Ambassador Cruise Line has named a restaurant on its second ship after its former Head of Destination Management Michelle Lupino, who died recently after a short illness.

The Mediterranean-style restaurant – called Lupino’s – will seat up to 70 passengers and will be one of the dining venues on the line’s Ambition ship, due to launch on 12 May after a six-week upgrade in Germany.

The restaurant’s signage has been inspired by Michelle’s own signature. The line wants Lupino’s to ‘offer guests a fresh, invigorating and warm welcome’ to guests.

Michelle (pictured) died in October 2022 following a short illness.

Head Of Guest Experience Bob McGowan said: “I was very close to Michelle and the news of her passing affected me deeply.

“When I was asked to help create a place on our new ship to honour her memory, I wanted it to be a celebration of her life and the many things that made her so special, including her love of socialising with friends – old and new.

“She was the life and soul of any party and would always make people feel welcome.”

He added: “We hope the restaurant will be a fitting tribute to Michelle and I’d like to think she would wholeheartedly approve of what we have created.”

Chief Executive Christian Verhounig called Michelle ‘an essential member’ of the Ambassador team and ‘a long-term friend’.

“When Michelle left us, the overriding feeling was one of utter shock, disbelief and sadness on both a professional and personal level,” he explained.

Ambition will go into dry dock in Germany for six weeks before starting operations for Ambassador Cruise Line.

In terms of dining options, the line said Ambition would have two main restaurants; Lupino’s; speciality dining options in the Saffron restaurant; a bistro-style café; four bars, lounges and a wine bar.