old rotterdam cruise ship

Cruise Ship Odyssey

Ss rotterdam v (1959) – holland america cruises.

• June 19, 2023

On Oct 27th 1955, the Holland America Line (HAL) placed an order  at the Rotterdamse Droogdok Maatschappij, a shipyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which mainly repaired and overhauled ships as its core business. However, occasionally the yard also built vessels completely from scratch.

HAL had had plans for a running mate and eventually a successor to the  Nieuw Amsterdam   as soon as this vessel was delivered in 1938. At first HAL’s own design department came up with several very streamlined design studies all of which had a strong resemblance to the  Nieuw Amsterdam . Even a model with three funnels was produced (in the end the  Rotterdam  would have no funnels at all!). HAL contacted the RDM and together a design emerged of a graceful vessel with a pronounced sheer. The ship had to be able to carry passengers in two classes on its Transatlantic voyages from Roterdam to  New York and switch to one class when cruising.  So differences between the two classes when she would sail in liner service had to be minimal.

As mentioned already, the new HAL flagship would have no funnel. Midships,  a structure was built on her top deck which showed a resemblance to a funnel, but in reality it was used as a bar. Instead of the old fashioned funnel, twin uptakes were placed aft.

Four men played a key role in the overall design of the ship: head of the design department of the HAL mr. Van Veen, mr. van Engelen who was HAL’s leading architect, mr. Stapel head engineer of the RDM-yard and HAL president mr. de Monchy who had  a keen interest in the new ship’s interiors.

In 1952 HAL had begun serious negotiations with RDM and the first designs were completed. This was an on and off process which was interrupted when RDM’s competitor the Wilton Feyneoord shipyard presented HAL a design of a 20.000GRT passenger vessel which would cost half as much as the planned successor of the  Nieuw Amsterdam  would.

In 1954 the HAL and the RDM resumed the design phase of the new HAL flagship

Finally, on Dec. 15th 1956 construction of the ship was started.  During an official ceremony the first two sections were placed on the slipway. Work on yard no. 300 had actually begun. It took 21 months to build the vessel. The empty hull of the ship was heated in several places  so workers could continue working on the ship throughout the winter. Two elevators could carry workers and material to a height of 30m. On the ships bottom a railroad was built to carry heavy machinery parts and electrical equipment to its desired location in the vessel.

After 21 months the ship was ready to be launched and HRH the Queen of the Netherlands Juliana christened her on Sept. 13 1958. It was a  sunny day and 60,000 spectators watched the ship slide into the river Maas. The Queen named her  Rotterdam  and the bottle of Champagne smashed against her bows.

Now the next stage of fitting out started. Her interiors started to take shape,: over 1400 people worked onboard. The  Rotterdam  was docked in the brand new RDM drydock on Dec 9 th  for “the finishing touch”  and on July 11 th  she left Rotterdam for her first trials. She sailed from Rotterdam via Hook of Holland for her first sea trials, and also to IJmuiden twice. She performed very well and proved to be a stable ship with excellent seagoing qualities. Her  second trials took place from 1 to 6 August 1959, this time with 800 guests a board, most of them shipyard workers and subcontractors.

After having passed thes trials successfully she returned to dock 9 for a short visit snd some final work was carried out there.Then, the big day arrived, the  Rotterdam  was ready to start her career as a liner/ cruiseship. She left the port of Rotterdam with Queen Juliana en Prince Bernard onboard and at sea, the RDM officially handed the  Rotterdam  over to her proud owners, the HAL. The Queen and Prince inspected the vessel and they turned out to be very interested in the artwork which could be found all over the ship.

The maiden voyage of the  Rotterdam  started on Sept 3 rd  1959 when she left the Wilhelminakade for Le Havre, after which she would proceed to Southampton and then to her final destination New York.

On board was Princess Beatrix, eldest daughter of Queen Juliana. She disembarked before docking at the port of New York, switching to a Dutch naval vessel, HMS Gelderland. The crown princess attended several formal activities, like meetings with Dwight Eisenhower, president of the United States and Nelson Rockefeller, the Governor of the State of New York.

Rotterdam ‘s first cruise took place from December 11 1959 until January 29 1960. During this circumnavigation of South America, a voyage of 15.100  nautical miles, almost 6 million litres of fuel was needed for the journey. Prices started form $1395 for an inside cabin on B-deck.

During the  first years of her career, the  Rotterdam   cruised in between her transatlantic  liner service between Rotterdam and New York.

In 1961,  Rotterdam  left New York for her first world cruise during which she would call at twenty ports. It was a great success and she would make  almost annually world cruises for the HAL during her 38 year career with the company.

In 1964,  Rotterdam  was rebuilt and upgraded for the first time, several cabins were added on the spot where the childrens play room used to be which was relocated. From 1966 she spent the entire winter cruising while her fleetmate  Nieuw Amsterdam  stayed on the Noth Atlantic service. In 1968 HAL shifted its operations even more to cruising and a refit of  Rotterdam  was announced after which she would only sail as a one class cruise ship. She had a specially constructed main stairtower where sliding panels could be closed to separate the two classes. HAL president mr. de Monchy had seen this feature in a French castle where two stairtowers both fitted in eachother intertwined like two corkscrews so one could descend the stairs while not meeting those climbing the stairs. This came in handy when the mistress of the Count had to leave the castle silently….

So the panels in  Rotterdam ‘s stairtower were opened permanently now and the vessel was one-class from now on. Further more, the Café de la Paix was transformed in a lido Café, a less formal place where cruise passengers could have lunch, breakfast and afternoon tea/coffe. All cabins receieved private facilities in the refit while the total number of passengers was lowered from 1.456 to 1009. Her fleetmate  Statendam   also sailed as a full-time cruise ship from 1969 onwards.  Nieuw Amsterdam  would remain on the North Atlantic for another two years before she too was returned for permanent use in cruise service.

In 1971 HAL changed their funnel colours from yellow with a green-white-green band to orange with a new emblem: three streamlined waves: two blue and a white one. It was was painted on Rotterdam’s  “dummy-funnel” mid ships.

That same year  Rotterdam  left its homeport of Rotterdam foregood, she would never call there again while sailing for the HAL. In the passenger department 350 Indonesian crew members were introduced, and it took a lot of effort to keep onboard service on the same level with all these alterations.  A conflict between the new crew members and the HAL management caused the cancellation of an entire cruise.

In 1973 the  Rotterdam  was in the large da Silva-dock in Lisbon for routine maintenance and a switch of her hull colors from dove-grey to dark blue when one of the walls of the dock collapsed. As the manholes of the ship were all open she was at risk to be flooded and sink or capsize in the dock.  Luckily yard personnel was in control of the rapidly rising water level just in time.

1973 was an eventful year for the HAL: two new ships were introduced, the former Moore Mc Cormack liners  Argentina  and  Brasil  entered service as  Veendam  and  Volendam   respectively (as a coincidence, both vessels had the same dummy type of funnel as  Rotterdam  had), The  Nieuw Amsterdam  was retired and sent to the scrap yard after several attempts to save her as a museum or floating hotel failed. Finally the name of the company was changed to Holland America Cruises,.

During a world cruise in 1976, She escaped disaster when she was struck by a 100 ft. wave off the Coast of Marocco. It caused a list of 35 degrees but  Rotterdam  uprighted herself. She was turned around 90 degrees when the wave hit her. A few passengers were injured and a lot of furniture was damaged but she could continue her world voyage.

In 1983 HAL adopted a new logo: the sailing vessel Halve Maen with the impressive bows of a modern cruise liner. It was introduced on the brand new Nieuw Amsterdam 2. The name of the company was changed back to Holland America Line. In 1985  Rotterdam  was refitted again, public spaces and cabins were upgraded.

Suddenly in 1989 HAL was sold to the US Company Carnival Cruise Line from Miami. Carnival sent the  Rotterdam  that same year to a ship yard in Portland, Oregon where she was overhauled once again. Bow thrusters were fitted in the process, so she could dock without the help of tugs in the future.

Subsequently, she settled into a pattern of cruises in the  Caribbean and Alaska. Occaisionally she would circumnavigate South America.

In 1997, Carnival Cruise Line came to the conclusion that the ageing  Rotterdam  didn’t fit in her fleet of modern cruise liners anymore, although she still had a fiercely loyal following. Her farewell cruise was announced which ended on sept 30 th  in Fort Lauderdale.

At once she was acquired by Premier Cruises, a company that owned a fleet of elderly classic vessels all kept in immaculate condition. To the relief of the  Rotterdam  fans, they kept the classic interiors of the ship exactly as they were in her HAL-days. They renamed her  Rembrandt , relating to her Dutch heritage. So she embarked on a new career after she had been upgraded to meet new SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) regulations. After 27 years,  Rembrandt  visited her former homeport of Rotterdam again during one of her European cruises. In 2000, Premier Cruises announced plans to rename all of their vessels  Big Red Boat I to IV , they would be painted bright red and sail out of several US ports both on the East and West coast. Premier was engulfed in protests as all  Rembrandt  fans strongly objected against this plan. As far as  Rembrandt  was concerned, the plan was hastily abandoned, for their other ships it was carried out.

On Sept. 13 th  2000 Premier Cruises suddenly declared bankruptcy, as poor marketing, old ships which needed frequent repairs (and passenger refunds for lost sailings) and a series of mishaps had forced the company deeply into the red.  Rembrandt  was laid up in Freeport, Bahama’s  and it seemed she would end up in the scrapyard soon…….

Luckily she was saved. In her country of birth, the Netherlands, several business men tried to acquire her for use as a static hotel in Amsterdam but this scheme was abandoned as there was no suitable berth available to dock her permanently.

In may 2003,  Rembrandt  was bought by a Dutch industrial, Mr. Van den Nieuwenhuizen who was the owner of Rotterdamse Droogdok Maatschappij (Rotterdam Drydock Cy), the yard which had built her in 1959.

The port of Rotterdam authority granted a loan so she could be acquired. Mr. van den Nieuwenhuizen had plans for the ship as a museum and hotel at his RDM yard. The city of Rotterdam wanted to have the ship at another location where she would be more in the town centre and finally came up with a location where she could be bertherd permanently, Katendrecht.

She was  prepared for a long tow to Gibraltar and she left Freeport in June 2004. She had been in lay up now for almost 4 years and the warm and damp climate had taken its toll. It took 24 days to tow her to Gibraltar. She arrived at the Cammel Laird yard, where asbestos was removed or sealed. This took until April 2005. During her stay at Gibraltar,  Rembrandt  was renamed  Rotterdam  again.

Meanwhile, in August 2004, the RDM (Mr. van den Nieuwenhuizen) and the Port of Rotterdam Authority had a serious dispute concerning a loan from the Port to the RDM. One of the port officers had declared the port of Rotterdam would guarantee this loan. However the authortities were not  notified hereof. Now the Port of Rotterdam Authority found itself in a difficult position.  The RDM had now placed  Rotterdam  in a subsidiary firm they now wanted to liquidate. Ultimately, the Port ofRotterdam took over he vessel until she would be sold to new owners.

In June 2005, housing corporation Woonbron and investment company Eurobalance issued a  peress statement in which they announced they had acquired the ship. The ship would be used as a hotel, museum and pupils of the Albeda college would be able to do their internship aboard to laern professions like welder, painter or even administratibve jobs. The hotel department would be used mainly for those who had to stay in Rotterdam for longer periods because of business or study (exchange programs).

Rotterdam   was now taken to the port of Cadiz at the end of 2005 where she was repainted in her old dove grey HAL colours. After a stay of three months she was towed to Gdansk, Poland, to be completely refiited to her former glory and have the asbestos still onboard in large plastic bags removed. However, Polish authorities did not want the asbestos taken off the ship for environmental reasons and after a long dispute, in August 2006 the  ss Rotterdam  sailed to Wilhelmshaven, Germany where the asbestos was removed and her refit completed.

In the Netherlands, housing corporation Woonbron had lost so much money on the ship, appr. 160 million euro’s that the Dutch Government stepped in. Woonbron was forced to sell the ship to the highest bidder and it was feared the  Rotterdam  would be lost to the Netherlands after all.

She arrived in her former homeport Rotterdam in August 2008 and opened to the public in February 2010.

Finally a buyer was found when Westcord hotels, a Dutch hotel chain acquired the ship for 30 million euro in 2012. The  Rotterdam  proved to be a success, often her hotel rooms are booked to capacity and she is regularly used for all kinds of festivities. In the mean time, the volunteers of the  ss Rotterdam foundation   work hard to restore the ship to her former glory, exactly as she was delivered in 1959 by the yard who built her, the Rotterdam Drydock Company.

