Welcome to the website of the Friends of steamship Rotterdam
In 2001 we started striving for a new life for the ss Rotterdam in the Rotterdam harbour. The ss Rotterdam came into service for Holland-America Line as their flagship in 1959. Built by the Rotterdam Drydock Company, she is the largest passenger liner ever built in the Netherlands, numbered among the most successful liners ever sailing the seven seas. The ship has largely kept her original character and remains in good condition. Housing company Woonbron has given her a profound refurbishment by which she can service as a static liner for many years. Please explore our website for more information about the history of the ss Rotterdam. Steamship Rotterdam Foundation, alias Friends of steamship Rotterdam, continues her activities including securing a lasting preservation and use in a culturally and historically responsible manner. We are not the owners or operators of the ship. WestCord Hotels are the owners since June 2013.
The ss Rotterdam in the Maashaven in Rotterdam. Picture Klaas Krijnen
Model or print of the ss Rotterdam: looking for a model or print of the ss Rotterdam? Please visit website Onno Heesbeen
Please visit the website of the operators www.ssrotterdam.nl for information about possibilities on board.
The ss Rotterdam at her present berth in the Maashaven in Rotterdam, visited by the restored seagoing tug Elbe. Picture Jan-Willem Koene
Art-restoration fund for the ss Rotterdam
The ss Rotterdam has many artworks. Some of them have to be restorated in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Agency and the training Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of the University of Amsterdam. We are raising funds for the restoration. Donations are very welcome on: INGB NL28 0000 0195 95; BIC: INGBNL2A. on behalf of Stichting behoud stoomschip Rotterdam. Please mention: Donation to Art restoration fund. When using Paypal please mention: info@stoomschiprotterdam.nl
The mural Aegean Sea in the Grand Ballroom, former Ritz Carlton, by Cuno van den Steene has partly been restorated.
Thanks to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, owners of the Borealis (former Rotterdam VI) the original painting of Schouman has been brought back to the captain’s dayroom after restoration.
We have conservated the artworks Cock and Fish of Dick ten Hoedt, donated by captain Hans Mateboer. They are being exibited in our new museum in the former linen room on C deck.
(pictures by Klaas Krijnen)
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News
65 years ago the keel was laid
65 years go, on December 14 1956, the keel of the ss Rotterdam was laid at the Rotterdam Drydock Company. In fact the first two sections of the ship, then known as yard number 300, were placed on the slope.
The Christmas star is shining on the ss Rotterdam
Following the tradition our volunteers mounted the Christmas star between the smokestacks of the ss Rotterdam. Picture by Henk Salij Pictures by Jan Egberts
Volunteers at work on the ss Rotterdam
Our volunteers are up and coming on the ss Rotterdam. After working on the restoration of the wooden artwork in the Queens lounge they continued to arrange the original drawings of the ship and preparing the traditional Christmas star between the smoke stacks. An...