With Reuben Goossens
& Maritime Historian
A Comprehensive 2008 Ship Review
Funchal seen departing
In the past this intimate yacht like Funchal
has undertaken line voyages from UK/Europe to
The Funchal is genuine classic liner and she offers her guests a relaxing and informal style of cruise, one that is more suited to those who enjoy an old-fashioned style of service which is more personal, something that is lacking in the modern world.
You will discover the very best of facilities
on Funchal. There are four lounges and bars, a casino, a well stocked duty free
shop, library, card room, hair salon two restaurants a pool and medical
facilities. Five of her six passenger decks are serviced by three lifts.
Photograph © Classic International Cruises
Ship Review - MV Funchal
in
As this image indicates, as do all others, her
paintwork is immaculate!
My first impression of the ship was how
spotless she looked for a 47 year old classic liner, her external paintwork was
perfection, and the same can be said of all her external paintwork on the ship.
There is no doubt, she is a shinning example of how a ship should be maintained
and the truth is, some of the larger cruise companies could well learn a lesson
from Classic International Cruises, especially considering this is a Value for
money cruise company and they do not pretend to be a more glamorous cruise
line, like the one I was on at the time!
Here we see the forward hatch open, whilst items
are still being loaded in the morning
Windows are to the Gama Lounge
Having passed all the usual security measures, as
we boarded, we were greeted by Hotel Manager Joaquim
Innes and Cruise Director John Eagan who was given the charge to show us
around. John took myself and Mr. Tan on an extensive
tour of the ship, covering all her public rooms, facilities and decks. Due to
all cabins being fully occupied we were unable to view any, however, we did
manage to look at some through the open door whilst several were being cleaned
up on Navigator deck, although for privacy reasons I did not photograph any.
Whilst having an enjoyable drink in the Piano
Lounge I had the opportunity to chat with quite a number of passengers, as well
as later out on Navigators deck. These conversations proved to be most helpful,
as each and every passenger I spoke with, spoke very highly of the ship, and
the crew. Passengers were obviously impressed with the superb service they were
receiving aboard from all the staff a mixture of Portuguese and International
staff. The high standard of food on offer received many comments and all I can
say is that these were some of the best fed passengers I have met! Obviously,
John Eagan and his staff did an excellent job as did all those who provided the
entertainment, the shows, bands, cabarets, etc, etc. The list just went on. I
was beginning to think that the people I was speaking to were paid by Classic
International Cruises, but no they were all genuine passengers!
As the ship was on a voyage from Australia to the
UK sailing via the Suez Canal, whilst Oriana was sailing via South Africa, it
was interesting to learn there were quite a few aboard who were past P&O
passengers who have chosen to sail annually on Funchal rather than P&O, as
they feel they are receiving better value for money! Also, as the said, being
on a smaller yacht like ship, they got to know the other passengers so much
better, and this made it a very happy ship indeed!
All these comments really lined
up with the countless emails I have received over the years. The vast majority
of these have been more than favourable, with only a few having the odd
problem. Generally these related to not to having a 24 hour dinning venue, or
24 hour coffee facilities, etc. The point is: Classic International Cruising is
a traditional cruise company and they are a “Value for money Cruise
Company.” Some people tend to forget that Classic International Cruises
do not claim to be anything like Cunard, Princess Cruises or P&O, and they
make no claim of being a 4 or 5 star luxury cruise line, but they do offer an
excellent cruise product. It is worth noting that tea and coffee is available
at 6.30am for those early birds.
How do the passengers rate the Funchal?
Whilst on board I managed to obtain a copy of the
passenger questionnaire results. This was based on the cruise prior the line
voyage from Fremantle to the
The Results
“Atmosphere onboard” had a 98.79% rating.
The overall cruise satisfaction rating was 94.22%. Meals (restaurant &
buffet) scored 96.8%. Entertainment scored 97.3%. However the most amazing
score of all was the "Politeness of the crew" which had a score of
100%, which is simply unheard of in the business! As my readers will know I
have been in the passengers shipping industry since 1960 and part owned a
cruise company in 1970’s, thus I understand what satisfaction percentages
mean, for they can make or beak a company! Obviously Classic International
Cruises has researched their market well and they operate good ships and they
maintain them to perfection, and ensure that their passengers receive total
value for money, offering them, excellent service, food, entertainment and a
vast variety of ports to choose from.
Is she a good sailing ship?
This is a question I am
frequently asked by those who have never sailed on a smaller sized cruise ship.
Passengers on Funchal will tell you that she sails just fine, if not as well or
even better than many of the larger cruise ships. The point is this; the
movement of a ship is not related to the sheer size of a ship, but good hull
design. You will find that ships designed in the 1960’s, as is the
Funchal, had superior sailing capabilities than many of the large cruise ships
of today. Many of these modern ships were certainly not designed for heavy
seas. In addition these ships have huge 10/11 deck boxlike superstructures on a
low hull design, whilst Funchal is a long and sleek ship having a low profile.
In addition, for your comfort Funchal is fully stabilized!
A photographic deck by deck tour of the ship
Navigators Deck:
Public Facilities: Aft is the delightful fully covered Buffet, which offers
breakfast and lunch daily, as well as especially themed buffets on various
occasions. This is also the venue for deck parties at night.
Above and below: The Buffet
Accommodations: Cabins on this deck are category 10, being Outside
Premium twin bedded rooms with a picture window, with a TV, refrigerator and a
hairdryer. In addition there is one category 11 two roomed Suite, with a
separate bed and sitting room with the aforementioned “premium”
facilities.
