SS Rotterdam

[Redlinekid2]

I had decided that a trend should be created in honor of the only other Classic Oceanliner that has had its own ups and downs towards following in the Queen Mary's footsteps to become a true static attraction in its homeland: The SS Rotterdam. Let's hope that the grand opening will fill our hearts with excitement and joy over the massive task that it took to bring the ship to where it is today.

The SS Rotterdam is the only ship in this decade to see the light towards a new life as a hotel ship. It's too bad that neither the Regal Empress, SS Norway, or the Maxim Gorkiy had had this opportunity.

I only hope that the MV Kungsholm, QE2, and the SS United States gets this opportunity to follow in the SS Rotterdam's footsteps.

[LisaP]

It's also amazing how her interiors went through only a few changes in her 40-year career.

SS Rotterdam was my first ship, in a way. We boarded for an in-cabin bon voyage party for my grandparents in the early 1970s. They were sailing a round-trip from New York to Nassau and Freeport. I was about 10 years old at the time, and had no idea then that I was onboard a ship that would become a passion, so I wish my memories were clearer. Did I walk on the famous stairtower? I'll never know.

I do remember their cabin vividly, however. It was pastel blue, two beds in the L-configuration. There was a small hallway leading into this area from the cabin door. I also recall how excited my Grandma still was after her return -- the smiles as she described the cruise. "They even had a movie theatre. They showed everything except for 'The Poseidon Adventure' and 'Jaws.'"

One of the items I inherited from them was their photo album from that cruise.

Thank you for starting this thread, Dan.

[Redlinekid2]

You're quite welcome, Lisa!

Are you going to travel to Holland to visit the SS Rotterdam when it beings its new life as a hotel ship in July?

Of all the ships that had held my interest over the past 11 years, the SS Rotterdam and the QE2 are the only vessels to have been saved from the shipbreakers.

I am hoping to see the SS United States, MS Kungsholm, and the MS Augustus follow in the SS Rotterdam's footsteps towards becoming hotel ships. Although I would love to see the Sagajford join them as well.

But I feel that the SS United States will be saved. One way or another. This was the ship that sparked my interest towards saving a few vessel as hotel ships. So it might as well end with that one.

[penny3333]

Never had the pleasure to sail on her either. I was on the Nieuw Amsterdam that is now the Thomson Spirit. I think I recall seeing the Rotterdam in Port Everglades, though.

[mikeythemars]

I sailed on the Rotterdam in July of 1977 - Round trip cruise from NYC to the Caribbean. Was my first real "cruise" - my prior experience on passenger vessels has been on trans Atlantic crossings (eastbound and westbound respectively on the S.S. France of the French line in 1965 and T.N Michelangelo of the Italian Line in 1966).

My memories of the Rotterdam are general - comfortable ship that clearly had outdoor deck spaces designed for Atlantic crossings, not warm weather cruising (frankly, the Michelangelo had better pools and lido areas). But there was certainly a different ambience on the Dutch vessel - more relaxed and casual, which was the real differentiator from the Atlantic crossing experience.

I also distinctly recall that seas on the return leg while off the Carolinas were very rough; perhaps we skimmed the edge of an incoming or outgoing tropical system? Whatever, the Rotterdam had no problem navigating through them.

And just to give you the proper nostalgia/time warp feel, here's photo I found of a family on formal night on the Rotterdam during this period (shot is from sometime in 1976). What Daughter and Junior are wearing came straight out of the Partridge Family....

[Dave]

Love the photo!