The Maiden Voyage III - First landfall - Funchal, Madeira

Wednesday 12th April 1995
After two days at sea and having sailed 1312 Nautical Miles (2429 km) at an average speed of 20.9kts  the morning of 12th brought ORIANA to the Madeira Islands passing Porto Santo around 9am the ship set a southwesterly course towards Madeira itself where she was expected to arrive at around midday.
Leading up to her arrival ORIANA's shop's opened briefly for passengers to stock with last minute essentials for their time ashore.
At 11.13 ORIANA embarked the local pilot ready for her approch berth and in a scene reminiscent of her departure from Southampton a small "fleet" boats and other small craft turned out to give ORIANA a warm welcome and escort the new arrival into the harbour.
On deck around the Crystal Pool to accompany the scenic arrival to Funchal Kool Blue on of ORIANA's on board bands played for passenger's pleasure and to add a sense of occasion for ORIANA's first arrival.
Further details of the arrival can be seen here http://orianaof1995.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/oriana-first-call-in-funchal-16-years.html
Docked by 12:03 as soon as clearence was given ORIANA's passengers began making their way ashore where they were greeted at the gangway by local folk band Boa Nova dressed in traditional dress and offering a small bouquet of local flowers to each passenger.

To make the most of the island and all it has to offer over the two days of the call there was on offer several tours each giving an insight into Madeira, these included the famous Toboggan ride from Monte or various bus tours taking in the the scenic splendours of the island
For the more active among the passengers the famed Levada walk was also an option or for something slightly different later in the evening dinner in a typical restaurant followed by traditional dancing.
As an added bonus each passenger taking one of the tours on offer received a special commemorative bottle of Madeira Wine.
While her passengers were enjoying what Madeira had on offer ORIANA received her first VIP's and Commodore Gibb resumed the public relations role that goes with being the master of a new cruise liner as welcomed on board associates of CEN, Clube de Entusiastas de Navios, in the time honoured tradition of ships making maiden calls ORIANA received her first commemorative plaque and in return Commodore Gibb presented the crest of ORIANA to the club.

Shown in 2009 CEN's plaque proudly displayed on board

 To give the passengers a look at the traditions and culture of the island through the medium of dance on board ORIANA in the evening a local Folk band came on board to perform in the Pacific Lounge. 

With cruise ships in general playing an increasingly important role in tourism in Madeira to celebrate ORIANA's maiden call the authorities arranged a fireworks display for the ship at midnight. 

Over the days ORIANA spent on this inaugural call the weather remaind calm with the temperature reaching a maximum 18.5 degrees and for most the time spent in port it remaind clear.
Shortly after 6pm on the 13th with a rousing blast from her horn ORIANA departed her berth and much like her arrival the day before many of all ages turned out to send her on her way both on the sea wall near where she was berthed and on the city's Avenida do Mar on the opposite side of the harbour as can be seen in this postcard below.

Shortly after leaving the confines of the harbour ORIANA slowed to disembark the pilot before setting a Southerly course to the Canaries, around 257 nautical miles away.