In 2008 we sailed onboard the ms Rotterdam on a cruise visiting several ports in the Baltic Sea. Upon boarding in Copenhagen, we marveled at how much she reminded us of her sister ship the ms Amsterdam. However since that time she has undergone major upgrades to her interior public spaces. I wonder how much we will notice.
The painting above was commissioned by HAL and executed by Captain Stephen J Card whose paintings grace the stairwell landings of almost every active HAL ship. We were privileged to sail, as a fellow passenger, with Capt. Card on our first HAL cruise in 2006 on board the ms Statendam. He has since retired and is enjoying life in Sydney Australia. You can also read more about this talented Maritime Artist at http://www.vdleek.nl/Art/Card/Intro.html you can also view all of his paintings at this site.
In December 2009 an extensive “Signature of Excellence” upgrade was completed, including a controversial “our latest innovation, offering sliding glass doors leading onto the walk-around Lower Promenade deck”. I am hoping that the “$2 million art and antique collection”upgrade , didn’t replace the Terracotta Warrior replicas that we enjoyed onboard so much in 2008. We will be traveling with at least 1400 passengers and 600 crew.
Cummings Family Adventures 
I guess your “voyage on the high seas” is just beginning. I enjoyed viewing the paintings of all of the Holland ships. I never realized that there had ever been any other color of hulls for the ships but black!!! Have a safe journey–Enjoy!!! Connie Palmer
Boy, this is getting exciting! Can we leave for Singapore yet? 🙂