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With
Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer, Author and Lecturer
With over 60 Years in the Passenger Shipping & Cruise Industry!
All Photographs (except those marked
otherwise) are by, or from the author’s private collection
NEWS UPDATE: M/V Funchal is one of the
most outstanding and greatly loved classic cruise ships left in the world, and
although she has been laid up since 2015 as her last owner sadly did not last
very long due to total inexperience in the cruise industry, but it now seems
that possibly a group of long standing passenger shipping & cruise experts
will obtain her and will commence a new classic style cruise operation.
Maritime
Historian, Author, Lecturer and Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer.
The author seen on aboard
the 1948 built, M/V Athena in 2012
She is still sailing in 2020
named M/V Astoria
Introduction to the Remarkable Funchal:
Amazingly after this superbly Danish built liner departed on her maiden voyage in 1961, the greatly loved and cherished S.S. Funchal is one of a very few superb Classic ex Liners that continues to operate today as a very successful cruise ship. This delightful 10,000 ton Portuguese ship has become a favourite ship for countless of thousands around the world as passengers return again and again to cruise on this intimate yacht-like ship, and in 2013 she had received a massive rebuilding and a refit to commence a new life with Portuguese company, and had many of the very latest and modern instrumentation and equipment and is certificated to continue sailing for up to another twenty years!
The M/V Funchal is seen departing
for a new cruise company, however, due to inexperience this company only lasted two years
The Best of the M/V Funchal is Yet to Come:
Although over a half a century young, throughout her days the beautifully built “Funchal” has received various refits, partial rebuilds, received brand new engines and the very latest world standard navigation and safety equipment. But more so the M/V Funchal has been meticulously maintained and she is a ship in excellent condition and without a doubt as up to date as any modern cruise ship built today.
Sadly a good friend of mine, the owner who was an amazing shipping magnate who had a family history in Passenger Shipping for over 130 years, passed away in May 2012, sadly the great company he founded, “Classic International Cruises” (CIC) sadly came to an end by December that same year, as his two sons were left to run (CIC), the truth being, they made a complete mess of the finances.
All five if CIC’s ships were laid up and
placed on the market and in 2013 the Funchal was sold to a new company and to
their credit, she was given a most comprehensive multi million Euro refits that
included engine works, and so much more! Details regarding this are located at
the bottom of the page. All these modifications has hade her into a superbly
beautiful Classic Style ship internally and she was brought back up to date
with new, being the latest SOLAS regulations, and she had pass. the most stringent safety regulations, which would see her
sail long into the future and thus the M/V Funchal should be able to continue
to strike a fine pose as she enters a harbour somewhere around the world. Or
back where she is so much loved in
Building
This fine ship was designed in Portugal and originally it had been hoped by the Portuguese that this ship would be built in Portugal, however in due course the contract was given to the Danish Shipyard - “Elsinore Shipyards” in Helsingør Denmark for the main reason that they offered to build her for around £2 million (UK Pounds) which was excellent value for the time and this was obviously far better than the Portuguese were able to offer at that time.
Her keel was laid down in July 1960 and she was built up to the highest of maritime standards possible, being so typical of the Danes! However, the entire project came under the strict guidance of the Portuguese naval engineer Rogério d'Oliveira!
The Funchal is seen in her final stage of construction at Helsingør on..
February 5, 1961 and she was launched just five days later on the 10th.
When ready, she was launched on February 10, 1961 and was moved to her fit-out berth for completion. Considering she was driven by two Parsons Steam Turbines, which were operated at with high and a low-pressure units and were double reduction geared to her twin screws. Then during her deep sea trials on October 10, 1961 she managed a remarkable top speed of 23 knots, although her service speed was intended to be 20 knots, thus she would have an good speed in reserve should she need it.
