SS Funchal

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Presents the delightful Classic Portuguese Liner …

SS Funchal was built for the Lisbon-Azores-Madeira service and she was operated by “Empresa Insulana de Navegacao” of Lisbon.

All Photographs (except those marked otherwise) are by, or from the author’s private collection

From an Elegant Atlantic Liner to a Superb Classic but Modern Cruise Ship

Thankfully fifty years after her maiden voyage the delightful SS Funchal is one of just a few Classic Liners that are still operating today as a cruise ship. This delightful 10,000–ton Portuguese cruise ship has become a favourite for countless thousands around the world as passengers return again and again to cruise on this intimate yacht-like ship. Although a good half a century old, she has received a number of refits and she has been meticulously maintained and is as up to date as any modern cruise ship built today including when it comes to safety and in her navigational equipment. In 2011 the Funchal has received yet another massive seven month 12 million Euro refit including new engine works, which will see her sail long into the future and thus she will continue to strike a fine pose as she enters a harbour somewhere around the world!

Building SS Funchal the Liner

A sleek looking Funchal is seen at full speed sea

Originally it had been hoped by the Portuguese that finally this ship would be built in Portugal, but in the end the contract was given to the Danish Shipyard – Helsingør Skibsvog (Elsinore Shipyards) in Helsingør Denmark for they had had offered to build her for around £2 million (UK Pounds) which was great value for the day, and this was obviously by far better than the Portuguese were able to offer at the time. Her keel was laid down in July 1960, and she was launched on February 10, 1961 and moved to her fitting 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. During her deep sea trials she managed a remarkable top speed of 23 knots, although the service speed was intended to be just 20 knots, thus she would have a good reserve. However, her boilers did become somewhat of a problem a little later and eventually she was re-engined and became a motor-ship. However, it was interesting that the Funchal was the largest ship to be built at Helsingør and the biggest passenger ship built in Denmark since World War II.

She has a beautiful long and sleek steel riveted hull with a fine raked bow, and her low slung her upper deckhouses were mostly constructed of welded aluminium construction 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 by Lloyds of London. In addition, her accommodations and lounges received great praise!

On Board Comforts

SS Funchal was designed to accommodate 400 passengers in three classes. 80 First Class, 156 passengers in Tourist A, and 164 passengers Tourist B. All First Class and Tourist A public rooms were located on Promenade Deck, and the Tourist B lounge was down 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. In the lobby the stairwell was a feature by itself as it was a magnificent 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 polished metal, glass spiral staircase held up by a timber column raising through four decks is seen here on A Deck looking aft towards the First Class Dining Room

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 is the First Class Dinning Room features superb oak panelling and this room was followed by the Galley and the large 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 the passengers comfort.

Entering Service

Funchal is seen arriving in Lisbon on October 19, 1961

The beautifully designed 9,824-ton SS Funchal was finally delivered to her owners in Lisbon on October 19, 1961, where she was stocked and manned and made ready for her maiden voyage to Madeira and St Michael’s Island, departing Lisbon on November 4, 1961.

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! SS Funchal continued her services to Madeira and other relevant destinations when in 1966 “Empresa Insulana” purchased the ex Zim Lines SS Israel, which they refitted and renamed SS Angra Do Heroismo and she entered the same service with Funchal.

SS Angra Do Heroismo is seen here in 1967

For information: The Angra Do Heroismo was built as the passenger/cargo liner SS Israel by Deutsche Werft in Hamburg in 1955. She was broken up at Castellon on April 14, 1974. Her full story can be found at: www.ssmaritime.com/ZIM-2.htm.

Soon Funchal would extend her voyages to Tenerife and the Canary Islands and she would call into St Michael’s Island around every third voyage. This continued until 1969 when she commenced to operate more and more cruises and even undertook several cruises in October and November that year from Southampton to these popular Atlantic Islands. Her cruise success continued and this would be the future of this fine ship.

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 an eventual solution had to be found in due course.

SS Funchal the “Presidential Yacht”

On various occasions the Funchal would be chartered by the State in order for her to serve as the Presidential Yacht such as one she undertook in February 1968 when the President visited the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde Islands, Guiney and Brazil.

SS Funchal postcard stamped in Guiney from the Presidential voyage inn 1968

Postcard kindly provided by Johan van der Zant (NL)

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 King Perdro of Portugal who was the very first Emperor of Brazil.

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 Rio for the centenary celebrations and that ship also broke down at sea and although she was fixed she arrived several days too late for the celebrations. However, this time certain repairs were made but Funchal limped in and arrived just on time and further repairs were made whilst she was in port. However, it had become obvious that upon her return to Lisbon action would have to be taken!

SS Funchal Dimensions - 1961 to 1972:

Builder: Helsingør Skibsvog (Elsinore Shipyards) Denmark.

Tonnage: 9,824 GRT (Gross Registered Tons).

