Which is your favorite "DAM" ship?

[Dutchman]

Of all the ships in the HAL fleet which is your favorite ship?
Amsterdam
Maasdam/Ryndam
Oosterdam/Zuiderdam
Prinsendam
Rotterdam
Statendam
Veendam
Volendam
Westerdam
Zaandam

[doone]

I had to vote for two of them. While the Amsterdam is my favorite ship, the Volendam is so close I have to say I have two favorite ships.

[dot73]

I loved the old Noordam. She was a classy liner.

[Himself]

I voted for two. The VOLENDAM and the ROTTERDAM. People do tell me that when I travel on the Amsterdam that I will like her even more than the
ROTTERDAM

Himself

[jhannah]

So far I have to go with the Rotterdam. She combines the best of all, IMO. Not too big ... not too small. Classy and refined. Not that I've ever not enjoyed any ship I was on, but the ms Rotterdam was just spectacular.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Actually my favorite is the Oosterdam and my least favorite is the Zuirderdam so by putting them together made me to decide to choose Ryndam. I really like the Ryndam a lot too. Probably if I did a list of likes and dislikes they would come out equal. Zuirderdam is just OK I like her but definitely not a favorite.

[longtimecruiser]

Rotterdam is my favorite ship.

[ekerr19]

No Fair! dakrewser voted for all of them!

Dave, do you have trouble choosing just one? Or do you just love to cause trouble???? ;)

[Bill S]

So far, the Amsterdam is our favorite, with the Statendam being a close second! It probably goes without saying that being on any HAL ship is better than being at work!

[bepsf]

Oosterdam

They say that your first is the one you always remember most fondly...:)

[obriendan]

We have had two wonderful cruises on the Ryndam. We feel that the S class DAm ships are just the right size for us.

[shipcafe]

We have had two wonderful cruises on the Ryndam. We feel that the S class DAm ships are just the right size for us.

I agree with you. The Maasdam has always been a classic favorite of mine. After seeing the "new" Ryndam this past December, I think that they may have stolen position "1".

[robertmartha]

have to agree - first is the one you remember and love the most
for us it is the Maasdam

[RuthC]

Do you have any idea how hard this was to pick? :eek:

I love the S-class ships, mainly because of their size and that they have a Piano Bar. :)
I met two "forever" friends (both CC'ers, too!) on different cruises on the Rotterdam. :D
I like that the Rotterdam/Amsterdam/Zaandam/Volendam have a mid-ship elevator bank. :)

I had the absolute best cruise of my life on the Ryndam, so I voted for her.:D

[GrammyPL]

We like the Rotterdam the best--she has class. But we also like the size of the Prinsendam and would like to travel on that size ship more. I hope they bring out a new Prinsendam soon. Penny

[capeboy96]

I love the S class ships. Perfect size and just the right amount of people. That being said, Maasdam is my favorite.

[aussie jb]

I just have to say the Volendam....after all, it's the only one we've been on :)

[Renorita]

Its a little premature but I voted anyway. Picked the Oosterdam because she will be my first HAL Cruise! :D

[babyg]

We loved the Volendam (new Year's cruise). We are booked on the Zuiderdam for 12/30/05. I hope we are as happy with the Zuiderdam as we were with the Volendam.

[Randyk47]

Have to agree with Brian that your first ship is often your favorite and that's why I voted for the Ryndam. Sailed her on her fourth cruise when she was like a new car and went back years later for our honeymoon. Ryndam will always have a special place in our memories.

[Dutchman]

There are some really great responces thus far, I hope they keep coming! Our first ship was the old Rotterdam in 1990. Looks like a lot of you really are enjoying the "New" Rotterdam. Perhaps we will get a chance to sail her some day!

[RuthC]

O.K. Now you're talkin'! When you mention the "old" Rotterdam you're mentioning one "-dam" fine ship. Without a doubt my all-time favorite "-dam" ship.

[Dutchman]

O.K. Now you're talkin'! When you mention the "old" Rotterdam you're mentioning one "-dam" fine ship. Without a doubt my all-time favorite "-dam" ship.

Hi ruth, this opens a possible new thread, what happend to her,I heard she was going to be scrapped and I slo heard she was sold??? Where is the "Old" gal?

[RuthC]

Last I heard she was in Gibralter having work done. She will then go home to Rotterdam. I don't remember all the details.

Last year there was a thread with a link to the full story. I don't know if it was lost when the boards changed or if it was after that.
I am sure that if Host Doug sees this he will have the info. Perhaps an e-mail to him is a good idea?