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History of the ss Rotterdam

On 13 September, 1958, with a clearly spoken “I name you the Rotterdam and wish you a safe journey” Queen Juliana christened the new pride of the Dutch merchant fleet and sent the ship down the ways at the Rotterdam Drydock Company under the eyes of an enormous audience.

The launch of the ss Rotterdam on September 13 1958  picture J. Groeneveld

Just under a year later, on Thursday 3 September, 1959, The SS Rotterdam departed on her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. Among the guests aboard was then-crown princess Beatrix. The ship was advertised with the slogan “The ship of tomorrow … today!” Over a period of nearly four years between the granting of the commission to construct the ship by the Rotterdam Drydock Company and transfer of the ship to the Holland-America Line, the largest passenger liner ever built in the Netherlands came into being. It featured a progressive design. Many noted architects and artists worked together on the interior arrangements and furnishing of the ship, making her a floating work of art.

The Rotterdam departed on her last transatlantic voyage from her home port in 1971. Since then the ship has been used exclusively for cruising, including dozens of world cruises. The ship remained remarkably up-to-date. Very few onboard spaces required conversion for cruising. The passengers kept coming, including many who traveled on the ship repeatedly.

The ss Rotterdam at Cape Town in about 1970  picture courtesy of Ian Shiffman

The ss Rotterdam visited New York regularly. On April 11 the ship left New York after completion of the world cruise (picture Klaas Krijnen)

On its way to Alaska the ship passed the Panamacanal:

The last drydock in October 1996:

In 1997 the ss Rotterdam sailed in Alaska for the last time:

In September 1997 the ss Rotterdam passed the Panama canal for the last time:

The SS Rotterdam sailed very successfully under the Dutch flag for the Holland-America Line for some 38 years. In 1997, after the Holland America Line became a subsidiary of Carnival Cruises, the ship was replaced with a new liner carrying the same name, but of a quite different order. The City of Rotterdam made vain attempts to bring the ship home to the Netherlands

Sailing as ss Rembrandt for Premier Cruises

In 1997 the ship was purchased by the American company Premier Cruises, which renamed her “Rembrandt”. Under this name, the ship visited her home terminal at the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam for the first time in 27 years in October 1998.

Picture Hans Hoffmann

Unfortunately, Premier Cruises found itself in financial difficulties after just three years and was forced to take the former Rotterdam out of service. Since September 2000 the ship has been moored in Freeport in the Bahamas. For a long time, her future was uncertain. Various plans were put forward: to sail the ship on cruises using a time-share marketing model, or to moor her in Amsterdam as a floating hotel and cultural center. None of these plans came to fruition, and as the days passed, the very real possibility that the ship would be sold for scrap became ever more likely. In 2001 some friends of the ss Rotterdam founded the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation with the aim to save the ship from scrap.

In May 2003 the ss Rotterdam was bought by the ss Rotterdam B.V., part of the RDMconcern. The ship was saved from scrap!

On July 12, 2004, the ship arrived at the Cammell Laird yard in Gibraltar for asbestos clean-up and further works.

In September 2004 the s.s. Rotterdam BV was acquired by Port of Rotterdam, which company announced to sell the ship. On December 7, 2004, the s.s. Rotterdam BV went bankrupt. On December 16, 2004, Port of Rotterdam spreaded the news that final negotiations had been started with Hotel Cruiseship Operations 2 (HCO2), with the aim to use the ship as a hotel, restaurant and casino in the Maashaven. April 2005 HCO2 made clear they wanted to remove all the asbestos. Preparations made clear that it was to expensive to remove all the asbestos. On June 15 HCO2 ceased negotiations. Subsequently housing company Woonbron and informal investor Eurobalance decided to buy the ship and to found a new company “De (The) Rotterdam”. On June 30 2005 it was made public that this company will go for a asbestos-safe situation and for drydocking.

After dry-docking in Cadiz the vessel was towed to Gdansk with the intention to refurbish her there. But it never came to work there.

In the end the ship was partly refurbished in Wilhelmshaven, where she arrived on September 2 2006.

On August 4 2008 she came to Holland for the final part of the refurbishment.

Since February 15 2010 the Rotterdam is open for tours, congresses, meetings, shop and hotel and restaurant facilities. On September 13 2018 it was celebrated that the ss Rotterdam has been launched 60 years ago by Queen Juliana.

Ocean liner photo tours: The historic SS Rotterdam

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Tours on the ss Rotterdam

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For young and old

Travel through history

Discover the rich history, facts and exceptional stories from more than sixty years of the famous history of the ship with one of our tours.  With the attractive combination tickets you can also book a guided tour in combination with an attraction visit in Rotterdam. Read more about our tours on this page!

Educational and fun!

Daily tours

There are several tours on board the ss Rotterdam. You can choose from a tour that shows you the beautiful, authentic halls, decks, bow and wheelhouse or you can do a tour of the engine room. Of course, you can also combine these. Below you will find more information about the tours. See also our monthly guided tours or the possibilities for group tours .

Sea Breeze Deluxe Tour

In the past, passengers were exuberantly waved off and festively welcomed in Rotterdam and New York. Relive this sensation with this guided tour. An audiophone describes what a large cruise ship is all about and what life on board used to be like. Visit the upper decks, explore the bow and bridge, take a look in the wheelhouse and peek into the spaces behind.

– Daily between 10:00 and 17:00 (last starting time 15:30). – No reservation necessary – Price: €12,95 and €8,- for children (4-12 years) – Duration: ± 1,5 hours (at your own pace) – Also suitable for wheelchair users (with a standard width)

Steam & Chrome Tour

For more than sixty years, La Grande Dame sailed the world’s seas. Now the engine room is cold and quiet, but it is still a mighty sight to see all those imposing machines together. With an audiophone and accompanied by a shiphost, you will learn more about the ingenious system of evaporators, boilers, turbines and generators that provided all the steam, power and horsepower on board.

– Daily between 10:00 and 17:00 (last starting time 15:30). – Reserve your time slot exclusively on board! – Price: €12,95 and €8,- for children (4-12 years) – Duration: ± 1 hour – Not suitable for wheelchair users

Rotterdam Complete Tour

Hard to choose between the high decks and the engine room? Then go for the complete tour, which takes you to the old indoor pool, the sports decks, the bow, the bridge, the special rooms (when available) and the ingeniously designed staircase, among others. Through an audiophone, discover the atmosphere of the past and see what life on board used to be like.

– Daily 10:00 and 17:00 (last starting time 14:30). – Reserve your time slot for the Steam & Chrome tour exclusively on board! – The route to the upper decks is at your own pace – Price: €16,50 and €10,- for children (4-12 years) – Duration: ± 2,5 hours –  Not suitable for wheelchair users

Guided tour

If you prefer a group (no more than 20 participants) tour, we kindly recommend booking your own guide who will be delighted to show you around and tell you every interesting detail and charming anecdote about the ship. For a group visit you may book your guide in different languages.

The Sea Breeze Deluxe Tour is just perfect for our youngest visitors. You will receive The Small Captain’s Passport with lots of questions and fun tasks. And while you are at it, you can learn the Morse code or play an exciting game of shuffle board. During the tour you can answer and write them down in The Small Captain’s Passport. When you have filled in all the questions you receive your very own captain’s diploma.

For the art or tech lovers!

The ship has a very long and rich history, this also goes for the art and technique on the ship. You will get an impressive tour from a dedicated expert ( Dutch speaking ). Prior to the tour you will be welcomed with coffee and a treat. These extensive tours are organized every month. Making a reservation is necessary.

Beautiful tapestries, images,  statues, artistic glass walls. If you are interested in discovering the masterpieces onboard ss Rotterdam, every last Sunday of the month two experts will be delighted to take you on a journey and tell you all the interesting details. Who were the artists and architects, which materials did they use and what in fact do these masterpieces represent? Some works of art served a particular purpose, like the signpost for instance.

The Art Tour is only in Dutch –  Every last Sunday of the month from 10:30 AM till 2 PM –  Duration: ± 2,5 hours –  Price: €20,75 –  Including presentation, guided tour with coffee/tea and a pastry –  Tour continues when there are at least 10 entries

Technique Tour

Visit the main engine room and discover all seven different spaces under the water line. During this Technique Tour an old construction engineer will tell you everything about the steam turbines, evaporators, boilers, turbines and generators. Despite the screeching and whistling sounds, each part served its purpose.

The Technique Tour is only in Dutch – Every first Sunday of the month from 10:30 AM till 2 PM –  Duration: ± 2,5 hours –  Price: €20,75 –  Including presentation, guided tour with coffee/tea and a pastry –  Tour continues when there are at least 10 entries

Spend a delightful day in the city of Rotterdam. For the ultimate Rotterdam experience you can explore the ship with the Sea Breeze Deluxe Tour and buy your combination ticket for another interesting place you would also like to visit in Rotterdam. Various combinations are available.

Continue reading

The fifth SS Rotterdam, also known as "The Grande Dame", is a former ocean liner and cruise ship, and has been a hotel ship in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, since 2010. She was launched by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands in a gala ceremony on 13 September 1958, and was completed the following summer. The Rotterdam was the last great Dutch "ship of state", employing the finest artisans from the Netherlands in her construction and fitting out process. Her career spanned forty-one years. She sailed from 1959 until her final retirement in September 2000.

Originally she was conceived as a running mate to the popular Nieuw Amsterdam launched in 1937, but work was put on hold at the outbreak of World War II in Europe. When economic conditions once again became favorable for completion of the new ship in early 1954, the beginning of the end of ocean liners as basic transport was visible on the horizon. The designers took this in mind and created a groundbreaking vessel, a two class, horizontally divided ship with movable partitions and a unique double staircase allowing for easy conversion to cruising. The christening and launch on September 13, 1958 by Queen Juliana was a huge crowd puller, with tens of thousands on both banks of the river. Rotterdam's machinery was shifted aft, to the now-traditional two thirds aft position, and in lieu of a funnel twin uptake pipes were fitted. To provide balance, a large deckhouse was built atop the superstructure in the midships position of a typical funnel. While very controversial at the time, her appearance became groundbreaking, and her unique design features can be found on cruise ships today.

Her sea trials and handing over to Holland America Line took place on July 20, 1959, just a few months before her maiden crossing of the Atlantic. On her maiden voyage she carried the then Crown Princess of the Netherlands to New York. As more and more transatlantic liners started to disappear due to the popularity of plane services, the Rotterdam was retired from transatlantic service permanently in 1969, and afterwards she received a small refit for permanent cruising and began her new life as a full time cruise ship. The Rotterdam also became a one class ship after this refit. She became increasingly popular throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, with mostly American and Australian passengers. Another refit in 1977 saw her passenger capacity decreased from 1,499 to 1144. By the 1980s the ship had settled into a routine of winters in the Caribbean and summers in Alaska, with the occasional (and very popular) world cruise. When Carnival Cruise Lines took over Holland America Line in 1989 she remained in service and continued to until 1997, when Carnival announced, much to the dismay of the ship's loyal fans, that to upgrade her to meet the new 1997 SOLAS regulations would cost 40 million dollars. Carnival had been opting to retire what they had supposedly called the "old ship." A replacement, the sixth Rotterdam, was ordered from Fincantieri shipyards in Italy. A gala finale cruise ended her final season on September 30, 1997.

She was sold to Premier Cruises and renamed SS Rembrandt. Controversially Premier was able to refit the Rembrandt for new safety regulations as well as many other things for half of what Carnival had predicted. She sailed for Premier along with the ex ocean liners Oceanic, Eugenio C and Transvaal Castle, all now named Big Red Boat I, II and III. She continued to serve as a fairly popular cruise ship out of Port Canaveral, Florida until September 13, 2000, when Premier Cruises shut down. It was midnight when this was made official and the captain of the Rembrandt was ordered to dock in Halifax, Nova Scotia and offload all passengers. She was subsequently placed under arrest by the Halifax Sheriff's department until the next morning, then days later she sailed to be laid up in Freeport, Bahamas.

On July 12, 2004, she arrived at Gibraltar for asbestos encapsulation and removal performed by the Cuddy Group of the UK. She next visited Cadiz where her hull was repainted its original Holland America grey, and then moved on to Poland and Germany for final restoration. She returned to the city of Rotterdam on August 8, 2008. She opened to the public on February 15, 2010 as a combination museum/hotel and school for vocational training. On 12 June 2013, she was sold to WestCord Hotels, which also owns the Hotel New York located in the former Holland America Line headquarters building in Rotterdam.

