Rotterdam (V) in Rotterdam
As soon as I knew I was going to have an overnight stay in Amsterdam while on Vision of the Seas, I'd hoped to get to Rotterdam to see that marvellous 38,650grt former transatlantic liner, the Rotterdam (V), now in situ in her former home port ready to open as a hotel in July 2009.  She had her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York on the 3rd September 1958 but from 1968 she was used only for cruising.  This ship's design influences could be seen in many who came after her, particularly P&O's former flagship, Canberra.  They both had tall, twin funnels and ended their original careers on the same day, 30th September 1997.  But while Canberra went to a Pakistani beach, Rotterdam was sold to Premier Cruises where she sailed as Rembrandt.  Premier went bankrupt in 2002 and her future was uncertain, along with the other ships they owned.  She was laid up for three years in Freeport and Gibraltar before finally being bought to turn into a hotel based in her home port.  That collapsed and new owners took over.  But one headache after another, most notably asbestos removal, pushed the price up as well as caused many delays.  She finally arrived in Rotterdam on the 4th August 2008 to crowds of thousands lining the route.
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			(C) Copyright Patricia Dempsey 4th & 17th May 2009 Not to be reproduced without permission