Cruise to Canaries

[mick]

I have just returned from what turned out to be a tragic 80s a cruise on the new Virgin Cruise Ship (Valiant Lady)
Any spotting was ad hoc but I did manage to log a few during the trip

We set sail from Portsmouth on 21st March for a cruise around Northern Spain, Canaries and Lisbon before returning to Portsmouth on 1st April
All was running smoothly with a few spotting opportunities whilst in the ports.

On our was back from the Canaries heading towards Lisbon, we had a medical emergency on board. Owing to the fact we were out in the Atlantic we had to detour within 2 hours of the nearest land, this being Madeira. The reasoning being the range of the helicopter.
We were told that one was sent out, from Porto Santo Island which apparently is close to Madeira. Asked not to go out on our balcony or decks, the helicopter was due around 8pm. Bit disappointed as I was hoping to see it, however we had a show booked for then.
We were told to expect a bit of disruption during the show.
Anyhow the show finished as an announcement came over that whilst enroute to us the thing went tech and had to turn around. So we continued steaming towards land as another was dispatched from Porto Santo Island.

Having gone to bed in our cabin on deck 14, was awoken at 1:15 am (29th March) by the turbines of a heavy chopper whirring above us. Obviously couldn’t see anything above but after around 15 minutes it took off/left over our cabin. Because of the darkness could see the frame and lights but no make or identity could be ascertained.

You would have thought that we had enough dramas……………………..Tragically No!

Having left Lisbon on the way back to Portsmouth we were sat on our balcony supping a few glasses watching the sunset, before the evenings entertainment and meal commenced
Nothing out of the ordinary, however when waking up the following morning 31st March I noticed the sun shining through our balcony again. Mmmmmm. I said to my wife were heading the wrong way.

We got to breakfast and it was evident a few more noticed before the Captain came over the intercom to announce that overnight we had a man overboard and were obliged to return to the last know position to search. We were also told that other vessels, French and Spanish Coastguards were searching with Helicopters and “fixed wing” aircraft.
Obviously this was a shock to everyone.

We basically spent the whole day going backwards and forwards searching for what surely would be nothing more than a body recovery. 
Eventually the search was called off
Really sad and tragic

We have been told that the airlifted patient is recovering, but know very little about the Man Overboard incident. Lots of rumours only.

Puts our hobby into perspective and I was unsure wether to compile this report, but I decided to in the end. 

So, I made a few going into Lisbon, Tenerife and Gran Canarias. All going over the top or close to the port we were moored at. 

Our first port of call was A'Coruna in Northern Spain. Whilst here did see a few Vueling going in and out of the airport but nothing new for me.

We were due to visit Maderia, however for unknown reasons this was cancelled and we sailed straight down to SantaCruz, Northern Tenerife arriving 26th March.
Logged going in and out the following

EC-NJI Airbus A321 251nx 10071 Iberia Express
EC-NLS Boeing B.737 436F 25856 Swiftair
PH-HXD Boeing B.737NG 8K2 61791 Transavia Airlines
SP-RZG Boeing B.737MAX 8 200 62320 Buzz

The following day Sunday, 27 March we arrived in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Again logged were the following going in and out.

CN-COJ Avions de Transport Reg1539 Royal Air Maroc Express
D-AMAA Boeing B.737MAX 8 44612 TUIfly
EC-NCY Boeing B.787 9 65248 Air Europa
EC-NHA Embraer ERJ-195-E2 400S19020027 Binter Canarias
EC-NQR Avions de Transport Reg1692 Binter Canarias
EC-NSF Avions de Transport Reg1634 Binter Canarias
OE-LYV Airbus A319 132 5043 Eurowings Europe
OO-JAA Boeing B.737NG 8BK 29660 TUI Airlines Belgium
with 9H-QBA Boeing B.737NG 800 44802 Malta Air going over the top

Whilst on land in Las Palmas outside the museum (close to the port) was the nose of EC-DGB Douglas DC-9 34 Iberia

A5A8848F-E2CA-4AB6-A74B-B633B0516417 by Mick Childs, on Flickr


Then it was off to Lisbon where the following were logged flying into the airport

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022 Lisboa (Lisbon)


9H-VUS Boeing B.737MAX 8 200 6232 Malta Air
CS-TKQ Airbus A320 214 2325 Azores Airlines
CS-TPQ Embraer ERJ-190 LR 19000450 TAP Express
CS-TPU Embraer ERJ-190 LR 19000506 TAP Express
CS-TPW Embraer ERJ-190 LR 19000550 TAP Express
CS-TTX Embraer ERJ-195 200IGW 19000429 TAP Express
EC-MZT Airbus A320 271n 8181 Vueling Airlines
HA-LVC Airbus A321 271nx 8816 Wizz Air
OE-INA Airbus A320 214 7693 easyJet Europe


Log thanks to ADU

If anyone can identify the helicopter I would appreciate it.
I have tried to find it but nothing is showing on flight radars for the the 29th March off Porto santo. The only thing I can establish is that it was probably an airbus or puma from squadron 751 Portuguese Navy.

Mick

Sent from Mail for Windows

[billsamuels]

Hi Mick,

Nice report mate, what a shame about that poor soul who went missing, tragedy in deed. 

Changing the subject, what’s your view on the ship and the company?

Hope overall you’ve chalked it up as a great trip.

Bill

[mick]

Sorry for the late reply
We have only been on one other cruise and the Mrs fancied this non fly 80's themed cruise.
I think it was the Valiant Lady's inaugural cruise.
We really enjoyed it although I understand a number of regular cruisers did not as it was an Adults only cruise with a few typical Richard Branson shows, one of which was a bit Risqué.

The food was phenomenal and all soft drinks free. Alcohol was reasonably priced. Crew mostly youngsters and diverse!

It had a few issues (apart from said problems above) Missing Madeira and only having a few hours in Lisbon which have resulted in us being offered a further free cruise in June (We picked Barcelona and Med)

So would I go again? Absolutely!

[graham]

Great report Mick, so sad to hear of the episode regarding a person going over the side, tragic indeed. The only "cruise" I've ever been on was in 1970 and it was to the same neck of the woods as you. My parents booked passage on a ship that if I recall was named the "Monte Ulia". It was essentially a freighter that supplemented it's carg0 income with a couple of dozen private cabins. I was only 13 or 14 and don't remember much about the trip, I know we sailed from Southampton and put in to Vigo first, unloaded some cargo and then reloaded, then off to Tenerife where the cargo was taken off and we reloaded with bananas for the ride back to Southampton via La Coruna.

I recall that the Bay of Biscay was horrible there and back, we were all sick. I also remember that the food was top notch, the 40 or 50 passengers had their own dining room and all cabins had a balcony.

[rugbyref]

We treated ourselves to a cruise as a retirement present. TUI B787 from Gatwick to Barbados, then visited Dominica, Antigua, St Vincent and St Barts, before spending a second week in Barbados. St Barts was amazing, we took a cab to the beach at the foot of the runway and sunbathed, swam and watched those crazy downhill landings. I have to say the 787 was nothing special, unlike our later flights with Cathay and China Airlines in their A350s.