A sleek looking Funchal is seen at full speed sea
However, her boilers did become somewhat of a
problem a little later and eventually she was new engines and the Funchal
became a motor-ship. However, it was interesting that the
The Funchal features a beautiful long, sleek steel riveted hull with a fine shapely raked bow, and her low slung her upper deckhouses were mostly constructed of welded aluminium giving her those clean long elegant lines. Like most passenger liners of her days she carried a reasonable amount of cargo, which she did in her three holds, two forward one aft. She could carry cars, fruit, mail and general cargo. In all she had four refrigerated compartments.
Due to her long streamlined design she always tended to look larger than her actual size, and it was said that the Funchal “must surely rank as one of the most attractive small liners built in the post-War period”. This was a statement made by Lloyds of London. In addition, her accommodations and public facilities received great praise by the media and better still by her passengers!
On Board Comforts:
All First Class and Tourist A public rooms were located on Promenade Deck, and the Tourist B lounge was aft on B Deck.
The First Class Lounge is located far forward, just ahead of the Library, Writing and Card rooms, which flank the Main Foyer, with the Smoke Room located just aft. These venues were superbly finished with the lavish use of fine woods in their décor such as rich rosewood in the Main lounge and elegant teak in the Smoke room. The lobby and its remarkable stairwell was a huge feature by itself as it was an amazing metal, glass, and rosewood spiral staircase. Amidships on Promenade Deck there were eight First Class Cabins that separate the First Class Public Venues from the Tourist A Lounges.
The magnificent polished metal and glass spiral staircase was held up by a fine polished timber column rising through four decks. The photograph of this fine structure is seen a little further down the page.
The imposing polished metal spiral staircase was held up by a fine polished timber column rising trough four decks!
It is seen here on A Deck looking
aft towards the First Class Dining Room. It remained like this until 1997
The Pursers Office forward on A Deck with the spiral stairwell just aft
Tourist A Main Lounge and the Smoke Room, both aft on Promenade Deck were also very attractive rooms and these venues could be converted into either a chapel or a cinema.
On A Deck forward being the location of the First Class Dinning Room that features superb oak panelling and this room was followed by the Galley and the full width of the ship Tourist Dinning Room, which was partitioned into two sections, having 160 seats on each side with Tourist A passengers dinning on the portside and Tourist B on the starboard side. Further aft on this deck was the very pleasant Tourist B Main Lounge.
Both First Class and Tourist A had single, two and three berth cabins. All First Class accommodation had private facilities. In addition First Class featured four double bedded suites as well as two single suites, whilst Tourist A and B accommodations had shared bathrooms (between two cabins) or communal bathrooms. Tourist B cabins had from two to six berth cabins. Funchal was fully air-conditioned and was equipped with Denny-Brown stabilizers for passenger comfort.
Her Maiden Voyage and an encounter with the S.S. Lima:
Funchal is seen arriving in
The beautifully designed 9,824-ton
S.S. Lima
S.S. Lima: The
4,056 ton ship was built in 1907 by Furness Withy & Co Hartlepool UK, for
the North German Lloyd, but she was taken over by Portugal due to WW1 in 1916
and was operated on the Lisbon to Madeira service ever since with 222
passengers in three classes. But being 54 years old, and for ships built in
1907, that was old in those days, she needed to be replaced urgently and the
The Funchal seen as built
As she continued her services, she was thought
of by some that she was just a small liner, however very soon she achieved a
reputation for sheer excellence, as she became famed for the high standard of
excellence and that famed Portuguese service!
S.S. Angra Do Heroismo is seen here in 1967
For information: The Angra Do Heroismo was built
as the passenger/cargo liner S.S. Israel by
Soon Funchal would extend her voyages to
Tenerife and the Canary Islands and she would call into
However, by this time the Funchal had already
been suffering various problems with her boilers as far back as 1969 and again
in 1969 although these had been fixed each time, but a solution had to be found
in due course.
