At 06.00 the good ship Oosterdam was at the pilot station of Funchal and the pilot hopped on board right on time. Then the main discussion was: are we going portside or starboard side alongside? The captain wisely decided to dock with the nose to open waters. Always easier to get out in case something happens un-expectedly and of course it makes the departure time a lot shorter than if you have to swing first. And we are in a sort of a hurry as the average speed to maintain is quite high and for quite a long time we will be going against the current. Especially when we get to the Florida Straits. Of course we did not sail on time as we had a “short” port call. All on board was 14.30 hrs. but as it was so short, everybody came back late and then you do not sail on time. Thus swinging on arrival nibbled off some time from the delayed departure.
We had in port with us today the AidaBlu which came in an hour later. She was not on the agent’s schedule so I wonder if she was a late addition or had swapped ports or route. On the dock side stood a very loud (and very intoxicated) German bellowing a warm welcome to his German countrymen. It was 07.00 in the morning but I think for him time had stood still since the night before as he kept yelling Guten Abend (which is not exactly good morning) As he was partly obscured by the bow of the Oosterdam his welcome speech was a little bit marred due to lack of exposure to those on the AidaBlu. He then wanted to walk along side the Oosterdam to reach the docking location of the AidaBlu behind us but for that purpose he had to walk through our security zone and thus he was stopped. Still happily bellowing he was then guided behind the Cruise Terminal and disappeared from view and from ear shot.
We have: Tui, Indonesian Flagm Tui, Tui, RCI, Tui, Westerdam, Aida, USS Taylor, unknown and the ms Nieuw Amsterdam. The crew names are old, as that is not allowed anymore.
Funchal is one of the very few places where they still allow you to paint logos on the dock wall. They even encourage it as long as it has a design and the end effect is pleasing. They only let you paint over old signs if and when they have completely faded; otherwise you have to find a still bare space. Holland America is very well represented and so is TUI, which makes sense as with their “Mein Schiff” fleet (they have just commissioned Mein Schiff 5) they make a lot of calls here as does the Tui small cruise fleet which focuses on the UK market with the ex Holland America Line ships Thomson Spirit and Thomson Celebration (ex Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam).
The Oosterdam did not undertake a paint project as we were too short in port and opposite our location all the wall spots were already taken. You have to be further inside to find a piece of bare breakwater wall., but maybe next time. At least we could see the Westerdam and the Nieuw Amsterdam proudly in place right across from us.
The ms Oosterdam docked at the S.E end of the inner breakwater.
The port of Funchal mainly consists out of one large breakwater which runs for 2000 feet in an East – West direction and offers place for two very large ships and a lot of smaller ships. The ships dock on the inside and the strong and high breakwater wall keeps the bad Atlantic weather out. The only challenge we have is the North Atlantic Swell rolling into the port. If by chance the swell is from the South East and not the South West (which is the norm) then the waves roll in, hit the island side, bounce back and make the ships at the Breakwater dock surge along considerably. Not pleasant for the gangway, which then moves with the ship, and not good for the ropes which on occasion brake due to the friction on the mooring cleats. Today it was nice and quiet.
The mighty breakwater as seen on departure. This time minus the shouting German who stood right under the lighthouse on arrival this morning. The Aidablu sailed later.
By 1500 hrs. we were on our way and will now have 8 full days at sea and then arrive in Tampa on the 18th. Weather looks quite good at least for the near future with little wind and little swell. There is a frontal system hanging north of Bermuda but we have to wait and see how far its influence comes south. Hopefully only a little bit of swell which can be looked after by the ships stabilizers.
November 9, 2016 at 7:38 pm
I imagine the scene struck you funny, this very intoxicated welcomer … And in German, no less. At the end of our Alaska season we were treated as well to a very intoxicated passenger booming from his cabin balcony down to the longshoremen.
Normally, we get a show from them, going on power trips with the Deck Officer in charge and the Bo’sun on the ‘flipbrug’. Well, were they intimidated by this passenger. They went quietly about their business and eventually trucked off in their little golf cart, all together at once while the passenger kept loudly shouting at them about their work ethics !!!!!