What The Love Boat Did for Cruising

In the 70s and 80's, The Love Boat was one of the most popular TV sitcoms.  It was set on a cruise ship - the Pacific Princess.  The original 1976 made-for-TV movie on which the show was based, also titled The Love Boat, was itself based on the nonfiction book The Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders, a real-life cruise director. Each week new guest stars would board the ship with the intentions of having a romantic vacation getaway.  The popularity of cruising began its climb as more and more people wanted to getaway to exotic ports and have a little romance in their lives.  The Love Boat was on ABC, and there were 244 episodes over a ten-season run.      

The original cast of The Love Boat included:
Gavin MacLeod - Captain Merrill Stubing
Bernie Kopell - Dr. Adam "Doc" Bricker
Fred Grandy - Burl "Gopher" Smith
Ted Lange - Bartender Isaac Washington
Lauren Tewes - Cruise Director Julie McCoy

Each had unique traits.  Captain Stubing was very outgoing and caring.  He met all the passengers as they boarded the ship.  He was very visible throughout the cruise and could call most passengers by name.  Dr. Bricker was a womanizer who had a different love interest on each cruise.  Gopher Smith was the yeoman purser, the officer in charge of all money matters on the ship.  In other words, he was the bean counter.  Isaac Washington was a bartender who knew everyone on the ship.  For some reason we never saw any other bartender or server.  He sure could get around.  Julie McCoy was a female cruise director, something we see rarely today.  Like Captain Stubing, Julie knew everyone and loved making sure all of the passengers were having a good time.

The Love Boat was an escapist sitcom where those of us watching it each week could envision ourselves sailing away on a beautiful ocean-liner, sitting by the pool sipping one of those drinks with the little umbrellas in it  while being waited on hand-and-foot. 

Today, cruising is an affordable vacation that includes all of your accomodations, meals, entertainment and the opportunity to visit ports-of-call all over the world.  Isn't it time to treat yourself and your family to the best vacation of your life?