Festive cruising continues to gain momentum with many cruise lovers seeking a tonic before, during or in between Christmas and the New Year to immerse themselves in the season’s vibrancy and bonhomie.

While many would swap their turkey and stuffing for jerk chicken on a sun-drenched Caribbean beach in a heartbeat, others prefer to experience the traditions and celebrations of colder climes.

Our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain, and photographer, Steve Hare, embarked on Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience to explore Scandinavia’s winter wonders.

Welcoming Winter Wonderland

The cold grey December day faded into obscurity within seconds of stepping on board Ambience, our home for the next eight nights.

A smooth transition though London’s Cruise Terminal at Tilbury with staff in daft hats cracking jokes set the tone and relaxing mood of the Nordic Christmas Markets cruise. It was wonderful not to contend with thousands of passengers - this lady carries just 1,400 guests - or luggage restrictions as my suitcases brimmed with winter garb and posh frocks for formal evenings.

Ambience exuded seasonal sparkle and aromas of coffee and cinnamon were divine. Richly bedecked in red and gold, an enormous Christmas Tree formed the centrepiece of the spacious reception area on Deck 5.

While offering a wealth of bars, restaurants and activity areas, the ship was easy to navigate. A programme of events was in full swing by the time we’d finished a tasty lunch in the Borough Market buffet restaurant and settled in. I am saving our welcoming bottle of Louis Pedrier Brut Excellence for a Christmas day toast.

Fairy-tale Tableau

The first night’s food and entertainment (this was my 18th cruise since the millennium) is usually a good yardstick for setting expectations.

I was stopped in my tracks on the way to dinner by a gingerbread tableau whose fairy-tale castles, Father Christmas and nativity scene evoked the purity of childhood. Prominently situated outside the Buckingham main dining room, it was lovely to see faces light up and exclamations of ‘ooh’ ‘ahh’ and ‘wow.’

A true labour of love, Keralan-born Executive chef, Shone Matthew, explained how weeks of work had been painstakingly poured into this artistic creation. The attention to detail was exemplary - houses with the minutiae of flaws had been relegated to a ‘not fit for purpose’ shelf.

Destinations : Norway’s Golden Glow

The Nordic Festive Markets' trip to Gothenburg (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark), Oslo and Kristiansand (Norway) sailed 1,719 nautical miles to engage and enrapture us with charming cultures and traditions.

My winner? – breathtakingly beautiful Kristiansand with its vibrant waterfront wooden houses, world-class arts scene and outdoor lifestyle. We came across shiny granite islets, reefs and coastal communities on a boat trip around the archipelago.

Our serene sail showcased the region’s natural beauty with vivid coloured boat houses dotted along tranquil inlets. Back onshore, sandwiches crammed with lobster were being devoured at the local fish market. Their pivotal role in the city’s heritage and economy is reflected in an annual Lobster Safari demonstrating marine life and sustainable practices.

Christmas ‘Jul’

Norwegians enjoy a leisurely build-up to the festive season or 'Jul' ('God Jul' means Merry Christmas), where the main focus is preparing the home. With winter daylight in short supply, the approach of lighter days is marked by St Lucia Day on December 13, a tradition from pagan times when schoolchildren don white robes and carry candles. Scandinavians celebrate Christmas on December 24 with a festive meal and presents.

We felt privileged to fall upon a festive recital, one of a series of free community events, from the accomplished Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. The musical setting, which recreated a lounge with a glowing fire and Christmas tree, radiated warmth as the musicians treated us to classics including the ballad Greensleeves and Winter Wonderland.

Oslo’s Yuletide Kaleidoscope

Oslo’s Jul I Vinterland’s Christmas market was resplendent with its mesmerizing Ferris wheel, ice skating rink, craft stalls and tempting gløgg (spicey mulled wine).

Saunas are all the rage in Scandinavia, even more so when temperatures plummet to minus forty degrees. I inadvertently shivered seeing scantily clad locals on floating saunas moored along the harbour. Sweating it out after plunging into the freezing North Sea is a tradition from the middle ages, and one which would not float my boat.

Baltic Beauty: Copenhagen

Denmark’s edgy capital earned its nickname ‘Salty Old Queen of the sea’ in past centuries when Nyhavn Harbour, now famous for its rainbow-coloured houses, was a den of iniquity for pleasure-seeking sailors. The area’s more salubrious residents include 19th Century prolific Danish writer and poet; Hans Christian Andersen whose timeless and immortal fairy tales include The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

Among Copenhagen’s unmissable sights are a boat trip round its extensive canals and visiting the beleaguered Little Mermaid statue whose misfortunes include two decapitations and a sawed-off arm. At the spectacular Tivoli Gardens amusement park, Disney-style processions and a carnival atmosphere guarantee all year round ‘razzle-dazzle’. During the festive season it is illuminated with over one million lights.

Sweden’s Sugar Heaven

In Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, we mingled with the locals in Haga, a delightful historic district with cobbled streets and 19th century wooden houses where stalls, cafes and bars buzzed with a holiday atmosphere.

Swedes love sweet treats and our indulgence was enormous hot cinnamon buns, Hagabulle - topped with crystals of crunchy sugar, every mouthful was sheer bliss.

