The SS Rotterdam - 1958

The fifth SS Rotterdam, known as "The Grande Dame", was launched by Queen Juliana in a gala ceremony on 13 September 1958, and 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. With a career spanning forty years, she was also one of the most successful passenger ships of all time. She sailed from 1959 until her final retirement in the fall of 2000.

On July 12, 2004, she arrived at Gibraltar for restoration. This included repainting her hull to gray. She then went to Cadiz, Spain for docking and finally to Poland and Germany for asbestos removal and 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.

The SS Rotterdam - Today

Now back in the Port of Rotterdam, De Rotterdam shines as never before. The largest vessel ever built on Dutch soil and the former flagship of the Holland America Line is ready to be rediscovered and explored during the TankBank T8 event.

This incredible venue will make TankBank T8 a most memorable event. Presentations will be delivered in the wonderful theatre whilst networking, coffee's and lunch will all be served in the Queens Room.

A World Class Experience

The Cruise Hotel is the 254 room hotel aboard the SS Rotterdam. In its heyday between 1959 and 2000, the prestigious flagship of the Holland America Line sailed to many destinations all over the world. Today, the beautifully renovated ship has a permanent berth at the Kop van Katendrecht in the centre of Rotterdam.

Even though the ship remains in dock, it is difficult not to feel excited as you pack for your TankBank T8 "mini cruise". The authentic atmosphere is tangible among the specially commissioned artworks and gracious style of the 1950s. Let the ship tell its story as you experience your own voyage of exploration.

Sleeping on board means expanding your own networking opportunities, widening your outlook and feeling like a cosmopolitan in Rotterdam. In short, a world class TankBank experience!

Hotel Reservations

For more information and to make reservations, please visit the Cruise Hotel Website.