Funchal upgrades for cruise market

The Madeiran capital and cruise port, Funchal, which has been a popular cruise destination since at least the 1950s, is set for a massive renovation. Starting this month, the port will increase its capacity, build a special disembarkation station for international passengers, a new dock for regional passengers, new parking along with footpaths and cycle paths, and major restoration of some of the older and rather run-down areas of the port, including new dining facilities. Funchal has become the busiest Portuguese port for cruise holidays: a total of 264 cruise ships carrying a total of 337,601 passengers passed through it in 2007.