[DFD1]

I couldn't find the Veendam on your voting chart. Volendam is my favorite.

[Dutchman]

I couldn't find the Veendam on your voting chart. Volendam is my favorite.

Since I was only allowed ten choices I had to combine several of the ships. the Veen dam is listed on the line with the Maasdam.

[cactuslady]

Last I heard she was in Gibralter having work done. She will then go home to Rotterdam. I don't remember all the details.
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When we were in Gibralter in September on the Prinsendam, we could look down from "the Rock" and see the Rotterdam. Lots of people were happy to see those stacks, which brought back fond memories.

[Dutchman]

When we were in Gibralter in September on the Prinsendam, we could look down from "the Rock" and see the Rotterdam. Lots of people were happy to see those stacks, which brought back fond memories.

So she is still in the YHAL Fleet? I wonder if she will return to sea duty with HAl in the future?

[RuthC]

So she is still in the YHAL Fleet? I wonder if she will return to sea duty with HAl in the future?
No, she won't be in the HAL fleet. She was towed across the Atlantic and was to have asbestos removed (I think) in Gibralter. The ss Rotterdam is going to the City of Rotterdam; she won't be at sea. A museum, maybe? I don't recall exactly. IIRC she was to get to Rotterdam shortly after I'm there in August. Sorry that I'll miss seeing the old girl again.

Try searching on the "Whatever Happened to..." board. The info might still be there.

[DFD1]

Thanks, Dutchman. I wasn't paying attention. Good poll. Interesting results.

[hogwildcruzers]

If the first is always the best, or most remembered then I will have to say the Zuiderdam, since my first on HAL will be on this ship in April. Did I make a good choice?

[RuthC]

So she is still in the YHAL Fleet? I wonder if she will return to sea duty with HAl in the future?
What timing! This month's copy of Ocean and Cruise News came in today with an article about the ss Rotterdam!
She's to become a hotel/museum/attraction when returned to Rotterdam. Plans are for her to go to Rotterdam in the Spring, and open in the Fall.

[jhannah]

Here she is in Gibraltar. I took this just a few months ago.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/dfc6ad02_m40bb6f9d/5834/__sr_/f16c.jpg?phUxb9BBiITz4MV2

[Dutchman]

I couldn't find the Veendam on your voting chart. Volendam is my favorite.

Its on the same line as the Maasdam. they would only allow ten slot for voteing!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Voted for the Amsterdam - she is so beautiful.

[mcarroll2]

:cool: Currently my favorite is the Oosterdam, but in a couple of weeks it will be the Westerdam.:cool:

[Dutchman]

This poll is showing a well run race among 3-4 ships. the Rotterdam has the slight edge, but the Volendam is right on her bow and the other two are right on their stern. I may have to start another poll to break up the two ship line to see which one is really out in front on that line?

[Dutchman]

Well we have a tie with the Rotterdan and the Volendam! Looks like we need some more votes to break this tie. Who hasn't voted yet?

[JohnQ]

I had to vote for the Statendam, since it is our only HAL, plus I really like the size and will stick with them or the Amsterdam on next.

[Kelfly]

Why doesn't anyone like the Zuiderdam? We are booked on her for a December 2005 sailing (liked the itinerary and the price was reasonable). This will be our 7th cruise; 2nd on HAL (1st HAL was Volendam almost 5 years ago and we really liked the ship!). Anything we need to be concerned about with our upcoming Zuiderdam cruise? Has HAL changed that much in 5 years? We booked an Aft S suite on deck 5 on the Zuiderdam.

[Dutchman]

We saild on the big "Z" last April and had a great time! A lot of things are different especially form the Volendam which we saild on two years ago, we loved that ship also! The Zuiderdam is a larger ship then the Volendam and is a lot more modern in her color scheme and decklayout but I'm sure you will have a great trip.
We have saied on three of HAL's line and loved then all. Take each for what they offer and enjoy!

[Dutchman]

Well the Volendam is breaking away!

[Marianne]

Prinsendam. It's smaller, has beautiful lines and rides in rough seas very well. It's pure class.
My second favorite is the Ryndam, because we celebrated our 50th anniversary on it, and we had a wonderful romantic time on a cruise around South America. Such a voyage!!!!
Marianne

[Dutchman]

Is everyone done voteing?

[Cuttle]

Our first cruise was on the old SS Rotterdam and she will always be one of my favourites although I do like the newer ships with more modern conveniences. I voted for the Amsterdam. I like this size of ship and the three sets of elevators.

