The beautiful turquoise waters of Moorea. After 10 seasons portraying Captain Stubing on “The Love Boat,” actor Gavin MacLeod became an iconic symbol of cruising and romance. Since the show ended in 1986 Gavin has also been our ambassador at events around the world. We consider him part of the Princess family. So for the week of Valentine’s Day we’ve asked him to share his own essential experience … and could you guess it’s a travel adventure filled with romance?
The deep blue waters of Tahiti are a long way from the world I knew as a child. I had a modest upbringing in upstate New York, and then cruises were a luxury I couldn’t even dream of. It wasn’t until years later that I set foot on my very first cruise ship – and amusingly, I was instantly the captain! I’m pretty sure I’m the only “captain” who can say that.
I was lucky. I spent 10 memorable years playing “Captain Stubing” on “The Love Boat” – what a dream job! Every week I got to act in stories about love and romance … and I had the chance to meet some incredible guest stars. I couldn’t believe I was actually working alongside these amazing actors I had admired since my childhood – like Lana Turner and Ginger Rogers. Some were interesting folks, like Andy Warhol, and others were up and comers just starting out, such as Tom Hanks. It was an unforgettable experience.
We didn’t just shoot “The Love Boat” in our Los Angeles soundstage. Several times a year we actually boarded a Princess ship and shot scenes on an actual cruise. We sailed to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Alaska. But one place we never got to on the show was Tahiti.
Tahiti! Doesn’t it sound magical? I envision Mitzi Gaynor “washing that man right out of her hair” in “South Pacific.” The wonderful tales of James Michener, who I had the great fortune to sail with aboard a Princess cruise years later. And, the colorful art of Paul Gauguin.
But most of all, when I think of Tahiti I think of romance. Maybe it’s all those years on a show that focused on love and happy endings. However, when I did finally get to Tahiti I was very glad my wonderful wife, Patti, was by my side.
We flew out a few days ahead of our cruise aboard Tahitian Princess along with my manager and good friend, Lee. Appropriately, Patti and I would be performing the two-person play “Love Letters” on the ship, so it was something of a working vacation. But really what this trip became was discovering one of the world’s most romantic places.
Our first glimpse of Tahiti from the air was one of vast expanses of turquoise water, punctuated with the occasional island. We were all seasoned travelers, but the excitement of descending closer and closer to this lush paradise felt like a new experience. The colors popped out even from the air – bright greens and blues as far as the eye could see.
Tahiti is famous for its beaches, and that was where we spent the bulk of our time before the cruise. Years before, I had travelled to Hawaii to shoot an episode of Hawaii 5-0, and thought the waters around those islands were amazingly beautiful. And yet I now discovered that they had serious competition with Tahiti’s sparkling blue seas.
That, to me, is Tahiti. Sparkling white or black sands. Water as clear and placid as a sheet of glass. And nothing and no one else for as far as the eye could see. Those picturesque overwater bungalows. No commotion or craziness. No worries except maybe when to go to dinner or which beach to try next. Just this tremendously lush landscape and the feeling of total relaxation and time to focus on your loved one.
A breathtaking Polynesian vista.
There’s something about the mystique of Tahiti that brings out the romantic in all of us. Surrounded by this tranquil atmosphere with nothing to disturb us but the lapping of the waves and the scent of tropical flowers in the air, Patti and I were able to relax, talk and really connect.
We did leave our reverie to visit some of the island’s sights. We saw historic Matavai Bay, where many early European navigators anchored, including the HMS Bounty – of “Mutiny on the Bounty” fame – and Captain Cook. We met warm, wonderful people speaking French, Tahitian and, thankfully, some English. We saw the open air Le Truck buses that run around the island and the Les Roulottes mobile restaurants serving movable feasts along the waterfront. But mostly we enjoyed time together marveling at the stunning vistas everywhere.
This peaceful feeling continued once we set sail on Tahitian Princess to tour the other islands of French Polynesia. We were in awe of the towering pinnacles and spectacular waterfalls of Moorea, we learned about the fascinating Polynesian culture in Raiatea, and we felt we had surely found the mythical “Bali Hai” when we first glimpsed the shimmering lagoon and lush greenery of Bora Bora. Every island seemed as if it was painted by an artist using the brightest palette of colors.
