Built in Rotterdam, sailed from Rotterdam and now back in Rotterdam. Welcome on board of the legendary Holland America Line flagship De Rotterdam where a tour through time awaits you. Besides the ability to drink and eat on deck visitors of De Rotterdam can take a grand tour to discover the ship’s true nature, may this be the engine rooms of deck D and F, the captain’s control unit or the first class guest areas.

Photo courtesy of Ama Dorsman, Rotterdam, Netherlands

History

With it’s long history the Holland America Line flagship De Rotterdam (748 ft. tall, 91 ft. wide and 134 ft. in height) adds high cultural value to sightseeing in the city of Rotterdam. It all started on September 13th 1958 when ten thousand of citizens had gathered to see Queen Juliana officially name the ship after it’s city of birth “Rotterdam”. The builders had very specific demands on the ship’s design for functionality, machinery for speed and interior design for guests. It was one year later September 3th 1959 when the first journey to New York across the Atlantic Ocean meant “a new world” to adventurists.

For a long period no transport type could compete with de Rotterdam, it was not until 1971 when the first commercial airline started boarding planes to New York which meant the immediate end of many successful years. But also during these harsh years de Rotterdam maintained it’s position. After a short period of maintenance it started to offer 5 star Caribbean cruises and journeys around the world.

After 38 years (1997) of loyal duty De Rotterdam gets sold to Premier Cruises which after it’s name changed after one of the world’s greatest artist: Rembrandt. For the next three years De Rembrandt is doing short cruises in and around Europe as well South America. When in 2000 the economy is running slow and interests rate are raising rapidly Premier Cruises are going through stormy weather, financial debt is growing fast. During this year De Rembrandt gets stuck in the Freeport harbor on the Bahamas.

In 2005 local Rotterdam activist society “Behoud Stoomschip Rotterdam” represent trust and pride in De Rotterdam’s cultural and historical value and therefore demands the ship to come back to it’s home city Rotterdam. City hall acknowledged the society’s ideas and decided to give De Rotterdam a permanent spot in the Maashaven, nearby kop van Katendrecht. After several renovations it opened for public, besides historical and cultural value it also holds commercial, creative and social functions for society.

General information

Everyone is welcome aboard of de Rotterdam without purchasing an entrance ticket. You will be allowed inside the restaurant, bar and terrace on deck. If you wish to view the inside of the ship an tour package must be purchased, there’s three type of tour package available which are the Seabreeze Deluxe, The way down below and a combination tour.

Entrance & tours prices for adults
No charge to access the restaurants, bar and terrace on deck.
Tour Seabreeze Deluxe (Outdoors with audio guide) €12,50 ($16.60) approximately one hour.
Tour The way down below (Engines and control panel with audio guide) €10,00 ($13.28) approximately 45 minutes.
Tour All inclusive tour (Both tours with audio guide) €16,00 ($21.25) approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Entrance & tours prices for children
No charge to access the restaurants, bar and terrace on board.
Tour Seabreeze Deluxe (Outdoors with audio guide) (4-11) €7.50 ($9.96) (0-3) Free approximately one hour.
Tour The way down below (Engines and control panel with audio guide) (4-11) €6.00 ($7.96) (0-3) Free approximately 45 minutes.
Tour All inclusive tour (Both tours with audio guide) (4-11) €9.50 ($12.61) (0-3) Free approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

De Rotterdam facilities
Smoking is prohibited inside De Rotterdam.
De Rotterdam has wheelchair accessible areas: Restaurants Lido and Club Room, Ocean Bar and the expedition area.
No pets are allowed inside De Rotterdam (with exception of guide dogs).
De Rotterdam offers local and international cuisine.
De Rotterdam does not offer free wifi.

De Rotterdam pictures

De Rotterdam is a unique and one of a kind sightseeing attraction. It has a permanent spot in one of the European’s biggest harbors in the heart of the city. With a historical and cultural value this is a not to miss sightseeing for both foreign and local visitors. Have a look at a great select of unique De Rotterdam pictures on a clear and sunny day. These pictures have been taken by Ama Dorsman, a local citizen which made a contribution to Globenavigation.com.

These pictures date July 2010 De Rotterdam, Maashaven.

How to reach

By car
Once you enter the center of Rotterdam city, follow the signs to “Erasmusbrug“.
Once you arrived at the Erasmusbrug, follow the signs “ss Rotterdam”.

By car navigation
Use the address: Street: 3e Katendrechtse hoofd 25 ZIP: 3072 AM City: Rotterdam

By public transport
Use metro line D “Slinge or Spijkenise” – Exit on the Rijnhaven stop, use bus 77 “Katendrecht” and exit on stop “SS Rotterdam”.

By water taxi
Nearby De Rotterdam is the “2e Katendrechtse Haven” dock where the water taxi can drop you. There’s multiple entrance points to enter the water taxi in Rotterdam, for exact locations visit www.watertaxirotterdam.nl or call +31(10) – 4030303

Contact & opening hours

Tour hours
Opening Hours April till October (Mon – Sun) 9 am – 19.30 pm (Ticket window is opened till 19 pm, tour route closes at 19.30 pm)
Opening Hours November till March (Mon – Sun) 10 am – 16 pm (Ticket window is opened till 15 pm, tour route closes at 16 pm)

Restaurant hours
Lido
(Mon – Fri) 6:30 am – 24 pm
(Sat – Sun) 7 am – 24 pm
Club Room
(Mon – Fri) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)
(Saturday) 11 am – 16 pm (High tea) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)
(Sunday) 12 am – 15 pm (Brunch) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)

Guest hours
De Rotterdam is opened 24 hours per day for hotel guests.

3e Katendrechtse hoofd 25
3072 AM Rotterdam
0900-337 68 83
www.opderotterdam.nl