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With Reuben Goossens

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Please Note : All ssMaritime and my other related ssMaritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned sites. Be assured that I am NOT associated with any cruise or shipping companies or travel/cruise agencies or any other organisations! The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since May 1960 and is now semi-retired, but continues to write articles on classic liners and cruise ships in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts for their pleasure!

SS Rotterdam History

SS Rotterdam - History Part Two

Please Note : Photographs, postcards and images on this page are from the author’s collection unless stated otherwise!

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If you arrived at this page via a search engine: Please read Part One first!

PLEASE NOTE: This Eight Page SS Rotterdam V Feature has been completely updated as well had five brand new pages added. However, I wish to announce that this feature is in reality a new work is also my very last ever work that I will do for ssmaritime or for any other of my sites. I have done so for reasons that may be well known to many of my regular readers. Therefore, I have now fully retired and will sit back and I am joyful with what I have achieved and I trust that you will enjoy reading the well over 620 classic liners, and other ships that are online! Thank you for your wonderful support I has been greatly appreciated!

Best wishes,

Reuben Goossens .

Maritime Historian & Founder of the “Save The Classic Liners Campaign.

And the “Save The SS Rotterdam Campaign.”

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Rotterdam ’s Service Record:

Trans-atlantic & cruises:.

Having been delivered after her Sea Trails, etc., she was manned with officers and crew and fully stocked and made ready for her maiden voyage from Rotterdam on September 3, 1959 to New York City !

SS Rotterdam departs the HAL Terminal at the Wilhelmina Kade, with the great SS Nieuw Amsterdam (1938)

still berthed aft of her. There are also three of the companies Passenger-Cargo Liners one aft & two on the other side

Holland America Line built the SS Rotterdam as a dual-purpose ship, a Trans-Atlantic liner as well as a most effective cruise ship! It was due to the brilliant design of the SS Rotterdam that she was able to continue sailing long after the Trans-Atlantic trade collapsed due to the air traffic having taken the vast majority of ocean travelling public, due to cheap fares and speed! Thus, the Rotterdam was ready for cruise duties even in 1959!

A wonderful photograph of the “Grande Dame of the Sea” SS Rotterdam during the early 1960s

Arriving in New York for the fourth time on December 8, the Rotterdam was about to undertake her very first cruise being a 49 day around South America departing on December 11. Upon her return to New York on January 29, 1960 on this cruise she had covered a good 14,878 miles. However, she would now be made ready for an even greater event, being a 75-Day 17 port “Four Continents Cruise” departing on February 1, 1960, which was the beginning of many Grand World Voyages for this great ship!

The very first extensive Cruise brochure, they would become far more elaborate and expensive later!

In April the Rotterdam returned to New York and she resumed with her Trans-Atlantic voyages but later in the year she recommenced her American based cruises, both shorter and extended voyages, all of which proved to be popular, including the ever popular “29 Day Rio de Janeiro & West Indies Christmas & New Year Cruise” Departing on December 9, 1960.

Brochure for the December 1960 Rio de Janeiro & West Indies Christmas – New Year Cruise

After her 1960 - 1961 American cruise season the SS Rotterdam returned to Rotterdam and she made 10 voyages westward and 10 eastward calling at Le Havre and Southampton in both directions.

The elegant SS Rotterdam departs New York for Le Havre , Southampton and Rotterdam

We met Commodore Coenraad Bouman on Page One as he took the ship on her trails, as well as that famed test overnight voyage with HRH Queen Juliana and her husband Prins Bernhard onboard, as well as her maiden voyage, and apart for a vacation, he had been with the Rotterdam all that time! However, this wonderful man decided that it was time and in October 1961 he retired with honours, and many on board would miss this well respected and much liked man greatly as would the countless passengers who really liked him!

HAL Fleet Commodore, Coenraad Bouman is seen on the SS Rotterdam’s Bridge where he has been for three years

Both in 1961 and 1962 in February – April, the SS Rotterdam operated an 80 Day “Cruise Around the World” and thus the advertising campaign was obviously “Around the World in Eighty Days,” after the famed and popular movie! Both cruises were booked out with wealthy Americans. Sailing from New York she crossed the Atlantic Ocean calling at various ports, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal to India . Taiwan , Hong Kong and Japan , Hawaii , California , Mexico returning via the Panama Canal to New York .

Time for a Refit:

Her cruises continued with ongoing success and in 1965 she undertook another 80 Days Around the World Voyage, but later that year in October she headed for the Rotterdam Dry Dock Company and into the “Prins Bernhard Dry Dock” where she would undergo a refit for her regular maintenance.

The Rotterdam in the RDM dry dock receiving her refit in October 1965

There were a number of changes made, such as; up on Boat Deck, new cabins were added by removing the Children’s Playroom, which seldom was used being up so high. Then down on Promenade Deck two brand new and more pleasant Children Playrooms were built, one for each class. But the most popular addition was located Promenade Deck was a brand new venue for Teenagers called “The Place” where they could dance using a jukebox and there were a host of activities available.

“The Place” created for the younger generation was placed on the Atlantic Promenade next to the Theatre

The Place was located far forward portside and this photograph is looking aft

Next to “The Place” was a brand new TV Studio installed, that would provide TV shows throughout the ship. In addition, the ever-popular Skyroom, located amidships topside was given a bar and a small dance space. The cost of this refit was a good 1.3 million Dutch Guldens, which was a great deal for the day!

Two Sculptures (one along the right wall) and Wall Art in the Reception part of the Main Foyer

SS Rotterdam was completed and she headed off on a short trail run out to sea and returned to the HAL Terminal to get ready as five days later she was due to commence a series of nine westward Trans-Atlantic voyages until the end of the year and before she would commence cruising again!

1966 was a busy year for the Rotterdam with Trans-Atlantic voyages and cruises, as was 1967 but her days plying the Atlantic was coming to an end as were many of the great liners, as some were being sold off, or like the Rotterdam being used for more and more cruises. In 1967 SS Rotterdam would undertake her seventh world cruise, and this time it was another popular “80 Days Around the World Voyage” which was again a huge success!

The Beautiful Japanese inspired 1967 - “80 Days Around the World” Cruise Brochure

During the cruise there were many tropical days & the aft sundeck and swimming pool would be a popular place to be

The Rotterdam was used frequently in New York for Gala Events being mostly for fund raising where Royalty and some of the greatest movie stars would be present and these events would raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each time, be it for cancer or other vital causes. The reason the Rotterdam was chosen was very much due to the great amount of superb artwork on board, be it wall carvings, paintings, sculptures and so much more for Holland America is and has always been famed as having their ships filled with the very best art that can be found and that is still the same to this day!

A fine view from astern of the ships unique twin stovepipe funnels , that set a trend for many other ships in the future!

SS Rotterdam the Full-Time Cruise Ship:

Considering that the Trans-Atlantic passenger loadings were slowly changing mostly due to the modernisation of the Jet Age with the more efficient and fast Boeing 707s and DC8, that were flying across the Atlantic and commenced to offer new cheaper “Excursion Fares.” Thus in due course this would have an effect on shipping companies who were now competing with the efficiency of speed, combined with greatly reduced airfares, for previously travelling by air had been extremely expensive and was considered only for the rich! Thus all Shipping Companies opted for superior service and cuisine and improved facilities!

KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) Super DC 8-63 able to carry 269 passengers

Thus, it was in 1968 that HAL announced that the “Big Three” Ships in its fleet, being the; SS New Amsterdam II, SS Statendam IV and the SS Rotterdam V, would be operating on even more cruises than previously and that they would commence a refit on the Rotterdam.

On October 3, 1968 the SS Rotterdam arrived in Rotterdam from New York on her final official Trans-Atlantic voyage on October 3, 1968 and after her passengers had disembarked at the HAL Terminal she departed and headed for the RDM Ship Yard where she would be converted into a cruise ship.

The ship would see a good number of changes from topside to the bottom, as up on Sun Deck some 12 new cabins were added, whilst on A Deck it was just 1 new cabin, and on B Deck there were another 37 cabins added. There was a great deal of new carpeting was laid throughout the ship including in areas where there had not been any carpeting in some stairwells.

There would be a major renovation made to the popular Café de la Paix located far aft on Promenade Deck as it was about to become the brand new spacious Lido Restaurant. Included was the portside verandah and a new Lido Terrace was created together with a new Lido Deck! Outdoor dining would be partially under a new covered area! With the Lido Deck and the swimming Pool surrounds being completely redesigned it very much resembled a modern playground, thus perfect for a modern, late 1960s luxury Cruise Ship!

The designer’s idea of the new Lido Deck

The now registered 37,783 GRT SS Rotterdam, she departed on November 30, 1968 for a regular North Sea trail, which was obviously successful and she returned to Rotterdam . This great Dutch “Grande Dame” SS Rotterdam departed on December 9, and headed for New York City and temporarily continued to operate as an occasional Trans-Atlantic Liner but mostly as a Cruise Ship!

The SS Rotterdam is seen after her extensive two-month refit with RDM into a one-class ship

Note the new glass windows shielding the Lido Deck and the Buffet outdoors dinning area that is partially covered

Photograph by and copyright © Bert Lamers - the Netherlands

Farewell to Rotterdam , the Netherlands !

Considering as by 1971 crossing the Atlantic by air had become relatively inexpensive and certainly a much faster means to travel between point one and two, it slowly sent a very clear message to HAL and the company sprang into action! It meant the end of the Trans-Atlantic voyages for “The Grade Dame of the Sea.”

However with a good number of voyages and cruises behind her since her previous major refit, she returned to her homeport for the very last time in 1971 and she would have her final maintenance at the RDM Yards in Rotterdam . SS Rotterdam departed from the “ Holland America Line” Passenger Terminal at the Wilhelmina Kade Rotterdam , having been her homeport since 1959 for the very last time on October 6, 1971 .   It was a tragic day for the people of the Netherlands ! Thousands of citizens of Rotterdam stood either quayside or across the Maas River where they had an excellent view of their much-loved ship and the SS Rotterdam would in fact * never return to her homeport as a Holland America Line ship again! Although the ship did return a good twenty-seven years later but that was after she had been sold to Premier Cruises and had been renamed SS Rembrandt !

Thus, the SS Rotterdam headed across the Atlantic for her new home in the United States of America where she would now be home ported and operate as a full-fledged One-Class Luxury 5 Star Cruise Ship!

* Never : She never came back to Rotterdam as an operational Holland America Line ship only when the Premier Cruise ship the SS Rembrandt called in during a cruise in 1998. Later after having been laid up and saved from the breakers, today she is home in Rotterdam , having been completely restored and operating as a floating hotel and a tourist complex – See the relevant page on the Index!

The SS Rotterdam seen in Cape Town during one of her Grand 80 day World Voyages in her original livery

© Ian Shiffman - http://home.worldonline.co.za/~snai/indexmain.html - used with permission

The Rotterdam was certainly a greatly adored cruise ship by Americans and cruise lovers from all over the world and a good number of Australian cruise regulars also loved this wonderful traditional Dutch luxury Cruise Ship. During her ongoing annual “Around the World Voyages,” then as well as in the future, many Australian’s would partake of lengthy sector voyages during her annual “Around the Word Voyages.”

On Page Three we will look at the SS Rotterdam when in 1972 she received a whole new look with that deep blue hull, but sadly, it was just five years later that one of the most loved ships in the world was sold to Premier Cruises and genuine Holland America Line cruise lovers were filled with a great hatred for HAL’s new owners, that American who was taking everything over and destroying so much that was good, one of the most disliked names in the industry, Carnival Cruises, or Group/PLC! But that is another story, which has been the destruction of everything that has been really good in shipping, which has slowly been destroyed by this money hungry organisation, I would like to use another word, but I will be nice!

SS Rotterdam INDEX :

Part One :              Construction & her Maiden Voyage Sep 3, 1959.

Part Two :             Her Grey Hull days - Sep 1959 to 1971 - This Page .

Part Three :           Her HAL days & Premier Cruises days - 1972 to 2000 .

Part Four :             Brochure - Page One .

Part Five :             Brochure - Page Two .

Part Six :               Deck Plans, 1959 First & Tourist & a later One Class Cruise Plan.

Part Seven :         SS Rotterdam 1959 Specifications & Engine Room photos by Klaas Krijnen .

Part Eight :            Saving the Rotterdam 1995/97 - 2009.