One day onboard, I joined my wife who was standing on our balcony, looking out at the sun setting just beyond jagged peaks of the islands. It was a picture postcard moment if ever you saw one. As I approached she mused, “Do you think heaven’s as beautiful as this?”
Well, I don’t know if heaven could be any lovelier than these stunning islands, but I do know I was lucky to share this little bit of heaven on earth with someone I love so dearly. It was our own personal “Love Boat.”
Gavin with his wife, Patti.
Gavin and Patti in a 1978 episode of "The Love Boat."
Happy Birthday Gavin.
Hi Captain Stubing, Gavin. I loved those series of Love Boat and renewed my interest in working on cruise ships. I finally got my dream to come true at the end of my working life at age 56 which was amazing in itself. Then the “Love Boat” became one of P & O ships and I believe it was the Pacific Sky which I worked on as well. Now I just enjoy cruising as a passenger and looking forward to my 4th cruise with Princess on the Dawn Princess going to Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa etc. I went on the Pacific Dawn to Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga in 2008 so can’t wait to get back to those beautiful places. Best wishes Elaine
TV was the best back then, Love Boat was a family favorite. The trips always great & you would dream. We have traveled a lot over our 36 years of marriage & cruising lets you bring your family, too. It has been delightful. My Mom always wanted to see Copenhagen so on her 80th birthday we flew to London (Golden Princess out of Southhampton) and got to Denmark & saw Tivoli Gardens, amazingly beautiful. This month my husband & I are leaving on the Royal Princess for the Hawaiian & Tahitian Islands, I am thrilled to go to Bora Bora at last! Gavin you write beautifully and the descriptions are what I have envisioned forever. On Mother’s Day my Mom & I are going on the Caribbean Princess as it is out of New York and with the bus service we can get there without flying, a great convenience Princess offers. Princess Cruises does it up right and we thoroughly enjoy the meals, entertainment and getting to know the crew & passengers alike. See you soon.
P.S. The Emerald Princess we took on an 18 day transatlantic cruise from Venice (with an overnight there) in the Fall of 2008, it was smooth sailing for us & the Captain went around a hurricane (we got a great WAVE pool – it was great)! The ports of call were wonderful, we had a delightful trip full of lifelong memories. PRINCESS: We love the cookies & milk at the pool and watching movies under the stars with popcorn was fun, too. Seriously every time we get on a Princess ship I look around for Julie and wonder if Captain Stubing might be nearby.
My daughter and I will be taking the October trip on Sapphire Princess to Tahiti and other islands and we are looking forward to this trip, only wish Captain Stubbing were along and all his crew. The weekly LOVE BOAT show made cruising the seas a dream, and now we can live that dream. Thank You Princess for a wonderful experience every time we have sailed with you, and will see you soon.
Dear Mr MacLeod, Please forgive me for mixing up our cruises. It wasn’t the Tahiti trip but the Inaugural cruise of the first Crown Princess that we met you and your lovely wife. It was a Senior Moment! I guess after more than sixty cruises with Princess confusion does happen. We still agree with you about the beauty of Tahiti.
Enjoyed reading about your island experiences. We wil be doing a 28 day in October. We have sailed with Princess 9 times and have never been disappointed. They truly know how to make you feel special.
A few years ago my wife and I had a trip,along with two friend s of ours, to Tahiti we sailed down to Tahiti and stayed on the ship as we came back to Hawaii on that same ship, do you have anything like that, that is available?
Hi Mr. Tuberville,
Yes, we do have Hawaii & Tahiti cruises. For more information on these cruises please visit:
http://www.princess.com/find/searchResults.do?itinPort=PPT,RFP,BOB,MOZ&bID=PCPB
Hello Mr MacLeod, Many years ago we sailed with you from California to Tahiti and on to Australia when James Michener was a guest. Met you and your lovely wife at the Captain’s party. Enjoyed your company. Tahiti was beautiful! Because of problems with our ship we were put up at the Maeva Beach hotel 3 days and the scenery was beyond expression, looking over to Mourea. Visiting the museums. It is a tough life but someone has to do it.
