Welcome to the website of the Friends of steamship Rotterdam
25 years ago, in 2001 we started striving for a new life for the ss Rotterdam in the Rotterdam harbour. The ss Rotterdam came into service for Holland-America Line as their flagship in 1959. Built by the Rotterdam Drydock Company, she is the largest passenger liner ever built in the Netherlands, numbered among the most successful liners ever sailing the seven seas. The ship has largely kept her original character and remains in good condition. Housing company Woonbron has given her a profound refurbishment by which she can service as a static liner for many years. Please explore our website for more information about the history of the ss Rotterdam. Steamship Rotterdam Foundation, alias Friends of steamship Rotterdam, continues her activities including securing a lasting preservation and use in a culturally and historically responsible manner. We are not the owners or operators of the ship. WestCord Hotels are the owners since June 2013.
The ss Rotterdam in the Maashaven in Rotterdam on July 9 2025. Picture taken by Thea van Ommeren from the seagoing tug Elbe
The ss Rotterdam on a sunny day in Rotterdam Picture Klaas Krijnen, February 17 2026
Enjoy the documentary published by Cruisemagazine Sail Away: The ship that refused to fade
Model or print of the ss Rotterdam: looking for a model or print of the ss Rotterdam? Please visit website Onno Heesbeen
Please visit the website of the operators www.ssrotterdam.nl for information about possibilities on board.
The ss Rotterdam at her present berth in the Maashaven in Rotterdam, visited by the restored seagoing tug Elbe. Picture Jan-Willem Koene
Art-restoration fund for the ss RotterdamThe ss Rotterdam has many artworks. Some of them have been restorated in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Agency and the training Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of the University of Amsterdam. We are raising funds for the restoration of other artworks. Donations are very welcome on: INGB NL28 0000 0195 95; BIC: INGBNL2A. on behalf of Stichting behoud stoomschip Rotterdam. Please mention: Donation to Art restoration fund. When using Paypal please mention: info@stoomschiprotterdam.nl
The mural Aegean Sea in the Grand Ballroom, former Ritz Carlton, by Cuno van den Steene has partly been restorated.
Thanks to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, owners of the Borealis (former Rotterdam VI) the original painting of Schouman has been brought back to the captain’s dayroom after restoration.
We have conservated the artworks Cock and Fish of Dick ten Hoedt, donated by captain Hans Mateboer. They are being exibited in our new museum in the former linen room on C deck.
(pictures by Klaas Krijnen)
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News
55 years ago the ss Rotterdam left her homeport on the way to New York
On October 6 1971, 55 years ago, the ss Rotterdam left her homeport Rotterdam heading for New York for the last time. After 27 years she visited Rotterdam as the ss Rembrandt on October 26 1998. Ten years later she returned definitely to her homeport under her...
Good company for the ss Rotterdam during World port days
During World port days in the harbour of Rotterdam several iconic ships joined the iconic ss Rotterdam. The ss Rotterdam (1959) in the Maashaven, photographed by Hans Hoffmann © The seagoing tug Elbe (1959), photographed by Hans Hoffmann © The former measuring vessel...
Exhibition about world cruises of Holland America Line
In cooperation with Association De Lijn we present an exhibition about world cruises of ships of Holland America Line. Our part contains items of world cruises the ss Rotterdam V has made. The exhibition can be visited free from July 25 till August 16 in the La...