The Rotterdam was the last great Dutch "ship of state", employing the finest artisans from the Netherlands in her construction and fitting out process.

Originally she was conceived as a running mate to the popular Nieuw Amsterdam launched in 1937, but work was put on hold at the outbreak of World War II in Europe.

When economic conditions once again became favorable for completion of the new ship in early 1954, the beginning of the end of ocean liners as basic transport was visible on the horizon.

The designers took this in mind and created a groundbreaking vessel, a two class, horizontally divided ship with movable partitions and a unique double staircase allowing for easy conversion to cruising.

To provide balance, a large deckhouse was built atop the superstructure in the midships position of a typical funnel, a very controversial arrangement at the time.

Due to the growing popularity of air travel, an increasing number of transatlantic liners began to disappear from service.

She remained in service until 1997, when Carnival announced, much to the dismay of the ship's loyal fans, that to upgrade her to meet the new 1997 SOLAS regulations would cost 40 million dollars.

[5] She was subsequently placed under arrest by the Halifax Sheriff's department until the next morning, then days later she sailed to be laid up in Freeport, Bahamas[citation needed].

[6] On 12 July 2004, Rembrandt arrived at Gibraltar, for asbestos encapsulation and removal work, which was performed by the UK-based Cuddy Group.