My wife and I sold our businesses in 1998 on a Tuesday and left for Tahiti and a Princess Crusie on the following Saturday, we were up graded to a mini-suite and still agree that of all the Princess crusies we have taken since, it is still the most romantic trip we have taken.
This will be our 50th wedding anniversary and my dream trip will come true going to Fiji, Bora Bora, Tahiti etc. Adding Hawaii will make it even more memorable. Thanks Princess
My husband and I just experienced a cruise on the Royal Princess in French Polynesia and I would have a hard time to pick a favourite island, everyone is beautiful – we had a fabulous poisson cru in Huahine, went out to the Blue Lagoon from Rangiroa, went to a vanilla farm in Tahaa and of course swam in every location, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti included. Moorea might be just a little bit ahead of the others – so beautitul. I never thought the postcards had the true colour of the waters, but it really IS that colour – amazing!! We finished off with a stay in Fiji which is also a gorgeous place – highly recommend that,too. A welcome respite from chilly Winnipeg in Canada.
Gavin…I so enjoyed watching Love Boat on TV…at that time I was raising my family and had
never even dreamed I would ever go on a cruise but it was my escape and I pretended that
I lived every experience along with you and thank you for that. I have enjoyed several cruises
and the Alaskan Cruise was the best…..but I had thought of Tahiiti and your description of it
makes me want to go right now, but I am getting older and not sure if I could handle the flight.
Thanks for the memories and HAPPY 80TH…good health and happiness always.
I have been all over the world, but it has always been my dream to visit Tahiti and the islands near it. This year my beautiful bride and I will be sailing aboard the Sapphire Princess and my dream will come true.
We will arrive there on the 12mar11 and Suzanne and I are thruthfully excited as this will be a first time to these exciting islands sailing on the Royal Princess.
I am really looking forward for this cruise and just reading all the comments adds up to the excitement!
After a Greek Isle cruise with Princess this sounds like the next trip on my bucket list.
Happy 80th. I used to watch Love Boat all the time and loved it. I am so glad you were able to go to Tahiti and Bora Bora. That is next on my bucket list. My husband and I recently took a Princess cruise to New Zealand and Australia and added on 4 days in Fiji while we were down under. We fell in love with both the Kiwis and the Ozzies. We are dying to go back and really want to add on The Tahiti cruise. We are 16 hrs away from Auckland in cold snowy Alberta in Canada. It was -36 yesterday without the windchill factor. Your story really makes me want to go today!
Mauruuru Gavin for sharing your experience. Your beautiful and romantic story brought me reminiscing our first Princess Cruise experience… it was our honeymoon, crusing the French Polynesia. We were fortunate to have visited Tahiti and its surrounding islands at such a young age (late 20s at the time). Towards the end of our cruise, we got off at Moorea for a few days and with luck we were upgraded to a overwater bungalow during our stay.
When we left Tahiti, we promised ourself to return for our 10th anniversary with Princess… cause it’s the best way to enjoy French Polynesia islands… correction “it’s the only way!” Because other than the people on the islands, the Princess staff are the BEST! For example, the chef(s) made us special meals for our last day on the ship. My husbands favorite dish, tosilog (Philippines dish) and my favorite, cioppino (San Francisco, CA dish). We would have never thought we would have meals that were out of the ordinary from an American based cruise lines. Perhaps next time I may ask for some unusual food that Andrew Zimmer would try. Who knows what the kitchen staff would come up with?
Happy 80th Bithday! You and your wife both look wonderful. My husband and I were lucky enough to take one of the last Love Boat Cruises to Bermuda and the Tahitian Princess cruise to Tahiti and the Society Islands a couple of years ago. We just love the “little” ships and the “White Ladie’s” captain made everyone feel at home. Your description was exactly what we experienced and wish everyone could enjoy. A dream come true! Thanks for all of the Love Boat memories.
We enjoyed the Royal Princess cruise from Hawaii to Tahiti February 9 to 21, 2011. We did not want to leave beautiful warm Tahiti but here we are back in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at minus 20 degrees celsius and lots of snow. Your article makes us want to return right now. Guess we will have to wait until next winter as it is such a long flight to Tahiti.
