Agents have been hailed for their role in Ambassador Cruise Line’s Caribbean fly-cruise programme for winter 2026/27, which is 75% sold, up 20% year-on-year.
Head of Distribution Nicola Harper told Travel Gossip the trade now accounts for 68% of its Caribbean fly-cruise sales aboard Renaissance, compared with 60% across Ambassador’s ex-UK cruises.
“While we’ve still got a way to go, as Ambassador as a cruise line are the new kids on the block compared to some of our friends in the cruise sector, the support agents have given has been phenomenal,” she said.
The uplift in bookings was behind the early launch of its winter 2027/28 and 2028/29 fly-cruise Caribbean programmes, said Nicola.
Feedback from agents showed clients were booking further ahead, particularly to celebrate a milestone, such as an anniversary, but also to spread the cost. Nicola said a March 2029 departure would cost around £70 a month, including Upper Class Virgin Atlantic flights.
“My biggest tip to agents is to advertise it as pay monthly, or use clever marketing messages like ‘Did you know you can swap your coffee for the Caribbean?’. That’s what we’ve seen work for those who have done really well out of launches,” she said.
“I’d also advise agents to search through their databases to see which clients have big birthdays coming up, or who’ve just been on a hen or stag do that would potentially be looking at honeymoons.”
With customers still conscious of the cost of living, Nicola said Caribbean cruises can offer agents a value alternative to popular winter sun destinations, with prices starting from £1,199 per person this season.
“The Canaries are really saturated and therefore they really hold their pricing, “she said “From a price comparison point of view you can fly to the Caribbean on a Virgin aircraft for as much as you would be paying for a week, 10 nights, 14 nights in Tenerife.”
She also emphasised Renaissance’s smaller capacity of 1,100 guests as a selling point, particularly for those who are new-to-cruise and may be overwhelmed on a larger ship.
While Ambassador aims for the 50-plus demographic, with the average age across its ex-UK product nearer 60, the Caribbean fly-cruises skew younger, with Nicola advising agents to target customers aged 40 and above.
“We’ve got a good mix of guests going on board, including adults taking their parents on holidays, grandparents and lots of mother and daughters, as well as fathers and sons,” she said.
Ambassador has supported agents with ship visits, ‘extreme day trips’ to Europe and bespoke training. Lynsey Jones has returned from maternity leave to the newly created role of Strategic Account Manager, with a sole focus on the Caribbean.
The line has also produced picture and video content, including an ‘Ask Bob’ series in which Chief Experience Officer Bob McGowan films snapshots of different areas aboard Renaissance to help agents who are not familiar with the ship.
A personal view
I visited the Renaissance last week at London Tilbury before it departed for a 24-night repositioning sailing to it winter homeport, Barbados, Bridgetown.
I am completely new-to-cruise; in fact, the Renaissance was the first ship I’d ever been on, but within moments of stepping onboard, I could appreciate its appeal.
The ship has been renovated since it was acquired from CFC Croisières as part of its merger with Ambassador in a style that felt homely and comforting rather than a boujie boutique hotel.
My highlights were the art deco theatre, which was preparing for an ‘Oscar’s’ night during my visit, and the Grand Restaurant, which certainly wasn’t a misnomer, with dozens of flower-shaped chandeliers covering the ceiling.
Ambassador says its quality food is one of its main selling points and I would agree, having sampled a set menu at the Grand Restaurant. My highlights were the Caesar salad, which pleasingly did not skimp on juicy anchovies, and perfectly cooked and seasoned salmon.
I could also very easily picture myself making the most of the spa and wellness offerings, particularly the turquoise-tiled heated loungers.
The gym was surprisingly large with every machine you could hope for, plus a spin area. Best of all, it had floor-to-ceiling windows, with the sea views, I would imagine, giving a welcome distraction from exercise.
Renaissance offers two pools: one outside on the deck, and a second, which has a retractable roof for all-weather swimming. The latter, with a bar and an abundance of sun loungers, felt like being at a tropical resort.Â
Overall, I couldn’t fault Renaissance. There’s entertainment aplenty, from the theatre to the cinema, a variety of dining options, including the Pan-Asian Lotus Restaurant, and plenty of quiet corners for a glass of wine.
