ss Rotterdam

The ss Rotterdam ship was constructed by the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij NV (RDM) company and stands as the largest transatlantic passenger ship built in the Netherlands. It served as the flagship of the Holland-America Line from 1959.

ss Rotterdam has impressive dimensions, measuring 228 meters in length, 28 meters in width, 51 meters in height, and with a total weight of 38,645 tons.

The abbreviation ‘ss’ stands for steamship. The ship is affectionately known as La Grande Dame.

The ss Rotterdam has sailed across all the world’s oceans and was the first to go around the globe from Alaska to New Zealand in 80 days. It mainly operated trips between Rotterdam and New York, and during the quieter times, it also offered cruises.

The Premier Cruises company from the United States bought the ship in 1997 and renamed it Rembrandt. However, the company went bankrupt in 2000, and the ship was left stranded in the Caribbean. In 2005, Joep van Nieuwenhuyzen, a Rotterdam entrepreneur, purchased the ship on behalf of RDM (with support from the Port Authority of Rotterdam).

After undergoing restoration in Gibraltar, Cádiz, Gdansk, and Willemshaven, the SS Rotterdam was transported to Rotterdam’s port in 2008.

In 2010, it began operating as a hotel, and in 2013, the WestCord Hotels company took over the ship.

The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation is responsible for preserving the ship, although the WestCord Hotels are the owners.

Today, the SS Rotterdam is used as a venue for special events. On the main deck, there are 29 rooms, including ten meeting rooms. The ship also has two restaurants. The salons have authentic and luxurious furniture in the style of the 1950s.

Inside the ship, there are many rooms with furniture and various artworks, such as ceramics, woodwork, glass, bronze, textiles, plastic, and paper. There’s even a theater. The Cultural Heritage Agency has included the ship on the list of valuable interiors.

La Grande Dame is not only a source of pride for Rotterdam but also for the rest of the Netherlands.

Discover other monuments in Rotterdam