SS Funchal

ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

From Liner to a Classic Cruise Ship

SS Funchal is one of a few Classic Liners still operating today as a cruise ship. This delightful 10,000–ton Portuguese cruise ship has become a favourite for many around the world as passengers return again and again to cruise on her. Although 46 year old, she has received a number of refits and has been meticulously maintained. In 2007 the Funchal continues to strike a fine pose as she enters a harbour somewhere around the world!

Funchal the Liner

Funchal’s maiden arrival in Lisbon - 19 October 1961

The beautifully designed 9,824-ton SS Funchal was built by Helsingor Skibsvog in Denmark and was launched on February 10, 1961. She was delivered in October 1961.

As most passenger liners of her days she carried a reasonable amount of cargo, which she did in her three holds, two forward one aft. Due to her long streamlined design she always looked much larger than her actual size. SS Funchal was built for the Lisbon-Azores-Madeira service operated by “Empresa Insulana de Navegacao” of Lisbon.

At the time she was thought of as a small liner, however, she soon she

achieved a reputation for excellence, for the high standard of Portuguese service

Upon completion she accommodated 400 passengers in three classes. 80 First, 156 Tourist A, and 164 Tourist B. All her main public rooms are located on Promenade Deck. Her first class lounge is located forward, ahead of the reading and card rooms, which flank the main foyer, with the Smoke Room located just aft. Amidships on Promenade Deck, are eight first class cabins, which separate the first class from lounges from the tourist class A Main lounge and a Smoke Room which are just astern. On A Deck forward is the First Class Dinning Room, followed by the Galley and Tourist Class Dinning Room, which was partitioned with 160 seats each side. Tourist A passengers dinned on the Port Side and B dinned Starboard. Further aft was the Tourist B Main Lounge.

Both First Class and Tourist A had single, two and three berth cabins. All First Class accommodations had private facilities. In addition First class featured four double bedded suites as well as two single suites. Tourist A and B accommodations had shared communal bathrooms. Tourist Class B cabins ranged from two to six berth accommodations.

Dimensions:

Tonnage: 9,824 GRT (Gross Registered Tons)

Length: 501ft - 153,51m

Breadth: 63ft - 19,05m

Draught: 20.3ft - 6,38m

Engines: Steam Parsons D.R. Geared Turbines 12,250 s.h.p.

Propellers: Two

Service speed: 20 knots

Stabilized

Fully air-conditioned

An elegant small liner

Many did not like her all white livery, but personally,

I thought she looked magnificent, and she does to this day!

Funchal the Cruise Ship

Another fine photograph of Funchal the cruise ship

As passenger numbers had dropped considerably by the early seventies, it was decided to enter the Funchal into the cruise market. In 1973 Funchal was given an extensive refit and she became an attractive one class cruise ship. Thankfully her pleasing exterior profile did not change a great deal, although a deck was added topside just forward of her funnel and her aft decks were extended a little. In addition, two tenders were added but awkwardly placed meaning addition work.

The re-engined MV Funchal - Note: The two forward tenders

She was painted all white with a blue ribbon high around her hull. A blue band was added to her yellow funnel. During the refit, her steam turbines were replaced by Werkspoor Diesel Engines developing 2 x 5,000 BHP, giving her a cruising speed of 16 knots. Upon completion she reregistered as being 9,563-tons.

Since 1974 Funchal has become one of the most popular cruise ships and since then, she has travelled the world. British holiday makers make up the majority of her clientele, although she has now visited Australia on a number of times where she has been well received and will return for the summer season of 2007/2008.

Close-up of her traditional shapely funnel and one of her new tenders

Eventually it was realised that four lifeboats had to be removed and replaced by suitable tenders making for easier operations when the ship was at anchor. The two forward tenders were soon removed.

Funchal is owned by Great Warwick Inc of Panama, managed by “Arcalia Shipping Company,” but operated under the now well known, and proven, banner of “Classic International Cruises.” Funchal operates in and around Europe as of recent years; she has made an annual line voyage to Fremantle (Perth) Australia in November via the Suez Canal. She then operates a series of Australian coastal cruises as well as extended South East Asian cruises. She returns to the UK usually in March or April.

Funchal seen arriving in Fremantle Australia

Funchal is a fine classic yacht-like ship and a delight to sail on. How fortunate we are that we still have an opportunity to sail on a true classic liner today, for sadly all too soon, due to new regulations that will come into place in the near future, we will loose treasures like the Funchal.

A fine aerial view of the Funchal

Also visit our Cruise-Australia.net - MV Funchal cruise site

Just released the 2008/9 line voyages and Australian cruise season

For Funchal voyage/fare enquiries contact us: cruise@cruise-australia.net

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