will also be able to choose an option online for your affected sailing. Please note you will not be able to action any cancellations or transfers until you receive this email, and we will not be able to manually action this through our call centre. Please do not contact us before you have received this email.

Your patience at this time is welcome. As ever, our guests remain our number one priority, as do the values by which we operate our business.

We hope to be able to offer you a wonderful experience on board Ambition once we establish clarity around this realignment and fully explore all available options for your compensation offer.

Kind regards,

Christian Verhounig / CEO | Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line

Copyright 2022 Ambassador Cruise Line is a trading name of Ambassador Cruise Holidays Limited. Ambassador Cruise Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 13299365.

Ambassador Cruise Line, Gateway House, Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1NS.

What I can’t understand is why Ambassador, a new British Cruise. line that wants to build up their business, and yet they think ditching fare paying passengers, who are “their number one priority” is in favour of housing refugees at anchor in the Clyde for months is a good move. I think it’s a bad business decision and I for one will be cancelling our booked cruise to the fjords. The £300pp OBC does not make me want to give them another chance! 😡🤬

 

V Hagues. Dissapointed, angry and let down!

[Host Jazzbeau]

58 minutes ago, vhagues said:

What I can’t understand is why Ambassador, a new British Cruise. line that wants to build up their business, and yet they think ditching fare paying passengers, who are “their number one priority” is in favour of housing refugees at anchor in the Clyde for months is a good move. I think it’s a bad business decision and I for one will be cancelling our booked cruise to the fjords. The £300pp OBC does not make me want to give them another chance! 😡🤬

 

V Hagues. Dissapointed, angry and let down!

I'm sure the refugees totally understand why your disappoint is greater than their basic needs.

[seaknots]

5 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I'm sure the refugees totally understand why your disappoint is greater than their basic needs.

not sure why you feel it necessary to shame a cc member over their disappointment in having a cruise cancelled

ambassador & scottish government made a business arrangement to the detriment of ambassador guests. there are many other alternatives for housing the refugees 

[vhagues]

Thank you Seaknots, don’t worry, I take no notice of negative comments anyway! 👍🏻🤣

[NightWoman]

On 8/30/2022 at 2:21 AM, vhagues said:

What I can’t understand is why Ambassador, a new British Cruise. line that wants to build up their business, and yet they think ditching fare paying passengers, who are “their number one priority” is in favour of housing refugees at anchor in the Clyde for months is a good move. I think it’s a bad business decision and I for one will be cancelling our booked cruise to the fjords. The £300pp OBC does not make me want to give them another chance! 😡🤬

 

V Hagues. Dissapointed, angry and let down!

We've booked a cruise in May because there was a sailing from a regional port but I think we will be in for a disappointment.

I agree, as a new company with 2 ships and only 1 in commission and trying to build a customer base in a difficult climate Ambassador has let down thousands of people who paid deposits in good faith. 

This isn't about helping refugees it's about a better money making opportunity coming along and Ambassador are prepared to cancel on the contract with us. 

As it is there is no social housing available for people who live in Scotland so where will the 1000 + Ukrainian families go after the 6 months, they won't just be thrown off the ship after the harrowing time they've gone through. I would be surprised if any of the cruises start in May. 

I think Ambassador have made a poor decision with this plan as they have already let down and lost the trust of  regular cruisers and potential cruisers, let's face it there must be a number of cruise companies who have ships not sailing due to the current lack of crew, why haven't they offered ships as well? 

In addition, the Ambassador promo says Ambition will have a full reburshment prior to sailing, which to me means all cabins,  public areas and all the other things behind the scenes, if things don't go to plan will a refurbishment even take place or will it be the the most important, that being bringing the engines up to standard, all these things take time and if there are further delays or issues it means the paying passengers will once again let down. 

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by NightWoman

[Britboys]

Reports in some of the Scottish Media today confirm that the contract with Ambassador for Ambition will end as planned on 31st March.