We are continuing to work hard to ensure that you can book and sail with confidence. Please find below a list of Q&A’s, advising on how we plan to continue running our smooth operations, safely and securely, for you and the crew’s protection onboard. You will find everything you need to know from arrivals, getting onboard, testing and our vaccination policies. These policies will be continually reviewed in line with local government guidelines and were last updated 3rd March 2023.
We look forward to welcoming you onboard one of our ships soon, for what is sure to be the warmest welcome at sea.
Pre Cruise Queries
Do I need to be fully vaccinated to travel with Ambassador Cruise Line?
We are pleased to advise that for all cruises departing from 3rd April 2023, guests must have had two doses of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination in order to travel with us. There is no longer a requirement to have had any further booster vaccinations.
Please note that requirements may differ for our longer duration cruises (such as Ambience’s 2024 Grand Round the Word Cruise) but we will communicate this to those booked in due course.
What is the vaccination policy for children sailing on the Multi-Generational cruises?
We are pleased to advise that for our multigenerational cruises departing from 3rd April 2023, guests under the age of 18 years will no longer be required to have any Covid-19 vaccinations to travel with us.
Does my Travel Insurance Policy have to include Covid cover?
It is a condition of booking that all guests hold fully comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers cruise holidays, is valid for the entire duration of your chosen itinerary and the relevant countries guests will visit, provides full health coverage for all pre-existing conditions and the costs of medical repatriations, plus specific cover for COVID-19 related issues.
Guests travel insurance information should be added to their “My Ambassador Sailing Account” either before, or during the online check-in process.
Do I need to take a COVID-19 test before my journey to the ship?
We are pleased to advise that for all cruises departing from 3rd April 2023, guests will no longer be required to take a lateral flow test before travelling with us.
If however you are feeling unwell within 72 hours of sailing (including a high temperature, a new continuous cough, shortness of breath or a loss or change to taste or smell), out of courtesy for your fellow travellers and our crew onboard, we kindly ask that you take a covid-19 test at home. Any guest who is unwell and tests positive for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to sailing, will not be able to travel with us. Guests should contact their travel insurance provider for a refund of monies paid, in line with their policy cover.
Do you offer assistance with visa, passport and entry requirements?
Visa, testing and entry requirements can change at any time, and it is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements.
Around 14 days prior to sailing, you will receive an email confirming specific information relating to your chosen itinerary. This will confirm any important, destination specific requirements, so it is crucial that you have provided us with your email address at time of booking.
The Travel Visa Company is Ambassador Cruise Line’s preferred visa, testing and entry provider. They can offer help and advice on specific requirements for Ambassador Cruise Line’s cruising itineraries as well as independent travel. For your convenience, The Travel Visa company’s online portal provides detailed visa, testing and entry information for Ambassador’s cruises, as well as online and downloadable applications.
For more information please visit https://thetravelvisacompany.co.uk/ambassador-cruise-line/,call on 01270 904 907 or email [email protected]
Please note that if you do not possess the correct documentation, you may be denied boarding, without refund of the cruise fare, subject to any fine or other costs incurred by Ambassador Cruise Line.
What documents will I need to bring to the port?
Ambassador is a ticketless cruise line, so we will not issue guests with a physical cruise ticket.
To ensure a stress-free embarkation journey, you will need to bring the following with you. You will be asked to present all of these documents to staff when you arrive:
- A valid 10-year passport. For travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules. Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be: 1. less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’) 2. valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’). For travel outside of the EU your passport should be valid for 6 months after the date of your return. Please note that these requirements apply to all cruises, even those only visiting the British Isles.
If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non-British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel.
- Proof of your vaccinations. You may be required to present proof of vaccination upon arrival at the port and at any time throughout your cruise when going ashore, so we strongly suggest that you carry this with you. The easiest, and preferred way for you to do this, is to download and login to the NHS app, then download a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate as proof that you have received your full dose (two doses only) of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination. Please note once your digital certificate has been downloaded, it is valid for 6 months. Your cruise must fall within the 6 months shown on your certificate. Please note that this requirement applies to all cruises, even those only visiting the British Isles.
- A digital or printed copy of your boarding pass. Online check-in will open 72 hours prior to departure and to ensure a smooth embarkation process at the port, we strongly encourage you to check-in online and download your boarding pass in advance by logging on to My Ambassador Sailing.
- Your Credit or Debit Card. At Check-In, you will be required to swipe your credit/debit card, in order to activate your Onboard Account. For those guests not wishing to pay by credit/debit card, payment can be made in cash but you must deposit cash at Reception, by midnight on embarkation day. Your onboard account will not be active until you have done so.
- Your travel insurance documents. Please ensure that it covers you for both cruise travel and COVID-19.
How do I pay my remaining balance?
The easiest and quickest way to pay your balance, is by visiting My Ambassador sailing. If it is your first time logging in to My Ambassador Sailing facility, this short video will help guide you through setting up your account: https://youtu.be/2V9szQetuOw
Alternately, you can call our friendly Guest Services Team on 0808 102 8482 (Mon – Fri 0900h to 1730h), to pay safely through our secure payment portal.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Covid Cancellation Policy
Any guest who is unwell and tests positive for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to sailing, will not be able to travel with us. Guests should contact their travel insurance provider for a refund of monies paid, in line with their policy cover.
Covid Cancellation Policy (if guests test positive during the sailing)
Guests testing positive during the cruise will be confined to their cabin during the isolation period, along with any other guests booked in the same cabin.
Once guests test negative on two consecutive days, they will be released from isolation and can enjoy the remainder of their cruise onboard.
This is subject to the rules and regulations of the ports/countries being visited for the remainder of the itinerary. You will be able to discuss the option onboard with Guest Services.
Once Onboard the Ship
Are there any social distancing or face mask measures are in place in public areas?
Whilst social distancing has now been formally relaxed, we politely request that, where possible, this continues to be respected and adhered to, in order to ensure the safety of both our guests and crew.
Guests may want to wear face masks in crowded areas, including The Palladium as social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
Hand sanitiser remains available around the ship, and we would encourage all guests to use this whilst onboard and wash their hands on a regular basis.
After Your Cruise
Are there any testing or entry requirements for my return to the UK?
We are pleased to advise that currently, there are no requirements to complete any entry documentation or to undertake any COVID-19 testing when returning back in to the UK.
