Ambassador Cruise Line, Ambience, Africa Review

Ambience, Africa

Ambience is a fine ship which compares very favourably with others of a similar size and age. there were plenty of onboard activities for sea days and also plenty of comfortable sitting spaces if the activities did not appeal. All staff and most of the crew , with only a few exceptions, were friendly and helpful whenever encountered.
Our cabin was roomy and well provided with storage although we did have to search for some of it at first. The shower cubicle was lovely and big so that the curtain did not wrap itself around one as does happen sometimes on other ships. We did find the balcony, our first experience of having one of these, a bit small. It was only really possible to sit out on it if we sat sideways -on between the door and the ship-side. We did actually do this a few times during the 21 days we were sailing.
Our only real disappointment came with the main room dining in the evening. We had requested first sitting at a table for 4. We found ourselves on a 6 seater, OK, no real problem, but for many nights we were sat on our own, the people who had also been allotted to that table only actually appearing twice. On various nights we were joined, belatedly, by people who had requested first sitting but been allocated second. We got on well enough with each of these 'new' couples for them to state that they would be very happy to join us for the rest of the voyage but when they asked the M'D they were refused and shunted off to other tables where they then became permanent fixtures. We would wave at each other each evening as they walked past us, our table being prominently by the main walkway through the restaurant, on their way to their new tables. I queried this with one of the supervising personnel on 2 occasions but no reason was tendered for this ridiculous state of affairs and we continued to 'sit in state' on our table for 6 in full view of everyone entering the room each night and feeling as if we must be 'untouchable' for some reason. Were we actually contagious? Eventually we did have a brave couple as companions for the final 4 evenings. They said they were stopping on our table with or without permission and by then, I think, the 'powers that be' had given up. Due to this unfortunate turn of events we found it quite difficult to make friends with people as we have always done on previous trips.
There was a good selection of off-ship trips and the prices were not too bad, some proved to be better than others.
Our chief complaint , if it can be called that, was the total 'mess-up' at the evening meal. Our waiters could not have been better.
Would we book again? Probably.