On various occasions the Funchal would be
chartered by the State of Portugal in order for her to operate as the official
“Presidential Yacht” and she undertook one in February 1968 when
the President visited the Azores,
In 1972 President Thomas undertook a voyage in
order to visit Rio de Janeiro where he was to participate in the 150th.anniversary celebrations of Brazil’s
independence from Portugal and this was obvious a somewhat touchy visit for the
President of a nation that was once the nation’s conqueror! Also on board
Funchal was a very special item being the Urn that contained the ashes of
However during the voyage the Funchal again
suffered boiler problems, which seemed a repeat of a voyage that occurred fifty
earlier, when another Portuguese liner took the then President to
Builder:
Yard: 353.
Launched: February 10, 1961.
Maiden Voyage: November 4, 1961.
Tonnage: 9,824 GRT (Gross Registered Tons).
Length: 501ft - 153,51m.
Breadth: 63ft - 19,05m.
Draught: 20.3ft - 6,38m.
Engines: Two
Steam
Propellers: Two.
Service speed: 20 knots (max).
Lifts: 3.
Passengers: 80 First, 156 Tourist A & 164 Tourist B Class.
Crew: 180.
Other: Fully Air-conditioned & Stabilized.
The way many love to recall the
MS Funchal the Cruise Ship:
As Funchal returned from her Presidential voyage to Rio in 1972, with the repairs that had been undertaken she managed to make several cruises out of Lisbon, but she was then sent to Amsterdam in The Netherlands where her old steam turbines were removed and was given two brand new ultra reliable “Werkspoor” 9-Cylinder Diesel Engines developing 2 x 5,000 BHP. Although these would provide her with a slower speed, but as her future now was as an attractive one class cruise ship and thus there was no need for speed, as it was in the days for an express service of her liners days. Her delightful exterior profile thankfully remained almost unchanged, although a new deck section was added topside located forward of her funnel and her aft decks were slightly extended. Upon completion she reregistered as being 9,563-tons.
MS Funchal seen in 1974 as cruise ship with a dark hull, just before being painted all white
Note the new topside deck forward of the funnel
At first she commenced sailing, first with a dark hull as seen above, but it was decided very quickly to have her painted all white, but her traditional black topped and yellow funnel remained, however this was soon to change due to the company’s financial problems and a merger that would take place.
A fine full colour view of the
Trans-Atlantic Liner & Presidential Yacht -
With her refit took a good eight months and
she was finally ready for her sea trails late in May 1973 and she managed a
maximum of 18 knots, with a service speed of 16 knots. She was delivered and in
Funchal the cruise ship is seen here having been painted all white, with her yellow and black topped funnel
In December 1973 the Funchal headed for
MS Funchal is seen in 1974 with her new livery CPTM livery
It would be in 1976 that one of the most
famous Greek shipping magnates,
In 1985 Cia Portuguesa de Transportes Maritimos (CPTM) Funchal’s original Portuguese owners were liquidated and the M/V Funchal was passed into the hands of “Great Warwick Inc” of Panama, a company which was a joint venture between the Lisbon based Potamianos family and also the Swedish Fritidskryss family.
The Funchal was re registered in
Having received a refit making her ready for
this new venture, it was obvious that once again that the Funchal would prove
to be a successful marriage for
Funchal is seen here in 1986
During the summer months the Funchal cruised
around European ports and she was based in Harwich
In order to make her more suitable for certain ports where it was necessary for her to anchor, thus it was decided during yet another refit in 1989/90 to add two large fully enclosed tenders, but these were rather awkwardly placed, located far forward on promenade deck and thus they certainly did nothing to enhance her looks. But they were very effective and considering they had a large capacity and the ship having low passenger numbers, all passengers could be taken ashore rapidly!
