Iconic paddle steamer De Majesteit seeks new owner ahead of 100th anniversary

Paddle steamer De Majesteit

Rotterdam, 12 May 2026 – With its 100th birthday in sight, the paddle steamer De Majesteit is preparing for a historic moment. After more than 30 years of ownership, Klemens and Christine Key announce that they are ready to pass on their life’s work. While the vessel is in excellent condition and was recently awarded the international Green Award, the current owners are looking for fresh energy to secure the future of this floating monument. De Majesteit will be auctioned exclusively via Troostwijk Auctions.

Operational paddle steamer, one of only a few in Europe

The ship was built in Germany in 1926 as the Rheinland, a luxurious passenger vessel for Rhine navigation. At a time when water transport was still a natural part of everyday life, the ship carried passengers between Rotterdam and Düsseldorf and other cities along the Rhine, playing an important role in river traffic.

The ship’s history reads like an epic. In 1945 it was severely damaged in a bombing raid. Yet that was not the end. After the war, the vessel returned to service and began a new chapter.

Elvis Presley on board

In the late 1950s, the ship even gained international fame through a role in the Elvis Presley film G.I. Blues. Scenes featuring Presley were filmed on the foredeck and the aft deck of the vessel.

That history is still very much alive on board. Elvis can regularly be heard in the bar, and footage from the film is still shown. In the past, alongside other dinner shows and themed parties, the owners even hosted an Elvis party in which a pink Cadillac was hoisted onto the deck. It typifies the ship: a place where history, nostalgia and experience come together effortlessly. This makes De Majesteit living cultural heritage today.

Six years of restoration

For the current owners, Klemens and Christine Key, the sale is not a forced farewell but a deliberate choice. After purchasing De Majesteit in 1993, they undertook a six-year restoration and around 60,000 man-hours went into the work.

In the years that followed, significant investment was also made in maintenance, renewal and preserving the ship’s character. The result is a vessel over 80 metres long, where elegant woodwork and the impressive 750 hp steam engine blend seamlessly with modern facilities.

Behind the salons, bars and decks, the authentic steam propulsion that gives the ship its soul is still at work. At the same time, De Majesteit proves that nostalgia and modern entrepreneurship can go hand in hand: the recent Green Award highlights the high standards on board in terms of safety and environmental performance. With an operational capacity of 1,000 square metres, De Majesteit is not only unique to see and exceptional to use, but also a profitable and sustainable operating model with international prestige.

Not just selling, passing it on properly

After more than thirty years of living, restoring and doing business with De Majesteit, Klemens and Christine want to hand the ship over in good condition to a new owner — someone who understands what the vessel is, what it represents, and how extraordinary it is that such a floating piece of cultural heritage still exists.

“It’s a passion that has shaped our lives, but an anniversary is also a moment for reflection”, the couple explain. “We have had the pleasure of looking after this beautiful heritage. Now the time has come to pass the baton to a party that will shape the future of De Majesteit with fresh energy.”

That is why, for them, the sale is not only about a transaction, but above all about the ship’s future. De Majesteit should end up with a party that looks beyond operation alone — someone who recognises the historical and cultural value, and also the opportunities to breathe new life into the ship with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

A new chapter

That future can take different forms. The vessel has proven itself as a floating event location, but also offers opportunities in hospitality, tourism, culture or heritage preservation. The owners do not rule out a new entrepreneur placing different accents, as long as the character of the ship is preserved.

“A ship like this almost never comes onto the market”, they say. “You don’t just build a paddle steamer like this again. That’s why we’re mainly hoping for someone who truly feels what this ship is worth.”

The auction therefore makes not only a unique ship available, but also a rare chance to become the owner of living heritage. After a century on the water, a war, restoration and a thousand memories on board, De Majesteit can once again set course for its next future.

About the auction

Paddle steamer De Majesteit is being offered via Troostwijk Auctions through a private auction process. The search is explicitly for a buyer who sees not only the commercial opportunities, but also understands the ship’s historical and cultural value.

More information on viewings, documentation and the sales process can be found on the Troostwijk Auctions auction platform. The auction goes live on Tuesday 12 May at 16:00 local time; bidding opens on 17 May.