S.S. ROTTERDAM -- SAVED, edited by Martin Cox

www.ssrotterdam.net The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation

De Rotterdam, the ship's operator

Published August 14, 2008, photographs are being added.

Few stories about older ocean liners end as well as this one. SS ROTTERDAM, the fifth Holland America Liner to hold that name, was built by the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij. She was launched by Queen Juliana September 13, 1958. A year later, on September 3, 1959, the new steamship set out on her maiden voyage to New York with Crown Princess Beatrix on board. For a traditionalist the aft-situated twin uptakes replacing the convention funnel were deemed controversial, however this ship won herself into the heart of thousands.

Delft ceramics, mythological tapestries, grand staircases, fine wood paneling, stained glass, solid brass, and leather upholstery graced this ship of state's interiors, the finest artisans from Holland were employed in her construction and fitting out process.

The 38,645-ton SS Rotterdam sailed for Holland America for 39 years. making regular transatlantic voyages from Rotterdam to New York. In 1969, ROTTERDAM was switched to full time cruising.

Holland America Line announced the vessel's retirement due to stringent new SOLAS regulations in 1997. A plan was made for her to become a floating hotel in the City of Rotterdam, but it was not to be, and budget cruise line Premier Cruises, bought the former flagship and cleverly renamed her REMBRANDT. She was refitted and began her new cruising career. In early 2000, t was learned that there were plans to convert REMBRANDT into BIG RED BOAT IV for Los Angeles-based three and four day party cruises to match other premier ships noted for their bright red hulls. However, at midnight September 13, 2000 the financial plug was pulled on Florida-based Premier Cruise Line. Her Captain was ordered to return mid-cruise to Halifax, Canada, tie up and off load his passengers. More than 1,000 passengers were then stranded in Halifax as REMBRANDT, along with other Premier vessels, SEABREEZE and BIG RED BOAT II were all docked there. REMBRANDT was placed under arrest by the Sheriff's Department in Halifax. Satisfying her warrant REMBRANDT sailed with crew only for lay up in Freeport, Bahamas arriving September 21, where she remained tied up together with BIG RED BOAT III to await and uncertain future.

I have compiled news reports and images from this dark days of her lay up to her triumphant return to her home port of Rotterdam:

September 2000: REMBRANDT, (ex ROTTERDAM), sails in to oblivion as Premier Cruises Line collapses. Photo Hans Hoffman.

Plug Pulled On Premier Cruises
September 13, 2000: At midnight Florida-based Premier Cruise Line, owners of REMBRANDT shut down. Her Captain was ordered to return to Halifax, Canada, and off load 1,000 passengers leavin them stranded as REMBRANDT and SEABREEZE and BIG RED BOAT II all docked there. REMBRANDT was arrested by the Sheriff's Department in Halifax.

REMBRANDT Released
September 21, 2000: Satisfying her warrant REMBRANDT sailed with crew only for lay up in Freeport, Bahamas. REMBRANDT arrived Frreport September 21, where she will remain in lay up awaiting sale.

REMBRANDT/ROTTERDAM Foundation Formed
May 1, 2001: In a grass-roots effort to save defunct Premier Cruises' SS REMBRANDT, a foundation is being established by five ship enthusiasts in The Netherlands to help raise awareness and stimulate local interest in the liner. They hope to explore the field of cultural subsidies and get commercial parties interested in bringing the former Holland America Line flagship "home" to either Rotterdam or Amsterdam for static use. They have no intent to purchase the ship, themselves. She has adapted with the changing cruise industry over the years and has thus seen very little alteration from her original configuration, making her one of the most well-preserved of the few classic liners still afloat.

Cruiseshares Shares Some Bad News
March 5, 2002: Following a well-publicized announcement about the acquisition of the SS REMBRANDT (ex ROTTERDAM) and an ambitious sailing schedule for the ship beginning in mid-2002, Cruiseshares has now backed off their plans and she remains on the sales lists. Late last year, Cruiseshares, which was offering time-share units on the ship (and which had previously tried the same with the extremely derelict former SS STATENDAM, currently laid up in Greece as SEA HARMONY), had flipflopped over what the ship would be called, at one time suggesting the name GRANDE DAME. It was no secret that REMBRANDT, currently laid up at Freeport, has a limited active future due to increasingly strict SOLAS regulations due in 2010, but Cruiseshares cited this as the reason they backed out of the deal.

