News

Arrival in Gdansk on February 27 2006

Arrival in Gdansk on February 27 2006

Twenty years ago, in the early morning of February 27 the ss Rotterdam arrived in Gdansk from Cádiz. After an idle stay she left in August 2006 for Wilhelmshaven for renovation. Picture Klaas Krijnen

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20 years ago the last drydock for the ss Rotterdam

20 years ago the last drydock for the ss Rotterdam

Twenty years ago, on February 10 2006, the ss Rotterdam left Cadiz after drydocking at the Navantia yard. The ship was covered with fresh paint, while at different spots in the superstructure plating was replaced. The radar mast retained her original shape and several...

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First world cruise ss Rotterdam in 1961

First world cruise ss Rotterdam in 1961

65 years ago on January 28 1961 the ss Rotterdam departed from New York for her first world cruise. Sailing through the Mediterranean to among other destinations India, Hongkong, Hawaï and Los Angeles she arrived back in New York after 77 days on April 14 1961. 28...

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Christmas star between the smoke stacks

Christmas star between the smoke stacks

Like every year our volunteers produced a bright  Christmas star between the smokestacks. A tradition continues. Pictures taken by Jan van Pijkeren Picture taken by Cor Salij Our volunteers at work, preparing the star. Pictures taken by Klaas Krijnen

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New carpet in the Smoking Room

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

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Painting the evaporator room

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...

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Jazz Festival at Sea on the ss Rotterdam

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...

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Official trials 66 years ago

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...

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ss Rotterdam: The ship that refused to fade

ss Rotterdam: The ship that refused to fade

Cruisemagazine Sail Away produced the documentary with the title ss Rotterdam: The ship that refused to fade Naval architect Stephen Payne praises the fact that the ss Rotterdam has been saved from scrap.    

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Painting the ss Rotterdam

Painting the ss Rotterdam

Painters are at work at the ss Rotterdam. For the first time since 2006 the radarmast, smokestacks, derricks and davits are being painted. s Pictures made by Maarten and klaas Krijnen Pictures courtesy of Frits Smits (Smits Vastgoedzorg) Picture Ryan Derks Pictures...

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15 years ago the ss Rotterdam was opened for the public

15 years ago the ss Rotterdam was opened for the public

15 years ago, on February 15 2010, the ss Rotterdam opened her doors for the public. On a cold and windy morning a group of children from a school in the neighbourhood and several celebrities were invited to come to the schip. Willem Smit, managing director operations...

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First world cruise ss Rotterdam

First world cruise ss Rotterdam

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...

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