Throughout the early morning ORIANA had continued on her Northerly course away from the Canary Islands and towards her next destination the Island of Madeira.
Being Portuguese rather than Spanish it promised to be a very different from the previous ports of call.
For ORIANA herself Funchal also holds great significance and memories having been the great ship’s first port of call.
By 7am ORIANA was nearing her destination and Captain Reid rang ‘stand by below’ in the lee of the Island the wind had decreased and at around 7:10am embarked the harbour pilot.
Watching from the promenade deck as the small boat emerged from the harbour and quickly drew closer to ORIANA before arriving at her side as from below the sound of the side door opening could be heard.
With the pilot on board ORIANA continued her approach to the harbour moving into position inside harbour at about 7:39am before swinging her bow to starboard before aligning with the berth in readiness of docking.
20 minutes or so later at around 8am ORIANA’s first lines went ashore and she was made all fast by 8:03 am ORIANA had clearance for her passengers to proceed ashore which was announced by Captain Reid during his arrival speech.
It was obvious that many of the passengers on board had visited Madeira before and like ORIANA had a particular liking for the port and from my view point on the promenade deck it was easy to see why the port was so popular.
The view from the deck was of the city spreading across the mountain side and with almost villa like white washed houses with their terracotta coloured roofs, in the warm morning sunshine with clear skies the water around ORIANA sparkled brilliant turquoise, even just by looking from the deck the scene was to my mind one of a tranquil Island.
Although ORIANA herself would have been an excellent venue to enjoy view the sights of the bay from there was very few on board who had that in mind and so they were heading off either on excursions or to explore on their own.
In such good conditions it didn’t take long to disembark and then join them, being the first time visiting the Island of course and not being too sure where things in the city were located it seemed to be a good idea to take the shuttle coach over towards the city.
Although the coach ride wasn’t overly required taking less than five minutes, it did offer a nice view and introduction to Funchal, the sights of city were very pleasant as the coach the left dock and within minutes were in the city centre.
Getting off the coach in the main avenue along the sea front the first sight somewhat poignantly was a tree with yellow ribbons tied to it relating to a news story which had been widely publicised in both Portugal and in the UK.
Walk the palm tree lined sea front and watching the small lizards running up the trees it was obvious that Madeira was far less urbanised than then our previous ports of call and in my opinion was all the better for it.
Looking across the harbour as we neared the pier the sight couldn’t have be better with the cloudless sky as a background and there by the seawall ORIANA her white hull sparkling brilliantly in the sun.
The city of Funchal itself from here also looked very impressive in the way it spread across the mountainside like which formed a natural amphitheatre around the bay and harbour.
Spotting several souvenir shops across the road these were our first port of call, the first The Madeira Shop had a very appealing large double sided lamented photo one side showing no less than ORIANA herself departing from Funchal at an earlier time and on the other showing images of Funchal’s famed indoor market an excellent memento it was only later that I learned that in fact the image came from ORIANA’s maiden call in Funchal in April 1995 and showed her departing after her overnight stay in the port.
Nearby another souvenir shop had an excellent display of fridge magnets and having been asked by a work colleague to bring back a magnet.
There was an excellent selection of magnets and after making our choice we parted the shop saying goodbye polite shopkeeper.
While we made our own way through Funchal other passengers were taking themselves off by themselves or taking one of P&O’s shore excursions.
The excursions on offer were varied and looked at different parts of Madeira’s culture and landscape.
Popular among these are Madeira’s famous Levada Walks allowing for keen walkers to explore the Island’s unique irrigation system which P&O described as “A network of footpaths runs alongside these levadas, reaching into remote parts, and so this is the best way to see the interior of the island.” And that it offered the chance to “Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of your surroundings as you walk through cool green tree-lined tunnels, discovering exotic flowers and plants along the way.”
Of course many passengers not being able or willing to take part in such aphysical activities and other tours for the less adventurous included Afternoon Tea at Reids, a chance to indulge in that most British of pat time of taking Tea with cakes at the world famous Reids Palace Hotel.
Another of Madeira’s famous attractions is of course its stunning landscape and flora giving it the names of The floating Garden and Garden of The Atlantic, a garden that many passengers had set off exploring on one of the driving tours available these ranged from coach tours taking in sights such as Cabo Girao one of the largest cliffs in Europe and visiting the wine lodges to sample the famous and tasty Madeira wine.
