Luxury Dutch super liner revives New York - Liverpool link

Liverpool’s lost link to the New World was revived in five-star style when the mighty Rotterdam berthed at the city’s cruise terminal yesterday.

The Holland America Line flagship was the first passenger liner to arrive from New York in 43 years.

As a big Beatles fan, Rotterdam’s master, Capt Henrik Krombeen, was especially pleased to be in Liverpool.

He even told his Mersey pilot he was having lunch with Paul McCartney on the visit yesterday.

“Liverpool will become a popular port for us now the new cruise terminal is available.” He said.

“The city has a great interest for our passengers. It’s good this berth is so close to the city centre.

“I’d heard the River Mersey was tricky because the tide is so fast.

 “We had two tugs on standby, but this is a very powerful ship. There was no problem berthing.

“The Atlantic crossing was a bit rough and we had fog for three days, but this is a good sea boat.”

Rotterdam’s cruise director Susan Wood, from Chester-le-Street, is another link with Liverpool’s transatlantic past.

Paul said: “This is our first time in Liverpool. We enjoyed walking around the city.”

Gladys said: “We loved the old architecture and the Maritime Museum.”

Capt Krombeen presented Cllr Gary Millar, Liverpool’s tourism executive member, with a special Delft plaque to mark Rotterdam’s visit.

Cllr Millar returned the compliment with a plaque of the city’s coat of arms.