Amsterdam or Rotterdam?
July 17, 2002: Interest in the REMBRANDT was growing in the city of Rotterdam. Two members of the city-council, H. Maronier (Leefbaar Rotterdam) and M. Kneepkens (Stadspartij Rotterdam) made an attempt to get the ship back into her old home port. The Court of the Mayor and Aldermen replied to requests that there will be no municipal investment in the ship. At this moment it does not seem very likely that the ship will return to Rotterdam. In the mean time, preparations for mooring her in Amsterdam are continuing. However, no "go ahead" has been given.

New York Officials Eye Laid Up Ships
November 21, 2002: New York City's commissioner of homeless services flew to Freeport, Bahamas to inspect several retired ships. To combat an increase in homelessness as winter approaches, the city was looking at the possibility of converting the ships into shelters. New York City is bound by law to provide shelter for the homeless, and is considering a number of options. The ships remaining in lay up at Freeport are BIG RED BOAT II (ex EUGENIO C., EUGENIO COSTA, EDINBURGH CASTLE), BIG RED BOAT III, (ex TRANSVAAL CASTLE, S.A. VAAL, FESTIVALE, ISLAND BREEZE) and REMBRANDT (ex ROTTERDAM).

Rotterdam to Rotterdam?
February 14, 2003: Negotiations between the municipality of Rotterdam, the investors needed to purchase the ship and the developers of the high-rise appartment blocks on the Wilhelmina Pier continue. Following a powerful speech by K. Krijnen, chairman of the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation, to the city council a tdebate about this subject continued for more than 45 minutes. ss ROTTERDAM proved to be very much "alive" among the members of the council, across all political lines. Main issue was finding a berth in the Rijnhaven. 1800 signatures and SOS e-mails were gathered insupport of the project.

ROTTERDAM Sold
May 1, 2003: Great news from the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation, the Rotterdam Drydock Company purchased the REMBRANDT with the Rotterdam Port Authority providing credit facilities.

Delegation Visit to Bahamas
February 1, 2004: A delegation of members of the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation visited the ex-ROTTERDAM in Freeport, Grand Bahama. They reported that he ship's overall condition to be reasonable, both the hull and the superstructure appear to be sound. However, the condition of many exterior details (rails and stairs for example) showed that maintenance wasneeded soon. The sumptuous interiors were in a surprisingly good shape. The public spaces are completely intact, including the artworks. An "Owner's Representative" was living permanently on board the ship, with 13 Cubans crew members performing some maintenance tasks. The drydock period and renovation works, the licensees to operate the ship and the final berth in Rotterdam are being negotiatiated. Although no decisions have been made yet, Mr. van Sluis, Alderman for Rotterdam's port affairs, said on TV that the ship will be in Rotterdam before the summer of 2005.

Rotterdam Drydock Company in financial hot water
April 14, 2004; RDM applied for suspension of payment for four of its sub-divisions. The division, specially established to carry out the Rotterdam project, ss Rotterdam BV, will not be affected.

Rotterdam finds her berth
April 28, 2004: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation was pleased to announce that the Rotterdam court of Mayor and Aldermen made a determination over the future berth for ex ROTTERDAM. The chosen location will be the Rivierkwartier ("River Quarter"), the west part of Katendrecht at the entrance of the Maashaven. The "head of Katendrecht" offers an impressive scenery. The ship will be visible from a great distance, thus serving as a real landmark for the city. Transport to and from the site will require attention.

Lay up coming to an end
May 26, 2004: After three and a half years laid up in Freeport the ex ROTTERDAM's last transatlantic voyage will commence mid-June. The Barendrecht-based company MCS International Marine Services was awarded the contract; an ocean-going tug is already on its way to Freeport. Preparation for the one way transatlantic voyage, such as plating in the numerous portholes and securing all loose items is taking place. The ship bound for the the Cammell Laird yard at Gibraltar.

REMBRANDT is Towed From Freeport
June 17, 2004: In an rare moment of good news for the worlds older passenger fleet, the REMBRANDT (ex- ROTTERDAM) was towed from lay up at Freeport, Bahamas, where she has languished since September 2000. Towed by the tug ENGLISHMAN for a transatlantic voyage she is heading for Gibraltar. It is expected that the she will arrive at the Camell Laird yard where the renovation will take place on July 10. Later in the year the ship will be drydocked her original livery will be restored for her new role as static museum ship and hotel at Rotterdam. The final leg of the voyage to her permanent berth is expected to take place next Spring, with the an inauguration expected for September of 2005.

