Normally you talk about romantic sunsets and at the same time you do not equate romantic with getting up early. However this was a romantic arrival even if it was early. Although we try to arrange our time changes in such a way that we keep sunrise in synch with the ships clock (or better said the other way around) it does not always work out that way. The whole of Europe went to summer time a month ago and Madeira is just too far west to be completely in sync yet. Another week or so and here also the sun will rise around 07.00 hrs as well. Thus at 05.00 hrs it was still night but the local authorities in Madeira had taken care of the fact that it was not a “dark night”. The whole south side of the island was ablaze with lights. Each street seemed to have a light pole at very short intervals, laying out the winding roads in a very clear pattern. Beautiful to see, especially as the weather was very clear. Today was a wind still day but they had a lot of colder air a few days ago and that had cleared the skies nicely. It was just pure pleasure to stand on the bridge and see the Prinsendam gliding as a serene swan over a wave less sea towards the port.
We were the only cruise ship in port today and thus we parked at the cruise terminal. At least that is what it will be eventually. The building was finished last November but they are still busy with hooking up the jet walks and other finishing touches. The pilot was a proud man, as there will be a control centre on top of this terminal with Traffic Control and improved communication equipment. Today they were installing the radar so they will be able to see ships coming in from afar during periods of limited visibility. We were docked by 06.45 for a 07.00 arrival. As the sun was only scheduled to rise at 07.17 there were not many guests yet ready to go ashore. Still they had to be informed about the fact that we were staying three hours extra and by 07.30 the Cruise Director could not contain himself any longer and the P.A ding-dong sang over the ship.
This was taken during Sunset. It looked the sameduring our arrival, only the skies were dark. Stock photo from somewhere of the internet.
It turned out to be a glorious day. A fitting day for the final port call for this Grand Voyage that we have made. The sun came out and shone all day long casting its rays against the mountain and bathing Funchal in a very clear almost Mediterranean light. Still the temperature was mild, with the noon temperature hovering around 70oF perfect for sightseeing. Funchal now also has the “Big Red Bus” so for those who just what to get a quick impression of the town, you can just hop on and off for a few dollars. We see these open top Double Decker busses in more and more ports and their schedule always includes a stop just outside the cruise terminal. They do know where the clients are coming from………..
I personally think it is one of the best inventions of the tourist industry. I enjoy long and in depth tours, but to get a quick feeling for a city, nothing beats a round trip on a Double Decker bus. It is also my favorite transport in London and as there are several very long routes that those busses do there, I never mind to sit on such a bus for an hour or so to get somewhere, as it is much more interesting than the Underground or the Train. Here in Funchal I could see from the ship looking over the harbour, that the Busses were doing a very good trade, especially in the early afternoon. It was then as well a perfect day for it.
The crew had less than a perfect day, as the chief officer took them through their spaces with life boat drills. After departure from Funchal, we will have 7 sea days during which we can hardly train, so today was an important day to lower boats, swing out life rafts and refresh all the knowledge needed for a crewmember to be proficient in the lifesaving business.
Departure was a quick affair; just going 200 meters astern with the ship, swing the bow to the port and give full ahead. The pilot had to run downstairs to get off; otherwise he would have been with us all the way to Fort Lauderdale. The weather forecast still calls for dry and sunny weather and only low swells, so the crossing should be a good one. We will have a week onboard at sea, before we reach Fort Lauderdale.
May 6, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Thank you again Capt. for your very interesting blogs. The pictures your wife takes add a very special touch to the blogs. A few weeks ago we were looking at the ships leave Fort Everglade via the port cams. There was a large thunderstorm during the departures. I have a question, are cruise ships ever hit by lightning? And what happens? Also, have you ever experience a St. Elmo fire? Hope you enjoy your crossing.
Your land lock buddy,
Gary B
May 6, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Captain:
I have an application that I use that takes all the AIS data and superimposes it on a map, much like I would imagine you have .
I’m able to locate several HAL ships easily, but no matter how I search even when I search ships out of range, I can never locate the Prisendam, is this just a substandard program or is there a reason why some ships are easily tracked and others are not?
Thank you, I look forward to your blog every day.
Mark
3 star HAL mariner
May 7, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Mark,
this is one of the great mysteries of the universe and I have no explanation for it. I have heard reports, that the ship shows up on one tracking website and not the other. Last time at home, I tried to follow the fleet for a few days and I could never find the Rotterdam. So I do not think that you have a sub standard program and I expect that the ship will re-surface again sometime.
thank you for reading my blog.
Capt. Albert
May 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thank you Captain for a very interesting cruise thru your blogs. We were on the ship last year Mediterranean & Black Sea, but you left us. Have friends on the ship now we know all about their cruise.
Pat J.
May 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thank you Captain for a very interesting cruise thru your blogs. We were on the ship last year Mediterranean & Black Sea, but you left us. Have friends on the ship now we know all about their cruise.
Pat J.
May 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thank you Captain for a very interesting cruise thru your blogs. We were on the ship last year Mediterranean & Black Sea, but you left us. Have friends on the ship now we know all about their cruise.
Pat J.
May 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thank you Captain for a very interesting cruise thru your blogs. We were on the ship last year Mediterranean & Black Sea, but you left us. Have friends on the ship now we know all about their cruise.
Pat J.
May 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thank you Captain for a very interesting cruise thru your blogs. We were on the ship last year Mediterranean & Black Sea, but you left us. Have friends on the ship now we know all about their cruise.
Pat J.
May 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thank you Captain for a very interesting cruise thru your blogs. We were on the ship last year Mediterranean & Black Sea, but you left us. Have friends on the ship now we know all about their cruise.
Pat J.