After five months of extensive refurbishment at the Croatian shipyard Viktor Lenac in Rijeka, the cruise ship Ambience, operated by the start-up British company Ambassador Cruise Line, is finally ready for its inaugural season. Ambience departed the shipyard last week and is expected to arrive at it’s homeport Tilbury ahead of its 4 Night Maiden Voyage To Hamburg scheduled for April 20.

Ambassador Cruise Line announced that the naming ceremony will take place on 19 April at Tilbury, with the former British track and field Olympian Sally Gunnell, serving as a godmother.

“We’re incredibly proud to have Sally as our first ship’s godmother. She is a wonderful advocate for the [age] 50-plus market and her ambitious drive and dedication to achievement echoes Ambassador’s determination for expansion,” said Christian Verhounig, CEO, Ambassador Cruise Line.

“We cannot wait to welcome Sally onboard Ambience and celebrate this monumental milestone in Ambassador’s journey so far. We are certain that our guests, crew and staff will feel as honoured as I am in having Sally as our first godmother and being part of the Ambassador family,” Mr. Verhounig added

Sally Gunnell is an exceptional athlete and advocate for health and well-being for people age 50 and above. She is the only British woman to hold four major track titles including Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth.

“I’m delighted to be godmother to Ambience, Ambassador’s first ship,” said Gunnell. “I’ve a fondness for Ambassador’s homeport London Tilbury being in Essex, the county I was born and grew up in. Being godmother comes with responsibility too and I’m flattered that I’ll be renaming Ambience in April. I look forward to celebrating this wonderful occasion and ship with everyone at Ambassador, the crew onboard and all the guests.”