DATE: Saturday, October 11, 1997            TAG: 9710100097

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEPHEN HARRIMAN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   59 lines

FAMED CRUISE SHIP ROTTERDAM GETS AN OVERHAUL, NEW IDENTITY

WHY, YES, THAT elegant cruise ship you see hoisted up in the Norshipco drydock on the Elizabeth River does look a lot like the Rotterdam, flagship of the Holland America Line. In every respect save one, it is the old Rotterdam.

Except now it's called the Rembrandt, and now it belongs to a newly minted cruise company called Premier Cruises.

The classic old Rotterdam - launched in 1959 as an ocean liner, rebuilt in 1969 for cruising and last refurbished in 1989 - was the fifth to carry the Holland America flag in the line's 125-year history. This Rotterdam V sailed more than 1,000 voyages, including 29 times around the world, before being retired in September.

The 38,675-ton, 1,075-passenger ship was acquired by Cruise Holdings, which at the same time announced the formation of a new, subsidiary six-ship cruise company. That company, called Premier Cruises, was the result of a gradual consolidation that began nearly a year ago that brought together the ships of Seawind Cruise Line (Seawind Crown), Dolphin Cruise Line (IslandBreeze, OceanBreeze and SeaBreeze) and Premier Cruises (StarShip Oceanic, known as the Big Red Boat).

Now called the Rembrandt, the old Rotterdam is in Norfolk to have its hull plates, propeller shaft and various other underwater mechanical workings checked out. This is routine work, required of all cruise ships twice every five years.

From here the Rembrandt will proceed to Freeport, Bahamas, for ``wet dock'' work, which will include a new paint scheme.

``She really doesn't need much cosmetic work or renovation,'' said Premier president Larry Magnan. ``She was Holland America's five-star flagship and was kept in beautiful condition. We intend to retain that sort of art deco look and feel. That's very popular now. We want to keep it like it was and is.''

The Rotterdam/Rembrandt was, and will continue to be, known for its polished wood floors, decks and paneling and its two-tiered ballroom connected by a spiral staircase.

The Rembrandt will spend December through May based in Brazil (summer in the southern hemisphere), sailing out of Sao Paulo for Rio de Janiero and Buenos Aires. In May, it will be repositioned for Mediterranean cruising.

Meanwhile, Holland America is eagerly awaiting the new Rotterdam VI to come on line, now expected about Oct. 30. The new flagship's first two scheduled sailings were canceled because of delays at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

When the new, 62,000-ton Rotterdam is ready for its 1,316 passengers, it will spend the fall in the Mediterranean before coming to North America. On Jan. 5, 1998, it will make a 14-day trans-Panama cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Los Angeles. From there, on Jan. 19, it will embark on a 30-port Grand World Voyage that will continue until late April.

Prospective passengers - Holland America devotees who do not have 97 days to spare - may book smaller portions of the world cruise. MEMO: For information on the Rembrandt or Premier Cruises, call (800)

327-9766. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo Holland America

When it leaves Norshipco, the ship will be known as the Rembrandt.

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