Funchal is seen here in 1990 with her large glass topped tenders located on her forward deck
By 1993 Funchal’s Azores deck aft had been extended far aft providing a new spacious Lido Deck as well as ample deck space for sun soaking, whilst Boat deck up the deck had also been extended aft somewhat.
s
Funchal is seen here in 1993 with her extended lower aft deck and still with her forward tender
By 1996 the Swedish partners had decided to
drop out of the Portuguese shipping side and return to
In 1997 the M/V Funchal received a major refit
in order for her to comply with the 1997 SOLAS regulations, which meant the
removal of much of her beautiful timbers and other measures that were required.
One of the things that had to be done was the alteration that had to be done
was (and I cried) to her magnificent spiral staircase that now had to be
partially enclosed. But I must say, it was tastefully done with veneers that
were sort of similar to the original timbers and they were separated with
mirror panels and it still looked rather grand! She was thankfully reregistered
in
The stairwell seen enclosed after Funchal’s 1997 refit, nice, but just not the same!
During Funchal refit she also received the official “Classic International Cruises.” Livery being a white with a black top funnel and her CIC logo, being a globe that features the famed Portuguese *Caravelle” and topped by Lisbon’s Belem Tower.
*The “Caravelle” class
vessel was a square-rigged
50-ton timber design vessel built quite high above the waterline,
with two masts, a combination of triangle-shaped lateen and square sails, and a
deep hull able to carry cargo. Did you know that
Thankfully it was also realised that four lifeboats had to be removed amidships and replaced by suitable tenders making for easier operations when the ship was at anchor.
Close-up of her traditional shapely funnel with her new “Classic International Cruises” livery and one of her new tenders can also be seen
Photographer is unknown –
*Please see photo notes at the bottom of page
In 2003 Classic International Cruises realised
that there was a great need in for a cruise ship during the summer season to be
based in Fremantle (
A great man in the world of shipping was my
dear friend
M/V Funchal proved to be a successful ship in
every possible way for CIC and she would have continued to do so even to this
day, had it not been for the tragic passing of
Whilst on my second voyage on the M/V Athena
from
Tragically, after
The big problem was as follows:
Thus, the beautiful M/V Funchal owned by of “Great Warwick Inc” Arcalia Shipping Company” until towards the end of 2012, but in due course she was purchased by new owners. But more on that later!
M/V Funchal the CIC Cruise Ship - Mini Photo Album:
The ever-delightful Classic
International - M/V Funchal is seen departing
Photographer is unknown –
*Please see photo notes at the bottom of page
All the Interior and exterior images below are by the author, Reuben Goossens
Taken
whilst on board during her voyage from
The
Gama Lounge looking aft
Promenade Deck starboard side looking forward
If you look very closely at any deck, you will never find the smallest spot of rust
or dirt anywhere, that was the kind of perfect maintenance regiment by CIC Cruises
Check any modern cruise ship today and you will find rust & dirt in many places
Navigators (Boat) Deck port side looking aft
Lisboa Restaurant looking to port & aft
Promenade Deck aft, Pool and Lido Bar, the Buffet is up on Navigators Deck
The Buffet on Navigators Deck
As I already indicated, the Funchal was a
massive success in
And as I have already stated earlier, what was
so amazing that their ships were maintained so much better than any ship that I
have ever been on from any company, and I am including 5 Star luxury cruise
ships that I have sailed on, where even the balconies have rust everywhere, and
I am speaking of the best known company in the World. Look at any of
Funchal’s photographs, or those I took aboard the
Funchal seen in
after lunch to a container wharf as the Star Cruises ship was due in, thus we had to move, I remained at the cruise terminal to take some photographs of her
Photograph by © 2008 Reuben Goossens
Considering the massive popularity of the
Funchal her owners decided after she had departed Fremantle and was on her
voyage back to
Making Funchal the Enduring Ship:
2010 Refit: During 2010 Classic International Cruises gave the Funchal an extensive refit, which saw new cabins installed replacing some of her older cabins, as well several cabins removed on Promenade Deck making room for a new Club Lounge, and the Library was relocating, included the Internet and Card rooms. Down one deck the previous Club Lounge was replaced with new cabins. Previously in 2009, the forward derricks and hold #2 on Promenade Deck were removed and the deck space became known as Veranda Deck and open to passengers, being accessible from Gama Lounge, or via two stairs from Boat Deck.
