Princess Cruises has announced its 2024 dates for a second outing of its Love Boat-themed cruises. Fans of the show and those seeking a little kitsch fun will be able to book a stay aboard alongside original cast members of the iconic late seventies and eighties TV series.
Following the tremendous success of the inaugural Love Boat cruise in 2022, fans of the popular show can sail along with Doc, Gopher, Isaac and Vicki Stubing as they cruise roundtrip from New York to Canada & New England aboard Enchanted Princess, from 31 August to 7 September 2024.
What is ‘The Love Boat’?
The Love Boat (1977-1987) was a comedy-drama that won a People’s Choice Award and multiple nominations for industry accolades. With contemporary TV guru Aaron Spelling at the helm, it ran on US network, ABC. Its sagas, following the amusing, romantic ups and downs of a captain, his passengers and crew aboard a Princess Cruise ship, made it one of the most popular and successful TV shows of its time.
Today’s Princess Cruises first created the idea for the Love Boat themed voyage in 2022. “We had such a blast connecting with fans on our theme cruise in 2022, so bringing it back in 2024 feels like it was meant to be, especially with the addition of some surprise guests,” said Jill Whelan, who played Captain’s daughter, Vicki Stubing, in the show.
TV-induced tourism
The cruise fits with recent trends for TV and film-based travel. Some destinations, such as Northern Ireland (cradle of the Game of Thrones), have experienced tangible boosts to tourist numbers thanks to strong associations with filming locations.
The Princess Cruises latest roundtrip is due to operate on the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess and is due to sail from New York to Canada & New England on August 31, until September 7, 2024. Stops include Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Rockland, Maine; Saint John, Canada (for Bay of Fundy); and Halifax, Canada.
Highly anticipated Love Boat-themed activities, include:
- 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
Tickets start around $568 per person (double occupancy rate).