June 2004: SS ROTTERDAM is towed away from her long lay up at Freeport, bound for Gibralter, photo Peter Koster

REMBRANDT At The Rock
July 12, 2004: REMBRANDT (ex ROTTERDAM) arrived at Gibraltar. She berthed at the main wharf at Cammell Laird (Gibraltar) Ltd. after her journey from lengthy lay up in The Bahamas. Towed by the tug ENGLISHMAN. According to the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation: "From now until early next year the s.s. Rotterdam will be restored and repainted with her original grey hull. She will probably make her final voyage to Rotterdam in April 2005."

Berth Chosen For Grandest Of DAMs
April 29, 2004: RDM, the current owners of the REMBRANDT (ex ROTTERDAM), which is to be renamed and restored to her original dove gray hulled-glory as the SS ROTTERDAM, have announced where the ship will be berthed when she is utilized as a static attraction, hotel, and museum at Rotterdam. The vessel will be centrally located in Rotterdam harbor near her old berth and the former Holland America Line headquarters of the Wilhelminakade at the head of the Maashaven across from the Euromast. Meanwhile, preparations are being made in Freeport to tow the beloved former ocean liner to Holland for delivery in late May or June.

Hope For Former ROTTERDAM
June 16, 2004: The "Steamship Rotterdam Foundation" announced that the City of Rotterdam's mayoral court has made a decision to the berth the former ROTTERDAM (presently laid up in Freeport, Bahamas as REMBRANDT) in the Rivierkwartier ("River Quarter" -- the west part of Katendrecht at the entrance of the Maashaven, Holland). A Polish tug ENGLISHMAN arrived in Freeport June 14 and is preparing to tow the former Holland America Line ship across the Atlantic. The ship will be taken to Gibraltar for drydocking where she is expected to arrive in early July.

REMBRANDT At The Rock
July 12, 2004: REMBRANDT (ex ROTTERDAM) arrived at Gibraltar today. She berthed at the main wharf at Cammell Laird (Gibraltar) Ltd. after her journey from lengthy lay up in The Bahamas. Towed by the tug ENGLISHMAN, she began the transatlantic transit June 17. According to the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation: "From now until early next year the S.S. ROTTERDAM will be restored and repainted with her original grey hull. She will probably make her final voyage to Rotterdam in April 2005."

ROTTERDAM Renovations Resume
September 19: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation reports that the refurbishment of the ROTTERDAM continues at Gibraltar. Financial troubles that were reported at the beginning of September have not directly affected the future of the ship. Remediation of asbestos and renovation of piping are the main tasks ahead for the Autumn. The ship will be drydocked in the Spring 2005 and will be moved to her original homeport of Rotterdam later that year as "Hotel Cruiseship S.S. Rotterdam" at the Maashaven.

GibraltarDAM Update
December 18, 2004: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation relays some encouraging news about the SS ROTTERDAM (ex ROTTERDAM, REMBRANDT), which is berthed at the Cammell Laird Shipyard in Gibraltar. The HSG (Hospitality Support Group) has been chosen by the Port of Rotterdam for the ship's final sale negotiations from current bankrupt owners, RDM (Rotterdam Drydock Company). The ship's future owners are planning to host restaurants, a 500 bed hotel, and a large meeting hall (450 capacity) onboard ROTTERDAM when she reaches her intended homeport of Rotterdam. The negotiations are expected to last until February of 2005.

Steamship Rotterdam Foundation
April 25, 2005: Steamship Rotterdam Foundation annouced today that last month a strong wave slammed the ship against the quay-side in Gibraltar. The exact damage, if any, to the ship is unknown. In other news, the asbestos clean-up is complete, awaiting certification, and negotiations between the Port of Rotterdam and potential new owners are ongoing.

Rotterdam waits for ROTTERDAM
March 1, 2005: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation reports that Hotel Cruiseship Operations needs more time to prepare the contract with the Port of Rotterdam to take over the SS ROTTERDAM. Asbestos cleanup, negotiations about refurbishment, and fire protection are all being considered. The plans are based on using the ship for at least 25 years. Commercial interest in the ship berthed in the Maashaven, Rotterdam has been growing.