A fine view of the sleek and modern M/V Funchal in
Builder:
Launched: February 10, 1961.
Maiden Voyage: November 4, 1961.
Tonnage: 9,563 GRT (Gross Registered Tons).
Length: 501ft - 153,51m.
Breadth: 63ft - 19,05m.
Draught: 20.3ft - 6,38m.
Engines: Werkspoor” 9-Cylinder Diesel Engines.
Propellers: Two.
Bow Thrusters: Two.
Passenger Decks: 6.
Passengers: 465 one class.
Crew: 180.
Lifts: 3.
Service speed: 16 knots cruising speed.
Fully stabilized and Air-Conditioned.
The End of one Era and a New Beginning:
On November 4, 2011 the Funchal had completed 50 years of excellent service and better still she has always served under the same name, but under just two owners, being her original owner being “Empresa Insulana De Navegacao”, although there was a merging and a name change to “Cia Portuguesa de Transportes Maritimos,” and under her new owner; “Great Warwick Inc”, managed by “Arcalia Shipping Company” and operated by “Classic International Cruises,” being the Potamianos Group of companies!
Having been such a successful and an extremely
popular ship, in 2011 it was decided the Funchal would return to
The Funchal is seen as always in perfect condition, as the company maintained their ships to perfection!
However by April 2012 I discovered that all work on board had stopped with less than 10% of the work completed, then as I have already said my dear friend and shipping magnate Mr. George Petros Potamianos had passed away, which very much meant the end of a wonderful and a great empire that goes back to 1950, and his sons were simply incapable to continue the business as the financiers and bankers had no confidence in them whatsoever, thus the company was liquidated in December 2012.
New Company Obtains M/V Funchal:
The Funchal was facing the threat of being
sold to Indian breakers, but as she was the pride of
It was early 2013 a Portuguese hotel and resort entrepreneur Mr. Rui Alegre purchased the M/V Funchal as well as three of the other ships the M/V Princess Danae renamed Lisboa, M/V Arion renamed Porto and M/V Athena renamed Azores only the Funchal retained her original name. But, sadly I had no confidence in this company, as I was well aware that they had no knowledge of the shipping/cruise industry whatsoever, and all those in the industry as I have been, know very well that it is a very specialised industry, not just a floating resort operation, come hotel! I stated right from the start when they commenced that “… they will not last any longer than two years the most”, and I was proved right!
2013 Refit:
With the end of CIC, this new cruise company took over the restoration the
Pride of Portugal”, being the Funchal and make her ready to comply with
the stringent SOLAS regulations. Thus this mammoth internal rebuilding program
and refit was done by a Portuguese shipyard in
All Lounges were given excellent refits, returning the ship to a more classic look as some of the old timber work had to be removed due to the very stringent fire regulations, but what was replaced was excellent as the new images that I have added below will reveal. However, the Funchal in other areas will feel brighter and thankfully she will be able to sail on long into the future! And that is so much better than for her to be broken up!
M/V Funchal seen under the company’s new banner, featuring a “P’ of the funnel
Above and below: The elegant Porto Bar has that beautiful timbered maritime feel
as well as luxuriant leather lounge chairs and comfy sofas
At least the new owners heard the outcry of
the people of the land, for all wished to see the ship which was called
“the pride of Portugal” to be restored to her original external
self, that is with her black hull as built and with her red boot topping with a
fine white ribbon separating the red and black, as well as her crowning glory,
a yellow and black topped traditional funnel, but they did add a stylised “P” logo being the
companies logo! Therefore externally, she looks much like she did when she was
built, minus her forward and aft king posts and hold 2 and her new shaply radar
mast atop her
A fine view of her yellow & black funnel as well as two of her tenders
To pass the SOLAS regulation and to obtain her registration, etc, additional work had to be undertaken with her engines requiring an upgrade, new included fitting of an amazing 300 Km of electrical cables, as well as 3 Km of pipes and conducts, and over 500 tons of Steel was replaced on board the ship as well as some 15.000m2 of new ceilings and carpets and newly added furniture throughout the ship, not to forget her brand new bow thrusters. many cabins were updated as well as bathrooms, etc., and her interiors were carefully restyled to enhance her heritage and thus in so many ways honouring her classic days, yet she is delightfully modern! This was a US$13 million refit, which the Funchal deserved, but this company when they placed her on the market, but as I predicted this company, I refuse to name, went broke by December 2014, being faster than my original estimation.