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• CruiseMapper
• Holland America

ms Rotterdam

Former names: ms rotterdam vii, ms nieuw ryndam, ms nieuw rotterdam.

Cruise line Holland America

• Rotterdam (Netherlands South Holland)
• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)

ms Rotterdam current position

ms Rotterdam current location is at North Sea (coordinates 51.90545 N / 4.48449 E) cruising en route to Rotterdam. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of ms Rotterdam

ms Rotterdam current cruise is 14 days, one-way from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam . Prices start from USD 649 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 13 Apr, 2024 and ends on 27 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of ms Rotterdam

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

ms Rotterdam Itineraries

Ms rotterdam review, review of ms rotterdam.

The 2021-built MS Rotterdam cruise ship (initially named "Nieuw Ryndam") is the 11th vessel in the Holland America Line's fleet and the 3rd of the company's Pinnacle-class liners (HAL's newest and ever- largest ). Its sisterships are the fleetmates Koningsdam (2016) and Nieuw Statendam (2018) and also Cunard's Queen Anne . The new Rotterdam is HAL's 17th vessel built by Fincantieri .

On July 30, 2020, HAL announced that changes the ship's name from "Ryndam" to "Rotterdam" and that the newbuild will become the fleet's flagship. This is HAL's 7th liner to bear this name (aka "Rotterdam VII"). The last Rotterdam cruise ship was sold in July 2020 to Fred Olsen and later renamed "MS Borealis".

The new Rotterdam cruise ship (IMO number 9837470) is currently Holland- flagged (MMSI 245464000) and was delivered on July 30, 2021 (initially was scheduled for May 31st).

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle -based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company operating regular Transatlantic crossings between Holland and the Americas. HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands . In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million. Among the company's assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses-logistics) and Half Moon Cay (Caribbean/Bahamian private island).

The 3210-passenger ship Rotterdam was initially named "Nieuw Ryndam", which was announced on April 7, 2019. The name honored the company's first Ryndam ship, part of the fleet between 1901-1929. The ocean liner was originally named Rijndam - until 1923 when it received the English "Ryndam". In 1927, Ryndam I became HAL's first ship with a world cruise , although the liner was chartered as a floating school for that voyage. The 2nd (Ryndam II) liner served between 1951-1973. The 3rd (Ryndam, built 1994) was sold to the sisterbrand P&O Australia in 2015 and is currently operated as Pacific Aria .

The new MS Rotterdam is named after Rotterdam City (South Holland, The Netherlands).

HAL's ever-first liner was named SS Rotterdam, which maiden voyage (Rotterdam to NYC New York) departed on October 15, 1872. On April 18, 1873, was officially founded the Holland America Line. The 1878-built "SS Rotterdam II" was purchased from British Ship Owners Co in 1886. The 1897-built "SS Rotterdam III" served HAL until 1906. "SS Rotterdam IV" (1908-1940, capacity 3139 passengers + 472 crew) operated regularly scheduled Mediterranean roundtrips from NYC New York . "SS Rotterdam V" (aka "The Grande Dame", 1959-1997) started regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings until 1969 when was converted into a cruiser. The vessel also operated Grand World Voyages and is currently moored in Rotterdam City serving as a hotel ship and museum. "MS Rotterdam VI" (1997-built) is now Fred Olsen Borealis .

Decks and Cabins

MS Rotterdam staterooms (1340 total, in 35 grades) include 164 Suites, 748 Balcony, 147 Oceanviews (including 32x Family Oceanview and 12x Studios/single cabins), 280 Inside. Most cabins as sized ~180 m2 (17 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 50 ft2 / 5 m2. Nearly 70% of the ship's passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite (970 ft2 / 90 m2, with terrace sized 320 ft2 / 30 m2 and fitted with an outdoor Jacuzzi).

The boat has 13 passenger decks , of which 8 are with cabins.

Four distinct color schemes identify the spa, suite, verandah, oceanview and inside categories. Passengers enjoy the redesigned headboards with electrical and USB outlets on both sides of the bed, as well as stone tops on nightstands and decks, improved lighting and more storage.

Club Orange is an exclusive (Suite-only) venue integrated into HAL's "Club Orange" program providing exclusive amenities to passengers booked in the Suite categories Neptune and Pinnacle. Bonus perks by the Club Orange program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (Club Orange Restaurant/deck 2) serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing)

Club Orange Restaurant occupies the area of the former "Culinary Arts Center". Culinary Arts Center was a premium dinner-only restaurant (cover charge $39 pp, unlimited wine included) via partnership with the “Food & Wine Magazine”. This open-kitchen/show-kitchen venue was used daily for professional cooking shows, culinary classes and workshops (cooking and cocktail) presented in demonstration kitchens. In the evenings, the venue transformed into “Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center”. This specialty dining concept ("America's Test Kitchen") provided a top-quality gourmet experience - the ship’s chefs prepared dishes in the demonstration kitchen while the guests enjoyed each course with wine pairing. At the entry, there were 9 interactive TV displays allowing guests to explore personal lives, special recipes, cooking secrets and tips from famous food and wine industry celebrities. By Holland America Line’s partnership with Koppert Cress (microgreen specialist), the Culinary Arts Center had a live garden to grow fresh ingredients. This enabled the guests to enjoy farm-to-table items from the dinner menu (veggie fare, 5 choices, dessert, cheese plate). The ingredients were displayed in a glass-enclosed garden area and harvested just before being served. Once sown, the seedlings grew for up to 2 weeks. The list of microgreens integrated in the recipes included garlic, mustard, licorice.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The 2-level MDR/main dining room restaurant serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, as well as a blend of flexible and set-seating restaurant-style meals at dinner. Breakfast hours in the MDR vary but start as early as 7 am on port days and 8 am on sea days, wrapping up by 9:30 am. Breakfast fare includes bread, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes and yogurt parfaits. Portions are on the smaller side, so better opt for a second pastry. Lunch in the MDR is typically limited to an hour per day (from noon to 1 pm on sea days; closed when the ship is in port for an entire day). If you see a line of guests waiting to be seated, do not be deterred as the line moves fast and the tables are plenty. Lunch fare includes sandwiches, soups, light salads, fish and heartier entrees.

Holland America Rotterdam offers a total of 11 dining options. The MDR is a 2-deck high restaurant featuring floor-ceiling windows, curved architectural pillars (accentuating the high ceiling), modern glass lighting, custom-made furnishings. The restaurant's centerpiece is a copper sheath surrounding the 2-story wine tower showcasing an impressive premium wine selection. On the menu are HAL's classic selections, signature dishes, regionally inspired cuisine, Culinary Council recipes from the world-renowned chefs who compose the group, including Council Chairman and Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and international chefs David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer and Mark Best.

In addition to Dining Room Restaurant, MS Rotterdam offers fine dining in alternative restaurants, including redesigned Lido Market (with themed food stations) the new French seafood brasserie Rudi's Sel de Mer, new suite-exclusive dining (Club Orange Restaurant), Canaletto (Italian), Tamarind (pan-Asian/sushi bar) and Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse/seafood restaurant).

BLEND is a glass-enclosed winery room (capacity 10 seats) where are hosted daily wine blending sessions. These are reservations-only events (90 min sessions, $129 cover charge) with sommelier service. The BLEND venue is via partnership with the winemaker Chateau Ste Michelle Winery (Woodinville Washington). Wine-tasting events are seminar-like (led by a wine expert). Each session includes a sampling of 5 red wines (single-vineyard) later combined with different vintages into a personal blend. After the event, you can bottle and take your newly created wine and consume it at the ship’s restaurants or in the stateroom. At the BLEND room all guests are allowed to see the wines offered in the Pinnacle Grill and Sel de Mer, and also to choose their vintage from the impressive selection of premium wines.

Follows the complete list of MS Rotterdam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into "De Librije" (US$69-89) from time to time, inspired by the land-based Dutch restaurant De Librije with two Michelin stars. A wine tasting is included with the meal (four 2 oz. pours). A wine pairing is also available for an additional US$20 per person (four 5 oz. pours).
• Rudi's Sel De Mer is a dinner-only specialty restaurant (French seafood brasserie) also serving traditional dishes from Southeast Asia, China, Japan. In comparison to Koningsdam's original Sel De Mer (upgraded during drydock 2018), the restaurant on Statendam and Rotterdam is by design larger (54 seats) but retains the curving shape and walnut wood-made, accordion-like column structure. The back wall is decorated with porcelain plates, all of which decorated with Chef Rudi's Food Faces culinary pop art (via a partnership with Bernardaud - French porcelain masters). The food plates are arranged from classic ingredients (caviar, fruits, root vegetables, peppers, etc). In January 2018, HAL released the coffee table book "Food Faces" - available for purchase on the ship. Signature dishes in the a la carte menu include Rudi's Seafood Tower, Fruits de Mer, Broiled Lobster Tail, Whole Dover Sole Meuniere, Clams au Beurre, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Tartare, Steak Frites, Souffle au Fromage, Salt Crust Baked Branzino. Signature desserts include Rudi's Face to Face Chocolate, Rudi's Souffle, Crepes Suzette, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce, Apple Tarte Tatin, Artisanal French Cheese Plate.
• The Dining Room (aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options - 2 fixed seatings or "Any Time" dining between 5:15-9 pm)
• Canaletto Restaurant is a Lido Restaurant annex and also doubles as an Italian restaurant (dinner-only, reservations are required).
• Club Orange Restaurant serves exclusively HAL's Club Orange/Suite passengers (booked in categories Neptune and Pinnacle).
• Grand Dutch Cafe is a Holland-themed a-la-carte-priced patisserie bar for traditional Dutch snacks/sweets and beverages (including coffees and Heineken draft beer) as well as premium European beers.
• Dive-In is a complimentary fast-food bar / poolside bar offering gourmet burgers and fries.
• New York Deli and Pizza is a complimentary fast-food bar offering made-to-order sandwiches and pies.
• Gelato (ice cream bar)

Lido Market (capacity 386 seats) is the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant open for Breakfast (6-11 am), Lunch (11:30-2 pm), Afternoon Tea (3-4 pm) and Dinner (5:30-8 pm). Food is complimentary and displayed at 5 themed stations. The Lido Buffet is designed as a modern marketplace, with numerous on-the-go or made-to-order food choices. Differently themed food stations (walk-up service) offer fresh-made sandwiches, grilled food, International fare, salads, fruits, desserts, daily specials. The food stations are named Breadboard (fresh-baked bread, pastries, sandwiches), Wild Harvest (salads, fruits, healthy food bites), Homestead (comfort food, including egg dishes and grilled meats), Distant Lands (themed cuisine specialties, including from the current cruise itinerary’s regions), Sweet Spot (desserts).

Tamarind (aft on Deck 10) is a reservations-only Asian restaurant open for complimentary lunch and at-fee dinner (at surcharge per person). Tamarind Bar serves the restaurant with cocktails and other beverages. Part of the Tamarind is the Japanese food bar Nami Sushi (capacity 7 seats only, also serving popular Asian spirits). Nami Sushi is open for lunch and dinner but both are at surcharge PP. Tamarind's sushi menu is created by chef Andy Matsuda and additionally includes 4 of his signature rolls.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The World Stage is the ship's main show (theater) lounge, featuring 270-degree LED screens for multiple stage configurations. Lido Pool (one of the 2 swimming pools) has an outdoor movie screen, 3 whirlpools and 2 levels of cushioned lounge chairs. The central pool area (Magrodome) is on 2 levels to create glass-enclosed space. The lower level has traditional poolside elements, while the mezzanine level offers more seating, a huge LED screen for poolside movies, Deli and Pizza (complimentary fast-food bars).

Onboard live musical entertainment is concentrated in the Music Walk area (forward-midship on Plaza Deck 2) housing the music-themed venues Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

The 2-tiered Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge/decks 2-3) is a grand ballroom/concert hall/nightclub with two grand pianos (on floor 1), HAL fleet's biggest dance floor (floor 1), its own bar (floor 1), balcony seating (floor 2) and has a resident 8-man band (2 vocalists, 1 drummer, 1 pianist/organist, 1 bassist, 1 guitarist, 1 saxophonist, 1 trumpeter). The lounge hosts live musical performances (concerts, classical pieces, blues, popular hits from the 60s, sing-alongs) as well as a daily enrichment program (guest speakers, seminars, special events). Lincoln Center Stage is a collaboration with "Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts" (NYC) featuring classical/chamber music with a quintet combining piano and strings.