Saving the SS ROTTERDAM
June 30, 2005: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation announced that the SS ROTTERDAM has been sold by the now bankrupt "S.S. Rotterdam Ltd." to new owners, "De Rotterdam", a consortium of Woonbron (a housing company) and Eurobalance (investor), who intend to use the ship for of housing, working and learning in the port of Rotterdam, with Albeda College contracted as the educational sponsor. Initially the ship will be dry-docked for asbestos removal and will be ready for use in 2006. A letter of intent has been signed which reads: "De Rotterdam and the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation agree that the SS ROTTERDAM must be conserved as a unique cultural, industrial and maritime heritage, and intend to work together in a sustainable relationship with the aim to do all that is necessary to reach the objectives of the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation." Among other things, the foundation will advise the new company about the technical and museum functions on board. The ship currently remains tied up at Gibraltar.

Good News For SS ROTTERDAM
July 22, 2005: Steamship Rotterdam Foundation report that the new owners of the SS ROTTERDAM have made public that on July 15 the actual management of the ship was taken over from Port of Rotterdam. Vuyk Engineering of Rotterdam is supervising the refurbishment. Plans for the hotel and restaurants, congress-organization, tourism and entertainment will be reviewed. Albeda College will begin developing an organization for working and teaching on the ship.

s.s. Rotterdam to Cadiz
November 18, 2005: Our friends at the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation share the following wonderful news: "Today the owners of the steamship Rotterdam (De Rotterdam BV) announced that on Wednesday November 23 the s.s. ROTTERDAM will leave Gibraltar under tow for Cadiz, Spain, where she will be drydocked. In the process, the exterior of the ship will be repainted. The original dove gray color of her hull will return, piped with gold. The ROTTERDAM will stay in Cadiz for about six weeks.

ROTTERDAM Departs Gibraltar
November 26, 2005: ROTTERDAM (ex ROTTERDAM, REMBRANDT) was towed (11/24) from Gibraltar by tug along the Spanish coast to Cadiz and anchored over night in the Bay of Cadiz. The following morning the ship as docked in the harbour where she will stay until entering drydock on December 10.

News From Steamship Rotterdam Foundation
December 7, 2005: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation reports that the S.S. ROTTERDAM will enter drydock for the first time in eight years. She has been berthed at Cadiz, Spain since November 25, at the Navantia Shipyard. The yard was chosen because of the climate and availablility. Painting the liner will take several weeks. Some 28,000 litres of 'dove grey' paint will be used on the hull, while the yellow strip, original name and logo will be returned. The technically advanced painting system is designed to last for 15 years. At the end of January 2006, the steamship is expected to leave drydock under her original name.

Recent ROTTERDAM Reports
December 22, 2005: As the SS ROTTERDAM was prepared for her dry docking in Cadiz, 49 year old diver Juan Jose Atienza Foncubierta disappeared and was later found dead. He had gone down to make sure the ship had been safely maneuvered into the graving dock and it is presumed his oxygen tank malfunctioned. The recovery of his body took nine hours and an internal investigation has been launched.

In happier news, the ship's restoration has taken a major step forward with the sandblasting and planned painting of her hull and superstructure. Meanwhile, at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, a Dutch publishing company, Duo Duo, presented the first copies of the book Stoomschip Rotterdam 1955-2005 to Mr. Baron C.O.A. Schimmelpenninck van der Oije, director of the museum and Mr. H. Elemans, director of De Rotterdam BV. The book gives a splendid photographic report on the building and the life of the steamship ROTTERDAM.

SS ROTTERDAM To Poland For Refit
January 18, 2006: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation has announced that the steamship ROTTERDAM will sail from dry dock in Cadiz, Spain (where she has been undergoing restoration and painting since November 25, 2005) for Gdansk, Poland for six months at the end of February. The ship will be made asbestos-free before the lounges and cabins are restored to their original condition. Heating, electric, sound insulation and plumbing systems will be renewed and the air-conditioning, fire alarms and sprinklers refitted. The elevators and the cabins will be restored in keeping with her history. Gdansk beat several other European shipyards for the contract. Currently, the ROTTERDAM is painted in red primer as her hull and portions of her superstructure are being prepared for her new livery, a return to the dove gray with golden striped hull she sported when built.