Length: 501ft - 153,51m.

Breadth: 63ft - 19,05m.

Draught: 20.3ft - 6,38m.

Engines: Two Steam Parsons D.R. Geared Turbines - 12,250 S.H.P.

Propellers: Two.

Service speed: 20 knots (max).

The way many love to recall the SS Funchal for this liner was about to be transformed into a fulltime cruise ship

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 blue 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.

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 June she undertook a number of cruise from Zeebrugge (Belgium) and Dover (UK) mostly to her popular destinations of Madeira, Tenerife and Cape Verde Islands, etc. After having been painted with her all white livery, she had blue boot topping and a blue ribbon around the hull, her funnel was yellow and a black top.

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 Rio de Janeiro where she would operate a series of cruises along the South American coast, however, by now her owners; “Empresa Insulana” was already beginning to suffer severe financial problems and by February 1974 they merged with Cia. Colonial to form a new company Cia Portuguesa de Transportes Maritimos (CPTM). In order to fall in line with the company livery her funnel livery was changed to a yellow funnel with green and white bands being the same as their other Portuguese liners turned cruise ships, such as the Turbine steam ships of the company TSS Vera Cruz, Santa Maria and Infante Dom Henrique. All these ships are features on ssMaritime, see our main index, a link is at the bottom of the page.

MS Funchal is seen in 1974 with her new livery CPTM livery

Finally in 1985 Cia Portuguesa de Transportes Maritimos (CPTM) was liquidated and the MS Funchal was passed into the hands of Great Warwick Inc. of Panama, a company which was a joint venture between the well-known Lisbon based Greek Potamianos family and Swedish Fritidskryss family. Funchal was re registered in Panama, but manned by Portuguese and a Swedish crew. She was placed in the hands under the management of “Arcalia Shipping Company” and she was given a new funnel livery, being yellow with a single thick blue band and soon she headed off on cruise duties. Having received yet another refit making her ready for her new venture and this new venture proved to be a successful marriage and MV Funchal did well as she grew from strength to strength, gaining popularity where ever she went.

Funchal is seen here in 1986

During the summer months Funchal continued her cruise operations around Europe and operated cruises in and out of Harwich UK, whilst during the winter months she would cruise out of Brazilian ports. However, Arcalia constantly kept up to date and received refits ensuring that she met the new market needs. As she would be more suitable for ports where she would need to anchor it was decided during yet another refit in 1989/90 to add two large fully enclosed tenders, but sadly these were rather awkwardly placed far forward and thus they did nothing to enhance her looks. But they did do the job and as they had a large capacity and the ship a low passenger number, all passengers could be quickly be taken ashore.

Funchal is seen here in 1990 with her large tenders located on her forward deck

By 1993 Funchal’s Promenade deck had been extended far aft providing a new spacious Lido Deck with a pool, as well as ample deck space for sun baking. Whilst Boat deck up the deck had also been extended somewhat.

Funchal is seen here in 1993 with her extended aft decks and still with her forward tenders

By 1996 the Swedish partners decided to drop out and this left Arcalia Shipping and the Potamianos family to continue to operate this fine company, which they did with great finesse! In fact they did this so well, the company eventually grew to five superb ex classic liners/ships made up of the MV Athena, ex MS Stockholm (1948), MV Princess Daphne & Princess Danae, ex MS Port Sydney & Port Melbourne (1955), MV Funchal, ex SS Funchal (1961), MV Arion, ex MS Istra (1965). All these ships are superbly managed and operated by “Classic International Cruises.”

In 1997 she received a major refit in order for her to comply with the 1997 SOLAS regulations which meant the removal of some of her timbers, or certain measures. One of these was the alterations that had to be had to her magnificent spiral staircase that had to be partially enclosed, but this was beautifully done with veneers that was very similar to the original timbers as well as mirror panels, and it still looked rather grand! Her was thankfully she was reregistered in Madeira, Portugal once again!

The stairwell seen enclosed after Funchal’s 1997 refit

During Funchal refit she also received the new “Classic International Cruises.” Livery being a white with a black top funnel and the delightful 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 Columbus’ “Santa Maria” was a Caravelle built in Sagres in Portugal!

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

The ever spotless Classic International Cruises MV Funchal is seen here in 2005

To bring us up to date, the beautiful MV Funchal is owned to this day by the Portuguese “Arcalia Shipping Company,” but she continues to be operated under the banner of the proven cruise company “Classic International Cruises.” Although the Funchal operates most of the year in and around Europe; and she has also made relocation voyages to Fremantle (Perth) Western Australia in November, sailing via the Suez Canal and she then operates a series of Australian coastal cruises as well as extended South East Asian cruises, returning to the UK usually in March or April.

