Ambassador becomes latest line to be targeted by climate action groups
Harry KembleAmbassador Cruise Line decided to avoid docking in Amsterdam at the weekend in light of a planned protest by Extinction Rebellion and headed to the nearby port of IJmuiden instead.
The decision to bus passengers sailing onboard Ambition to Amsterdam from IJmuiden on Sunday (18 August) sees Ambassador become the latest major cruise line in recent months to be affected by climate activism.
The line assured guests any destination experiences would operate as planned and extra time would be added to allow for the journey to Amsterdam. IJmuiden is around an hour’s drive to Amsterdam.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding,” Ambassador said in a statement on its Facebook page on Saturday (17 August) evening. TTG has approached Ambassador for further comment.
Is direct action targeting commercial travel ever justifiable?
Extinction Rebellion has previously targeted cruise calls in Amsterdam. On 11 August, Regent Seven Seas ship Seven Seas Mariner was delayed for more than four hours when Extinction Rebellion blocked its entry into the port of IJmuiden.
A day earlier, Royal Caribbean International’s Jewel of the Seas was forced to divert to IJmuiden rather than dock in Amsterdam.
Ambassador’s second ship – Ambience – is scheduled to call in Amsterdam on 26 August. The next Amsterdam call after that is on 13 December on Ambition.
Cruise ships have also been the focus of protests in France this summer. In July, around 20 activists from the Stop Cruises BZH Collective and Extinction Rebellion groups banded together to block Regent Seven Seas ship Seven Seas Voyager from entering Concarneau in north-west France.
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