My Swedish standout was a guest performance by Gothenburg’s, Svenska Kammarkören Chamber Choir. Adorned in white gowns and holding candles in the St Lucia tradition, the angelic sounding ensemble symbolised peace and purity and I was not alone in hurriedly brushing away a few tears.

Top Class Entertainment

The calibre of entertainment was faultless - no mean achievement with guests aged 30 to over 80. With no mad post-dinner scramble for a theatre seat that can be prevalent on bigger ships, and two performances every evening, the swish and spacious three-tiered Palladium geared for 800 people was perfect.

Performances bursting with energy transported us worldwide. I was bowled over by Blues Brothers hits set in California, bewitched by a glittering Italian Masquerade show, and blown away with snapshots of blockbusters Miss Saigon, Evita, Les Mis. Complementing the artists is the equally talented and upbeat Theatre@Sea repertory company who stage thrillers, dramas and comedies.

Alexsandr, a brilliant Ukrainian tenor, delivered a thought-provoking performance. Against a moving backdrop of Ukraine’s diverse and magnificent landscapes, his delivery of Choronbryvtsi , a folk song of a mother’s hope for her homeland, was spellbinding.

His next rendition, Imagine, whose plaintiff lyrics seek a world of peace, unity, and harmony, could not have been more relevant or heart-rending. A passenger brimming with emotion shared with me how his performance had opened her eyes in many ways.

Raising The Bar

Live music permeates the plentiful bars of which there are nine including two outdoors. The Purple Turtle Pub is a magnet for quizzes, games hows, bingo, the 14th floor Observatory hosts ballroom dancing, party nights, and cabarets with classical music at the Botanical Lounge.

On sea days a packed programme incorporated choir singing whose Christmas medley induced a warm, fuzzy feeling as well as arts and crafts, books clubs, line dancing and guest lectures.

Sip, Sip, Away

Among cruising’s guilty pleasures are savouring cocktails. With over 30 concoctions on the extensive menu, deciding which to opt for was agonising. The drinks packages (three in all) are very reasonable - passengers not purchasing one can buy a glass of house wine for £4.50; a Beefeater gin for £5.20 and a Baileys for £5. Waiter service extends to the theatre.

Dining Delights

The Ambience is my idea of food heaven with outstanding specialty restaurants dishing up Michelin star worthy fayre for a fraction of the additional cost to dine in them.

I was impressed with how seriously Ambassador Cruise line takes allergies and intolerances. A first morning meet up of sixty plus passengers, including myself, explained how the line's meticulous approach includes guests selecting their meal choices in advance.

I had a ball next to convivial Captain Egil Aunr at The Captain’s Table and a blast with new friends at the Chef’s Table. Mealtimes were great fun and the waiters energetic, tea towel-waving Baked Alaska parade on the second formal evening met with rapturous applause.

We are not just serving great food; we are serving memories.

Accommodation and Facilities

Cabin options include rooms adapted for guests with mobility needs, de-luxe suites and connecting cabins - our ocean view room was smashing. Facilities on board include a gym, casino, shopping mall, Kapoors Crafter Studio, hairdressers, jogging deck, outdoor swimming pools, which were closed and hot tubs - which were not.

At the GreenSeaspa Wellness Centre, I luxuriated in a hydrating facial while Steve’s legion of rugby injures underwent a therapeutic pummelling. We loved it so much, we booked a second session.

Top Teamwork

Ambassador Cruise Line’s ethos of forging long-standing relationships with its valued guests and crew is evident throughout. The 580-strong crew hail from 29 countries and I saw staff birthdays celebrated with affection. The company’s values of environmental responsibility, dedication to customer service and fostering an inclusive environment are practiced by all the team.

From dawn to beyond midnight, officers and crew are upbeat, with the captain and senior team making time to mingle and take a genuine interest in their guests. Shoutouts to all, especially rising stars - Cruise Director, Adam Gass, and Assistant Cruise Director, Tyla-Jane Fairer - whose passion and energy to help passengers make magical memories is inspirational.

Click above for additional flavours of our Ambience experience

One to Watch

While Ambassador Cruise Line, which launched in a challenging post Covid year (2021), may be the new kid on the cruising sector block, it is certainly making waves and continuing to expand while consistently delivering affordable, quality cruises. Only this month the company clinched a trio of Gold accolades, including Best Cruise Line for Customer Service, at the British Travel Awards 2025. Many returning guests I spoke to concurred that the cruises were great value for money.

Cocooned in a bauble of warmth and contentment, I was loathe to leave and we kept reality at bay by staying on board until the last possible minute, crossing paths with the the next intake of passengers excited and eager to get their festive experience off to a flying start.

Key Facts
Sharon Cain and Steve Hare were guests of Ambassador Cruise Line’s Nordic Christmas Markets trip on board Ambience. Departing from, and arriving back at London Cruise Terminal, Tilbury, destinations took in Gothenburg (Sweden), Denmark, (Copenhagen) and Oslo and Kristiansand (Norway).
New Year cruises include a 14-night Caribbean fly-cruise departing December 29th from Manchester Airport.
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