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.