Rolling Stone Rock Room is a classic rock club (via partnership with Rolling Stone Magazine) where are offered live 5-piece band performances.

Billboard Onboard is a signature sing-along bar with live performances (pianists, guitarists, DJ) in a variety of genres (including pop, rock, classic, country). There are 3 programs per night (each lasts 45 to 60 min). The music bar hosts dynamic evening shows, has a central stage (with two grand pianos), wood-paneled walls, three large-size TVs, comfortable seating (plush sofas and chairs, round tables).

Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi access, Laundry Rooms (Laundromats). Ship's laundry rooms are not self-service (no passenger-use laundrettes). Laundry services are offered via hotel staff and at an additional charge.

Follows the complete list of MS Rotterdam bars, lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck midship area with open-floor design and live performances). The Atrium features a stainless-steel sculpture emulating the sense of being inside and encircled by a musical instrument. The experience changes as passengers move around and through it, with no two perspectives being the same. The atrium is capped by Skylight (glass roof) which serves as the backdrop for HD video projections or live-streaming of the night sky.
• Stuyvesant Room (multi-purpose, used for cards playing, group meetings, presentations, Club HAL kids program)
• World Stage (theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America's enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge) is a 2-deck grand ballroom/concert hall (with two grand pianos and a large dance floor) hosting live musical performances (classical/chamber music, blues).
• Digital Workshop (powered by MS Windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Shore Excursions Desk; 4 Meeting Rooms
• Signature Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop; Dive-in (scuba and diving equipment)
• Club Orange (suite-only restaurant)
• Ocean Bar (fka Explorer's Lounge & Bar) is an Atrium bar lounge with dance floor, stage (for live performances), wine tastings.
• Billboard Onboard (sing-along bar with live music performances)
• BLEND (glass-enclosed winery room)
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Sun Deck; Promenade Deck, Walking/Jogging Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco)

The wellness complex (forward on decks 9-10) consists of Fitness Center (gymnasium with a separate Aerobics Room for classes) and Greenhouse Spa & Salon (Therapy Rooms, Treatment Rooms (for massages), Hydrotherapy Pool with heated seawater, Thermal Suites, Relax Lounge with heated ceramic loungers, Sauna Room, Aroma Steam Room, Relaxation Area, Beauty Salon/manicure-pedicure, barber services).

Spacious sundecks spread over 3 floors (decks 9-10 midship and aft, deck 11 aft) and are fitted with 2 swimming pools and 5 outdoor Jacuzzies (deck 9). The Lido Pool area (midship) is served by Lido Bar (beverages), Gelato (ice cream bar), Dive-In (fka Terrace Grill), New York Delly & Pizza (fast food) and Panorama Bar (beverages). The Sea View Pool area (aft) is served by Sea View Bar.

“Movies by the Pool Deck” is a 2-deck outdoor Cinema served by the New York Delly & Pizza (deck 10) with light snacks (including popcorn, sandwiches, pizza, fresh chips, nachos). During movie nights, loungers and blankets are provided, as well as chair-side waiter service from the food bars (Gelato, NY Deli & Pizza, Dive-In/Terrace Grill) and waiter service for drinks at the Lido Bar.

The Retreat (deck 12) is an adults-only sundeck/relaxation zone with private cabanas available for rent. Daily rent prices are inclusive of a massage tent, lunch, concierge service.

Explorations Central & Cafe (fka Crow’s Nest & Explorations Cafe/forward on deck 11) is an indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows (270-degree views), its own Bar (beverages), Cafe (patisserie, specialty coffees/teas), and a large dance floor. The lounge is also used for pre-scheduled events by HAL's enrichment program (daily dance classes, trivia games, card playing, karaoke, live grand piano and HAL Cats performances/8-piece party band in the afternoons and evenings). Explorations Central doubles as a disco/nightclub (with live DJ music, dancing contests) and a Library (1000+ volumes, resident librarians). Here are additionally offered multimedia series of interactive videos and guides related to the current itinerary's destinations. Explorations Central also provides digital media (videos, ebooks, maps) accessed via Wi-Fi (during the voyage) and also online (before and after the voyage). At Explorations Central, there are also paperback books and paper maps for the visited regions/destinations and ports of call.

The Casino is a large gaming lounge fitted with gambling tables, 140 slots and video poker machines, a PokerPro digital touchscreen table). It is served by Casino Bar and has a separate non-smoking area. In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the Pinnacle-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam).

Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association. HAL also offers complimentary beginner lessons (led by onboard instructors), sells branded pickleball starter kits (at the ship's retail shops) and Play Pickleball tutorial videos are included in the cabin TV programming.

Itineraries

MS Rotterdam itinerary program was announced in late-July 2020. The new ship's maiden season was planned to be in Europe, with voyages in the Baltic Sea (Northern Europe) leaving roundtrip from homeport Amsterdam Holland .

The initial Maiden Voyage was scheduled for August 1, 2021. The 7-day itinerary was planned as one-way from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome. Between August 1 and October 10, the new ship was planned for deployment in Northern Europe visiting ports in Norway, the UK, Iceland.

However, despite the vessel's on-schedule delivery (on July 30th), in June HAL canceled all departures thru November 3 (the entire European season). The Inaugural Cruise date was rescheduled for October 20 (14-night Transatlantic repositioning from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale).

The new Rotterdam ship's homeport in the USA is Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida) . The Caribbean itineraries are themed as:

• 10-day "Southern Caribbean Seafarer" - to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk Island, Amber Cove Dominicana, Kralendijk Bonaire Island, Willemstad Curacao Island, and Oranjestad Aruba Island
• 11-day "Southern Caribbean Wayfarer" - to Philipsburg St Maarten Island, Castries St Lucia Island, Bridgetown Barbados, Fort-de-France Martinique, Basseterre St Kitts Island, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas Island, Half Moon Cay
• and the 21-day B2B/back-to-back itinerary "Southern Caribbean Seafarer and Wayfarer"
• 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" - to Grand Turk, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas Island, Half Moon Cay
• 7-day "Western Caribbean" - to Half Moon Cay, Falmouth Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, Key West Florida
• and the 14-day B2B "Eastern and Western Caribbean"

ms Rotterdam - user reviews and comments

Photos of ms rotterdam.

ms Rotterdam ship related cruise news

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Other Holland America cruise ships

• ms Koningsdam
• ms Nieuw Amsterdam
• ms Nieuw Statendam
• ms Oosterdam
• ms Volendam
• ms Westerdam
• ms Zuiderdam

ms Rotterdam Wiki

In late-January 2017, the shipowner Carnival Corporation announced 2 more shipbuilding orders. The new liners were ordered for the brands Princess Cruises (Royal-class / Discovery Princess ) and Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class / Rotterdam VII). On January 19, 2017, Carnival signed an MoA (memorandum of agreement) with the shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct both vessels, with scheduled deliveries in 2021 (Rotterdam for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 (Discovery Princess, at Monfalcone yard). By the time when both shipbuilding contracts were finalized (February 2017), Carnival had a total of 19 new ships scheduled for deliveries between 2017-2022.

In 2019, Fincantieri had a total of 96 cruise vessels (built between 1990-2019) plus another 50 units on order or under construction . HAL's other "nieuw"/new liners are Nieuw Statendam (2018 - fleet's 6th "Statendam") and Nieuw Amsterdam (2010 - fleet's 4th "Amsterdam"). The new Rotterdam is the 14th cruise vessel built by Fincantieri Marghera for Holland America.

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6278) is powered by four MAK marine diesel engines (model 12V43C) with combined power output 50,4 MW. The propulsion system is based on two ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters) with combined output 28 MW.

The vessel's steel-cutting ceremony (hull number 6278) was held on March 13, 2019, at Fincantieri's yard in Marghera ( Venice ). On October 3, 2019, at Fincantieri's Palermo Shipyard (Sicily) was launched the vessel's forward lower section. The ceremony was led by Madrina/godmother Giuseppa Catalano who released a bottle of Champagne that smashed into the hull. This hull section (aka troncone) has length 82 m (269 ft), width 35 m (115 ft) and weighs 4400 tons. Following the launch, the section was towed from Palermo and to Marghera, where the liner was actually assembled. At Fincantieri Marghera were also constructed other hull and superstructure sections.

On November 21, 2019, at Marghera Shipyard was held the vessel's keel-laying ceremony during which was placed the first hull block (14 m long, 34 m wide, weight 500 tons) part of the midship section. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on October 1, 2020. The ceremony was attended by Madrina/godmother Mai Elmar ( Cruise Port Rotterdam 's Executive Director), Cyril Tatar (Holland America Line's VP of Newbuilds) and Antonio Quintano (Fincantieri Marghera's Director).

For the new MS Rotterdam, the shipbuilder contracted De Wave Group for the ship's interior outfitting.

• De Wave Group ( Genoa -based manufacturing company) specializes in newbuild cruise ships and yachts interior outfitting. The company was formed via merger of three companies - De Wave (cabins and wet units), Precetti (catering areas) and Spencer Contract (public areas).
• On MS Rotterdam, De Wave Group manufactured and supplied modules for the wellness complex (spa, gym, beauty salon) including Treatment Rooms (for massages/Decks 9-10), hallways (Deck 9), spiral staircase (connecting Decks 9-10), Fitness Center (gym, dressing rooms/Deck 9), Beauty and Hair Salon (Deck 9), Thermal complex (Turkish bath, sauna, swimming pool, showers).

The preliminary sea trials were conducted in April 25-27, 2021. Adriatic Sea trials were successfully completed in May 3-6, 2021, with the Navigation Bridge team led by Captain Werner Timmers and Chief Engineer Stefan Dullaert. The boat was officially delivered (at Fincantieri Marghera) in the evening of July 29, 2021. The handover ceremony was attended by Cyril Tatar (Holland America Group's VP of Newbuilds) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO), as well as other shipowner and shipyard executives. Via live video link also participated Jan Swartz (Holland America Group's President) and Gus Antorcha (HAL's President).

Following the delivery, Rotterdam VII remained in non-passenger shipping status until the Transatlantic crossing (scheduled for October 20, 2021/14-night from Amsterdam to Port Everglades). The Caribbean Maiden Voyage was scheduled for November 3 (4-day roundtrip to Half Moon Cay Bahamas and Key West Florida).

Fun fact is that "Nieuw-Rotterdam" was named the capital of Suriname's Nickerie District (South America), built on Cordonspunt (Nickerie River's right bank) around 1820. After the town was sea-flooded in 1875, in 1879 on the river's left bank was built the District's current capital "Nieuw-Nickerie". Nieuw Rotterdam (formally abolished in August 1979) was populated mainly by merchants (trading with Guyana). The town was twice hit by severe storms from the Atlantic Ocean (and flooded) - in 1866 and in 1875.

Holland America Rotterdam liners (history)

The new MS Rotterdam has six same-named predecessors in Holland America Line's fleet.

• The first Rotterdam ship (Maiden Voyage from Amsterdam to NYC on October 15, 1872) led to the company's establishment in 1873 (on April 18).
• Rotterdam II (1878-built) was initially owned by "British Ship Owners Co" and acquired by HAL in 1886.
• Rotterdam III (1897-built) was with HAL until 1906.
• Rotterdam IV (1908-built) also served as a troopship (during WW1 / 1914-18) and after the war operated regular Transatlantic cruises leaving roundtrip from NYC to the Mediterranean.
• Rotterdam V (1959-built) initially operated Transatlantic crossings with two passenger classes, but in 1969 was converted to a one-class liner. After 38 years of service, in 1997 the vessel was retired and is currently permanently docked in Rotterdam City serving as a hotel and museum.
• Rotterdam VI (1997-built) was the first of HAL's R-Class ships. In 2020, the vessel was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and is currently named Borealis .

On October 17, 2021, HAL officially announced the name of Rotterdam VII's godmother - HRH Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands (1943-born, from the house of Orange-Nassau/van Lippe-Biesterfeld). Princess Margriet is the 3rd daughter of Queen Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina (1909-2004) and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911-2004) and is an aunt of Holland's current monarch Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand (1967-born, King of the Netherlands since 2013).

• HAL's connection to The House of Orange-Nassau (Huis van Oranje-Nassau/Dutch Royal Family) started in 1929, when Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1876-1934, Prince of the Netherlands and husband of Queen Wilhelmina between 1901-34) godfathered Statendam III (1927-built passenger liner).
• Princess Margriet named 4x HAL liners - Prinsendam I (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997), Oosterdam (2003).
• Queen Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti (1971-born/spouse of King Willem-Alexander) named 2x liners - Nieuw Amsterdam (2010), Koningsdam (2016).
• Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (1938-born) named Statendam IV (1957) and Queen Beatrix (reign 1980-2013) named Eurodam (2008).
• Queen Juliana named Rotterdam V (1958).
• Queen Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria (1880-1962) named Nieuw Amsterdam II (1937).

