As a social host for the travel agency Passion for Cruises, I had the privilege of hosting 37 solo cruisers on a memorable 14 night cruise onboard Ambassador Ambience, all in search of the enchanting Northern Lights. I hope you enjoy reading my daily blogs (Travels with Lizzy Lou) for this incredible journey and sharing in the experiences we had along the way.
Day 1 & 2 – Passion for Cruises Hosted Cruise on Ambassador Ambience
Yesterday, 11 of us decided to take the Ambassador coach transfer from Victoria Coach Station to Tilbury Port, a £44 return fare, and honestly, it’s so much easier than tackling the trains from Bristol. I’ve done that before, and I’m not in a rush to do it again.
I couldn’t wait to meet everyone who joined this hosted cruise, setting off together in search of the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle is very exciting.
We had a quick meet-up before the muster drill, then gathered for pre-dinner drinks in the beautiful Observatory. Hosted cruises by PFC (Passion for Cruises) for solos are very relaxed – dip in and out of meet-ups as you please.
At dinner, our lovely group had a lovely section in the main dining room, and the food was delicious and plentiful.
A few called it an early night after the long travel day, but some of us stayed up to enjoy the evening show, Festival Fever. It was a lively performance with singing and dancing to festival favourites – a great start to our cruise.
Today, Day 2, was a sea day, and I have to say, I absolutely love sea days. It was the perfect time to relax and really get to know each other at our daily meet-ups. Some of us managed an early start, sharing breakfast together before heading to our popular coffee meet-up. During our coffee meet-up in the beautiful Botanical Lounge, the staff came by for a chat, making us feel right at home. The Ambassador team are just so lovely – they really know how to make everyone feel welcome.
Plenty of laughs were had before a few of us ventured off to trivia in the Purple Turtle pub.
Throughout the day, we enjoyed all sorts of activities – lectures, line-dancing, crafting, trivia, you name it. I even made a beaded angel to add to my Christmas tree this year, and I can’t wait to see it sparkling in December.
Tonight was our first formal evening, and we all looked fabulous. We had a great time in the Observatory before dinner and kept the fun going afterwards with the incredible theatre show, Masquerade, and we are off to ABBA Cabaret in the Observatory nightclub later on this evening. Ambassador really knows how to put on a show and keep the energy up!
This cruise is off to an incredible start with an amazing group of people.
Day 3 & 4
What an incredible two days it’s been exploring two beautiful ports!
Yesterday in Haugesund, we had all sorts of adventures. Some of us headed out on excursions to take in the waterfalls and sights around Haugesund. A few walked into town, some stayed onboard our ship and seven of us set off on a 7-mile (return) journey to see the Haraldshaugen Memorial and the Rising Tides horse sculptures. Despite a light drizzle, we didn’t mind it a bit and it made our three-hour leisurely walk even more memorable and absolutely worth it.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. We had a delicious lunch at the buffet, indulged in boozy hot chocolates, and settled in for pre-dinner drinks. Some attended the popular game show, “Whose Crime is it Anyway,” while I went to the theatre to see the comedian. Let’s just say he gave us plenty to talk, and laugh, about! We ended the night with the silent disco and then headed to bed. I had the best night’s sleep, with the gentle rocking of the ship.
Today in Alesund, after our coffee morning, 18 of us solos hopped on the City Train. It’s bookable right at the port for 350NOK per person and gives you a fantastic 70-minute ride around town, including a stop at Fjellstua for panoramic views of the city and our ship. I highly recommend it for getting a feel of the town before wandering around on your own. Some adventurous solos tackled the 418 steps up to Fjellstua, taking about 20 minutes to reach the top for those incredible views. Alesund itself is such a lovely, walkable town, perfect for exploring straight from the ship.
Tonight’s theatre show, “Committed to the Brothers Blue”, was a real highlight for me and best show so far. Afterwards, I accidentally came across an incredible musician playing at Raffles bar, so I stayed for a couple of songs. Then, it was an early night to rest up for more adventures tomorrow.
We’re having an absolute fantastic time on this cruise!
Day 5 & 6
Yesterday, after breakfast and our coffee meet-up, many of our solos set off to explore Trondheim at their own pace, and I heard everyone had an amazing time. I joined a few others for an afternoon excursion, “Trondheim by Tram and Coach,” but first, we took a leisurely walk around the city.
