FORMER British athlete and Olympian Sally Gunnell OBE was on hand at the Port of Tilbury's London Cruise Terminal to officially name a cruise ship in a ceremony that marks a new era for the borough.

The borough-based Ambassador Cruise Line was created last year and follows on from the much-missed Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) and its ships which collapsed under the weight of financial pressures and the onset of covid two years ago. The company went into administration and its ships were sold off, with several of them including the Marco Polo and Magellan since scrapped. Many local people lost their jobs as a result and spoke of the loss and heartache of the company's collapse - though some will now be employed by the new company which, like CMV, is based at Gateway House on Stonehouse Laned in Purfleet.

Ambassador has now officially named their first ship, Ambiance at a special ceremony at Tilbury yesterday (Tuesday, 19 April). And a second ship, the Ambition, will double the Ambassador fleet later this year.

Following in the footsteps of CMV Ambassador's no-fly itineraries provide a cruise experience predominantly aimed at the 50-plus traveller.

More than 500 guests, partners and suppliers were onboard yesterday to witness the naming and blessing of the ship, indulge in a celebratory nine-course meal including Ambassador's signature "Baked Alaska" parade, and dance the night away at various entertainment venues across the ship.

Sally Gunnell and Christian Verhounig at the launch event.

Ambassador CEO, Christian Verhounig said: "Launching a cruise line during the pandemic shows our belief in and commitment to the cruise and travel industry. Sustainability is also important to us. We have invested significant amounts into upgrading Ambience, including making the ship IMO Tier III compliant, making it possible for Ambience to sail in the most environmentally protected areas around the world".

Sally Gunnell said: "It is an absolute pleasure to be godmother for Ambassador Cruise Line's first ship, Ambience. Ambassador celebrates its first anniversary this month and since its launch in 2021, has firmly established itself in the cruise industry. Ambassador has a collection of brand values that I too strongly believe in, from community and wellbeing to being sustainable and ethical. This commitment demonstrates that Ambassador is a responsible cruise line and one that I'm extremely honoured to be working with."

Ambience's first season includes 31 sailings calling at over 90 different ports. Itineraries include its four-night maiden voyage to Hamburg, setting sail at 5pm today (Wednesday, 20 April). Subsequent itineraries include exploring the British Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, The Nordics, Greenland, the Arctic, and Iceland, plus several short break cruises. For the winter months, a range of exploration style voyages will sail to the Canaries, Cuba, the Caribbean, Cape Verde, and Scandinavia.

To find out more visit Ambassador's website via this link.