October 11, 2026 — The Funchal, a 1961-built liner last operated by Portuscale Cruises and one of the oldest cruise ships still afloat, has reportedly been sold at auction in Portugal. Reports disagree on the buyer, and one says the ship is headed for scrapping in Turkey.
What is reported
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sale | Auction in Portugal earlier in October 2026. Exact date: TBA. Not officially confirmed |
| Seller | Sold to settle the debts of last owner Teamson Lda., which is in insolvency |
| Price | Just above the minimum of €802,354, according to Correio da Manhã |
| Buyer | An unnamed Greek shipowner with repair and dismantling yards, per Correio da Manhã and Jornal de Negócios. Madeira’s JM instead names a Turkish scrapping company |
| Plans | JM reports the ship will be dismantled at Aliaga, Turkey. Timing: TBA |
The ship
- Built in 1961 to link mainland Portugal with its Atlantic islands; 9,845 tons, 402 passengers.
- Laid up in Portugal for most of the past decade.
- Teamson planned to turn it into a stationary hotel. Asbestos was removed in drydock, but the project was never finished.
- Former Portuscale fleetmates Princess Danae and Arion were also auctioned and were scrapped at Aliaga in 2015 and 2018.
What it means for travelers
- No sailings, bookings or fares are affected. The ship has not carried cruise passengers for years.
- Ship enthusiasts hoping to see the Funchal should not wait. Its current berth and departure date were not given in the reports, so confirm locally before planning a trip to Portugal around it.
- The sale is unconfirmed and the buyer is disputed. Treat the scrapping report as likely but not final.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Funchal Reportedly Sold to Greek Shipowner
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