Royal Rotterdam Lloyd

The Last Ocean Liners

This Dutch firm and the rival Nederland Line originally maintained passenger liner services linking Rotterdam and Amsterdam with Jakarta via Southampton, Mediterranean ports and the Suez Canal. By the late 1950s, the service bypassed troubled Indonesia and the two lines coordinated their schedules fully around-the-world to Australia, then across the Pacific to the Panama Canal, Florida and return across the Atlantic. The complete journey lasted nearly three months, and each ship made three or four circuits each year, interspersed with occasional cruises.

Offering these marvelous and adventurous voyages were three notable vessels built for service between Holland and the East Indies near the end of the colonial era. The Nederland Line contributed their Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and Oranje. Royal Rotterdam Lloyd's modern and innovative Willem Ruys pioneered the placement of nested lifeboats on a lower deck, now a universal feature of modern cruise ship design. This was not only safer in an emergency, but also freed desirable upper deck space for passengers.

They were an alternative to the British liners, carrying a share of the post-war immigrant traffic as well as northern Europeans wanting to see the world on a leisurely schedule.

"Among the vessels that nowadays sail the high seas, there is Willem Ruys, well known for her gay and yet cozy atmosphere, the superb standard of her international cuisine, the courteous and efficient service ... no detail contributing to comfort and convenience has been overlooked."

Royal Rotterdam Lloyd Interchange Sailing Schedules