Christmas star between the smoke stacks

Like every year our volunteers produced a bright  Christmas star between the smokestacks. A tradition continues.

Picture taken by Ton Lenselink

Picture taken by Cor Salij

Our volunteers at work, preparing the star. Pictures taken by Klaas Krijnen

New carpet in the Smoking Room

WestCord Hotels / ss Rotterdam ordered new carpet for the Smoking Room on Upper-Promenade deck. After 16 years of intensive use it had to be replaced. The original pattern designed by architect Carel Wirtz has succesfully been reproduced.

Picture by Ton Lenselink

Painting the evaporator room

Former engineer Roel Valbracht came for the second time from Canada to Rotterdam to show his love for the ss Rotterdam. With his friends Ronald Aker, Arnold Eisma and Lenze Vondeling he painted several equipments in the evaporator room, generator room and main engine room in the right colours.

Roel at work. Picture Ronald Aker

Pictures Klaas Krijnen

Jazz Festival at Sea on the ss Rotterdam

During the seventies Holland America Line presented several jazz cruises. On a cold Saturday, probably December 7 1974, the ss Rotterdam left New York with among others Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughan, Cannonball Adderley and Joe Williams on a 7-day jazz cruise. Enjoy the wonderful documentary Jazz Ship

Official trials 66 years ago

Today August 20 66 years ago Her Majesty Queen Juliana hoisted the flag of Holland America Line during the official trials at sea. December 14 1956 the keel was laid at the Rotterdam Drydock Company. September 3 1959 the ss Rotterdam started her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York.