M/V Funchal seen during her deep-sea trails on August 15, 2013
Does age really matter? Amazingly late in 2008 I sailed on a ship that was built in two years after the Titanic sank, thus this ship was built in 1914, and believe it or not, she remained sailing with passengers until 2010, and afloat until 101 years of age, but then in October 2015 until she became a land locked hotel. Thus she became 100 2014, but when I sailed on her aged an amazing 94 years the M/V Doulos (ex M/V Franca C, S.S. Roma & S.S. Medina) was in perfect condition. She was built as a humble American freighter served in two World Wars, she was sold to become a humble migrant liner for a brief time, then an Italian Liner, but the company refitted her into a luxury cruise ship the famous Costa Line Franca C.
A postcard of the 1914 built M/V Doulos seen at sea, I helped to save her but the new owner did
not do what was intended for sadly she is now a sad land locked hotel
on an
She was finally obtained by a missionary
organisation and she sailed the globe for countless years as a Christian book
ship. But whilst the M/V Doulos was in a
With her black hull restored she once again looks like an elegant small Liner, yet she is a true Cruise Ship and I would like to see her return to duties!
What is happening with the Funchal in 2018:
M/V Funchal is a fine Classic Style Yacht-like Cruise Ship and an absolute delight to sail on. How fortunate we are that it is possible that we may soon will be able to sail on a true Classic Ship again. Thanks to her 2013 rebuilding program and refit we will be able to sail on this remarkable over 59 year young ship (in 2020) for many years to come and when you step on board the very first thing you will feel is that you are on a real ship and not on some big hideous box like floating theme park, like those modern cruise monsters of today.
Just as I have already stated this new company went to the wall within two years, and she was laid up in Lisbon on January 5, 2015, but at the time of writing there is a possible new buyer that has arrived on the and all being well she will continue to sail in due course, and she will be brought back into Class to the official SOLAS required as well as official paperwork, etc she will receive an overhaul, and after having passed the new SOLAS regulations after all the required work has been undertaken, and other intended internal work has been done to improve this amazing ship even further, and then, all being well she will be cruising again!
But that is the plan; I will say more on this attempt to obtain this wonderful Classic Style Yacht-like Cruise Ship, should it become a reality - The full story with photographs will appear on Page Two - M/V Funchal - A NEW start for this fine ship?
The all new Funchal will soon await you aboard
Thus, all being well take the opportunity and sail on one of the most loved Classic Style Yacht’s should she commence cruising again, for she is one of the finest Classic Cruise Ships left in the world, being the evergreen M/V Funchal!
S.S./M/V Funchal - INDEX: Updated March 2020.
Page One … S.S.
Funchal - Her History
from her building in 1960 to this day! (This page).
Following pages online again soon!
Page Two … M/V Funchal - A NEW start for this fine ship in 2020?
Page Three … Deck Plan - Her new Deck Plan.
Page Four … M/V Funchal – My 2008 My Photo Album.
Please Note: Page 2, 3 & 4 are located on the author’s “cruise-australia.com” pages
There are features online on ssMaritime.com of the following Portuguese liners:
T/S Santa Maria / T/S Vera Cruz and the delightful T/S Infante Dom Henrique
Use
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