Trondheim, Norway’s third largest city, is a lovely university town. The city centre is about a 20-minute walk from the ship and very easy to explore on foot, although a complimentary shuttle is available too.
Later in the afternoon, some of our group enjoyed a pub quiz and a variety of other activities. We gathered for pre-dinner drinks, looking forward to tonight’s West End-themed performance, especially after yesterday’s fabulous show.
Dinner ended with an unexpected twist. A few solos who had gone to the buffet and caught the early theatre show came to tell us how incredible it was, just as some of us received notifications on the app that the Northern Lights were imminent! What did we choose…
We rushed to the deck, but the skies didn’t deliver just yet, so we decided to head to the show. As soon as the show ended, we hurried outside. The decks were alive with a festive, almost Christmas-morning excitement admiring the Northern Lights. It was a moment that’s hard to put into words.
After three busy port days, we all embraced today’s sea day, a relaxing one filled with good food, conversation, and crafting.
One of my highlights was a fantastic short sketch performed by theatre@sea. Andy from our group also hosted a quick session in the pub, helping everyone adjust their phone settings to better capture the Northern Lights next time.
The day offered something for everyone, some of us attended a Shakespeare workshop, choir practice, salsa dance class, watercolour workshop, and a wine tasting session (£15). We rounded it all off with options for the theatre, a cabaret show in the Observatory, or live music in various venues. The Observatory also hosts ballroom dancing every night, which is so lovely to watch.
Now we’re all eagerly anticipating our semi-overnight stop in Alta tomorrow, hoping for another chance to catch the Northern Lights.
Day 7 & 8
We’ve made it to our northernmost stop in Norway, Alta. Some of us were up at the crack of dawn, hoping for a glimpse of the Northern Lights, while others chose the warmth of our beds. The sail into Alta was simply breathtaking, passing by snow-dusted mountains for ages. Norway never fails to amaze me – it’s just endlessly beautiful.
An amazing surprise came during breakfast when we spotted a pod of whales right from our windows! One of our solos even got an up close view as an Orca swam right past her porthole – unforgettable!
A group of us took the complimentary shuttle into Alta to explore the city, while others joined a dog carting excursion with me. It was carting and not sledding due to insufficient snow, but still incredible. There were two departures, at 11am and 1pm. I went with the later one, which let us experience the landscape as it turned to dusk, adding a magical evening atmosphere. I recommend the later one if you have that option. We enjoyed seeing these beautiful Huskies and learning all about them and Europe’s longest sled dog race, the Finnmarksløpet. This excursion is right up there with my favourites, and I look forward to doing it again one day.
Later, a few of us embarked on a nighttime adventure, chasing the Aurora Borealis on a four hour excursion, either at 7pm or 9pm. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of searching for those elusive lights – it’s an experience you never forget… if you’re lucky enough to catch them! We were fortunate on the 9pm excursion and saw the lights. Sadly, those on the 7pm tour weren’t as lucky, as the lights stayed hidden from the naked eye and only appeared on camera a few times.
Yesterday in Alta was amazing, and today we’re in Tromsø. Some of us joined excursions to visit huskies, but many enjoyed exploring town on our own. I stopped by the oldest brewery in Norway, Ølhallen, then headed to the Magic Ice Bar – an unforgettable combo with lovely people!
A few of us tried the Indian specialty restaurant, Saffron, tonight. As a curry lover, I can say it was delicious, and I’d do it again as it is reasonably priced at £19.95, though I have had better.
After dinner, we soaked up the ship’s entertainment – live music, a fantastic theatre show with an incredible soprano singer, Emily Haig, then some went to the late night party for some dancing.
What a day! And we are halfway through our cruise.
Day 9 & 10
After an overnight stay in Tromsø, we set off on a scenic sea day, savouring every moment of the stunning journey out of the fjord.
The day was packed with activities! Some of us got creative making cards or beaded mice, while others joined painting sessions, trivia, or even choir practice. The variety onboard is impressive. I was nearly tempted by the spa special at £66 for an hour of blissful treatments, but there was too much fun to be had elsewhere. A real highlight was the cocktail workshop, £15 for four unique cocktails you won’t find at any of the ship’s bars, served up with entertaining flair. Absolutely worth it!
During the cocktail workshop, some friends spotted the Northern Lights outside. Afterwards, we bundled up and rushed onto the deck, catching an unforgettable aurora display again, a memory to treasure forever.
