Ambassador Vs P&O Cruises: Which Cruise Line Is Best for You?

September 4, 2025

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Ambassador Vs P&O Cruises Which Cruise Line Is Best for You

When you’re looking at cruise holidays from the UK, two names pop up again and again: P&O Cruises and the much newer Ambassador Cruise Line.

Both sail straight out of British ports, both have a very “home from home” feel, but the kind of holiday you’ll get on board is worlds apart.

I’ve cruised with P&O more times than I can count, from rough Christmas sailings in the Bay of Biscay to sunny getaways in the Med.

My first attempt with Ambassador didn’t exactly go the way I imagined.

We’d boarded the ship, unpacked our bags, even sat down to enjoy our first dinner onboard — only to be told the cruise was cancelled.

Can you imagine? One minute you’re clinking glasses, the next you’re repacking your suitcase.

It was disappointing, of course, but I didn’t want that one-off experience to shape my opinion of the whole cruise line.

Around the same time, my cousin sailed with Ambassador and came back absolutely full of praise, telling me about the friendly crew, the cosy ship atmosphere, and how good the value was.

Hearing that made me curious. So, I decided to give Ambassador another try, and this time I was determined to see it properly for myself. What follows is my honest experience, shared just as I lived it.

So, between the established giant and the new kid on the block, which one is right for you? Let’s break it down.

Fleet Face-Off: Big Resorts vs Classic Ships

P&O Cruises – Variety is Their Strength

If you like having options, P&O is tough to beat. With seven ships in their fleet, they cover every style of cruising:

Mega ships (Iona & Arvia) – These are floating resorts with more than 5,000 passengers. Think infinity pools, glass-roofed SkyDomes that turn into party venues at night, and a huge choice of restaurants. Perfect if you love non-stop entertainment and don’t mind crowds.
Family-friendly midsize ships (Ventura & Azura) – Slightly smaller but still packed with activities.
Adults-only ships (Aurora & Arcadia) – Quieter, traditional, and no kids running around the pool.

P&O’s British Touches

I mentioned P&O has a strong British feel, but to give you the full picture, here are some of the things that make them feel “like home” even when you’re in the middle of the ocean:

Ambassador – Small Ships, Old-School Vibes

Now, Ambassador is a completely different experience. Instead of shiny new builds, they’ve picked up older, classic ships and given them a new lease of life.

At the moment they have:

Ambience (2001 build, ex-Regal Princess) – Traditional, intimate, about 1,400 passengers.
Ambition (1999 build, ex-Costa neoRiviera / AIDAmira) – Similar size, slightly more modern touches.
Renaissance (coming 2025, ex-HAL Maasdam) – Will mark their first big step into the Caribbean fly-cruise market.

If P&O is like checking into a massive resort hotel in Tenerife, Ambassador is more like staying in a charming countryside manor where things are simpler, quieter, and more personal.

You won’t find water slides, rock-climbing walls, or robot bartenders — but you will find friendly staff who remember your name and a more relaxed pace of life at sea.

Classic Ambassador Cabins – The Good and The Awkward 🛏️

One thing that really stood out to me on board Ambience was the cabins.

Layout-wise, they’re actually quite good — similar to Princess Cruises with a separate wardrobe/dressing space by the bathroom, which makes getting ready much easier.

But then there are those quirky touches that make you raise an eyebrow:

In some inside cabins, there’s a curtain on the wall pretending to be a “window.” Pull it back and… surprise — it’s just a blank wall. A very old-fashioned idea, and it did make me chuckle.
The bathrooms also feel dated compared to newer ships — nothing terrible, just very plain and showing their age.
On the plus side, you still get those little British essentials like a kettle in the cabin for tea and coffee, which I always appreciate.

So, while Ambassador’s cabins aren’t glamorous, they’re functional and homely — just don’t expect shiny modern design.

Where They’ll Take You

P&O – The World is Their Oyster

With their size and resources, P&O sails pretty much everywhere you’d expect a mainstream cruise line to go:

Mediterranean sunshine
Caribbean fly-cruises (Arvia winters in Barbados)
Canary Islands escapes
Norwegian fjords & Northern Europe
Bucket-list World Cruises

They mostly sail from Southampton, but with so many fly-cruise options, you can start in far-flung destinations too.

Ambassador – The “No-Fly” Specialists

Ambassador has carved out a very different niche.

They only do UK-departure cruises — perfect if the thought of airports, luggage weight limits, or security queues makes you groan.

Their ships sail from regional ports like Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Belfast, Bristol, and Falmouth.

This makes them super convenient if you don’t want to trek all the way down to Southampton.

Life Onboard: Entertainment, Food & Cabins

P&O Cruises – Choice Everywhere You Look

On a P&O ship, you’ll never be short of things to do. The bigger ships especially feel like they’ve been designed for variety:

Entertainment: From West End–style shows in the theatre to live music in pubs and cosy lounges, there’s something for every mood. I loved watching shows in the SkyDome on Iona — by day it’s a bright pool space, and by night it transforms into a buzzing venue with concerts, parties, and aerial performances.
Dining: Expect a mix of free options (buffets and main dining rooms) and specialty venues like Sindhu (Indian fine dining), Epicurean (upscale cuisine), or even the Keel & Cow steakhouse. Arvia even has an included American diner, which became my guilty pleasure spot.
Cabins: The newest ships (Iona and Arvia) have sleek, modern cabins, even in the budget categories. On the older ships, cabins are a bit more dated but still functional. I’ve had everything from stylish balcony cabins to very basic interiors, and honestly, the service always makes up for the décor.