We have cruised French Polynesia twice with Princess. We stayed on Moorea for a few days in an overwater bungalow prior to our last cruise. It was heaven on earth. Words can not describe the feeling of utter relaxation & beauty of these islands. The warm, the people, the fragrant flowers make this a magical place. Thank you Gavin for sharing your experience. Happy 80th Birthday!
wow what beautiful words you have for the islands i soooooo want to go but my husband is not wanting to go because of the flight it is so far from us 20 hours
but maybe becuase of you he will change his mind…..just wanted to say i loved THE LOVE BOAT !!!!!!!!!!! I JUST CANT BELIEVE I AM SENDING A COMMENT TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE LOVE BOAT
Ahoys Mate..great reading about your wonderful Tahitian cruise adventure. I have written a book titled “The Life Of Brian” its a great adventure that takes place in Canada, where I built a small village of domes,,Can you direct me to the person on ship who looks for authors that need to promote their work by giving readings etc in exchange for passage?. I have some very interesting stories to go along with the 400 page book..
Happy sailing
Captain.._/)..
Hi Captain,
Thank you for your interest in being a guest speaker onboard a Princess ship. Please submit your bio, lecture topic information, video (if available), and all other pertinent materials to:
Princess Cruises, Enrichment Programs
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
enrichmentprograms@princesscruises.com
Thanks for your attention, and the provided information. I will get a parcel with what’s needed off to the address you have kindfully provided.
Captain.._/)..
Thanks for the beautiful description of Tahiti, Gavin. We will be going there for the first time this coming October on Sapphire Princess. I am anticipating the trip even more after reading your article !
We sailed from San Francisco to Sydney (30 days) on the Sapphire Princess in October of 2010 with stops in Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti. What beautiful places. We loved swimming in Bora Bora. The water is beautiful–we thought the photos you see are exaggerated but not at all, it’s much more beautiful. We would love to return and stay in one of the over the water bungalows for a very long time!!
We were extremely lucky to sail on the original “Pacific Princess” rt from Honolulu to Tahiti for 22 days in 1992. Then we sailed the 24 day rt Tahiti “Crown Princess in 1999 for our 20th anniversary.What an incredible experience–to wake up in the morning anchored in the lagoon in Bora Bora–the colors are amazing. We even got to pretend that “Captain Stubing” was our captain w/his great crew! There is no place on earth as lovely as these islands! We lived in Honolulu for 24 years, yet we still couldn’t wait to get back to the South Pacific. Much aloha Gavin for still being our #1 captain!
Your comments bring back wonderful memories of our first trip to Tahiti and the south Pacific years ago on a sail cruiser – the WindStar. We flew into Papeete at night and were greeted by beautiful people, leis and music right in the airport. We went to a hotel and woke in the morning to the feeling of stepping into a postcard. The rest of the trip was pure magic and as romantic as you have described. I’d love to do it again!
Mr. MacLeod, I consider myself one of the lucky ones who has seen and experienced a Tahitian cruise on the Tahitian Princess a few years ago. It was by far the most romantic place I’ve ever visited in the world. The islands with their magnificant waters and gorgeous reefs, lush foliage and aromatic flowers, make French Polynesia unforgetable. My cruise went to the islands of Samoa, also alluring on their own. The people are so warm and hospitable and totally gorgeous. Its a magical place and your story tells it so well. Thank You for all the memories of your show – The Love Boat. It is a classic in our time.
Great tribute by Gavin to his wife and Tahiti. I have been fortunate to meet Gavin to have experienced two Princess Cruises (Pacific and Golden) with my family in Tahiti. I look forward to returning some day.
Captain Stubing=Gavin MacLeod+THE LOVE BOAT=Princess Cruises.
I loved those shows.Just been to New Zealand on Dawn Princess.On a 13-day cruise during
Christmas and New Year last year,FANTASTIC.Complete with earthquake in Christ Church.
Gavin,you brought back wonderful memories of our cruises off and around Tahiti early 2009.
It was a great experience.
