Ambassador Cruise Line unveils inaugural Caribbean Fly-Cruise winter programme 2025/26 following merger with CFC
Ambassador has today confirmed details of a joint fly-cruise Caribbean programme that will run through winter 2025/26 and combines source markets from the UK, France and the Netherlands on board Renaissance, which has taken her place alongside Ambience and Ambition in the Ambassador Group fleet.
The launch of an all-new season follows confirmation that Ambassador Cruise Line and French cruise operator Compagnie Française de Croisières have merged, marking the creation of a leading European affordable quality cruise line for the silver market.
From October 2025 through March 2026, Ambassador’s British guests will be able to enjoy 10 Caribbean Fly-Cruise sailings on board Renaissance, homeporting in Bridgetown, Barbados. Greatly enhancing Ambassador’s year-round offering, each itinerary will be for a 14-night duration with the exception of two repositioning cruises at the beginning and end of the season*.
Like her sister ships in the Ambassador fleet, Renaissance is an intimate and welcoming small-to-mid size vessel that was fully renovated in 2023 and upgraded with the latest environmental technologies in January 2025 in line with Ambassador’s high environmental standards and commitment to sustainable travel. With a multilingual crew, she has an average guest capacity of 1,100 and a generous space-to-guest ratio that offers a feeling of comfort and freedom.
Complete with a laid-back atmosphere and stylish interiors, she has 629 cabins with the majority available to the British market over winter 2025/26 with the remainder taken by French and Dutch customers.
The inaugural winter season sees Ambassador enter the fly-cruise market for the very first time, flying with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester and London Heathrow to Barbados every other Monday. Upgrades are available to Economy Delight, Premium and Upper Class.
Christian Verhounig, Ambassador Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer, said: “As we embark on a new and exciting era for Ambassador, I am delighted to unveil our range of exciting itineraries for winter 2025/26 on board Renaissance: a significant milestone in Ambassador’s journey to becoming a leader in the European affordable value silver cruise market and an appropriate answer to our guests’ request for a warm winter season fly option.
“This new Caribbean season really showcases what makes us special, and each itinerary has been hand-crafted to celebrate Renaissance’s smaller size and the opportunities it provides to offer the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and cultural immersion.
“With a host of exciting winter itineraries, Renaissance allows us to reinforce our commitment to offering our guests the very best affordable quality experiences and a greater selection of sailings and destinations than ever before, with our team ensuring that each guest enjoys the ‘warmest welcome at sea’ effortlessly and sustainably.”
Winter 2025/26 Programme – Renaissance
Itinerary Highlights
Details of the new winter season on board Renaissance are now available on ambassadorcruiseline.com and in a dedicated 24-page digital brochure. Apart from the first and last sailing*, all Renaissance itineraries will depart from and return to Bridgetown in Barbados on a 14-night duration. Prices on these itineraries start from just £1,799** per person including flights, transfers, bonded luggage and full board accommodation. In the first instance, Direct and Trade bookings will only be taken on a ‘call to book’ basis via the Ambassador contact centre on 0808 1028 701.
The 10 authentic sailings feature the very best the Caribbean has to offer, while offering guests the outstanding cuisine, amazing entertainment and the warmest welcome at sea they have come to expect from Ambassador.
Highlights include the inaugural fly-cruise Caribbean itinerary: the Tropical Autumn Escape. Sailing from Bridgetown on 17 November 2025, the cruise will offer guests the chance to discover the vibrant cultures, crystal-clear waters and stunning landscapes of eight Caribbean destinations including St. Kitts, Martinique, Antigua, St. Maarten and Curaçao.
Guests seeking warmer climes over the festive period can look forward to the Christmas in the Caribbean sailing, which departs Bridgetown on 15 December 2025. It’s always a wonderful time of year to spend on board a cruise ship, but the festive period will see Ambassador really push the boat out on an itinerary that takes in Grenada’s spice-scented shores, Tobago’s untouched beauty the charm of Guadeloupe and Martinique and a magical Christmas Day in St. John’s, Antigua.
The Valentine’s Caribbean Escape departing on 9 February 2026 offers cruise lovers the chance to mark the occasion in a tropical paradise. Taking in stunning destinations including Curaçao, Aruba, St. Kitts, Tortola and Bonaire, Valentine’s Day will be spent in picturesque Guadeloupe, famed for its romantic beaches, for a special evening celebration on board featuring outstanding cuisine and amazing entertainment under the starlit sky.
Accommodation
Renaissance features a selection of comfortable and elegantly appointed cabins and suites, designed to provide a home-away-from-home experience. These include:
Inside Cabins: Compact yet stylish, with modern amenities and ensuite facilities.
Ocean View Cabins: Featuring large windows for stunning sea views.
Terrace Cabins: Featuring outside access to the promenade decks.
Balcony Cabins: Private balconies to enjoy ocean vistas.
Suites: Spacious suites with premium furnishings, additional living space & enhanced amenities.
Facilities
Illustrating how outstanding cuisine shouldn’t have to come at a high price, guests will be spoilt for gastronomic choice with a number of open sitting dining venues on board Renaissance. These include the Grand Restaurant, set across two decks with a ceiling illuminated by a thousand lights offering diners delightful sea views; the Belle-Ile Buffet Restaurant for a more casual dining experience; and a number of speciality dining venues.
Bars include Le Panoramique, located at the front of the ship on the highest deck and offering stunning 180° views; and the Ocean Bar overlooking the Grand Foyer, which is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail, wine or beer from a specially crafted drinks menu.
Renaissance will play host to a range of incredible activities and amazing entertainment to keep guests entertained throughout their stay, day and night. The ship is also home to Les Evens Spa, offering a choice of over 50 different treatments to choose from; and the Moana Pool, Bar and Grill featuring two whirlpools, a main swimming pool, plenty of sun loungers and a retractable roof!
Destination Experiences
Caribbean itineraries have been curated to ensure Ambassador provides Destination Experiences that will allow guests to truly discover the rich culture, history and natural beauty of the Islands. Offering a variety of experiences to appeal to all tastes and budgets, these include a breathtaking 45-minute helicopter adventure for a once-in-a-lifetime view of Montserrat’s dramatic Soufrière Hills Volcano in Antigua; a relaxing catamaran cruise to the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in St Lucia; the chance to travel through lush landscapes, past sugarcane fields and along the dramatic coastline of St. Kitts on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway; and the chance to discover the hidden paradise of Virgin Gorda on Tortola, where giant volcanic boulders create stunning sea caves and tranquil pools.
(Ambassador Cruise Line unveils inaugural Caribbean Fly-Cruise winter programme 2025/26 following merger with CFC)