While for those wanting to try something a little different had the option of taking part in a Jeep adventure tour around the Island.
While walking through the city it was quite easy to lose track of time while taking a note of some of its charm, from the restaurant on board a yacht which was formally owned by The Beatles to the intricate traditional patterns on the walk paths.
Despite being the capital of the Island Funchal was had a very comfortable feel to it certainly the passengers from ORIANA who had visited on previous occasions seemed to feel quite at home walking amongst the charming back streets.
The time moving quickly on before we knew it lunch on board had come and gone but really it wasn’t that much of a concern as the smell of food being prepared was enough to tempt us to stay ashore to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants and cafes which overlooked the harbour.
And what an excellent choice for dining out it was, on one side ORIANA and the harbour provided the backdrop while on the other side the magnificence of the mountainside and the city on proved to be beautiful sight.
Lunch over and done with we continued our walk along the seafront passing by restaurants, before reaching a path lined with stone benches some of which were occupied by passengers although one elderly lady who on several occasions we had been on the same breakfast seemed to have misjudged how close she was to seat and ended up sitting on the floor instead!
My immediate reaction was to go and help but before I had the chance to several passer-by’s were at her side and helping her back to her feet, if only people were that helpful at home I thought.
While all of the ports of call had been interesting in their own way it was here in Madeira which was the only one which had made me feel that perhaps I would want to stay longer.
And while I could have easily had stayed and looked around for longer the time was moving on and with ORIANA departing at 4pm it was about time to return to the ship.
Checked back on board I firstly went to the promenade deck to snap a few photos from the sun drenched deck.
While my camera wasn’t perfect being only 3.5 mp compact taking the photos gave me the perfect opportunity to have as a memory my first visit to the Floating Garden.
While watching it was interesting to see the small boats in the harbour heading out to sea and also many canoes moving about the port.
Another interesting craft headed out at around 3:30pm a sailing ship pasting by ORIANA’s side and rounding the harbour wall.
It was only some years later that I found out the vessel was SANTA MARIA a replica of the Nau which had been used by Christopher Columbus, which offered 3 hour trips around the coast of the Island with the opportunity of taking a swim in the summer.
Slowly if not a little reluctantly ORIANA’s passengers made their way back on board and depositing any souvenirs in their cabin made their way back onto the open decks to watch the departure.
Meanwhile as the dockside stevedores began removing the ropes Captain Reid made his departure speech saying all the departure checks were completed and ORIANA was almost ready to go, he also expressed his regret that in his opinion the stay is never long enough in Funchal but hoped all had enjoyed their stay.
Before finishing his speech he had 2 last things to add, firstly if passengers felt like a celebration they could go and join in the deck party taking place on the terraced decks and finally to except some strange horn blowing as his young guest of the bridge would be in charge of the horn.
Shortly after with the party in full swing and lots of enthusiastic flag waving going on ORIANA quietly slipped away from her berth before finally signalling with some very eccentric blowing giving many passengers a smile across their face and undoubtedly puzzling some of those on the shore .
According to the ships log “At 4:02pm ORIANA was ‘all gone and clear’ forward and aft and the ships thrusters were used to move off the berth, before moving ahead out of Funchal Harbour.
At 4:08pm ORIANA passed through the breakwaters of the harbour.”
Of course neither the log nor words alone could give an adequate description the experience of sailing away from a port and below is a few photographs of the sail away.
With the music of the party sounding across all of ORIANA made her way out of the harbour and within minutes Funchal and Madeira were left in ORIANA’s wake as she picked up speed as the bridge rang ‘full away on passage’ as she set her course towards the Bay of Biscay.
Watching as Funchal fell behind us the thought occurred of returning at some point in the future, maybe even on board ORIANA, 
The rest of the afternoon was spent on board enjoying again the virtues of ORIANA.
Since many of passengers had been busying themselves on shore during the day so the afternoon on board was being spent relaxing in the sunshine some on deck while others were treating themselves to relaxing and most likely well deserved spa treatment.
Now ORIANA had only one destination left for cruise X705 her homeport but before reaching Southampton 2 more days on board with her 1st class service lay ahead.
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