VERA CRUZ and SANTA MARIA at Funchal

On 31 December 1956 the handsome sister ships VERA CRUZ and SANTA MARIA of Companhia Colonial de Navegação, met in the port of Funchal. 

Both ships were doing their usual liner voyages: VERA CRUZ arrived from the Brazilian ports of Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife, with a call at Cape Verde (São Vicente) and sailed for Lisbon, while SANTA MARIA made a scheduled call on her regular transatlantic  services , having arrived from Lisbon and Vigo, for Tenerife and the Central America ports of La Guaira, Curaçao, Kingston, Havana and Port Everglades.

Also in port was the Portuguese Navy training ship SAGRES the oldest of the three ships in the picture and the lucky one as she still exists under the original name RICKMER RICMERS, preserved as a museum ship in Hamburg.

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

EIGHT FUNNELS at ANCHOR

Nostalgic view of Funchal Bay on 13 June 1933 with two four-funneled British passenger liners at anchor: the famous Cunard liner MAURETANIA in white cruising livery and Union-Castle Mail Steam Navigation Company's ARUNDEL CASTLE on her normal call within the Southampton - Cape mal run.

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

HANSEATIC off Funchal

The German cruise ship HANSEATIC ex-SHALOM in a post card issued by the company showing her at anchor off Funchal probably in a New Yera's eve...

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

CAPETOWN CASTLE arrival

RMS CAPETOWN CASTLE arriving at Funchal in the 1960s.

Copyright photograph from the Nuno David de Jesus collection

SAGA PEARL II in Funchal 30-12-2010

The distinctive livery of Saga Cruises suits very well to their newest ship, the SAGA PEARL II ex-ASTOR of 1981 photographed on 30 December 2010 alongside Pontinha pier, at Funchal, Madeira Island. 

Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia 

NORWEGIAN JADE leaving Funchal 29-12-2010

NORWEGIAN JADE ex-PRIDE OF HAWAII (92.250 GT/built 2006) leaving Funchal, Madeira Island  on 29 December 2010.

Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia

1955/56 New Year's cruise of VERA CRUZ

Portuguese passenger ships used to operate cruises from Lisbon to Funchal, Madeira Island for the New Year's eve famous fireworks display. Empresa Insulana de Navegação started those cruises with their passenger and mail ship LIMA in the 1930s while in 1948 Companhia Colonial de Navegação also did begin cruising to Madeira with their handsome SERPA PINTO. Companhia Nacional de Navegação also operated some cruises to Madeira, namely using their flagship NYASSA in the late forties and early fifties.

On 30 December 1955 the liner VERA CRUZ departed from Lisbon for Funchal on one of such cruises as advertised in this page. She did a call in Tangiers on her return to Lisbon. 

Unfortunately the final cruise of traditional Portuguese passenger ships to Madeira for the 31st December and New Year was performed by INFANTE DOM HENRIQUE for the 1975/76 New Year, and this was also the final voyage of INFANTE under CTM ownership. On her return to isbon on 3 January 1976 she was laid up and offered for sale.

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

QE2 and LOBO MARINHO (II)

Two of my favourite ships, the legendary QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 of 1969 and the handsome Portuguese cruise ferry LOBO MARINHO of 2003 photographed early in the morning in the port of Funchal, Madeira Island, on 31 December 2006.

I have done a book on each of the two ships in the photograph in my series LINER BOOKS and PORTUGUESE SHIPS...

Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia 

METEOR berthed in Funchal

The beautiful Norwegian cruise ship METEOR berthed at Funchal harbour back in 8 April 1965. A very nostalgic image sent to me by Mr. Anders de Lange, a former crew member of the ship who actually took the photo.

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection / Photo by Anders de Lange.

VERA CRUZ in Funchal bay

The Portuguese passenger liner VERA CRUZ (1952-1973) at anchor in the bay of Funchal, Madeira Island, being serviced by a small fleet of local tenders and small boats selling goods to the passengers in transit.

A magnificent side view of the VERA CRUZ, and a credit to her designers in 1949, as she showed a very modern and elegant profile.

The VERA CRUZ operated on the Lisbon - Brazil liner service from March 1952 until May 1961. She was also used on long cruises as well as liner voyages to Central America and Port Everglades, and in her post-1961 period, on voyages to Africa, mostly as a trooper. More images and information on this magnificent ship here.

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

VOLCAN DE TIJARAFE leaving Funchal

Naviera Armas cruise ferry VOLCAN DE TIJARAFE leaving Funchal, Madeira Island, on her regular Saturday voyages to Portimão, Algarve. Photos taken in Funchal on 26 June 2010. The VOLCAN makes a regular trip from Las Palmas, Tenerife, and Funchal to Portimão and back, calling at Funchal on the return leg on Mondays.

