The Last Ocean Liners

Holland America Line

Rotterdam / Statendam / Nieuw Amsterdam / Ryndam / Maasdam

 

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Holland America Line Rotterdam, Statendam and Nieuw Amsterdam were Holland America Line's premier fleet of transatlantic ocean liners through the 1960's. Noted for reliability and spotlessness, they provided a weekly operation across the North Atlantic. In peak season, one of the ocean liners usually departed New York on Friday for Southampton and Le Havre (7 days), continuing to Rotterdam (8 days). Concurrently, there would be a Holland America Line westbound sailing every Tuesday from Rotterdam, and Wednesday from Le Havre and Southampton.

Holland America Line Rotterdam was the largest Dutch ocean liner to date, a superbly decorated flagship with rare woods, a wealth of artworks and innovative design. She was the first transatlantic liner without a traditional funnel and one of the first passenger ships to have engines mounted two-thirds aft instead of midship. Twin uptakes were used for the exhausts.

In another unusual decision, the two classes aboard Rotterdam were divided horizontally rather than vertically, Holland America Line facilitated by a unique midship double stairway with each class using one side separated from the other. Elevators would only stop at designated decks. First class public rooms were on the Bridge, Boat and Upper Promenade Decks, which included the distinctive "Ritz Carlton" and an indoor pool on D-Deck. Tourist class was on the Sun and Promenade Decks with an outdoor pool aft. Both dining rooms were on B-Deck.

Holland America Line The handsome Statendam was also a product of the late 1950's. Over 90% of the ship was devoted to Tourist class, with private facilities in nearly every cabin. Statendam was also designed with off-season luxury cruising in mind, which meant large cabins, ample open deck spaces and a large swimming pool.

Holland America Line Holland America Line's beloved Nieuw Amsterdam was built before World War II when she was proclaimed "the ship of tomorrow". She was an art deco gem following the trend of the day in interior decoration and exterior design. When the war ended she returned to transatlantic service.

"Sailing on one of these happy ships is truly an experience. Holland America Line You enjoy sports, games and festive social activities. Continental cuisine. Devoted service by unobtrusive English-speaking stewards. Beautiful surroundings, highlighted by fine paneling, paintings, sculptures, mosaics and tapestries. It's an atmosphere to put you in exactly the right frame of mind for pleasures to come on the Continent ..."

Holland America Line Also in the fleet were the innovative Ryndam and Maasdam. Seeing a bright future for transatlantic travel after the war, the company ordered two passenger cargo ships to replace the 1920's vintage Volendam and Veendam, but a strong demand for mass economical transportation was realized. Plans were quickly changed and the two were completed as passenger liners. Tourist class occupied 90% of the passenger space, with the First class cabins and public rooms being exclusively on Boat Deck.

Holland America Line By the mid-1960's, with more emphasis on cruising, new opportunities were sought for Ryndam and Maasdam. They were assigned to summer crossings from Canada, "university-at-sea" voyages in winter and experimental line voyages to Australia. But within a few years, the ships were sold off to Epirotiki Lines and Polish Ocean Lines, respectively, for conversion and further service. By the end of the decade, cruising had become the primary occupation for Rotterdam and Statendam. In 1971, Nieuw Amsterdam closed out the last of Holland America Line's transatlantic ocean liner operations.


Sample minimum one-way fares from New York to Rotterdam: First class $389; Tourist class $238; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.


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Rotterdam (Holland America Line) 1959
Rotterdam Holland America Line
Built: 1959 by Rotterdamsche DD Mij, Rotterdam, Holland Gross tons: 38645 Length: 748ft (228m) Width: 94ft (29m) Draft: 29ft (9m) Speed: 20.5kn Power: 38500 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 301 First 1055 Tourist End of service: Cruising only from 1969; sold 1997 as Rembrandt then Rotterdam; refitted as hotel/museum ship
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Statendam (Holland America Line) 1957
Statendam Holland America Line
Built: 1957 by Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam, Holland Gross tons: 24294 Length: 642ft (196m) Width: 81ft (25m) Draft: 26ft (8m) Speed: 19kn Power: 22000 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 84 First 868 Tourist End of service: Cruising only from 1971; sold 1982 as Rhapsody then Regent Star; scrapped 2004
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Nieuw Amsterdam (Holland America Line) 1938
Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America Line
Built: 1938 by Rotterdamsche DD Mij, Rotterdam, Holland Gross tons: 36982 Length: 758ft (231m) Width: 88ft (27m) Draft: 31ft (9m) Speed: 21kn Power: 35100 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 574 First 583 Tourist End of service: Cruising only from 1971; scrapped 1974
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Ryndam (Holland America Line) 1951
Ryndam Holland America Line
Built: 1951 by Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam, Holland Gross tons: 15015 Length: 502ft (153m) Width: 69ft (21m) Draft: 28ft (9m) Speed: 16.5kn Power: 8500 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines single screw Passengers: 39 First 822 Tourist End of service: Laid up 1971; sold 1972 as Atlas then Copa Casino; sunk enroute to scrapping 1993
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Maasdam (Holland America Line) 1952
Maasdam Holland America Line
Built: 1952 by Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam, Holland Gross tons: 15024 Length: 502ft (153m) Width: 69ft (21m) Draft: 28ft (9m) Speed: 16.5kn Power: 8500 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines single screw Passengers: 39 First 822 Tourist End of service: Sold 1968 as Stefan Batory; scrapped 2000
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