Travel

New British cruise line Ambassador launches anti-whaling campaign with charity ORCA and conservation experiences for 2022

Ambassador Cruise Lines' ship, Ambience

The premium Ambassador Cruise Line already had our attention for being the first new British cruise line to be launched since 2010 when it sets sail in April 2022. Now, we’re even more onboard, with the announcement of an anti-whaling partnership with marine conservation charity, ORCA – the first of its kind for a cruise line. 

As part of its campaign, Ambassador has pledged that it will offer no destination experiences to oceanariums, will encourage guests not to consume any whale meat (not uncommon for tourists in some destinations), and that it will host ORCA ocean conservationists on eleven of its sailings across 2022 and 2023. 

Ambassador Cruise Lines will launch in April 2022 with first ship, Ambience

Ambassador’s debut ship, Ambience, will sail from London Tilbury, with destinations ranging from Russia and the Baltics to Canada, Greenland and Iceland, with stops including the unspoilt landscapes of the archipelago of Faroe. 

Christian Verhounig, CEO, has formally written to the Faroese Prime Minister, Bárður á Steig Nielsen, stating that if there are recurring incidents of the dolphin hunt that took place in September 2021, he will reconsider the cruise line’s position and the three future sailings to the Islands which are currently planned.   

Dolphin jumps through the water
Many of Ambassador Cruise Lines’ upcoming itineraries will travel to prime whale and dolphin spotting territories.

The Faroes Government is undertaking a review of its Commercial Whaling policy, and Ambassador will be monitoring it closely – with the right to cancel such ports of call if the activity is not in line with the cruise line’s pledge. 

Verhounig, said: “We at Ambassador feel incredibly passionate about supporting this cause. This joined up approach with ORCA demonstrates our committed action in addressing this issue of unnecessary dolphin hunts and commercial whaling and to encourage change.” 

The Palladium show lounge on board Ambience

Excitingly for guests with a passion for nature, wildlife and protecting the planet, ORCA will place two Ocean conservationists onboard Ambience in 2022 and 2023, on 11 sailings – a large proportion of Ambassador’s voyages, amounting to more than 200 days.

On the voyages, the conservationists will visit countries including Iceland, Greenland and sail the Iberian coast, Black Sea and Irish Sea, and will collect important scientific data there, as well as giving unforgettable wildlife experiences to the ship’s guests. 

Two of the 11 cruises will also provide a focussed education programme, with conservation projects offered to travellers . 

Ambassador Cruise Lines is the first British cruise line to launch since 2010.

If you’re not on one of the same cruises as the charity’s conservationists, don’t worry: ORCA will also have a permanent presence on Ambience, with a dedicated enrichment area of fun marine life activities and experiences. 

Aside from the ORCA area, Ambience offers entertainment in its multi-tiered show lounge, The Palladium, 11 different bars and lounges and the usual mix of high tea and gala dinners. 

Ambience’s inaugural voyage will be a short break cruise to Hamburg on April 6 2022, with prices from £409 per person for the four night trip right now; this includes the top drinks package.

Find out more about the ORCA charity partnership here.

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