Ambience 40-day Caribbean cruise departs Tilbury with around 600 passengers on the 'Jewels of the Caribbean Sea' itinerary, including a rare 13-hour call to Havana on 16 February 2026.
Summary: The Ambience has departed Tilbury on a 40-day 'Jewels of the Caribbean Sea' voyage carrying roughly 600 passengers. The itinerary crosses the Atlantic, visits multiple Caribbean islands and includes a rare 13-hour stop in Havana on 16 February 2026 — the only mainstream cruise call to Cuba announced for 2026.
Ambassador Cruise Line's flagship Ambience left Tilbury on 30 January 2026, embarking on a 40-day Caribbean program titled 'Jewels of the Caribbean Sea.' The voyage, which accommodates about 600 guests, was designed to offer an extended, destination-rich alternative to shorter cruise itineraries that have dominated the market since the pandemic recovery began. The Ambience 40-day Caribbean cruise includes an unusual call to Cuba, setting it apart from many contemporary offerings.
A rare Cuban port call
A standout element of the itinerary is a scheduled 13-hour visit to Havana on 16 February 2026. Industry coverage notes that Ambience will be the only mainstream cruise ship to call on Cuba during 2026, offering passengers a chance to explore the Cuban capital's historical sites and cultural attractions during a single-day stop.
Transatlantic start and Caribbean stops
After leaving Tilbury, the ship first called at Ponta Delgada in the Azores before crossing the Atlantic to begin a multi-stop Caribbean circuit. The route mixes well-known ports with culturally rich destinations, reflecting a trend toward longer, more immersive cruises that appeal to travellers seeking both relaxation and deeper local engagement.
- Antigua
- Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- George Town, Cayman Islands
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Fort-de-France, Martinique
- Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica
- Bridgetown, Barbados
- Castries, St. Lucia
- Havana, Cuba (13-hour call on 16 February 2026)
Economic and tourism implications for ports
Longer voyages like this can boost local economies by bringing higher numbers of visitors who spend on shore excursions, hospitality and retail. Ports included on the Ambience's route are part of a broader Caribbean cruise recovery, prompting continued investment in facilities and services to handle growing passenger volumes.
What’s next for Ambience after the Caribbean?
Ambience is scheduled to return to the United Kingdom in early March 2026, after which the vessel will operate a series of spring sailings around Northern Europe, including Scandinavia, the Baltic and the British Isles. Its summer program expands to Portugal, Spain, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Iceland. In autumn 2026 the ship is set to offer a 31-night Mediterranean voyage departing in early November with calls in North Africa, the Adriatic and Sicily among other ports.
These extended itineraries reflect growing demand for cruises that combine multiple regions or less-frequented destinations in a single journey, appealing to travellers seeking immersive experiences beyond standard short-break sailings.
What this means for travellers and the industry
For passengers, Ambience's programme offers the chance to visit a wide range of destinations on a single ticket, including a rare opportunity to step ashore in Havana. For destination economies, these calls help sustain jobs and encourage further investment in tourism infrastructure as cruise demand grows.
So what? If you are planning cruise travel in 2026, longer itineraries like the Ambience's can deliver deeper cultural exposure and multiple destinations without the need for separate flights. For ports and tourism boards, the increasing prevalence of extended cruises offers a significant opportunity to attract international visitors and expand local tourism capacity.
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