ORIANA and QUEEN VICTORIA in Funchal

It's always very special when P&O ships, truly one of the long time visiting companies to Madeira, call in Funchal's port. But surely is even more special when two ships of the two oldest and most important companies in the UK are in Funchal together, and that's what happened on 19th October 2009 when P&O's ORIANA and Cunard's QUEEN VICTORIA met for the very first time in Madeira's capital.Of course with two centennary companies well represented in Funchal the expectations were high and for such event i woke up early in the morning to photograph both morning arrivals.
Already in port was AIDA Cruise's AIDA LUNA, after an overnight in port and she was about to be joined by two other Carnival owned ships.As i arrived by seaside still in the dark colours of the evening, it didn't took long to spot ORIANA appearing behind the port with her handsome funnel glowing in the night. At the time she was returning home from Barbados during a Caribbean transatlantic cruise.As ORIANA turned to starboard and soon to proceed to her designated berth, a small lightspot was visible south on the horizon, as QUEEN VICTORIA was making her way from La Palma, Canary Isles.At 8 am both these ships, from totally different ages and concept, were secured, having their departure time scheduled for early afternoon.
At aproximatly half 3 pm ORIANA was getting ready to depart and from the seaside we could clearly listen to the captain's annoucement as they would pass QUEEN VICTORIA on the way out to the bay.And so it happened but not without a great horn fight as this video documents it. A sonant perfomance delighting everyone, from the watchers on land to the passengers on both ships, waving and whistling to each other.

From one ship to another, after disembarking from ORIANA the pilot then made his way to QUEEN VICTORIA, that soon left inbound her homeport of Southampton so following ORIANA with the same course.For numerous reasons a special day to remember, when both these british ships made an stunning first meeting in Funchal, Madeira a destination much beloved between their companies on their more than 170 years of service.
Photos & Video: © João Abreu.