SS Rotterdam -- features of the ship

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Describe to me please,  for one who has not been on the ship, what is Rotterdam's accommodation like?

These pictures will give you an idea of some of the cabins -- both those I stayed in myself and those which I visited while staying on board :

https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=rotterdam+cabin&w=55206992%40N00&m=tags

The nice thing is that each of these cabins is different, and it is great fun to get to know several of them. The first time I visited the ship, we were in a group and had a lovely cabin cavalcade!

More photos here :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/sets/72157623546400484/

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

However not having visited Hotel Rotterdam its pretty hard to imagine what they have done with her, But are the cabins we see the original ones done up? or have they been expanded?

As far as I know, all the original cabins are still cabins -- there is no space on board that used to be cabins and is now something else. Except perhaps if ever there were inside cabins -- if so, they might now have become store rooms.

There are various types of cabins on offer now. All of them are composed of two (perhaps in some instances three) former cabins. All of them have absolutely identical bathrooms -- they must have been bought in bulk and installed everywhere. Very new and bright and clean, nice shower but no bathtub. With soap and shampoo etc in lovely 1950s packaging designed specially for SS Rotterdam.

Some cabins have mostly modern furniture, with bits of the 1950s stock to provide atmosphere. The first cabin I stayed in had a little kitchen in one corner and I suppose could have served well for someone staying for a while, who wanted to be independent of the restaurants on board.

Others are "original", with some beautiful original 1950s furniture -- very classy, as you would expect of the Rotterdam. Lovely woodwork. All of them have pretty odd shapes, as the original cabins must have been all different, as on QE2, and amalgamating them made for even greater differences! That is why discovering yet another cabin is so attractive... .

The alleyways are as they were, with just a few extra glass doors as a fire precaution. There are pictures of the Rotterdam in her liner days everywhere in the hotel area, and they create a real atmosphere. The owners have also been creative in buying up reams of magazines from the 1950s and leaving them in the cabins, together with a small number of old books in each cabin. The magazines are gradually disappearing (as was expected) and being replaced with a current house magazine now, designed in a similar style.

Each of the cabins has a little sitting area, which would be fine for a chat with your cabin mate or some friends. There is the unavoidable television, and there is room service if wanted.

Those friends of mine who knew her in her liner years, would have preferred to have seen more of the original furniture in the cabins, but otherwise thought that the conversion was sensitively carried out and successful.

[Lynda Bradford]

These pictures will give you an idea of some of the cabins -- both those I stayed in myself and those which I visited while staying on board :

https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=rotterdam+cabin&w=55206992%40N00&m=tags

The nice thing is that each of these cabins is different, and it is great fun to get to know several of them. The first time I visited the ship, we were in a group and had a lovely cabin cavalcade!

More photos here :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/sets/72157623546400484/

I have only visited SS Rotterdam once for the day time tour of the decks and engine rooms and as there were conferences onboard ship we did not have the opportunity to see any of the public rooms.  Having said that it was lovely to look at Isabelle's photos of the ship on flickr to see what I have missed.  I think I need to plan a to stay onboard the ship as it looks lovely. 

After touring the ship we sat on deck by what had been the pool and were served tea cakes and coffee and just soaked in the atmosphere. 

[Hank Hargrove]

I have only visited SS Rotterdam once for the day time tour of the decks and engine rooms and as there were conferences onboard ship we did not have the opportunity to see any of the public rooms.  Having said that it was lovely to look at Isabelle's photos of the ship on flickr to see what I have missed.  I think I need to plan a to stay onboard the ship as it looks lovely. 

After touring the ship we sat on deck by what had been the pool and were served tea cakes and coffee and just soaked in the atmosphere.

Wasn't there a much deeper pool on the aft deck at one time?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Wasn't there a much deeper pool on the aft deck at one time?

There was, but the changing rooms are no longer there, and so the pool has been converted to a paddling pool, which looks good and is quite attractive to visiting children (and adults!).

[Rob Lightbody]

There was, but the changing rooms are no longer there, and so the pool has been converted to a paddling pool, which looks good and is quite attractive to visiting children (and adults!).

You know, I visited 3 times, and always thought it was just sad that the big pool had gone.  However, when you say that, it makes perfect sense.  The lido bar they've created, with its outside area, is totally chic, stylish and charming, looking over the Rotterdam skyline.  A big deep pool would be completely inappropriate there now.  Its nice that they haven't completely erased it.  As I keep saying, its either the perfect ship conversion/preservation, or its damn close to it. 

I would like to meet the team behind it and shake their hand vigorously (and send them on the 1st flight to Dubai...)


SS Rotterdam Cruise Hotel by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr


SS Rotterdam Cruise hotel by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr


SS Rotterdam Cruise Hotel by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr


SS Rotterdam Cruise Hotel by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr

[Adam Hodson]

Thanks for posting Rob - great photos!

[Hank Hargrove]

There was, but the changing rooms are no longer there, and so the pool has been converted to a paddling pool, which looks good and is quite attractive to visiting children (and adults!).

Okay. That makes sense. Did they remove it or just cover it over?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Okay. That makes sense. Did they remove it or just cover it over?

As far as I can see, the pool is in the same position as it was, with the same surrounds too. It just has a new bottom, far higher than the old one was, and painted in the usual swimming pool blue colour. Presumably there is an empty space between the old bottom and the new one, but I have not asked.

[Adam Hodson]

Thanks for all the information everyone. It's really interesting to read through the ships features and how they have changed.

[Hank Hargrove]

As far as I can see, the pool is in the same position as it was, with the same surrounds too. It just has a new bottom, far higher than the old one was, and painted in the usual swimming pool blue colour. Presumably there is an empty space between the old bottom and the new one, but I have not asked.

Thank you!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

You know, I visited 3 times, and always thought it was just sad that the big pool had gone.  However, when you say that, it makes perfect sense.  The lido bar they've created, with its outside area, is totally chic, stylish and charming, looking over the Rotterdam skyline.  A big deep pool would be completely inappropriate there now.  Its nice that they haven't completely erased it.  As I keep saying, its either the perfect ship conversion/preservation, or its damn close to it. 

I would like to meet the team behind it and shake their hand vigorously (and send them on the 1st flight to Dubai...)

Great photo here, showing a relaxed summery atmosphere around the pool :

https://www.facebook.com/ssrotterdam/photos/a.330912193637752.82208.330905383638433/733356626726638/?type=1&theater

[June Ingram]

Great photo, Isabelle !   

[Hank Hargrove]

Great photo here, showing a relaxed summery atmosphere around the pool :

https://www.facebook.com/ssrotterdam/photos/a.330912193637752.82208.330905383638433/733356626726638/?type=1&theater

Awesome!


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[Hank Hargrove]

I wish the Rotterdam's indoor pool was still in use.


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