Dinner in the main dining room was fantastic, as always. The food and service here never fail to impress, the staff are just wonderful.
Oh, and the reason we stayed overnight in Tromsø was due to rough weather. Our sea day got pretty wild with choppy waves. I actually enjoyed the ride (I secretly love a bit of rough seas), and a couple of seasickness tablets throughout day did the trick.
This morning, we arrived in Narvik, Norway, greeted by breathtaking scenery as we sailed in. Some of us took the Arctic Train excursion, while others opted for a visit to the Wildlife Park. I chose the Arctic Train, and it was fantastic, the landscapes were just stunning, and I loved the views of the ship in port too.
Today, there were two Remembrance services, and everyone who attended found them truly meaningful.
While enjoying pre-dinner drinks, the captain made an announcement – the Northern Lights were back. We quickly layered up and rushed outside to witness the most magnificent display of the Aurora Borealis, with green and pink hues dancing across the sky. It was a sight we took in with our own eyes, no cameras needed.
Some of us also booked “Dining Under the Stars” at Sea Grass, the speciality restaurant. The seven-course meal was incredible, though by the end, we were stuffed!
To wrap up the night, we popped outside for one last look at the Northern Lights, just as breathtaking as before. Finally, we ended up in the Observatory for Elvis Cabaret, enjoying lively dance tunes and winding down the day in the best way.
An absolutely magical day!
Day 11 & 12
Yesterday in Bodø, Norway, after our usual breakfast and coffee meetups, everyone went off to enjoy the day in their own way, some joining excursions, others staying on the ship, and a few strolling around.
I hadn’t heard of this port before, but I was drawn to the Saltstraumen excursion, especially the chance to experience it by RIB boat. It was absolutely worth it, seeing this natural phenomenon was great, even though it wasn’t at full force. The thrill of the RIB ride and seeing eagles made it unforgettable.
In the evening, most of us wound down with live music, a fantastic theatre show called Friends of Webber, or just a quiet night after dinner. We also celebrated a birthday today, with the staff bringing cake and singing was a lovely touch at dinner.
We had another excellent sea day today, full of activities like lectures, crafting, painting, trivia, and more. I particularly enjoyed the afternoon murder mystery theatre@sea show, Last Tango in Berlin, which had a fun “play gone wrong” vibe with lots of interactive moments.
I treated myself to a massage at the spa today, and I must say, I’m really impressed with both the facilities and the pricing! I enjoyed it so much that I went ahead and booked a reflexology session for Thursday.
All in all, it was a full day packed with ballroom dancing and entertainment and moments to remember.
Day 13 & 14
Yesterday was a wonderful day in Bergen. After our coffee meet-up, some of us set out to explore the city together. We rode the funicular to take in the stunning views, admired the scary looking trolls and tranquil lake, and wandered through the fish market and lovely shops. It was a very enjoyable morning filled with laughter and good company.
In the evening, it was Gala Night, and we all dressed to the nines. We captured a fabulous group photo and enjoyed the traditional baked Alaska parade during dinner. The dessert itself was a highlight with no strawberry ice cream inside, which made it even better for me.
It was absolutely delicious!
After dinner, we were treated to the spectacular Dance, Dance, Dance show in the theatre. Before the performance, the captain and staff took the stage to bid us a heartfelt farewell.
We had already decided this was going to be our late night party night, and it didn’t disappoint. The Big Band played in the Observatory, and we danced into the early hours. With the clocks going back, we gained an extra hour of sleep, perfectly timed after a lively Gala evening and just before a relaxing sea day. Well done, Ambassador!
Today’s sea day was packed with fun. We enjoyed various activities like trivia, crafting and choir, and the fantastic Theatre@Sea play in the afternoon after lunch.
Our evening theatre show was a spectacular Motown themed performance, IMO saving the best for last. The incredible singing and dancing lit up the stage, and you could tell the performers love what they do.
One of the highlights was our Passion for Cruises farewell prize draw, accompanied by a cocktail party hosted by Ambassador. The hotel director and captain joined us, making it a special send-off and the perfect way to wrap up this incredible cruise.
I feel so fortunate to have spent two weeks with such an amazing group of solos on this hosted cruise. I can’t wait to host two more cruises on this ship, next year and again in 2026 – to the Norwegian Fjords, one of my favourite destinations.
If you’re interested in trying a hosted cruise, visit @passionforcruises.co.uk for more details!