RevivalDAM
January 31, 2006: The ROTTERDAM, retuned to her original paintwork, dove grey hull, red boot topping and yellow stripe, left dry dock in Cadiz, Spain today. Tugs returned her to the berth she occupied upon arrival from Gibraltar, November 25. The tug ARTICO is expected to begin the tow to Gdansk, Poland in about a week for the new phase of her refurbishment.

ROTTERDAM departs drydock Cadiz, Spain, January 31, 2006

ROTTERDAM's Journey To Preservation
February 10, 2006: The ROTTERDAM left Cadiz, Spain today at 3:30PM (local time), towed by the V.B. ARTICO on a voyage to Gdansk, Poland, a distance of 2280 nautical miles which is expected to take about 16 days. The preserved ocean liner will make her way through the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, North Sea, Skagerrak, Cattegat, Great Belt and the Baltic Sea. The society recommeds possible sightings when ROTTERDAM may be close enough to the coast near Ile d'Ouessant (Bretagne), Cape de la Hague (Normandie) and Skagen (Denmark). See the SHIPPING NEWS Photos page for her newly restored original paint job.

ROTTERDAM In Poland
February 27, 2006: Today saw the early morning arrival of the ROTTERDAM (ex ROTTERDAM, REMBRANDT) at Gdansk, Poland, after a journey of almost 2,300 nautical miles, towed by V.B. ARTICO, from Cadiz, Spain. The tow was transfered to four harbour tugs which docked the ship at the pier in readiness for her upcoming renovation.

DAMned In Poland?
July 20, 2006: Despite a recent reprieve by Polish Minister Rafal Wiechecki allowing the removal of asbestos and the planned restoration of the the SS ROTTERDAM to continue at Gdansk, the region's governor has ordered the ship to leave.

Swallows Trap Ocean Liner in Port
July 24, 2006: The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation announced last week that an agreement over the removal of asbestos had been reached. The SS ROTTERDAM was to be moved offshore for the sealed bags of asbestos to be removed onto a barge. The ship would then be returned to the Gdansk shipyard for its continued refit as a static vessel for the Port of Rotterdam. However, swallows, a protected species of bird, have now nested on the ship, which has prevented her departure.

GdanskDAM to ROTTERgrad and Back?
August 13, 2006: The latest news from the SS ROTTERDAM preservation front is that the historic liner will be towed from her Polish purgatory (where she has been swallowed up in asbestos-related controversy at Gdansk) to Kaliningrad, Russia for the removal of bags of asbestos waste and panels on board. The entire process is expected to take six weeks. In the meantime, the port of Gdansk will be dredged so that she can safely return to undergo a planned refit for her next role as a permanently berthed facility at Rotterdam's Katendrecht. It is hoped that she will be ready in 2007.

Progress In ROTTERDAM Jam
July 28, 2006: It appears that a compromise has been reached in the matter of removing sealed bags of asbestos from the famed SS ROTTERDAM. According to Stoomschip Rotterdam, the bags of material containing asbestos will be transferred to the freighter CELICA in accordance with the Polish ministers wishes. A large crane, already on board ROTTERDAM, will load the bags onto SELICCA when she arrives at Gdansk on July 30, thus leaving undisturbed the hundreds of nesting swallows on board ROTTERDAM.

SS ROTTERDAM's Next Haven
August 21, 2006: The latest news from the Polish front has it that SS ROTTERDAM will not proceed to Kaliningrad as previously announced. Instead, she is due to depart Gdansk on August 24 for Wilhelmshaven, Germany, for removal of her asbestos panels and refitting toward her new role as an attraction at Rottterdam.

SS ROTTERDAM Clears Gdansk
August 26: SS ROTTERDAM was reportedly towed by tug Bazalttowed from Gdansk, Poland on August 25. The ship is expected at Wilhelmshaven, Germany around September 1, where the sacks of asbestos waste will be unloaded and further external restoration work will continue. SS ROTTERDAM is expected to remain Wilhelmshaven for about six to eight weeks.