Copyright photographs by Luís Miguel Correia

ARKONA arriving Funchal

Cruise ship ARKONA arriving Funchal on 5 February 2002. She is still in service as Saga Cruises SAGA PEARL II.

Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia

NORWEGIAN JADE in Funchal 24 March 2010

NCL's handsome cruise ship NORWEGIAN JADE arriving in Funchal on 24 March 2010 as seen through the camera of my friend João Abreu...

Copyright photographs by João Abreu (Luís Miguel Correia collection)

FRED. OLSEN in Madeira

The Norwegian shipping Group Fred. Olsen has been one of the more faithfull cruise operators on what concerns calls in Funchal, a tradition started in 1967 in the wake of the Bergen Line and still going strong today...
In the photo, the BOUDICCA about to berth in Funchal, 31 December 2009.

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

OLYMPIA VOYAGER

The brand new Greek cruise ship OLYMPIA VOYAGER anchored off Funchal, Madeira Island on a cruise on 23 April 2003.
Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia

NORWEGIAN CROWN 2003-04-26

NORWEGIAN CROWN berthed in Funchal, Madeira, on 26 April 2003 already with white hull ready to be transferred to NCL prior to her salo to Fred. Olsen.

Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia

CAROUSSEL at Funchal

Cruise ship CAROUSSEL ex-NORDIC PRINCE arriving Funchal, Madeira Island, on 24 April 2003 while cruising regularly on 7day cruises out of the Canary isles. She is still in service under Louis Cruises ownership.
Copypright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia.

SAGA RUBY off Funchal 2009-12-31

SAGA RUBY photographed at anchor off Funchal waiting for the New Year's fireworks on 31 December 2009.
She looks better than ever in her smart Saga livery.
She is the former CARONIA, ex-VISTAFJORD of 1973 and now one of the very last classic passenger ships still in cruise service...
This is the classic ship portrait in Madeira depicted over the twentieth century by the famous Perestrellos photographers' family, the main problem is that a boat is needed as well as ships at anchor...
Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

CARONIA in Funchal 23 April 2003

CARONIA arriving at Funchal on 23 April 2003 on her final period under Cunard colours before her sale to SAGA.

Photographs taken from the head of the Pontinha pier in late morning light.

Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

LOBO MARINHO 2005-12-31

Cruise ferry LOBO MARINHO arriving Funchal from Porto Santo on 31 December 2005.
The bow of QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 can be seen on the right corner.
Copyright photograph by Luís Miguel Correia

BLACK PRINCE farewell to Madeira

The cruise ship BLACK PRINCE pays farewell to Madeira Island today, 6 October 2009, following her final call in the port of Funchal. She made her inaugural call in Madeira on 10 May 1967...
She is now operating her final cruise for Fred. Olsen and will start a new career in Venezuela waters in November under the new name OLA ESMERALDA.
Photograph of the BLACK PRINCE leaving Funchal on 21 December 1988 by José Miguel Malho, LMC collection.
Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

ROYAL ODYSSEY in Funchal

Another classic ship portrait by Vitor Rodrigues Faria with the Greek cruise steamer ROYAL ODYSSEY leaving Funchal, Madeira, on 8 December 1985, while doing her transatlantic positioning voyage westbound.
Copyright photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

FEDOR SHALYAPIN in Madeira

Black Sea Shipping Company of Odessa operated the largest passenger liners and cruise ships under the flag of the URSS. In this Vitor Rodrigues Faria photograph the FEDOR SHALYAPIN has just arrived on 31 December 1985. A fomer Cunarder, she was the IVERNIA of 1955 renamed FRANCONIA in 1962. Photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

DANAE in Funchal August 1985

Cruise ship DANAE arriving in Funchal on 31 August 1985 on a Summer cruise. Photograph by Vitor Rodrigues Faria. Luís Miguel Correia collection

MIKHAIL LERMONTOV arriving at Funchal

Soviet passenger liner MIKHAIL LERMONTOV arriving at Funchal, Madeira Island, late in her short career, already with the hull in white.
Soviet ships were very popular in Madeira waters in the 1970s and 1980s.
Copyright photograph by Luis Miguel Correia

SANTA MARIA berthed at Pontinha

The beautiful Portuguese passenger liner SANTA MARIA (1953-1973) photographed alongside the head of Pontinha Pier while doing a New Year's cruise from Lisbon.
Her distinctive bow and livery were unmistakable and very modern as a post war design developed in 1949 for Companhia Colonial de Navegação Lisbon - South America service.
In several ways she was a trend setter and ships built many years later reflected her style and good looks, still present in Saga Cruises SAGA ROSE and SAGA RUBY...
Photograph kindly sent by my dear friend Fernando Lemos Gomes.

