The fifth SS Rotterdam, the last great Dutch ‘ship of state’ also known as ‘The Grande Dame’, was launched by Queen Juliana in a gala ceremony on 13 September 1958, and completed the following summer.Much to the dismay of the ship’s loyal fans, Holland America Line announced that changing safety regulations made it necessary to retire the ship. A gala finale cruise ended her final season on September 30, 1997. After years of laying idle, a new destination was found for the former SS Rotterdam in her old home port of Rotterdam where she returned on August 4, 2008. The ship is currently being converted to serve as a hotel, congress and recreation centre and will open on July 27th 2009.