Growing up in southern Connecticut, we didn’t travel much except to nearby Watch Hill, Rhode Island and Atlantic City, New Jersey (my dad loved to gamble). Back then, there was no internet, YouTube or Instagram to learn about exotic destinations, so I got my travel fix by watching ABC’s hit TV show The Love Boat.
I think many cruise executives would agree that this one show jumpstarted the cruise industry and most definitely the Mexican Riviera. I still watch the show today on occasion when I’m flipping through the channels. On late Sunday afternoons (5pm), it’s on MeTV.
The show takes me back in time and it’s fun to watch some of the A-list star’s guest appearances. However, I realize that the old Pacific Princess is nothing like Princess’ new ships. My family and I have sailed on one of their newer (2019) ships twice in the past eight months. Here’s what Enchanted Princess is like.
I’ve also had the privilege of sailing with the original cast multiple times thanks to their PR department. The highlight was in 2014 when the original cast reunited to christen the Regal Princess in Fort Lauderdale. I took the photo above.
That special event had dozens of stars who were guests of the show, including the late, great Florence Henderson and Marion Ross (both pictured above), as well as Charo (photo below), Loni Anderson, Joyce Dewitt and many others.
If you want to meet some of the cast and sail with them, here’s your chance … and you get to sail on the Enchanted Princess. The dates are August 31-September 7, 2024 and the ship is going to cruise roundtrip from New York to Canada & New England. Ports will include Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Rockland, Maine; Saint John, Canada (for Bay of Fundy); and Halifax, Canada.
Onboard will be Jill Whelan (who played Vicki Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred Grandy (Gopher) and Ted Lange (Isaac). Also on-board will be Ezra Freeman, the bartender from the recently aired The Real Love Boat on CBS’ reality dating series, along with other surprise guests yet to be announced.
Unfortunately, Captain Stubing played by Gavin MacLeod passed away in 2021 so he won’t be there in person but you know he will be there spirit. He really was a great man.
Onboard, there will be Love Boat-themed activities, including:
- Sailaway party introducing the cast
- Meet-and-greet photo and signing opportunities
- The Love Boat-inspired guest activities with prizes
- Cocktail demonstration hosted by Ezra Freeman and Ted Lange – practice the finger point!
- Symbolic renewal of vows ceremony, officiated by the cast, with commemorative certificate
- Cast Q&As sharing favorite memories of the show and stories of their careers
- The Love Boat episodes airing on Movies Under the Stars and in staterooms
- The Love Boat trivia with the Cruise Director
- The Love Boat inspired menus and specialty cocktails
- Themed décor, photo backdrops and merchandise
There’s also a special Love Boat VIP Package for super fans that will feature an invitation to an exclusive cast cocktail party, reserved seating for the cast Q&A in the Princess Theater, front-of-the-line access for autographs and photos, dinner at the Captain’s Table, plus a themed cruise t-shirt and mug. More details on cost and how to book coming soon.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company’s website at princess.com.
In 2022, I boarded Enchanted Princess in Los Angeles for a party to kick off the CBS show The Real Love Boat. I was fortunate to interview a number of stars about their number one cruise tip, which you can read and watch here but below are a few of the interviews:
Ted Lange, AKA Isaac the Bartender on The Love Boat, shares his best cruise tip:
KEEP READING
–Going on a Cruise? Be Sure to Bring This
–One Thing I Wish I’d Bought Before Going on a Cruise
–A Reader Suggested This Little-Known Cruise Essential I Never Knew Existed and She Was Spot-On
–Johnny Jet’s Top 10 Cruise Tips
–12 Things I Learned From Traveling to Europe This Summer
Want more travel news, tips and deals? Sign up to Johnny Jet’s free newsletter and check out these popular posts: The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without and 12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees. Follow Johnny Jet on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for all of my travel posts.
My favorite line from the Love Boat series from an elderly couple who have come to cruise to liven up their relationship….the grumpy husband says, “My wife’s idea of a good time is breaking out a new tea bag!” Never forgot that funny line!
LOL