VENUS at anchor in Funchal

Peaceful view of Funchal waterfront in the early 1950s showing VENUS anchored in the bay.
The Pontinha pier had not yet been extended to her present form...
Foto Perestrellos image from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

OSLOFJORD in Madeira

Another view of the Dutch-built motor ship OSLOFJORD of 1949 taken by Foto Figueiras in Funchal, Madeira in the 1950s.
In December 1969 she was chartered with an option to purchase by Costa Armatori, Genova and renamed FULVIA. Repainted white with the traditional Costa yellow and blue-green funnel, the FULVIA operated 10-day summer cruises from Genoa to Madeira and the Canary Islands.
She was lost on one of those cruises on 19 July 1970 while at sea sailing from Funchal to Tenerife. An engine room fire broke out and the ship sunk off Selvagens Islands. Her passengers and crew were rescued by the Paquet flagship ANCERVILLE. Her lifeboats and tenders were towed to Funchal and spent years ashore at the Eastern end of Pontinha pier.
Foto Figueiras photograph - Luís Miguel Correia collection

OSLOFJORD at Funchal

The Norwegian America Line passenger liner and cruise ship OSLOFJORD (1949-1970) was a frequent visitor to Madeira while on cruises.
This handsome ship was the early prototype of today's SAGA CRUISES near sisters SAGA ROSE (ex-SAGAFJORD) and SAGA RUBY (ex-VISTAFJORD) as the first of four passenger ships built to the order of NAL after WW2.
She was followed by the BERGENSFJORD of 1956, and then the SAGAFJORD in 1965 and the VISTAFJORD in 1973.
Photograph by Foto Figueiras (Luís Miguel Correia collection)

STELLA POLARIS in Funchal

The beautiful motor yacht STELLA POLARIS photographed in the Port of Funchal, Madeira island, while cruising in her original ownership by Bergenske, the famous Bergen Line.
Purpose built in Sweden in 1927, the STELLA POLARIS was designed in the same style as her older fleet mate METEOR built in 1904 for HAPAG and sold to the Norwegians after WW1.
Foto Figueiras photograph (Funchal) from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

VENUS in Funchal, Madeira

Another Dixon post card with the reference NO. MDR.36.
The caption on the rear of the card reads "M.S. "Venus" in Port, Funchal, Madeira. Natural Colour Photograph.
VENUS can be seen in her best angle with her elegant, well balanced profile.
Arthur J. Dixon colour post card from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

VENUS in Funchal, Madeira

Some of the best post cards ever published in Madeira were produced by J. Arthur Dixon in the 1950s and 1960s, including five post cards of ships. In this card, with reference MDR 21, the Bergen Line m.s. VENUS can be seen clearly at anchor dressed overall.
Although VENUS was a very beautiful ship in the best traditional Scandinavian design with two funnels, the fore funnel being a dummy, she was not exactly a very good sea boat. Rough passages of the Biscay in and out of Madeira provided her with the unique nickname of VOMITING VENUS...
Arthur J. Dixon colour post card from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

Bergen Line's VENUS

Another view of the VENUS in Madeira. Photograph published by Foto Perestrellos.
In the fifties and sixties Foto Perestrellos had its office at Avenida Arriaga and those post card size photographs were always printed and available for purchase. As a boy I did buy many photos at PTE 1$50, the equivalent of €0,75. Over the years the cost of those post cards increased and in later years photos were no longer available in print for immediate delivery. We had to select the required images from an album. Photos turned more expensive while quality decreased a little.
Foto Perestrellos photograph (Madeira) from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

VENUS in Funchal, Madeira

The famous Bergen Line passenger liner and cruise ship VENUS at anchor in Madeira.
VENUS was of the utmost importance for the development of regular cruising to Madeira after WW2. From 1947 up to 1968 the VENUS cruised extensively between Southampton or Plymouth to Funchal, Madeira on off North Sea season weekly cruises bringing hundreds of tourist to the island. Most passengers traveled on a cruise and stay basis and were transferred by tender directly from the ship at anchor to the Reid's Hotel. When she was withdrawn and sold for scrap in 1968 the service was continued by Fred. Olsen Lines with the then new BLACK WATCH and BLACK PRINCE sisters also on a seasonal service operated between September and early May until 1986. A third ship, the BLENHEIM, was introduced in 1970.
Foto Figueiras (Funchal) photograph from the Luís Miguel Correia collection

AIDAdiva in full colours 2007-11-19

The AIDAdiva in Funchal 2007-11-19.
Copyright photos by Luís Miguel Correia - 2007