The boat's official christening ceremony was on May 30, 2022, held in Rotterdam City. The event was part of the "Rotterdam Naming Celebration Cruise" (7-day roundtrip itinerary from Amsterdam to Norway's Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Sognefjord). The naming ceremony was attended by Princess Margriet (godmother), Captain Werner Timmers (the ship's Master), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation's President and CEO), Jan Swartz (Holland America Group's President), Ahmed Aboutaleb (Rotterdam City's Lord Mayor), David and Gisela Gere (Mariner Ambassadors). Other VIP guests included the executives Stein Kruse (Carnival Corporation's Senior Advisor to the Chairman and CEO), Randy Weisenburger (Carnival Corporation's Board Member), Keith Taylor (Holland America Group's Fleet Operations Executive VP), Nico Bleichrodt (HAL's and Seabourn's International Sales VP), as well as Boudewijn Siemons (Port Rotterdam's COO-Chief Operating Officer) and Jaap Smit (King Willem-Alexander's commissioner).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021

The ship's Maiden Voyage (first departure) is currently scheduled for October 20, 2021 (14-night Transatlantic from Europe to Florida), and the inaugural Caribbean departure for November 3rd.

Despite the vessel's on-schedule delivery, in mid-June HAL canceled the ship's schedule from August 1 thru November 3 (a total of 18 itineraries).

Next tables show the inaugural itineraries (by theme) with lowest prices in USD per person (with double occupancy).

(canceled) 7-day "Inaugural Cruise" from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome ($1600 pp)

(canceled) 14-day "Jewels Of The Baltic" ($2400 pp)

( MAIDEN VOYAGE ) 14-day Transatlantic crossing from Europe to Florida-USA (Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale) - from $1500 pp

(inaugural Caribbean voyage) 5-day "Private Island Bahamas Escape" ($720 pp)

(B2Bs) 11-day inaugural "Southern Caribbean Wayfarer Cruise" ($1350 pp) and 10-day "Southern Caribbean Seafarer" ($1300 pp) are combinable into a 21-day B2B ($2520 pp).

(2022) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" ($750 pp) and 7-day "Western Caribbean" ($700) are combinable into a 14-day B2B ($1380 pp).

MS Rotterdam

Holland america.

The  MS Rotterdam  was built in 2021 and is among Holland America’s 11 ships in its fleet. The MS Rotterdam is included in the cruise line’s Pinnacle Class Class. In the cruise ship stats below, you’ll find the MS Rotterdam vs all of the other Holland America ships.

MS Rotterdam Size

How big is the MS Rotterdam? Below, you’ll find all of the relevant cruise ship stats, specs and dimensions for the MS Rotterdam. Included in these statistics are passenger capacity, length, year built, year renovated, cost to build, gross tonnage, engine info, number of rooms, deck counts and more!

MS Rotterdam Capacity

Passenger Capacity refers to the total number of people that the MS Rotterdam can accommodate. Of course, there are also crew members on board. Below, find the total onboard capacity, including staff and cruise guests.

Holland America Avg: 2,156 guests

MS Rotterdam Passenger Capacity: The passenger capacity for the MS Rotterdam is 3,218 guests . The average capacity for the 11 active ships in Holland America’s fleet is 2,156 passengers. The passenger capacity range for all Holland America ships has a minimum of 1,432 guests and a maximum of 3,218 passengers.

Holland America Avg: 862 staff

MS Rotterdam Crew Members: Staff on the MS Rotterdam include 1,025 crew members. That’s a guest to staff ratio of 3.1 to 1. The average Holland America ship includes 862 employees and has a passenger to staff ratio of 2.5 to 1.

MS Rotterdam Passenger Capacity and Crew

vs Holland America Fleet

MS Rotterdam Length

How long is the MS Rotterdam? From end to end, the MS Rotterdam length equals 975 feet (298 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 11 active vessels in Holland America’s fleet, measuring 922 feet (282 meters).

Holland America Avg: 922 feet

The smallest Holland America ship (in terms of length) measures 778 feet (238 meters) from end to end. The longest vessel spans 983 feet (300 meters).

Our chart below shows the length of the MS Rotterdam vs all other active Holland America ships.

MS Rotterdam Ship Length

vs all Holland America Ships

MS Rotterdam Built Date

When was the MS Rotterdam Built? The MS Rotterdam was built in 2021 and joined the cruise line’s Pinnacle Class Class.

Holland America includes 11 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1999. The average Holland America ship is 16 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2008

Holland America Avg: 2007

When was the last MS Rotterdam Dry Dock? The MS Rotterdam has not experienced dry dock improvements yet.

renovation date

Renovations included the following: The MS Rotterdam has not yet experienced refurbishment efforts. No dry dock is currently necessary as the ship is relatively new. The MS Rotterdam was built in 2021.

MS Rotterdam Info

Frequently asked questions, what is the ms rotterdam ship class.

The ship belongs to the Holland America class of ships known as the Pinnacle Class class.

What is the MS Rotterdam capacity?

We're often asked how many passengers are on the MS Rotterdam. The ship's capacity is 3,218. When comparing the occupancy to the average Holland America passenger capacity, you'll find that the average ship in the fleet holds 2,156 guests. Feel free to look at our graph above to see where this ship falls in line with all other live Holland America ships.

How old is the MS Rotterdam?

The MS Rotterdam was built in 2021. Holland America includes 11 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1999. The average Holland America ship is 16 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2010

Is the MS Rotterdam a good ship?

Each of Holland America's ships offers a unique layout with features and activities catered to all. Whether the MS Rotterdam is right for you will depend on your individual preferences. Do you prefer a larger or smaller ship with many or fewer guests? Are you hoping for many family activities or entertainment options for an older clientele. Our deck maps layout and activities list provide a helpful guide to what you'll find on board. Feel free to explore the see if this ship is suited towards your preferences.

How long is the MS Rotterdam?

From end to end, the Spectrum of the Seas length equals 975 feet (298 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 11 active vessels in Holland America fleet, measuring 922 feet (282 meters). Please see our size comparison chart above to see how this ship falls in line with all other active ships in the fleet.

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Holland America cruise ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

What is the newest Holland America cruise ship? It's something you want to know if you're in the market for a Holland America cruise.

The newest Holland America ship is typically also the Holland America ship with the most up-to-date venues, including restaurants and bars, as well as the most up-to-date cabins and suites. It's what you want if you desire the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your Holland America cruise vacation.

The newest Holland America cruise ship currently is the 2,650-passenger Rotterdam, which also is the Holland America flagship. It debuted in October 2021.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Other relatively new Holland America ships include the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam and the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam, which are sister ships to Rotterdam. They both began sailing in the last seven years.

In all, Holland America operates 11 cruise vessels. On average, the line comes out with one new ship every two to three years, but the pace of its ship rollouts is lumpy. Between 2002 and 2004, it added a ship every year, but it also went six years without a new ship between 2010 and 2016.

Holland America also recently shrunk its fleet considerably with the retirement of four older vessels .

In general, Holland America's newest ships are bigger and more amenity-packed than the oldest Holland America ships. But they're not as big as the biggest ships operated by such competitors as Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises . Among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is known for smaller and more intimate vessels.

Related: The 4 types of Holland America ships, explained

In some cases, Holland America's oldest cruise ships — those built in the late 1990s and early 2000s — are as much as 39% smaller than the line's newest vessels and have fewer venues on board.

Here, every Holland America cruise ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. Rotterdam

Maiden voyage: 2021. Size: 99,863 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 2,650.

2. Nieuw Statendam

Maiden voyage: 2018. Size: 99,863 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 2,650.

3. Koningsdam

Maiden voyage: 2016. Size: 99,863 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 2,650.

4. Nieuw Amsterdam

Maiden voyage: 2010. Size: 86,700 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 2,106.

Maiden voyage: 2008. Size: 86,273 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 2,104.

Maiden voyage: 2006. Size: 82,318 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 1,924.

7. Westerdam

Maiden voyage: 2004. Size: 82,305 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 1,916.

8. Oosterdam

Maiden voyage: 2003. Size: 82,305 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 1,916.

9. Zuiderdam

Maiden voyage: 2002. Size: 82,305 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 1,916.

10. Zaandam

Maiden voyage: 2000. Size: 61,396 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 1,432.

11. Volendam

Maiden voyage: 1999. Size: 61,214 gross tons. Passenger capacity: 1,432.

What is the newest Holland America cruise ship?

The newest Holland America cruise ship is the 2,650-passenger Rotterdam. As noted above, it debuted in October 2021, making it less than two years old.

Measuring 99,863 gross tons, Rotterdam is tied with two slightly older sister ships (Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam) as the biggest ship in the Holland America fleet. In addition to being the newest ships in the Holland America fleet, the three vessels, collectively known as the Pinnacle class of ships, have the most amenities of the ships in the Holland America fleet.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America cruise

Notably, in addition to a main restaurant and casual buffet, the three Pinnacle Class ships have five separate specialty dining venues — everything from a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian restaurant to a steakhouse. That's more than you'll find on other Holland America ships.

Pinnacle Class ships also have all of Holland America's signature entertainment venues — something that can't be said for the line's older vessels.

What is the oldest Holland America cruise ship?

The oldest Holland America cruise ship is the 1,432-passenger Volendam. Unveiled in 1999, it's not just the oldest Holland America ship but the smallest Holland America ship. Measuring just 61,214 gross tons, it's 39% smaller than Rotterdam and the two other Pinnacle-class vessels mentioned above.

Because of its smaller size, Volendam has fewer features and amenities than most other Holland America ships, particularly the ships of the newest Pinnacle Class and another recent group of vessels called the Signature Class.

In general, Volendam appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. It also draws cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

What new Holland America cruise ships are coming?

Holland America currently does not have a single ship on order. The brand is owned by Carnival Corporation, which has not ordered new ships for the nine lines that it owns for several years as it focuses on paying down debt . Carnival Corporation took on an enormous about of debt during the COVID-19 pandemic to stay in business.

What is the newest class of Holland America cruise ships?

The Pinnacle Class is the newest class of Holland America ships. It's made up of three vessels: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.

Each of the three ships measures 99,863 gross tons and carries 2,650 passengers at double occupancy. The vessels rolled out as a series between 2016 and 2021.

As mentioned above, Pinnacle-class ships have the most venues of any Holland America ship, including all of the line's signature entertainment venues.

Specifically, on Pinnacle-class ships, you'll find one of the line's signature Music Walk live entertainment areas with a B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock).

Related: Holland America makes entertainment changes on some ships

The Pinnacle-class ships also have spectacular state-of-the-art main theaters with push-out stages enveloped by two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screens. The theaters are home to all sorts of additional music, dance and comedy performances.

The top decks of the Pinnacle-class ships have main pool areas that can be covered by a retractable glass magrodome during inclement weather. This makes these ships a good choice when booking a cruise in a destination where the weather can be iffy.

What's the difference between newer and older Holland America ships?

Newer Holland America cruise ships generally are bigger than older Holland America ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.

Holland America's older ships are as much as 39% smaller than the biggest Holland America ships and lack some features found on the bigger ships. They have a more intimate feel, and they hold fewer people. While Pinnacle-class ships can hold 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, the line's two oldest vessels (known as the R Class) are only designed to carry 1,432 passengers at double occupancy.

As a result, the oldest Holland America ships are a good choice for someone who wants to try Holland America but is looking to travel with a smaller crowd. The oldest ships in the Holland America fleet thus appeal to a subset of Holland America fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Holland America loyalty perks

Note that all Holland America ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Holland America cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

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Rotterdam Cruise Port Excursions & Things to do

Arriving in rotterdam, netherlands on a cruise – what to see & do..

Most people who end up in Rotterdam for a day usually arrive because it’s a popular cruise port of call as well as a departure port for a number of major cruise lines. Having called Rotterdam my ‘home port’ for nearly 5 years now, I’m often asked about things to do for a day while visiting by cruise. Here are some of my favorite recommendations & tips about how to spend a day in Rotterdam.

First, A few things about Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of the most unique cities in The Netherlands that is often overlooked by tourists who think Amsterdam is the only place the country has to offer. Unlike other Dutch cities, Rotterdam is a city where modern architecture is blended with historic buildings.

