Funchal is a traditional 9,563-ton, 506-ft, six-deck, pocket-sized liner dating from 1961 and refurbished in 2005 and again in 2008. Long a full-time cruise ship, she carries 550 passengers and 155 Greek and Portuguese officers and an international crew for middle-income cruise passengers.
Originally built as a multi-class liner serving Portuguese islands from Lisbon, she succumbed to air travel and became a cruise ship. Owned by Arcalia Shipping, she is marketed through Classic International Cruises, the operators of several small second-hand cruise ships since 1984.
In the summer, most passengers hail from Europe and Britain, and she does a lot of group charter work. In the winter months, she is Australian-based for Australians.
In the summer of 2008, the Funchal sails mainly from Leith, port of Edinburgh, for the British market on cruises to Norway, the Baltic and northern isles. In the fall she is scheduled to sail on a long positioning voyage from Britain to Australia to cruise from Fremantle (Perth), Western Australia and from Adeliade, South Australia. Cruises vary in length from short getaways to long international ones. In the spring 2009, she will return via the Indian Ocean and Suez to cruise again in Europe.
With a very handsome profile and generously refurbished in 2005 and again in 2008, she again sparkles within after too many years of looking worn and dated. She has considerable character, as well as many long-serving Portuguese stewards, some of them characters themselves.
Polished woods highlight the public rooms and the circular staircase between decks. The two high-density dining rooms (one sitting), one large and one small, reflect the former two-class structure. They are cozy and have decent views except from tables, mostly 6-8 places, situated in the center. The food is Portuguese and Continental, featuring seafood, freshly baked breads, a good selection of cheeses and very moderately priced wines.
The Lido Deck buffet is an alternate dining spot. The forward Porto Bar is the one lounge with good seating (all original), while the second lounge is set up for evening shows and talks. When full, and especially in poor or cool weather, the ship gets crowded.
Outdoor deck space, with one pool aft, is adequate, and the narrow, covered side promenades do not wrap around the stern. A small library and gift shop and a gym, sauna and massage facility round out the indoor offerings.
A lovely collection of bird prints line cabin corridors. The 241 cabins include 151 outsides and 14 singles. None have balconies and some have pullman and fold-away berths. All are small, most with showers. The higher categories have tub baths, robes, hairdryers, fridges, and TVs.
The Funchal is an informal, moderately-priced ship one should choose for its itineraries and charm.
