Giant 'Independence of the Seas' Makes Surprise Visit

Giant 'Independence of the Seas' Makes Surprise Visit

At 339 meters long, the cruise ship 'Independence of the Seas' is one of the giants of the seas that, when docked in Funchal, stands out for its grandeur. In this case, it occupies practically the entire pier 3 of the port, the second largest but the one with the greatest depth and, it must be said, the best view. It's a surprise visit, but let's face it.

The ship arrived today at 6:30 a.m., before the city even woke up, carrying thousands of passengers and crew. At full capacity, it can carry 4,370 tourists and 1,360 workers.

At pier 3, which is 347 meters long and has a depth (ZH elevation) of 11 meters, the 'Independence of the Seas' will remain throughout the day. APRAM does not currently have information available on when or where it will depart.

However, we know that it will depart today, having come from Lisbon and is bound for the port of Nassau in the Bahamas, before departing for Miami, USA. In other words, it is on a repositioning voyage after the summer season in Europe, more specifically in the Mediterranean.

The curious thing is that this is an unscheduled port of call, with the Port of Funchal chosen as an alternative to the port of Ponta Delgada, where it was expected to arrive today at 7:00 PM. Since a storm was on its way, and to minimize inconveniences, they opted for a safer port and a calmer route across the Atlantic.

The Royal Caribbean ship was launched in 2008 and cost US$830 million (€714 million at the current exchange rate).

Source: Dn Madeira

https://www.dnoticias.pt/2025/10/22/467530-gigante-independence-of-the-seas-visita-surpresa/