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
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.”