Cruise Ship Funchal in Larne

After her cruise of the Mediterranean the Funchal returned to Larne on the 1st of May to discharge her load of just over 400 passengers. She arrived off the port at 1345, a few hours behind her scheduled time of 0900, but she did depart Larne 9 hours late on the 20th of April after bad weather delays.

She was again assisted into Larne by the tugs Sarah McLoughlin at the bow and Mora at the stern berthing safely on Curran Quay just before 1500. European Mariner vacated the berth and went to anchor for the day to allow Funchal use of the berth.


Two views of Funchal coming into Larne with assistance from the tugs Sarah Mcloughlin (forward) and Mora (aft). Photos: Larne Ferry Web (click to enlarge)

Left picture: Mora moves in to push on the aft starboard quarter to assist the Funchal to swing in the harbour. Right picture: Sarah McLoughlin working hard with the tow rope pulling Funchal's bow into the berth. Photos: Larne Ferry Web (click to enlarge)
	Left: The forward spring gets pulled through the water to its mooring bollard just out of shot to the right. Photo: Larne Ferry Web (click to enlarge)

After discharging her passengers and an absolute huge load of baggage the Funchal embarked a further 120 or so passengers joining her for a short cruise to Liverpool. The ship departed Larne at 2000 after the Euopean Causeway had departed on her 2000hrs sailing to Cairnryan and was due to arrive in Liverpool at 0900 on the 2nd of May. The passengers were to be treated to a tour of Liverpool the next day to see the sights and do some shopping before being brought back to Northern Ireland via coach and the HSS Stena Voyager from Stranraer.


Two views of Funchal departing Larne for Liverpool shortly after 2000hrs on the 1st of May. Sarah McLoughlin followed her out to get the pilot. Let's hope this is the first of many visits to Larne by cruise ships. Both photos: Gary Andrews (click to enlarge)

The cruise vessel MV Funchal made her first ever visit to the port of Larne on the 20th April 2004, becoming the first cruise ship to visit the port in recent times and it will hopefully be the first of many more. Although, those more knowledgeable than me tell me that the small cruise ship Lady Killarney visited the port in the inter-war years on short cruises. (Thanks for that snippet Jim.)

Funchal arrived off the port at just before 1800hrs after having been delayed from her initial arrival time of 0900hrs by high winds. As usual the Larne weather pulled out all the stops and was as un-cooperative as possible giving heavy rain and 30 knot winds for the occasion - reminding me very much of the 8th of August 2000 - the day the European Causeway arrived in the port for the first time when again foul weather greeted a new visitor.

Funchal was required to wait outside the port until firstly the European Mariner departed for Troon at 1830 and then the Superstar Express also departing for Troon at 1900. She made her approach shortly after 1900 and was assisted into the port by McLoughlin's tugs Sarah McLoughlin on the bow and Mora on the stern before berthing safely stern first on Curran Quay at 1945. Despite the weather, dozens of people lined the shore front at Larne to catch a glimpse of the ship, several of them welcomed the ship with their car horns blazing.

She departed again at 0205 on the 21st of April (delayed from 1700 the day before due to the aforementioned high winds) with her cruise passengers onboard for a 11 night cruise calling at Opporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Tangier, Vigo and Falmouth before returning back to Larne around 0900 on the 1st of May. Weather permitting, this page will be updated with more photos of her return visit. This call has also been advertised to cruise passengers allowing them to cruise overnight to Liverpool, have a day's shopping and sightseeing before returning to Northern Ireland by bus to Stranraer and then the HSS back into Belfast.

IMO number: 5124162
Call Sign: CSBM
Gross tonnage: 9563
Type of ship: Passenger (Cruise) Ship
Year of build: 1961
Flag: Portugal
Registered owner: GREAT WARWICK Address: 126-128, Avenida 24 de Julho, Lisboa PORTUGAL
Ship manager: ARCALIA SHIPPING Address: Same as the owners


Two views of Funchal arriving at Larne on the 20th of April 2004