When Queen Mary 2 returns from her scheduled refit in spring 2027, she will emerge as a noticeably different ship.

While Cunard has confirmed the addition of 30 new staterooms and enhancements across the vessel, recently released deck plans reveal a much bigger story. From an entirely new accommodation block on the top deck to additional Princess Grill Suites and changes to some of the ship's most recognisable open spaces, the refit represents the biggest redesign of QM2 since her landmark remastering in 2016.

For some passengers, the changes are an exciting investment in the future of the world's only purpose-built ocean liner. For others, they raise questions about preserving the spacious feel that has long made QM2 unique.

The adverts promise the “warmest welcome at sea” and that’s what I received when I cruised with Ambassador to Antwerp, my first time experiencing a cruise ship.

Here’s how I found cruising on Ambassador’s ship Ambition on a three-night cruise from London, Tilbury.

Ambassador Cruise Line is a brand-new cruise line and is the first new British cruise line to be launched in more than a decade!

To find out what all the fuss is about, we caught up with the cruise line's Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Nardini, ahead of the maiden voyage of Ambassador Cruise Line's first ship, Ambience, setting sail from London Tilbury, UK in April 2022.