Ambassador – Simpler & More Traditional

Ambassador is less about bells and whistles and more about creating a relaxed, old-school cruise vibe.

Onboard Ambience and Ambition, you’ll find:

Entertainment: Smaller shows, quizzes, live music (both pop and classical). The theatres are more intimate than P&O’s big production venues. When my cousin sailed, they even had early-morning whale-watching sessions off the Cornish coast — something you wouldn’t see on a mega-ship!
Dining: Fewer options than P&O. Expect one main dining room, a buffet, and usually one specialty restaurant. But what they lack in choice, they make up for with good, hearty food. I raved about British classics like cottage pie, roasts, and apple crumble with custard.
Cabins: This is where Ambassador shows its age. On Ambience, my inside cabin felt very dated — complete with a fake “window” curtain covering a blank wall. The layout was decent, though, with a Princess-style dressing area by the bathroom. I noticed the same dated touches, but agreed it was fine for the price they paid.

Ambassador’s Food & Friendly Crew

When I cruised with Ambassador, they were honestly surprised at how good the food was for the price they’d paid.

The buffet wasn’t massive, but it offered plenty of British favourites like cottage pie, roast dinners, and apple crumble with custard.

Staff served food at the buffet instead of self-service, which they thought kept things tidier. And then there’s the service.

Ambassador markets itself as offering “the friendliest welcome at sea,” and I have to agree with my cousin’s verdict: the crew really did go out of their way to make guests feel special.

That little Easter egg gift left in cabins when they sailed over Easter? Such a small gesture, but it shows the difference in approach between a smaller line and a mega-ship.

Who Each Line is Best Suited For

P&O Cruises – Something for Everyone

Families: The mega-ships (Iona, Arvia, Ventura, Azura) are full of kids’ clubs, splash zones, and family-friendly entertainment.
Couples: Plenty of romantic dining options and adults-only ships for a quieter vibe.
First-timers: If you’re new to cruising, P&O is a safe bet. The variety of ships means you can ease into cruising at your comfort level.
Value-seekers: Fares are mid-range, tips are included, and there are usually good deals if you book early.

Ambassador – Best for Adults & No-Fly Cruisers

Adults who like calm, traditional cruising (most sailings are 16+).
Families during school holidays, when “multigenerational cruises” bring in kids’ activities and themed nights.
Solo travellers: Ambassador often has good solo cabin deals, and there are usually plenty of other solo cruisers onboard.
No-fly lovers: Hate airports? This line is for you. Boarding at a regional UK port makes life so much easier.
Experienced cruisers who want quirky itineraries and smaller ports that bigger ships can’t reach.

Price & Value

P&O Cruises

P&O sits in the mid-range bracket. Their fares include tips (so no surprise bills at the end), but extras like specialty dining and drinks packages can add up quickly.

Honestly, I don’t think their drinks packages offer great value — most of the time, I’d recommend just paying as you go unless you’re a very heavy drinker.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador is often cheaper up front, but they do add a daily service charge on top (about £6–£7 per day for adults, £4 for children).

Even with that, the overall cost tends to come in lower than P&O.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	P&O Cruises	Ambassador Cruise Line
Fleet Size	7 ships	2 (soon 3 in 2025)
Ship Size	Large: 1,900–5,200 passengers	Small/Medium: 1,200–1,400 passengers
Atmosphere	Modern, lively, family-friendly	Traditional, relaxed, adult-focused
Who Can Sail	Families + adults (some adults-only ships)	Mostly adults (16+), some family cruises
Destinations	Worldwide (Med, Caribbean, Canaries, World)	Northern Europe, British Isles, Canary Is.
Home Ports	Southampton + fly-cruise options	8 UK regional ports (no-fly only)
Onboard Vibe	Variety of venues, big shows, specialty food	Intimate shows, quizzes, and afternoon teas
Solo Travel	Limited solo cabins	Good solo deals & lots of solo travellers
Price Point	Mid-range (tips included, extras add up)	Budget-friendly (service charge applies)
Best For	Families, first-timers, variety seekers	Adults, no-fly cruisers, budget explorers

My Verdict & Personal Experience

Here’s my honest take:

If you want big-ship energy, modern touches, and plenty for families, P&O is the way to go. I’ve had so many great cruises with them, from stylish new ships like Arvia to more traditional ones like Aurora. They’re reliable, easy for first-timers, and give you lots of choice.
If you’d prefer smaller ships, quieter vibes, and great value, Ambassador is an excellent option. I came back absolutely delighted with their cruise — I loved the food, the ports, and the crew’s warmth.

As for me? My first attempt at an Ambassador cruise didn’t exactly have the fairytale start I’d hoped for.

It was a Christmas market sailing, and we’d already boarded, unpacked, and even enjoyed dinner before the announcement came that the cruise was cancelled.

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster! Still, I knew that had to be a rare situation. Not long after, my cousin sailed with Ambassador and couldn’t stop praising the warm crew, the atmosphere onboard, and the overall value.

Hearing their excitement convinced me to give Ambassador another chance — and that’s when I decided it was time to see what this cruise line was really like for myself.

At the end of the day, it comes down to your travel style: resort-style variety with P&O, or traditional, no-fly affordability with Ambassador.

Both have their charms — you just need to pick which one feels more like your kind of holiday.

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