A CRUISE ship has arrived in Greenock after housing around 1,200 Ukrainian refugees in Glasgow over the past six months.

MS Ambition has been operational at King George V dock in Shieldhall since September 14, 2022.   

The Scottish Government’s contract with Ambassador Cruise Lines, which bought the ship from AIDA Cruises in 2022, is due to end today (Friday).

As this date approached, her numbers had dropped to 165 as of March 14 – with refugees gradually being moved to alternative accommodation.

The ten-deck ship has a total of 713 cabins, which fall under 21 different categories.

She can accommodate up to 1,200 passengers, and has a host of “unforgettable” restaurants, such as Saffron and Olympic Taverna.

The vessel left the dock near Braehead Shopping Centre last night for Alpha Anchorages, where she remained overnight.

Having moved to Greenock Ocean Terminal this morning, the ship is due to leave for Germany “late evening”.  

She is headed for Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, where she will receive environmental upgrades – and become one of the top 10 to 15 per cent of environmentally sustainable ships in the world.

Greenock Telegraph: The ship sailed down the Clyde and anchored off Greenock overnightThe ship sailed down the Clyde and anchored off Greenock overnight (Image: Geo Harris)

While in Germany, Ambition will also get new livery, Ambassador branding, venue improvements, and furnishing upgrades.

The vessel’s maiden voyage after her lengthy spell as an accommodation ship will see her set off on a 14-day cruise around France and Spain, leaving from Newcastle on May 12.