Marion Ainge joins Ambassador Cruise Line’s sailing to Normandy, The Netherlands, Belgium And Isles of Scilly.
Will someone hold my lollipop?
Our walking tour group sniggered, not unkindly, at this question as our Belgian excursion guide handed over his flag post and offloaded his backpack to search for some maps.
I’m on an Ambassador Cruise Line excursion, and after docking at Zeebrugge, we’re now in Bruges! It’s around 26 degrees and guide Peter is going at some pace. We grab a gulp of water when we can and jog to catch up after taking a photo! Our Ambassador representative has a quiet word with Peter who slows the pace down, just a little so that we can take more time to appreciate the character and beauty of this Unesco World Heritage site.
Bruge
The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it is where French author, Victor Hugo, is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. White swans glide beneath the sacred, three-arched, stone Beguinage Bridge which leads to a place of silence, formerly populated by the pious, female Beguines and now a convent.
In this ‘Venice of the North’, a network of canals, central to the trade and industry for centuries, threads through the magical Medieval city of Bruges. From the Boniface bridge, we see half-timbered houses and the Church of Our Lady, reflected in the water. With more than 70 chocolate shops all contained within a walk of one mile, Bruges is the delight of every chocolate lover! Seduction in the form of pralines, truffles, ganache or caramel filled chocolates, silky chocolate-smothered dried, sugared fruits, chocolate packed with all kinds of crunchy nuts is irresistable. I’m sure I could put on a few pounds just by looking in a chocolate shop window!
Our Liverpool sailing is ideal for those based in the north of the UK. Embarkation is seamless.
A security/passport check plus identity photo taken for a cabin card and in minutes I’m on board, receiving a warm welcome and in my cabin. Additional passengers embark the next day in Belfast making an Ambition sailing of almost full capacity.
My home for nine nights is a ‘suite’ treat. The Junior Suite comprises a spacious, deep balcony, walk-in wardrobe (great for all my shoes!) with shelves and basket storage, sitting area, welcome bottle of wine and bubbly, mini-fridge, bathroom with double shower and comfortable bed. A tempting tray of canapes is delivered every day at around 4pm.
Both Ambassador’s Ambition, which accommodates up to 1200 guests, and sister ship Ambience offer a traditional cruising experience in the small ship category and it’s easy to get around. No need for a map! The average age is 60-70 with younger cruisers and many in their 80s and 90s. Solos have regular meet ups. The ever-smiling, helpful crew members are at the ready to help in any way they can. Repeat cruisers are delighted when, as is often, crew members remember them and their names. It’s a happy ship.
In the Buckingham and Holyrood restaurants, solo tables are provided and food is of an excellent standard with plenty of variety and choice. The buffet-style Borough Market offers a more casual dining style and afternoon tea – the warm scones are delightful – is available every day in this venue. In speciality restaurant, Saffron, the fragrant flavours of Indian cuisine are divine. The semi al-fresco Lupino’s presents a pleasing mezze of Mediterranean dishes.
On the sun deck, there are two pools. At the Green Sea Spa, which offers the ultimate in relaxation therapy, lying flat on my back on the treatment table, I look up at the face of gorgeous spa manager, Nikola from Serbia and feel glowing already. The Reviving Facial leaves my skin refreshed and revitalised but even Nikola, with all his skills, can’t turn back the clock!
I join the sun worshippers on the sun deck on sea days and relax with a book from the library. Every day keep fit enthusiasts jog or walk the deck, have a session in the gym or attend a fitness/yoga class. Games, cards, table tennis, quizzes, bingo, dancing and much more keep cruisers occupied. In the bars, entertainment includes cabaret, game shows and karaoke. The Palladium tiered theatre’s entertainment includes guest lectures and showcases such as excerpts from West End shows.
Normandy
From Normandy’s Honfleur, I join the excursion to Giverny, just 50 miles north west of Paris and the former home and captivating gardens of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet, which attract around 700,000 visitors per season. The walls of the house display his paintings, including the one of the famous ‘Water Lilies’. I jostle for a place on the blue, fragrant wisteria-draped Japanese bridge to view the water lilies on the pond and photo-bomb the picture-book scene. It’s clear that Monet didn’t like organised or constrained gardens. He mixed the simplest flowers, such as daisies and poppies, with rare varieties. As I wander the colour-splashed five acres, which are tended by 15 gardeners, huge, open yellow tulips, hot pink peonies and royal purple iris beg for admiration.
Amsterdam
In the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, with a population of around 950,000 and 1.4m cycles, there are more bikes than people! Our canal boat drifts past colourful houseboats, historic, narrow, multi-storey. gabled buildings and bridges. Special residents, a colony of stray cats are fed, watered and cared for in four of these houseboats.
If you fancy a coffee in the city, just be aware that a ‘Coffee Shop’ sign might not represent what you think. These are licensed to sell and serve soft drugs such as cannabis and marijuana. Other passengers choose the tour to the famous Keukenhof Gardens, known as ‘The Garden of Europe’ and one of the largest in the world. This spectacular multi-hued attraction showcases more than seven million bulbs including, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and more.
Isles of Scilly
A tender takes us to my favourite destination of the cruise. St Mary’s. This, the largest of the the Isles of Scilly, is a mini paradise of natural beauty and tranquillity. Hugh Town boasts three, soft, golden-sanded beaches, glittering, clear waters, tiny back streets with flower-filled gardens, a cluster of artisan shops, a post office, plus a few hotels/B&Bs and inns. Covering little more than six square miles with a population of just 1800, on the day of our visit, the tiny town comes alive. Thousands of spectators and rowers flock to St Mary’s for the finals of the World Pilot Gig Championship.
In the Palladium Magic of the Musicals’ show, the talented cast convey the energy and spirit of Africa in the Lion King. The vocal power, passion and intensity they put into the excerpt from Les Miserables, ‘Can you hear the people sing?’ is exceptional.
As they take their bow, I hope the young cast can hear the people cheer!
Tell Me More About Ambassador Cruise Line Voyages
Ambassador Cruise Line Delights of Western France & Spain Explorer
May 9, 2026: 14 nights from Liverpool. Price from £1,129 pp based on two sharing
Ambassador Cruises also offers sailings from Liverpool, London Tilbury and seven other regional ports
Fly cruise from London Heathrow or Manchester to the Caribbean on Renaissance. Ambassador Cruise Line’s latest addition to the fleet. Sails November to March
