Which Princess Cruise Ship Was the Love Boat?

By Robert Palmer

The Love Boat was a popular TV series in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and it was set on a Princess Cruise Ship. The show followed the adventures of the ship’s crew, passengers, and their love stories as they sailed around the world. While many people may not know it, the ship used in the show was actually a real-life vessel owned by Princess Cruises.

The Love Boat featured a weekly guest star that would join the ship’s crew and passengers for each episode. The show ran for nine seasons, with filming taking place on board two different vessels – Pacific Princess from 1977 to 1986 and Island Princess from 1986 to 1987.

The Pacific Princess was built in 1971 by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France for Flagship Cruises as Sea Venture. It was then sold to Princess Cruises in 1975, who renamed it Pacific Princess.

At just over 20,000 gross tons and with a length of 693 feet, it was considered to be one of the smaller cruise ships of its time. It had 459 cabins and could accommodate up to 1,000 passengers plus crew members.

The Island Princess was built at Meyer Werft in Germany in 1973 as Sun Viking for Carnival Cruise Lines before being sold to Royal Viking Line in 1977 where it became Royal Viking Star. In 1982 it was sold again to Flagship Cruises who renamed it IslandBermuda Star before selling it once more to Princess Cruises in 1986 who renamed it Island Princess. This vessel had 540 cabins and could accommodate up to 1,200 passengers plus crew members when fully booked.

Both vessels were used for filming until 1987 when production of The Love Boat moved ashore onto Universal Studios’ backlot where sets were constructed that replicated different parts of both ships – including a three-story atrium lobby featuring an elevator bank reminiscent of those found on board both vessels as well as replicas of staterooms and public areas such as bars, lounges and discos from both ships.

Although both vessels were used during filming for The Love Boat series, Pacific Princess is often referred to as ‘the’ Love Boat due to its prominence on screen throughout much of the series run – making it clear which princess cruise ship truly earned its title as ‘the love boat’.

Conclusion: For almost 10 years The Love Boat captivated viewers with its unique blend of romance and adventure aboard two real-life vessels – one being Pacific Princess which has since come to be known simply as ‘the’ Love Boat due to its prominence throughout much of the series run – making it clear that this is indeed which princess cruise ship earned its title as ‘the love boat’.