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REMBRANDT: The Inner tour
Save Our Ship Of State: REMBRANDT Tour Page 2
SS REMBRANDT, 6 February, 2000. Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
Following the Ambassador, one finds a gathering of shops and the Upper Promenade Deck level of the main staircase. A passage leads aft of here past the lovely Library on the port side and the Shore Excursion office (formerly a card room) on the starboard side. The 130 seat Smoking Room (shown above facing aft) is next, with its distinctive "V-shaped" leather and wood ceiling, full-length windows, and plush wooden support columns. The glass panel at the forward end of the room sports resin inlays of various insects and fauna. The sofas lining the port and starboard flanks can be inverted, depending on whether one wishes to look out to sea or toward the center of the room (enabled by an ingenius swivel system). Premier dispensed with HAL's reproduction of the room's original carpet, which mimicked the patterns in the ceiling in multi-colored tones. Purists might be taken aback, but the new, more restrained carpet nonetheless goes nicely in its place. The aft part of the room is dominated by a large wooden structure that boasts a series of bronze "smoking" figurines designed by Ms. E. Schurman. On the starboard side, the gallery-like Tropic Bar can be found. A favorite watering hole for the ship's die-hard clientele, it is often overlooked by the less alert passenger. On the port side, a passage leads aft to the magnificent Ritz.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
Following the Theater, Promenade Deck continues with the former tourist class Queens Lounge, which is distinguised by its "diamond-shaped" windows as much as its pleasant (if more modest than some of the ship's other spaces) decor. The forward portion of the room sports a lovely marquetry panel that depicts fishermans' nets, while the aft portion boasts frosted glass panels and a woven tapestry of an owl. A wrought iron railing with seven figurines traverses the starboard passageway, while the port and starboard sections are slightly terraced upwards from the center, which contains an inlaid wooden kidney-shaped dance floor. The lighting is arranged in patterns that correspond to the room's original seating arrangement. Premier have installed a new coral-colored carpet that lends itself to the rustic, yet cheerful decor. The above view is facing port/forward.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
Just aft of the Queen's Lounge on the port side of the Promenade Deck, one finds the second of the REMBRANDT's popular watering holes, the Ocean Bar (shown above facing aft). Distinguished by its line-up of full-length, diamond-shaped windows, it has been a cherished space for the ship's entire 41 years at sea, for one can sit within its gallery-like confines and literally watch the waves go by. The bar seating has been upgraded by Premier, but the shell-patterned ceiling and iron "inside out" fish sculpture on the aft bulkhead remain untouched (Similar sculptures can be found in the La Fontaine Dining Room side extensions). On the starboard side, the former tourist class library evolved into a video room in the latter HAL era, but now serves as one of the REMBRANDT's childrens' rooms.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
Aft of the main staircase, one finds the shopping center, formerly known as the Lynbaan Shops. Masterfully isolated from the stairs by an attractive veneered bulkhead (that sports a painting of Rembrandt, himself), the shops lead aft on either side to the Casino (shown above facing forward). Originally the tourist class Club Room, it was converted into a revenue-generating space in the ROTTERDAM's mid-to-latter days. A marble faux fireplace dominates the forward bulkhead while four mythological murals adorn each of the corners. Premier actually improved visibility of these lovely murals by rearranging the slot machines in the room's perimeter. A beautiful glass fixture in the middle of the ceiling is complemented by similar fixtures on the wooden support beams in true art deco "revival" style. The image below is a close-up view of the aft/starboard mural, which portrays Dionysos.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
On either side of the casino, there are two promenades. The starboard side still continues aft to the pool area, but the port side (now used as a video arcade) was limited when the Lido Restaurant replaced the Cafe de la Paix in 1969. The Lido Restaurant, located just aft of another foyer now dedicated to photo displays, has been remodeled over the years. Now, it looks fresher than ever, with new carpeting and a more well-laid out buffet area. This view is facing aft along the port side, which overlooks the sea. The inviting Promenade Deck pool and lido rounds out the rest of this level, which ascends slightly to conform with the ship's sheer.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
SS REMBRANDT, 6 February, 2000. Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
Lower Promenade, Main, and A Deck are devoted to passengers' accommodation, which spans a wide variety of categories, thanks to the ship's transatlantic and two class pedigree. Nearly all of the cabins sport beautifully-polished wood paneling and furnishings, and while there are no balconies or private jacuzzis, are all comfortable in their own right. This image is a sample Category C Cabin, number 111, facing starboard. Since the ship's sale to Premier in 1997, new soft furnishings, carpeting, and upholstery have been added.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
The main staircase is not only famous for its clever purpose of dividing the two classes. It boasts a series of lovely glass panels that descend from "the heavens" on Boat Deck level down to "the bottom of the ocean" on B Deck. Stylized imprints represent each of the levels in an abstract way, a favorite at mid-point between Main and Promenade Decks representing "sea level", with an interpretation of the ROTTERDAM, herself. The above image is facing forward/port between Main and Promenade Decks.
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
B Deck houses the REMBRANDT's similarly-appointed, domed dining rooms, starting forward with the lovely Odyssey (shown above facing forward). Although this room was devoted to first class, it is no more luxurious than the former tourist class La Fontaine. Holland America architects designed the two on the same standard to accommodate the ship's alternate "one class" cruising career. Their forward thinking worked, and both rooms inspire "oohs" and "ahhs" from appreciative passengers who enjoy the delft ceramic "moons and stars" in the ceilings, plush seating, and brass columns. The Odyssey is distinguished by its series of delft murals that line the bulkheads depicting various scenes from Homer's "Odyssey".
Photo by and copyright Peter Knego
The La Fontaine Dining Room boasts murals inspired by La Fontaine and Aesop. It also has two wings on either side for additional seating. While these boast windows, they are less inviting than the main hall, and are seldom used. The starboard wing was converted to a serving station several years ago. Aft, there is yet another small annex, but this space is now reserved for the ship's staff. The above view of the La Fontaine is facing forward.
Our photo tour will end here for now. REMBRANDT also boasts an indoor pool and sauna area on D Deck, but since it was being refurbished during my visit to the ship in February, it is not shown.
When Premier Cruises shut down in the fall of 2000, REMBRANDT was laid up at Freeport, Bahamas after a brief arrest at Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is the subject of constant rumors for continued service or static preservation, but thus far has failed to attract a solid buyer. Hopefully a reprieve will come before the extreme heat and humidity begin to take their toll on this important ship.
References: GRAND DAME: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AND THE SS ROTTERDAM by Stephen M. Payne, THE WORLD's PASSENGER FLEET cd-rom by Peter Knego
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