Funchal the Cruise Ship - Mini Photo Album

The ever delightful Classic International MV Funchal is seen departing Sydney's Darling Harbour in Australia on March 4, 2008

The Gama lounge located far forward on Promenade Deck

Gama Lounge looking aft

Promenade Deck starboard side looking forward

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

The Funchal became a huge success in Australia and she made Classic International Cruises one of the most popular cruise companies, and for this very reason well over 52% of the passengers on most cruises are in fact repeat clientele, which is a great achievement. As the author has sailed with this company I can testify that they do offer that something that no other cruise company can offer and that is a personalised service and an atmosphere that6 can only be found on a real ship that has a heritage, just like the Funchal and her running mates, for CIC only operates ex classic liners that have been refurbished and rebuilt into fine cruise ships!

In addition what is so amazing is that their ships are maintained far better than any ship I have ever been on, Look at any of these photographs, go on board and just go and try and find a spot of rust, and I know that you will not find any, for their cleanliness and maintenance is supreme, as is their never ending upgrading of safety and navigation equipment. These ships are of the very highest standard!

Funchal seen departing Singapore March 14, 2008

Considering the massive popularity of the Funchal CIC decided after she had departed Fremantle and was on her voyage back to Europe in March 2008 (whilst I was on board visiting her in Singapore) that as from the summer of that year they would spoil Australian’s by sending their flagship, the larger MV Athena (ex MS Stockholm built in 1948) to take over Funchal’s Australian duties. However, as the Funchal was due for some extensive work some of which was done in 2009, but most would be done later and she continued cruising around the UK and Europe and her popularity continued!

SS Funchal Dimensions - 1983 to 2010:

Builder: Helsingør Skibsvog (Elsinore Shipyards) Denmark.

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.

Service speed: 16 knots cruising speed.

Making Funchal the Ever Enduring Ship!

2010 Refit: During this year the Funchal was given an extensive refit, which saw some new cabins installed that replaced older ones, also there were cabin removals on Promenade Deck and a new Club lounge was added, as well as relocating the library and internet and Card rooms. Down one deck they removed the old Club Lounge down and placed cabins in that space. Already at an barrier date the forward derricks and hold had been removed and the deck space is now open to passengers and is called Veranda Deck, and is accessible from the forward lounge.

2011 Refit: In addition to comply with the stringent SOLAS regulations, the MV Funchal is currently in Lisbon undergoing one of the most extensive seven month 12 million Euro internal rebuilding program and refit and she returns to cruise duties in August 2011. Work undertaken means that the vast majority of cabins, except for those already replaced earlier in 2010, and all crew cabins will be completely rebuilt, all cabins will have flat screen TV’s and every possible facility and that include all crew cabins which will have every possible luxury including private, or a share bathroom between two cabins. Lounges will see changes with the bar removed in the forward Gama lounge making it more spacious, the ship will be lighter as much of its darker timber work will sadly have to be removed due to the stringent fire regulations, but the company will ensure that her beloved classic feel will remain as this is one of her features, yet now she will feel brighter and thankfully will be able to sail on long into the future! It is also said that she may have her hull painted black again, thus she could look like as she was originally built. Although I do have an artist impression of her in this new guise, we decided against showing it, as I have been advised by the Managing Director that it has not as yet been decided upon at this stage. In addition to all the above, new engine work is being undertaken, thus this is one of the most major works under taken on a classic ship and thus the delightful Funchal that sailed from Australian waters from 2004 to 2008, becoming one of the most popular cruise ships ever to sail from our shores she will be with us for many years in the future!

For CIC’s UK/European fleet - schedules visit: CIC Cruises - UK

Click on ships - then the ship of choice ship and do a Quick search

A fine view of the modern MV Funchal with her forward derricks removed

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, and now thanks to this massive rebuilding program and refit we will be able to sail on this remarkable 50 year old ship for many years yet and when you step on board, the very first thing you will feel is this, you are on a real ship and not on some big square ugly floating box like the modern cruise ships of today. Thus take the opportunity and go Classic Cruising as soon as possible for Classic International Cruises has some of the fines, well maintained cruise ships in the world!

Memories … With her original black hull she did look an elegant small liner

For CIC’s UK/European fleet - schedules visit: CIC Cruises - UK

Click on ships - then the ship of choice ship and do a Quick search

SS/MV Funchal - INDEX

This page … SS Funchal - her History - on ssmaritime.com

Page One … MV Funchal – 2008 cruise ship review (in Singapore)

Page Two … Deck Plan – current deck plan

Page Three … Funchal Information Sheet – cruise information

Please Note: Pages 1 to 3 are located on the author’s www.cruise-australia.net site

Pages are also available on the following three Portuguese liners:

TS Santa Maria / TS Vera Cruz and the delightful TS Infante Dom Henrique

“Classic Ocean Voyages”

This site features all of the “Classic International Cruises” Fleet

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Commenced in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet these individuals either refuse to provide credit or remove them when asked, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due!

This notice covers all pages, although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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