ROTTERDAM In Germany
September 10, 2006: The preserved passenger liner SS ROTTERDAM (ex ROTTERAM, REMBRANDT) arrived in Wilhelmshaven, German on September 2, 2006 after her tow from Gdansk by oceangoing tug BAZALT. By 8:00 AM she was tied up at Hannoverquay and is expected to remain there for six to eight weeks for continued repair work.

Old ROTTERDAM's Mast Saved by HAL Captain
October 1, 2006: When VEENDAM called at Los Angeles on September 28, an interesting maritime reunion in the making was revealed. In 1981, then chief officer Albert J. Schoonderbeek and Second Bo'sun Nico Pangamanan of the SS ROTTERDAM removed the top nine feet of the ship's mast. The ship was sailing to Ketchikan, Alaska where low-hanging power lines at Seymour Narrows required the reduction in mast height. The mast was stowed on board until 1997 (when Nico Pangamanan had made Bo'sun), when they landed the mast at Ketchikan. The port agent had asked if it could become a flag pole, but for some reason this never happened and the mast ended up in a storage yard for many years. Returning to Ketchikan as captain of the MV VEENDAM, Albert J. Schoonderbeek and his Bo'sun, Nico Pangamanan, recovered the mast, intending to return it to the former Holland America Line flagship ROTTERDAM, now undergoing restoration in Germany. When VEENDAM arrives in Europe in 2007, the mast will be offloaded and returned to the ship from which it came.

Captain Albert J. Schoonderbeek and his Bo'sun, Nico Pangamanan, with ROTTERDAM's mast on board VEENDAM.

Clock Ticking For Rotterdam
February 24, 2007: The municipal calendar for the city of Rotterdam, Holland has set a date of Friday September 14, 2007 for the return of the preserved ocean liner SS ROTTERDAM. The former Holland America Line flagship is under going conversion to hotel, conference center and museum ship to be permanently moored in her former homeport of Rotterdam.

ROTTERDAM at Hanoverkai in Wilhelmshaven, Germany where Turbo-Technik Repairyard are completing the work. Photo Cai Ronnauon.

Dame Grand Opening!
April 3, 2006: Today De Rotterdam BV announced that the steamship ROTTERDAM will be opened to the public on March 31 2008. It is expected that the SS ROTTERDAM will be towed to Rotterdam in December or January, depending on weather conditions. About two months will be needed to put the ROTTERDAM in operation.

ROTTERDAM at Wilhelmshaven, May 12, 2007 . Photo Klass Krijnen.

ROTTERDAM News
June 1, 2007: The Rotterdam Foundation reports continued progress in the renewal of the SS ROTTERDAM at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. This month, work has begun on the bridge steel work, railings and decks. On September 28, 2006, Martin Cox (MaritimemMatters publisher) had the pleasure of meeting Captain Albert J. Schoonderbeek on board MV VEENDAM in Los Angeles. Schoonderbeek told MaritimeMatters an intriguing story of reuniting a section of the ROTTERDAM's mast.

Back in 1991, then chief officer Albert J. Schoonderbeek and Second Bo'sun Nico Pangamanan of the SS ROTTERDAM removed the top nine feet of the ship's mast. The ship was sailing to Ketchikan, Alaska where low-hanging power lines at Seymour Narrows required the reduction in mast height. The mast was stowed on board until 1997 (when Nico Pangamanan had made Bo'sun), when they landed the mast at Ketchikan. The port agent had asked if it could become a flag pole but for some reason this never happened and the mast ended up in a storage yard for many years. Returning to Ketchikan as captain of the MV VEENDAM, in 2005, Albert J. Schoonderbeek and his Bo'sun, Nico Pangamanan, recovered the mast, intending to return it to the former Holland America Line flagship ROTTERDAM in Germany. The mast has now arrived in Wilhelmshaven from Alaska, and is being prepared for reconnection.

ROTTERDAM Report
September 22, 2007: As the stately SS ROTTERDAM moves towards her now role in the port of Rotterdam, her owner's website notes that 289 four star staterooms will be available in March 2008. Inside cabins (original, Manhattan and Bahama) start at Euro 95 per room/per night while Luxury Cabins (original) start at Euro 210 per room/per night, some of which are situated on Boat deck and Sun deck and are the former officers cabins. On-line booking is not yet available.