The reason for this juxtaposition in design is unfortunate. Rotterdam was nearly leveled during the World War 2 bombing, leaving it in ruins. The Dutch took the opportunity to preserve what was possible and rebuild the city with modern design and sustainability in mind. 

There are so many things to do in Rotterdam, but it’s important to remember that, unlike Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a working city not focused on mass tourism. Experiencing Rotterdam means existing among the locals and trying foods, seeing architecture, and culture.  If you’re just passing through or have arrived in Rotterdam on a Cruise, be sure to check out some of our favorite things to do in Rotterdam!

• See : Rotterdam Cruise Port Hotels

1. Markthal – an Unusual Rotterdam Destination

Visit this unique food market and architectural marvel, featuring a vibrant ceiling adorned with colorful artwork. 

Markthal is a unique and iconic building located in the center of Rotterdam, easily accessible by foot from the Cruise Port, or by metro. It is a combination of a residential complex and a market hall, making it an innovative multi-use piece of architecture. The interior of the building features a vibrant and colorful mural that wraps around its curved shape, truly visually striking! Look closer, though, and you’ll see windows within the mural which are where the residences above can see down into the market.

Inside Markthal, you will find an impressive indoor food market with various food stalls and shops offering a wide range of fresh produce, specialty foods, and international cuisine. The market is known for its diverse selection of high-quality products, allowing visitors to indulge in delicious culinary experiences. It’s part food hall and part market where the stalls are popup restaurants and bars. Look for the multi-level restaurants that often have stairs to an above-bar area to overlook the rest of the food hall. If pop-up food venues are not your thing, the Markthal has plenty of permanent traditional restaurants that include local chains as well as international brands.

The interior design of Markthal is equally remarkable. Its arched ceiling is adorned with an expansive artwork called “Horn of Plenty,” which showcases larger-than-life images of fruits, vegetables, grains, and flowers which refers to the Cornucopia from ancient Greek mythology. 

Markthal has become an iconic landmark in Rotterdam since its opening in 2014. It attracts both locals and tourists alike who come to experience its lively atmosphere, indulge in culinary delights, shop for fresh ingredients, or simply marvel at its splendid architecture. 

If you want to see what restaurants and pop-ups are currently in the Markthal, visit the Markthal website for the most current information.

2. Explore the Cube Houses 

If you’re visiting Rotterdam, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Cube Houses and experience this fascinating example of architectural creativity.

The Cube Houses, or Kubuswoningen in Dutch, are one of Rotterdam’s most famous architectural landmarks. These quirky apartment blocks were designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom in the 1970s, these innovative houses are located in the city center / Blaak area of Rotterdam just opposite Markthal.

The houses were designed with the idea of creating a “village within a city.” Blom’s concept was to tilt a traditional house by 45 degrees and place it on top of a concrete hexagon-shaped pylon. Each cube represents a tree, and when all the cubes are put together, they form a forest.

There are a total of 38 cube houses arranged in a cluster, along with two “super-cubes” that contain a museum and a hostel. Each cube house has three floors. The ground floor is used as the entrance area, the first floor serves as the living space, and the top floor is usually used as a bedroom.

The tilted design of the houses creates unique interior spaces and unconventional layouts. Blom’s intention was to maximize the living area within a relatively small footprint, while also providing a sense of privacy and community. Despite their seemingly impractical shape, the cube houses are fully functional and offer a distinctive living experience (as long as you don’t have any art to hang on the walls!).

The Cube Houses have become an iconic symbol of Rotterdam’s architectural innovation and are often featured in postcards and promotional materials. They attract both architecture enthusiasts and curious tourists who are intrigued by their unusual designs.

If you’re curious to see the interior of a cube house, you can visit the Show Cube , which is a furnished model cube house open to the public. It allows visitors to experience the unconventional design and get a sense of how the space is utilized. The entry fee is €3 and well worth it! Be sure to bring cash, as they don’t accept credit cards (though they do accept Dutch PIN cards).

If you really love architecture and want to experience more of what Rotterdam has to offer, definitely book an architecture tour of Rotterdam by foot!

TIP: Markthal (above) is just next to the Cube Houses, so you can do and see both in one visit.

3. Go SkyHigh in the Euromast – Rotterdam

Enjoy panoramic views of the Rotterdam cityscape from the Euromast observation tower. One of our favorite things to do and take friends to!

Not only is this a fun and unique thing to do for a few hours, but the walk from the Rotterdam Cruise Port is through a beautiful park with amazing historic homes on display.

Plan on about 45 minutes from the ship terminal to the tower (each way) by foot.

The Euromast Tower is an iconic landmark and observation tower located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and is one of the most popular Rotterdam attractions. It was designed by Dutch architect Hugh Maaskant and completed in 1960. Standing at a height of 185 meters (607 feet), it offers stunning panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.

What to expect from a visit to the Euromast Tower

Observation Decks – The Euromast Tower features two observation decks accessible by high-speed elevators. The lower deck is situated at a height of 92 meters (302 feet), providing wide views over Rotterdam. The upper deck, located at 112 meters (367 feet), offers a more extensive panorama, allowing you to see even further. On clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of The Hague and the coastline. These are definitely the best views from anywhere in The Netherlands.

Euroscoop: For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Euromast Tower offers the thrilling “Euroscoop” experience. It is a rotating and tilting elevator with a glass floor that takes you up to a height of 185 meters (607 feet) in under a minute. From the top, you can enjoy an outstanding view while the tower slowly rotates, giving you a 360-degree perspective of the city. The newly installed glass floor can be made opaque with the touch of a button! The cost is €18.50 for adults and €15 for children. Book Euromast Tower Tickets

The Restaurant:  Euromast Tower is not just an observation tower; it also houses a full restaurant where you can enjoy a meal with a view. The Brasserie Euromast provides a beautiful and panoramic experience with a cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is open for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner as well as “High Tea” and cocktail hours. Reservations are required! 

We recently had High Tea. Admittedly, hosting our British friends, we were a bit worried about how well a Dutch restaurant could offer High Tea. It’s actually quite good! For only about $22/person, you get unlimited tea, coffee, bottled water, and a great selection of sweet and savory snacks. It’s well worth the walk to get to the tower.

TIP: Restaurant reservations DO NOT include access to the Euromast! You must purchase a Euromast ticket in order to gain entry to the restaurant. I know, it’s strange but once you visit, you’ll understand why, as the restaurant is just a feature of the tower and access isn’t separate. Even BETTER TIP: If you book reservations for a group of people, head to the Euromast Website and buy an annual ticket for ONE person. If a single person has an annual pass, they can bring guests to the restaurant (with reservations) at no additional charge. For example, we just had a friend visit and 3 passes to the Euromast would have been approximately $45, however, I purchased an annual pass for about $28 and we all got access without having to purchase a ticket for each person. When you arrive at the tower, just tell them you’re there to pick up your annual pass and you have reservations for “X” people at the restaurant, and you’ll all be admitted. A great money-saving “hack” for the Euromast!

The Hotel: Euromast Tower has a limited number of beautiful suites for an unforgettable overnight stay.  The hotel has luxurious suites, allowing guests to enjoy a unique overnight stay high above the city. Expect to pay at least €400 for a one-night stay but that does include breakfast and a bottle of champagne.

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4. Walk the Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge)

If you’re arriving by Cruise at the Rotterdam Cruise Port, getting to the main part of the city means walking across this beautiful piece of modern design. Admire the iconic bridge, known as the “Swan of Rotterdam,” offering beautiful views of the city’s skyline and the River Maas.

The bridge is a famous landmark and spans the Maas River connecting the north and south parts of the city. The bridge was completed in 1996 and is an iconic piece of modern architecture and has become a symbol of Rotterdam’s skyline.

5. Visit Rotterdam Museums

Rotterdam doesn’t have the same quantity (or quality) of museums found in other major cities, unfortunately. However, there are definitely a few worth visiting if you have some spare time. The most popular museum is the Maritime Museum, however, there are plenty of other museums that explore art, history, and Dutch culture. 

Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum Rotterdam, also known as Het Maritiem Museum, is a fascinating museum dedicated to the maritime history of Rotterdam and the Netherlands. It is located in the heart of the city’s bustling Maritime District. The museum has a wide range of exhibits that showcase the rich maritime heritage of Rotterdam and its significance in global trade and shipping. The exhibits cover various themes, including shipbuilding, exploration, trade routes, naval history, and port operations. You can explore interactive displays, historical artifacts, ship models, and immersive installations that bring the maritime world to life. Tickets are €17.50 for adults and €12.50 for children (free for kids up to 3 years old!) 

It’s worth noting that while you can pre-purchase tickets to the Museum, it’s not really required. I’d normally recommend visiting the Museum if you’ve done everything else you want in Rotterdam by just walking up and buying your tickets on the spot.

But if you’re a planner, you can purchase tickets to the museum and harbor tour.

Museum Boijmans van Beuningen

Delve into the world of art at this renowned museum. It houses an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and applied arts spanning various periods, including works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Monet.  This museum is for hardcore art lovers (and may bore all others) *** Check the website for the current openings – as there are major renovations happening

An alternative to The Boijmans, you can look at the Kunsthal, another art facility that appeals to true art lovers. 

6. Eat, Drink & Shop on the Witte de Withstraat:

Discover Rotterdam’s vibrant arts and culture scene on Witte de Withstraat. This street is lined with art galleries, trendy shops, bars, and restaurants, making it an excellent spot for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Foodies love the area for the eclectic mix of food types from the best hamburger in the Netherlands at Ter Marsche & Co to the funky Restaurant Bazar which serves amazing Moroccan & Turkish foods. So if your ideal travel experience revolves around food, this street full of diverse eating options is worth a visit!

7. SS Rotterdam – The historic Holland America ship: 

On board the former flagship of the Holland-America Line, now permanently docked as a floating hotel and museum you can take a guided tour to learn about its history, explore the decks, and enjoy the panoramic views from the top.

Built in the 1950s and launched in 1958, the ship served as a transatlantic cruise liner for the Holland-America Line, transporting passengers between Rotterdam and New York. The ship played a significant role in transatlantic travel during the “Golden Age” of ocean liners.

Today, the SS Rotterdam has been transformed into a hotel with 254 rooms and suites. The hotel preserves the ship’s original mid-century style while providing modern amenities and comfortable accommodations. Guests can experience the nostalgia of ocean travel while enjoying the convenience of a hotel stay. (note: The SS Rotterdam does NOT have air conditioning – so if you’re planning a stay, the summer is not the best time)

Museum and Tours – Visitors can explore the SS Rotterdam through guided tours that take them through various areas of the ship, including the public spaces, passenger cabins, engine rooms, and crew quarters. The tours offer insights into the ship’s history, design, and the daily life of passengers and crew during its heyday. Tickets range from €13-€16.50 – and are well worth it for cruise and history enthusiasts!

The SS Rotterdam offers several dining and drinking options. The Lido Restaurant serves international cuisine with panoramic views of the waterfront, while the Club Room provides a sophisticated atmosphere for afternoon tea or evening drinks. The Ocean Bar is a popular spot for cocktails and live music, evoking the ambiance of a bygone era.

Adjacent to the SS Rotterdam, you’ll find the Rotterdam Port Experience. This interactive exhibition provides an immersive and educational experience, allowing visitors to learn about the workings of one of the world’s largest ports.

The SS Rotterdam is not only a floating hotel but also a living piece of maritime history. It offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the grandeur of ocean travel while enjoying modern comforts.  Buy tickets to the SS Rotterdam!

A fun fact – if you are arriving on the Holland America NEW Rotterdam cruise ship , the two ships will blow horns at each other during departure or arrival. It’s great fun to witness!

Other Attractions in Rotterdam:

There are many places to see and things to do in Rotterdam with plenty of options to spend a day or two. But one of the best ways to really get the most out of your trip to Rotterdam is to discover it on foot or bike and sample the local food and beer.  

8. Rotterdam Central Station (Centraal): 

Marvel at the architectural splendor of Rotterdam Central Station (Centraal Station), known for its unique design and striking features. It’s not just a transportation hub but also houses shops, cafes, and restaurants. Be sure to explore the area immediately around the station, as it has been improved over recent years with a ton of small cafes and bars. 

It’s worth noting that while it’s called “Central Station” – it is not the most central to the city. If you’re looking to get right in the heart of it all, make sure you proceed to Rotterdam Blaak station! 

