Pictures on board 700ft cruise ship in Dundee today

MS Ambition can hold up to 1,200 passengers.

By Ben MacDonald

August 22 2024, 7:30am

One of the lounges on board Ambition. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

A 700ft cruise ship has returned to Dundee for its latest visit to the city.

MS Ambition, run by Ambassador Cruise Line, docked in the city on Thursday.

It paid several visits to Dundee last year and is now back on its latest trip en route to Norway.

The outside of the ship, which has had two refits in recent years. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line. — The ship has had two refits in recent years. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise unveils Dundee cruises for 2024 and launch huge sale — Ambassador Cruise ship Ambition berthing in Dundee. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line

After arriving in Dundee from Newcastle early on Thursday morning, guests will have around 12 hours to enjoy the city before it departs late in the afternoon.

It will then head to the likes of Eidfjord, Flam and Bergen in Norway – taking in the stunning fjords.

What does Ambition cruise liner have on board?

Ambition, registered in the Bahamas, has operated under previous names including Mistral, Grand Mistral and Costa neoRiviera.

The ship was built in 1999 and underwent refits in 2017 and 2022.

It has 714 cabins – 125 of which have balconies and 113 are suites.

The ship's reception area. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line — The ship’s reception area. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line

One of Ambition's decks. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line — One of Ambition’s decks. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line

The top deck on Ambition. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

A passenger corridor. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

There are many lounges. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

Another seating area. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

Its facilities are spread across 10 decks which have six lifts.

A host of restaurants offer bistro, food court, Asian and other speciality eating options.

There are also six bars including a poolside bar and a cocktail lounge.

A bedroom on the Ambition cruise ship — One of the bedrooms on Ambition. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

A restaurant. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

A library on board. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

A wellness area. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

The walkway onto the ship. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

Other services available on board include a 24-hour reception, hot tubs, a show lounge, a library, two outdoor swimming pools, a shopping galleria, a laundry and ironing room, church services, a gym and wellness centre and a hair and beauty salon.

Passengers are asked to dress formally and smartly at night, but casually during the day.

Ambition ship housed Ukrainian refugees

Ambition returned to service as a cruise liner in 2023 after housing 1,200 Ukrainian refugees in Glasgow, as part of a contract with the Scottish Government.

The ship was berthed at King George V dock in Shieldhall from September 2022 until the end of March 2023.

Ambition docked in Glasgow while hosting Ukrainian refugees. Image: Shutterstock

Godmother of the ship, Shirley Robertson, standing in front of Ambition — Dundonian Shirley Robertson is the ship’s godmother. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line

The ship already has a strong link to Dundee, with Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Shirley Robertson OBE – who hails from the city – named Ambition’s “godmother” last year.

The title of godmother is a longstanding tradition and is designed to bring the ship good luck and protection.

The Courier has taken a look on board several other ships that have docked in Dundee this year including the Vasco da Gama earlier this month and Azamara Onward in June.