Lots of information about the old Rotterdam, can be found at www.maritimematters.com (http://www.maritimematters.com)
Do a search for the Rembrandt.

[Dutchman]

Cuttle, Thanks for the info and the link for the Rotterdam. She was our very first cruise to Alaska in 1990! Seeing her again and all the beautiful pictures of her interior brought back a lot of memories!

[Cuttle]

Dutchman:

I agree and the web site has lots of info., good pictures and links. As stated previously she was our first cruise also - in 1993 - LA to Newport News, Virginia. We have happy memories. The next time was saw her was in 2000 she was docked beside us in St. Thomas. We were on the Veendam, and we were not docked at the usual Havensight area, but on the other side of the town. The Rotterdam was then the Rembrandt and unfortunately looked a lot worse for wear. She looks like she has been retored somewhat and hopefully she will have a good "life" in Rotterdam.

[Himself]

The author of this thread did not include the VEENDAM among the choices. She was the last of the "S" Class ships. Originally there were to be three ships: The Statendam, the Maasdam and the Ryndam. They went over so well that HAL had a fourth one built: The m.s. Veendam which came on line in June or July of 1996. I have been on her three times. I rank the "S" ships in the following order:

1.) Ryndam, 2.) Statendam, 3.) Veendam and 4.) Maasdam. Not everyone will agree with me but then what the heck....................................just one person's very subjective opinion

Himself

[Dutchman]

Himself, I could not list all of HAL's ships because I was limited to 10 choices. I did includ the Veendam on the same line as the Maasdam thought to be sure she was included.

[Dutchman]

Is everyone done voteing now?

[Pita817]

We were on the Z twice in 2004, May and November and like alot of Z cruisers, for many reasons we feel that she is "our" ship. The staff was absolutely great! Many of them are scheduled to go home this year but if nothing else I hope Hunky Dory is still onboard for you to meet. We sail on the Volendam this November and we are just hoping we ejoy her as much as the Z.

[Dutchman]

Hunkey is a hoot isn't he!

[dougnewmanatsea]

I am sure that if Host Doug sees this he will have the info. Perhaps an e-mail to him is a good idea?
Sorry that I didn't see this thread sooner... I hadn't been following it to be honest!

ROTTERDAM V, aka the "old ROTTERDAM", is indeed at Cammell Laird Gibraltar having preliminary restoration work done before returning home to Rotterdam where she will become a hotel, museum, conference centre, theatre, casino etc.

She will be berthed near the Wilhelminakade, which was her home base in her days as a North Atlantic liner, is now the site of the present Rotterdam passenger terminal, and is also the site of the former HAL headquarters, today the Hotel New York. The Wilhelminakade is the epicenter of HAL history and having probably the most beloved ship (the only other candidates would be ROTTERDAM IV, 1908-1940, and NIEUW AMSTERDAM II, 1938-1973) of the company's entire history berthed in close proximity will make it complete.

I believe that ROTTERDAM V is the most historically valuable passenger ship in the world today, with the possible exception of the rather poorly preserved QUEEN MARY. Yes, there are many other ships that would be more historically important than her if they were as well preserved, but most of these vessels no longer exist, one (NORWAY) is going to the breakers if not sold to other buyers by today, one (UNITED STATES) is essentially derelict, and so on. Besides this, ROTTERDAM is definitely a candidate for the most well-loved passenger ship of all time - this has something to do with the time period we live in, of course, but when I ask fellow ship enthusiasts what their personal favorite ship is, ROTTERDAM comes back far more frequently than any other ship.

I never had the privelige of sailing in her, and so for me it is an especially great relief that she is being preserved as this will finally give me the opportunity to get on board a ship I've dreamed about all my life. She may have never been the biggest, fastest, or most famous, but she is a good contender for most successful and most popular - and she is still around today, in virtually perfect original condition. So although her sailing days are over, may she have a long and happy retirement!

Oh, and before I forget, just a note about e-mailing me. If ever anyone ever wants to get in touch with me for any reason, please do not hesitate to use e-mail... Whether you want to ask me something, tell me something, complain about something, or you just want to say hello, feel free to drop me a line - I get quite a lot of e-mails so if it isn't an urgent matter it may take a couple of days for me to get back to you, but I do try to answer every e-mail I get (except spam of course) and please do not worry about bothering me... If I did not want people's e-mails, I wouldn't put my e-mail address at the end of every single post I write :) ! (Note to potential spammers: please do not take this as an invitation to send me Nigerian bank transfer schemes, European Vicodin, drugs for growing my... Oh never mind, you get the idea ;) !)