ROTTERDAM Debut Delayed
October 11, 2007: The opening of the SS ROTTERDAM as a hotel ship at Rotterdam has been pushed back from March to mid-May of 2008 to allow more time to properly prepare the ship for her new future. The liner is undergoing a complete refit at Wilhelmshaven, Germany which has thus far included the coupling of former tourist class cabins into larger units, a great deal of steel work restoration, and stripping to the bare framework of most of her public rooms to allow for new wiring and plumbing as well as removal of asbestos prior to reinstallation of all of her notable vintage features.

Weaving ROTTERDAM Back Home
February 21, 2008: The owners of the SS ROTTERDAM, Rederij De Rotterdam BV, announced this week that the ship will open this autumn in the port of Rotterdam. She is expected to arrive in the summer and will host cafes and restaurants, 289 hotel rooms, conference spaces and class rooms. Meanwhile, the Maritime Museum of Rotterdam is exhibiting four reproductions of the "goblin" tapestries that once hung in the Casino, each measuring 4 meters by 1.3 meters. The tapestries were stolen from the ship in 2004 at Gibraltar and the reproductions will be placed on SS ROTTERDAM when she returns to her home port. The reproduced tapestries were woven by workshop De Uil under the direction of Joke Haverkorn van Rijsewijk and inspired by four paintings of Gisle van Waterschoot van der Gracht.

ROTTERDAM On MARY
March 16, 2008: Klaas Krijnen from the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation gave a presentation on the salvation of the beloved Dutch liner today in the Caronia Room of the RMS QUEEN MARY. His beautifully illustrated talk covered the history of the ship in her Holland America Line heyday, her innovative design features and elegant decor. When the liner, renamed REMBRANDT, was laid up at Freeport following the collapse of her last owners, Premier Cruises, in 2000, Klaas was a major force in drumming up support to save the ship from almost certain scrapping. He shared with the appreciative crowd (many of whom were loyal ROTTERDAM passengers) the trials and tribulations of getting the ship towed to Gibraltar from Freeport, the challenges of asbestos removal for her new stationary career, her drydocking in Cadiz, tow to Gdansk, and ultimately Wilhelmshaven, Germany, where the ship is still undergoing a full transformation. ROTTERDAM is due to commence her new role as a floating hotel and attraction at the Port of Rotterdam later this year.

SS ROTTERDAM Prepares For Return Home
July 30, 2008: The SS ROTTERDAM will return to her home port of Rotterdam on Monday, August 4. The ship is expected to leave Wilhelmshaven, Germany on Saturday morning and is due to arrive at Hoek van Holland at approximately 3.30 PM local time. There will be no official festivities, those will be scheduled at the official opening on a later date.

SS ROTTERDAM On The Move
August 4, 2008: In one of the brightest stories in recent years, 'De Rotterdam BV' reports that the SS ROTTERDAM left the quay in Wilhelmshaven, Germany (where her final refit work has progressed since since September 2, 2006) at 9:00 AM local time, August 2. The ship is expected to arrive at Hoek van Holland today, Monday. ROTTERDAM which is under tow from tugs RT MAGIC and RT SPIRIT comes her home. Update from Klaas Krijnen; "This morning at 8.00 local time the s.s. Rotterdam passed Zandvoort (west of Amsterdam). From 2.00 PM the tugs will set course to Hoek van Holland. Around 4.00 PM the s.s. Rotterdam will reach the Nieuwe Waterweg for the last 15 nautical miles of her final trip back to Rotterdam".

REMBRANDT Saved!

August 4, 2008: ROTTERDAM, at 03.34 pm while just entering the New Waterway at Hook of Holland. Photo Colin Miell.

ROTTERDAM at 04.03pm August 4, 2008 entering the New Waterway at Hook of Holland. Photo Jan Venema.

ROTTERDAM, August 4, at 08.00 pm, while passing the premises of the Rotterdam Drydock Company. Photo Willem van der Leek

ROTTERDAM, August 4, at 08.45 pm while the liner enters the Maashaven. Photo Willem van der Leek

ROTTERDAM, August 5 at 09.45 am from the Euromast.

The following pages provide a "tour" of ROTTERDAM when she was operating as REMBRANDT in 2000.

Special thanks to Klass Krijnen, Willem van der Leek, Peter Knego, Captain Albert J. Schoonderbeek and to this who have shared your photographs with MaritimeMatters.

Click here for REMBRANDT Tour Page

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