27 Jan 2025 | News
On January 28 1961 the ss Rotterdam started her first world cruise. Holland America Line continued a tradition that started in 1958 with the first world cruise of the ss Statendam. The Rotterdam left New York for the Mediterranean from where she sailed through the Suez canal to India, Singapore, Hongkong, Japanese harbours, Honolulu and the west coast of North-America. After visiting Los Angeles, Acapulco, Balboa and Cristobal she arrived in New York after 77 days on April 14. It was the start of many world cruises that ended for the ss Rotterdam in 1997 when she was sold to Premier Cruises.
19 Dec 2024 | News
Airpress donated our foundation a new compressor for the horn of the ss Rotterdam. In 2010 our foundation took care of ‘the voice of the Rotterdam’, installing a new compressor and a renovating the horn in the radarmast. After 14 years the compressor needed to be replaced. Our volunteer Jan van Pijkeren contacted Airpress who donated us a new compressor. Last Wednesday the compressor was handed over to our foundation. The sound of the horn: The shipshorn of the ss Rotterdam
Robin Snoek and Michel van Ravenswaay of Airpress and Jan van Pijkeren of Friends of the ss Rotterdam celebrated the fruitful cooperation. Picture Klaas Krijnen
Michel van Ravenswaay, Robin Snoek and Jan van Pijkeren at the upper Bridge deck near the compressor room. Picture Klaas Krijnen
16 Dec 2024 | News
Our volunteers produced a new star to celebrate Christmas on the ss Rotterdam. A long tradition continues. The new star can be dismantled and stored in a proper way to prevent damage.
Picture klaas Krijnen
11 Dec 2024 | News
65 years ago the ss Rotterdam left New York for her first long cruise of 49 days around South-America. It was the start of a long tradition of cruises that lasted until 1997.
3 Sep 2024 | News
On September 3 1959 the ss Rotterdam started her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. During this liner voyage Princess Beatrix was special guest on her way to New York to celebrate 350 years connection between the Netherlands and the United States.
20 Aug 2024 | News
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.
