Ambassador Cruise Line and CFC reach agreement to merge, forming a leading no-fly cruise line
Combined company will operate a fleet of three vessels of small-to-mid-size vessels: Renaissance, Ambience and Ambition
Ambassador Group will focus on no-fly European cruises, with a Caribbean programme introduced in Q4 2025
London/Paris - 9 January 2025: Ambassador Cruise Line (“Ambassador”), a Njord Partners portfolio company, and French cruise operator Compagnie Française de Croisières (“CFC”), have reached an agreement to merge, forming the “Ambassador Group”. This strategic combination marks the creation of a leading European premium affordable value cruise line, targeting the no-fly silver market. The transaction is expected to close by the end of January 2025.
With Ambassador’s success in the UK market and CFC’s strong presence in the French no-fly cruise sector, the combined operators provide a formidable platform from which to expand the newly formed Ambassador Group’s footprint in the European market, taking advantage of the significant growth in the European cruise sector over the next decade. With the market expected to grow by 12% p.a. over the next five years, the Group will leverage its premium and highly regarded offering to establish new destinations while delivering authentic and sustainable cruise experiences to a wide audience.
The Group will operate a fleet of three small-to-mid-sized vessels incorporating Ambassador’s Ambience and Ambition and CFC’s 1,200 guest-capacity Renaissance, which is fully refurbished following recent multimillion-euro investments. Both the Ambassador and CFC vessels will continue to offer a traditionally British or French product offering to their respective markets, with each brand retaining its unique national identity so as to ensure that all guests travelling with the combined operator enjoy an unrivalled onboard experience in line with their expectations.
With the cruise industry increasingly focussed on sustainability, Renaissance will be upgraded with the latest environmental technologies after entering Dry Dock in January 2025 to make her IMO Tier III compliant in line with her sister ships, the standard bearers for Ambassador Group’s high environmental standards and commitment to sustainable travel.
Ambassador Group is introducing a joint fly-cruise Caribbean programme in Winter 2025/26 in partnership with Corendon, a leading European travel operator. With itineraries from October 2025 and homeporting in Barbados, Martinique and Curaçao, sailings will combine source markets from the UK, France and the Netherlands, marking the Group’s entry into the fly-cruise market and enhancing its year-round offerings. Further details of the Caribbean programme including itineraries will be provided in the coming days.
The combined businesses will achieve operational efficiencies through synergies including fleet management and sourcing, while fostering growth opportunities for both shipboard and shoreside staff. Ambassador Group will be majority owned by Ambassador’s existing shareholders, Njord Partners, with Cheyne Capital taking a minority stake.
Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “The combination of Ambassador and CFC is a bold step towards our shared vision for the cruise industry. By uniting our strengths, we are creating an organisation that delivers exceptional experiences to our guests while upholding sustainable practices. Together, we will lead the way in offering affordable, high-quality, authentic and environmentally responsible cruises.”
Maëlysse Pierrot-Guibourt, CEO of Compagnie Française de Croisières, added: “This exciting merger underscores our collective confidence in the cruise industry's bright future and our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. CFC is a new and growing French brand, and this merger with Ambassador, a successful, ambitious British brand that wants to grow markets and destinations, is extremely positive for both businesses, maximising synergies to create a formidable force in the cruise industry. CFC, with its highly impressive levels of guest satisfaction and repeat business, offers authentic and unique premium French cruise experiences which will not only be retained but further enriched.”
Jakob Kjellberg, co-founder of Njord Partners, commented: “We are very proud to announce another significant milestone in Ambassador’s journey to becoming a leader in the European affordable value silver cruise market. We are committed to continuing to invest in the sector, confident in its potential and our ability to become a market leader. This partnership underscores our belief in the strength and growth of the European cruise market.”
For further press information, please contact:
United Kingdom
Tilly Everard / Rebecca Claxton / Sarah Geppert / Charlotte Wright / Emma Arthurs
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8924
France
Sandra Artore / Camille Tomasi / Pauline Gonnin-Meilleur
Le Burö
T: +33 (0)6 03 43 60 25
About Renaissance: (CFC)
Gross Tonnage: 55,575
Guest Capacity: 1,200
Cabins: 629, including balcony cabins and suites
Crew: circa 500
Year Built: 1993 (refit 2023)
Environmental Compliance: IMO Tier III (from April 2025)
About Ambience (Ambassador)
Gross Tonnage: 70,285
Guest Capacity: 1,400
Cabins: 798, with 23% featuring balconies
Crew: circa 700
Year Built: 1991
Environmental Compliance: IMO Tier III
About Ambition (Ambassador)
Gross Tonnage: 48,123
Guest Capacity: 1,200
Cabins: 713
Crew: circa 500
Year Built: 1999
Environmental Compliance: IMO Tier III
About Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line launched in 2021, offering the UK market authentic no-fly cruises, affordable quality and the warmest welcome at sea. Based in Purfleet, Essex, Ambassador provides adult-only experiences combined with a selection of multi-generational itineraries to multiple destinations including the Nordics, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Africa. The cruise line’s first ship, Ambience, entered the fleet in May 2022, operating from her home port of London Tilbury. From the 2023/24 season, guests have sailed onboard Ambience as well as Ambassador’s second ship, Ambition, whose maiden voyage in May 2023 heralded the launch of sailings from eight regional UK ports: London Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol, Falmouth and Portsmouth.
Ambassador’s extremely experienced management team is led by Chief Executive Officer, Christian Verhounig, and its principal shareholder is Njord Partners LLP, London. Ambassador is a member of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association offering the mark of trust and reassurance associated with travel brands in the sector; and ABTA, the UK’s leading travel trade association. Consumer funds are protected by means of a financial failure insurance policy managed by TMU Management Limited and underwritten by Accelerant Insurance Europe SA, who are regulated by the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA 3193). The scheme is fully compliant with the Package Travel and Linked Arrangements Regulations 2018. For more information, visit www.ambassadorcruiseline.com
About CFC
CFC - Compagnie Française de Croisières was founded in 2022 in Marseille, France. Renaissance was acquired in late 2022 and commenced operations in summer 2023 following an extensive multi million Euro refit and upgrade in Brest, France. Renaissance home ports in Le Havre and Marseille and offers a year-round program of no-fly cruise sailings to Northern Europe featuring the British Isles, Iceland, Norway and Scandinavia and the Mediterranean visiting 40 ports of call. CFC offers an authentic French premium cruise experience with French speaking crew, refined gastronomy, and an immersive and enriching cultural programme with a wide variety of destination experiences.
Since 2024 CFC - Compagnie Française de Croisières has been led by Maëlysse Pierrot-Guibourt, supported by an experienced senior management team, and its Principal shareholder, Cheyne Capital, London, CFC - Compagnie Française de Croisières is a company incorporated under French law, registered with Atout France under no. IM013220012 and whose registered office is located at 90, rue de Rome, 13006 Marseille, France. Consumer funds are protected by means of a financial failure insurance policy managed by Groupama Assurance-Crédit et Caution, France. Professional Civil Liability insurance is underwritten by Helvetia, St Gallen, Switzerland, under the insurance policy 92204533. Since 2024, the company has been certified Green Marine Europe and ''Charte Croisière Durable en Méditerranée'' (Sustainable Cruise en Mediterranean), symbolising its strong commitment to cruise tourism that respects people and the environment. As part of CFC’s continued commitment to sustainability and the environment, Renaissance will be upgraded, with the latest environmental technologies during Dry Dock in January 2025, to IMO Tier III compliance.
