A new cruise operator is set to launch into the Australian market, with Portuscale Cruises today confirming it will operate its M/V Funchal in local waters next year.
The move follows the recent appointment of Discover The World to represent Portuscale locally with the inaugural program seeing the ship cruise down under on a 45 day voyage from Barcelona.
Portuscale commenced operation just last year following the acquisition and revamping of four “classic and charming vessels” including Funchal as well as M/V Lisboa, M/V Porto and M/V Azores.
The line’s motto is “small is beautiful” with Funchal offering 233 twin share cabins, spacious open decks and an intimate atmosphere.
The Australian program will see Funchal cruise from Newcastle and Geelong, with local ports visited including Burnie, Portland, Hobart, Port Arthur, Eden and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
“Portuscale Cruises offers unforgettable cruises aboard its classic ship, the M/V Funchal and unique destination focused itineraries,” said Discover gm sales & product, Roger Condon.
He said Funchal offers classic accommodation and modern conveniences “whilst retaining her old world charm” and gives passengers the opportunity to explore ports rarely visited by mainstream cruise ships.
After the repositioning voyage which departs Spain on 04 Jan 2015 the ship arrives in Newcastle on 17 Feb.
She will then operate a three night “taster” to Geelong, a six day “island escape” to Penneshaw, a four day voyage across Bass Strait and then an eight-day Tassie Explorer cruise back to Geelong.
The final leg of Funchal’s Australian sojourn will see her cruise back to Newcastle – and then she will voyage north on 10 Mar 2015 on a 57-day “Battlefields & Gallipoli” trip via Singapore, Colombo, Egypt, Greece, Portugal & Turkey which arrives in Portsmouth on 05 May.
A brochure released this morning details the itineraries, with Portuscale offering savings of up to 15% for early bookings made by 31 Jul 2014.
Pricing starts at $545pp for the taster cruise, while the repositioning voyages start at $7,175 per person twin share.
Funchal underwent a US$22 million renovation last year.
Portuscale has an office in Melbourne headed up by Rosalea Ryan, who is responsible for all of its Australian voyage operations.
CLICK HERE to download the 2015 Portuscale brochure.