9. Explore Rotterdam with a Walking Tour (Or a Bike tour!)

One of our favorite & fun things to do in Rotterdam is explore the city with a walking tour. There are architectural tours, food tours, and history tours all operated by enthusiastic local guides who know the city inside and out. 

Our personal favorite is the guided walking food tour of Rotterdam where locals will take you around to sample foods that are traditionally only “Dutch” including bitterballen and poffertjes. 

Check rates and availability for this amazing Rotterdam food tour!

Explore Rotterdam by bike to get the most out of what the city has to offer.

10. Discover local food at the Fenix Food Factory & Other food halls 

In addition to the Markthal, food hall experiences exist throughout the city. A local favorite is the Fenix Food Factory, just across a pedestrian bridge from the cruise port of Rotterdam. While they have “food” in the name, most people love the fact that there are usually a lot of craft beer options, while having a small bite. 

11. Do a Boat Tour

Since the city is surrounded by water, there are no shortages of unique boat tours. Choose an hour-and-a-half harbor tour for only about €17 per person or do something truly unique and book a “Panckake Cruise” . Yep, you read that right. Pancakes. on. a. boat. 🙂 And, the pancakes are bottomless. So eat as much as you want during an hour-and-a-half tour while taking in the amazing views. Expect to spend about €22 per person for bottomless pancakes. 

Or just wander the city!

Rotterdam is an incredible walkable city so if you’re just there for a day, and don’t want to book any excursions or tours, just walk. It’s nearly impossible to get lost and finding your way back to the Port isn’t difficult. Cabs are available, Uber works and any hotel can hail a ride to get you back to the ship.

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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Cruise Passenger, 23, Reportedly Falls Overboard After Texting Wife He Felt Seasick

A 23-year-old passenger is presumed dead  after falling from the MSC Euribia cruise ship, according to multiple reports .

Liam Jones, a social work student from Scotland, was last seen on March 16 while on a seven-day tour cruise from Southampton to Amsterdam with his family, the  Daily Record reports .

Jones’ wife, Sophia Mcphee, 20, told the outlet that Jones texted her right before his disappearance to tell her he was feeling seasick. 

“He’s just gone. I’m never going to see him again,” Mcphee told the Daily Record . “I’m devastated. I have so many questions, and I’m not getting any answers to what’s happened.”

Mcphee told U.K.’s Metro that Jones’ sister broke the news to her on the phone and explained that security camera footage showed Jones falling overboard. 

“She said there had been an accident and Liam ‘wasn’t coming back.’ She then said she had seen CCTV and he’d gone overboard,” Mcphee recalled. 

But Mcphee said she hasn’t been updated on the investigation since hearing about his disappearance. She told the Daily Record that the last time she had seen Jones was on March 14 when he traveled to visit family in Glasgow before they boarded the cruise the following day.  

“I’ve been trying to get in contact with the MSC since Monday, but it’s been a headache,” Mcphee told the Daily Record. “They’re not getting back to me.”

MSC Cruises didn’t immediately respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment. 

Police reportedly boarded the cruise ship on March 22 to investigate the incident upon its return to Southampton, Metro reports. 

The cruise line suspects the man intentionally went overboard, Fox10 News reports .

In a statement to the Daily Record, MSC Cruises said it is “deeply saddened” by the news of Jones’ disappearance. 

“A passenger on board MSC Euribia was reported missing, who we believe intentionally went overboard, on 17 March as the ship sailed from Hamburg to Rotterdam,” the cruise line said. 

“The authorities have been informed and have been on board the vessel. We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time,” the statement continued. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy we will refrain from disclosing any additional information.” 

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936 ft. length

105.8 ft. width

Oosterdam , our second Vista Class ship, brings high style to the high seas with thoughtful upgrades and stunning artwork. Guests will have plenty to do on board when not taking in expansive views or stretching out in spacious staterooms. Begin with an exquisite breakfast in the Dining Room. Unwind with a massage at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®, indulge in pre-dinner craft cocktails at Ocean Bar, followed by delectable Italian fare at Canaletto. Top off the night with chart-topping hits at Billboard Onboard.

Onboard Activities

Billboard Onboard

ENTERTAINMENT

Sing along, test your music trivia knowledge, or sit back and enjoy as chart-topping hits fill the room each night.

2 pianos - 60 Years of Chart Toppers - 100s Of Songs.  Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night.

World Stage

World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display.

World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage.  Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and  Rotterdam  bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.

Rolling Stone Lounge

Our 7-piece band brings you the best in rock, pop, country and more.

Dance to your favorite songs with one of the best bands at sea. From rock and pop to country and beyond, we provide the perfect playlist live, each and every cruise.

Onboard Shopping

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping onboard.

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Fitness Center

Take a class in our professionally staffed Fitness Center.

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

Holland America Line Navigator

Personalize your cruise experience with our free mobile-friendly tool.

Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. 

Casino Action

The Casino offers games for all levels.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Unleash your competitive spirit in our new family game room.

Unleash your competitive spirit at High Score!, our new family game room. By day, it’s a secret hideaway for kids and teens, where they can engage in a fast-paced flurry of four-person air hockey or contend for bragging rights in the video arcade. At night, the entire family is welcome to bond over board games, skee-ball, a tilting labyrinth and family activities.

Pickleball at Sea

Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views.

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Frequent pickler? Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Hesitant amateur? Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories.

Kids ages 3 to 17 can enjoy an array of activities. Registration required for children under 13.

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties. Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.

Dining Experiences

Pinnacle Grill

The ultimate steakhouse at sea, with an exceptional menu of Prime steaks, seafood and wine.

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

*Meals at Pinnacle Grill are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared.

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Meals at Canaletto are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Lido Market

A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack.

Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants and sandwiches, and more.

This casual poolside grill serves up the best burgers at sea, Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dogs, golden French fries and more.

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

24-Hour Room Service

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish.

Sleep in and have breakfast delivered. Enjoy an early dinner on your verandah before an evening excursion. Order a salad, sandwich or entrée any time. Room Service is only a phone call away. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu.

Explorations Cafe

Our relaxing café with panoramic views is your home for handcrafted espresso drinks during the day and refreshing cocktails in the evening.

At Explorations Café, sink into plush chairs and sofas in a comfortable environment. Sip elegantly prepared espresso drinks and nosh on fresh pastries from the coffee bar. You can also take in fantastic views, catch up on your favorite book or browse the web. 

The Dining Room

Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner.

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. 

Suites & Staterooms

Please select your stateroom or suite type and room category from the available options.

• Daily housekeeping
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, shampoo
• Luxurious bathrobes
• Hair dryers, makeup mirrors
• Generous storage
• Fresh fruit upon request
• Ice service
• TV with On Demand movies, programming

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms.

These expansive staterooms include include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities and an ocean view.

Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage showerheads.

Signature Suite

• Whirlpool bath

These large, comfortable suites feature a spacious sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and one murphy bed for one person. The bathroom includes a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and an additional shower stall.

Neptune Suite

• Premium bathrobes, slippers
• Fresh flowers
• One-Touch concierge service
• Whirlpool bath (suite dependent)
• In-suite coffee, espresso
• Complimentary laundry
• Pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres served in suite
• Welcome glass of sparkling wine
• Priority boarding for tender ports, priority dining/seating requests, special disembarkation service
• High tea in suite on request
• Exclusive tote bag

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

Oosterdam FAQs

What entertainment options are available in my stateroom ? Each room includes a flat-screen TV with interactive menu of programming including; on-demand movies, music stations, as well as both live and pre-recorded television. Additionally, guests can access ship information, dining options, an onboard activities schedule, shore excursions, and port information through this interactive media console. There are no external inputs available such as A/V or HDMI. Does my stateroom have a mini-fridge?  A mini-fridge is included with all staterooms. Guests who need to refrigerate medication should store it in the ship’s infirmary, as mini-fridges aren’t cold enough for that purpose. What's the cost for mini-fridge rentals?  Unnecessary as all staterooms include a mini-fridge. Are the balconies partitioned? All can be opened upon request. Does my stateroom have an alarm clock?  No, but guests can request a wake-up call. Is there a hairdryer in my room?  Yes. Is there a safe in my room?  Yes. Are there coffee makers in the room?  Only Neptune and Pinnacle Suites feature in-suite coffee and espresso machines. Does my stateroom have WiFi?  All ships are outfitted with wireless Internet. However, we cannot guarantee that each stateroom will receive a signal, as signal strength varies depending on the location of your stateroom. . Lanai Staterooms:  No. Family Rooms : No. Single Rooms : No.

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My 12-day cruise cost me about $109 a day. See inside my 160-square-foot cabin, the most economical option on the ship.

• I went on a 12-day Holland America Line cruise and paid a little over $1,300 for my interior cabin.
• The cabin was an incredible value and I especially liked the storage and spacious shower.
• I'd book this room again — my cruise was so fun and busy that I barely spent time in it anyway. 

In a time of high inflation and stretched budgets, cruises reign supreme . Since most packages are pretty all-inclusive, you can pay for a week or more on a ship and then not spend another dime until you return.

I definitely had value in mind when I booked my recent 12-day cruise on the Holland America Line Rotterdam from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to the Panama Canal. I selected an interior cabin , the most economical option on the ship.

I booked directly with Holland America Line and paid $849 plus $460 for taxes, fees, and port charges — about $109 a day. The rate came with a $25 onboard credit and didn't include gratuities or add-ons like drink packages , specialty dining, WiFi, or excursions.

Overall, my room was one of the best values of the trip. Here's what it was like.

I booked an interior room on deck seven.

On this ship, interior rooms can range from 143 to 225 square feet. I chose a cabin on deck seven that was 160 square feet.

The location of my stateroom was convenient and quiet. My cabin was a quick two decks up to the areas I frequented most, the spa and its thermal suite, and the fitness center.

My cabin was generously sized.

The stateroom featured a small hallway with a bathroom on the right, and two wardrobes and a cabinet on the left.

The main area of my room contained the bed.

The hallway opened to a small rectangular space with a queen bed on the right flanked by two small nightstands, each with two drawers and a tall bottom shelf.

I had a vanity that could also be used as a desk.

To the right of the bed was a large desk/vanity with an ottoman that doubled as a seat and storage space for the bed's decorative throw pillows.

This area had even more storage: The desk had three spacious drawers.

My bed was across from a mounted TV and bar area.

At the foot of the bed was a wall-mounted interactive television with on-demand movies, programming, and multi-channel music.

Next to it, I had a fully stocked minibar area, including a cabinet with things like red wine, white wine, rocks glasses, a stainless steel ice bucket, and tongs.

There was so much storage space in the room.

The full-height wardrobe had 26 hangers, including 13 pant and 13 skirt hangers, two bottom shelves, and a full-length mirror on one door.

The second half-height wardrobe closet had 12 hangers, including four pant and eight skirt hangers, four bottom shelves, and a tie rack.

One closet contained a mini fridge.

The cabinet featured three compartments: the top where robes, beach towels, and a safe were stowed, the middle with the mini fridge, and the bottom with three deep drawers.

The safe was roomy, accommodating my 13.6-inch MacBook Air plus all of my other valuables and important travel documents.

The bathroom felt spacious and well-designed.

The bathroom layout was thoughtfully designed with three glass shelves for toiletries and a large-size vanity with an underneath storage ledge.

A roomy shower was the highlight of the bathroom.

The walk-in shower was complete with a shaving foot bar, a retractable clothesline, Elemis bath products, and an adjustable handheld shower.

There were also two grab bars for stepping into and out of the shower.

There were plenty of electrical outlets in the room, too.

The room had an abundance of power outlets where I could charge my gear.

On both sides of the bed were a type-B plug, mainly used in the US, Mexico, and Canada, and a USB port. The desk had a USB port, three type-B plugs, and two type-C plugs, mainly used in Europe, South America, and Asia.

The bathroom had one electrical outlet that could accommodate a US or European two-pronged plug.

The room service was impeccable, too.

There were two cabin stewards assigned to my room. They worked together to fully service my stateroom twice daily.

On embarkation day, I was able to request extra pillows and towels plus other preferences like turn-down service, which included a towel animal and Astor Chocolates on most nights.

Overall, I had such a fun experience on my cruise I didn't even spend much time in my stateroom.

There was so much to do on the Rotterdam that I barely spent time in my stateroom.

I spent many of my days relaxing in the expansive multiroom thermal suite, singing along at B.B. King's Blues Club, or sunbathing by the Lido Pool with a retractable roof.

The room was an excellent value, and I was glad I hadn't splurged on a balcony room or one with a window.

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