Sail With ‘The Love Boat’ Famous Original TV Cast On Princess Cruises

02.04.2024 - 11:39 / forbes.com / Laura Manske

Feeling the love? Seas the day and time travel to yesteryear with future-forward Princess Cruises, when the original cast of TV’s iconic The Love Boat show—which aired for a decade on ABC; now streaming on Paramount Plus, Apple TV+ and other channels—sets sail from New York City on a round-trip voyage that anchors at picturesque ports in New England and Canada aboard the Enchanted Princess, August 31 - September 7, 2024.

This romance-themed rendezvous reunites actors Jill Whelan (whose role as Vicki Stubing, the ship captain’s daughter, was delightful), Bernie Kopell (as Doc), Fred Grandy (as purser Gopher) and Ted Lange (as bartender Isaac). They will interact with passengers at multiple events: a jubilant sail-away; a meet-and-greet, photo-and-autograph session; guests’ activities replete with prizes; and Q&A gatherings. There will also be a symbolic renewal of passengers’ wedding vows, officiated by the cast, with commemorative certificates.

In addition, classic comedy-drama episodes of The Love Boat will be shown at its Movies Under The Stars program outdoors on a gargantuan screen. The Love Boat trivia contests will be cheered. And cocktails to complement The Love Boat vibe will be toasted. Ezra Freeman, Princess Cruises’ real-life bartender who starred on The Real Love Boat—a reality-dating series that premiered on CBS in 2022; now streaming on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime—will join this spirited celebration.

This popular series (from the 1970s and ‘80s) introduced millions of American TV viewers to cruising, propelling the rise of passenger ships by showcasing life on the high seas as a fun, festive, fashionable, family-friendly and romantic vacation choice. It transformed travel horizons. Episodes spotlit a lively array of well-known guest-star celebrities. Story lines varied, but plots always concluded happily, further solidifying its audience draw. Now in worldwide syndication, reaching more than 90 countries, original The Love Boat episodes have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Actor Jill Whelan, who is now a Celebrations Ambassador for Princess Cruises, and I talked about her passion for sailing.

Laura Manske: Two years ago, Princess Cruises orchestrated its first The Love Boat theme reunion, which sailed the Mexican Riviera. There continues to be strong sentimentality for its original cast.

Jill Whelan: Anytime I get together with my cast mates, it’s like coming home because we’re family. I truly mean that. This will be our second theme cruise since 2022. We were all touched and overwhelmed by the incredible response from guests. Nostalgia for the show still gets people excited. Princess was the ocean-going co-star of The Love Boat. That is unique.

Manske: Your key anticipated