Open deck: This
deck is blessed with a spacious promenade on both port and starboard, idea for
sport facilities and just relaxing in the sun reading a book, as many did
whilst in port just prior departure.
A well kept ship with superbly kept lifeboats
Navigators (Boat)
Deck Starboard looking aft
Promenade Deck:
Public Rooms & Facilities: Forward is the delightful Gama lounge. This rooms has a
delightful ambience with the curved bar centrally located on the forward wall,
sided by windows on both sides making a bright and colourful room, as the
photographs hereunder prove. The aft wall contains both fine timbers, providing
those touches of yesteryear, yet also modern art work.
Gama Lounge – looking forward
Gama Lounge – looking port/aft
Gama Lounge – looking starboard/aft (AH)
The Gama Lounge Bandstand – located
forward starboard of the Bar (AH)
The lift and a remarkable semi circular forward stairwell face these chairs
Library, Zarco Hall
Casino & Slots: The Library is located on the
starboard side of the Zarco Hall Casino. As can be
seen from the library photo there are ample books to choose from. The tables
can also be used for cards or whatever game you may wish to play. The main hall
between the Library is named “Zarco Hall” and this is the Casino venue at night
complete with tables, etc, whilst on the portside there is a separate room for
those noisy slot machines. For those who like a gamble, there are suitable facilities
onboard.
Zarco Hall (Casino) - looking towards the Slots Room
on the port side (AH)
Piano Lounge: This delightful room, has fine timber wall cladding and a
large curved bar and with its well arranged furnishings this rooms makes for a
delightfully intimate environment for a chat with fellow passengers, enjoying a
drink and enjoying the sounds of the ships pianist & band.
Piano Lounge – the author with Cruise
Director John Eagan
Piano Lounge –
looking to starboard (AH)
Hairdresser, Photographer, Shop: The starboard hallway leading aft contains these three
facilities, all of which have excellent facilities for a ship of
Funchal’s size!
Ilha-Verde-Lounge: Aft on Promenade deck is the 350 seat Ilha-Verde-Lounge.
This is the ships main Show Lounge and entertainment venue of the ship. During
the day this room is used for general entertainments, whist at night it is
rearranged with seats facing the stage for the show presentations. This room
also has a large dance floor near the stage and a bar offering waiter service
to the tables. Again, during the day this room is bright and airy, but I am
told at night it takes on a whole new atmosphere!
Open deck:
Promenade deck has wider deck space available forward of the ship, rather than
aft, next to the Ilha-Verde-Lounge. Aft on Promenade deck is the Lido Bar with
ample tables and chairs in the shade to enjoy a drink, then there is the Pool
with two showers at the side, and a huge sun deck with ample deckchairs to soak
up the sun!
The Lido Bar
The Pool and Sun Deck
The Pool and Sun Deck – looking up to the Buffet
Reception:
Forward in the main lobby and the Reception Desk. One of the unique features of
the Funchal is the forward semi circular stairwell that commences at
Pursers Office / Reception Desk
Lisboa Restaurant – looking aft
The Gym: Far
aft, and yes you cannot go any further aft than this, is the Gym. As the
photograph shows, it has some of the basic equipments as well as a few not
seen. However, there is always walking around the deck and sports to add to the
list of activities. But there is no reason to leave the ship not fit, unless of
course you decide to spend less time in the gym and more time in the restaurant
and buffet!
Madeira/Algarve & Estoril Decks:
The ships medical centre is
located aft on Madeira deck, apart from that these three decks are occupied by
cabins of various grades, be the value for money inside cabins or outside ones
with a porthole or a picture window. Check the Classic International Cruises
brochure for cabin details. This page only contains a few of the cabin grades
available. However, no matter which cabin you choose, you will be comfortable
and have the facilities of the ship!
The following four images were provided by (CIC) - Classic International Cruises.
Outside Twin with a window
Outside Twin with a porthole
Inside Twin
Inside Twin/Three or four berth cabin
Funchal with her long elegant sleek lines!
She has a fine stern view
SOLAS 2010:
Mv Funchal
has been so well maintained and constantly upgraded by Classic International
Cruises that she will fully comply with the new Safety Of Life At Sea regulations,
which will come into effect in October 2010. I have bee advised that CIC
Cruises will continue to operate this fine ship for quite some time yet, which
is good news for all classic ship lovers and for those who enjoy that special
cruise experience!
March 2009 – A Special Update:
As I reported last year, in 2008, the Funchal will
certainly not be sold and head the way of so many other classic ships and head
to the Indian breaker's yards. For her owners have meticulously maintained her
and constantly upgraded her.
When I had the joy of visiting her in
The good news is; I have been advised that MV Funchal
has been in
I have also been advised that her two forward cargo
masts and booms, that were used to serve the two forward holds, are to be removed,
which is great news, for this means that the forward deck will now create a new
open deck space available to her passengers, which it was not in the past, and
now finally all passengers will have a view over her bow when arriving and
departing ports, etc!
Funchal is scheduled to return to service on
April 5 and will undertake a seven day “Easter cruise” and then
continue a series of cruises from
We need to remember that the Funchal is the
true veteran of the “Classic International Cruises” fleet for she
is their very first ship and was purchased in August 1985.
Reuben Goossens
View the Deck Plan
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