Today 65 years ago the ss Rotterdam became flagship of Holland America Line (HAL). In the evening of August 20 1959 Queen Juliana hoisted the flag of HAL while at sea. Shortly before the flag of Rotterdam Drydock Company had been lowered. The builders delivered the ship a month before the settled date. On September 3 1959 she started her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. The Rotterdam was HAL’s flagship until September 30 1997.