Dear Gavin,
Thank You.What a terrific Ambassador for Princess you are! Such a gracious, warm person – I can say this firsthand as we met at the CLIA conference in Seattle a few years ago (I was the one with the broken foot)- and again at the Luxury Expo in Vegas in 2009.
Tahiti is certainly high on my bucket list and moving up further after this lovely article. I will now be able to refer my clients that are looking at this beautiful destination to your romantic, descriptive testimonial . “Take your Sweetie to Tahiti” All the best to you and your family!
I think I have watched every episode of Love Boat ever produced & loved them all. Such a feel good show that never disappointed.
Thank you so much for painting an even more amazing picture of French Polynesia than I have already imagined. As if I wasn’t excited enough! We will set sail from Tahiti for a 10 day cruise on the Royal Princess Feb. 21st. So I will raise my cup to you Captain Stubing aka Gavin MacLeod & cheers!
Say hi to Kitti in the boutique on board from Jeff & Mary and to Juan the drink waiter/bartender. He may tell you his name is not three or two but Juan LOL.Your in for a wonderful experience and a trip of a lifetime. The crew just makes it all that much better.
gavin i am a huge fan…and wish we could have the love boat back on tv here in new zealand i have travelled with princess cruises many times we love them.,two questions gavin have you ever cruised down here in new zealand we live in auckland and of coarse often have a princess ship in town…also will you attend the launch of the new princess ships when they are launched in a couple of years…tthanks gavin………….geoff
I knew that I had to visit those Islands since I saw the Film South Pacific several times when I was young girl. So we have saved up & thats exactly where we are going on the Dawn Princess from the 8th April 2011 still 51 days till we join the ship In Sydney, I can hardly wait. We will just be at Papeete for the day but visiting each of the other islands too 35 wonderfull days on a Princess ship. We have sailed before on cruises on her sister ships the Sea & the Sun to the Carribean but this is the one I have dreamed about I am sure I will not be dissapointed after reading your description. My Barry is blind but even he can experience the wonders of the places we see the with sea breezes, music, the sounds & the smells of the flowers & just meeting the local people where we cruise to. The crew have always taken the time to make him feel at ease, roll on Dawn Princess 6th April our first sights of paradise on earth. Ann & Barry
Thank you for all of your wonderful comments about my time spent in Tahiti. It’s an unforgettable place I hold very close to my heart.
Iam visiting Tahita at the end of April for 2 days part of a cruise on the Dawn Princess.Would appreciate any recommendations on which are the best tours to take.From comments posted sounds a wonderful placeand would like to make the most of my time there
Thank you so much for your review. We have booked the Ocean Princess for next year to visit all the islands and on to N.Z and Australia. I have wanted to go to Tahiti, etc since I was a child so really looking forward to the experience.
We are due to visit Tahiti & Bora Bora in August when we cruise from LA to Sydney as part of a round the world trip to see family in Australiaand to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Hawaii & Tahiti have always been dreams of mine and these comments make the anticipation all the better
Tahiti is our continuous dream vacation and we have been there three times with Princess, our first two voyages were on the Tahitian Princess, first to the cook islands and the second to the Marquesas Islands. Our third trip was on the Pacific Princess which included our favourite island Rangiroa. Each voyage is like discovering the islands for the first time all over again. In Bora Bora, we have seen the island by land via le truck, by ocean via a catamaran around the island and even under the sea via aqua safari. I’m just missing the air and when we visit for a fourth time in 2013, will definitely do the air via Bora Bora Helicopter.
The Tahitian life is simple, but it makes us think about what true happiness is…….
We went to Tahiti in 2008, stayed in the over water bungalows, toured the island, took rides in the Le Truck and ate from Les Roulotes on the waterfront. Then we boarded the Tahitian Princess for our tour of the islands. One was more beautiful then the next, and yet they were all so different. We took tours, went snorkling in the crystal clear blue waters and enjoyed every minute of our time. It was a trip of a life time, and I would do it again. Hats off to Princess for all your great cruises.
We were blessed to have cruised around the islands of Hawaii and then down to French Polynesia aboard the Crown Princess an number of years ago! We have cruised with Princess 6 times in different locations and this remains our favorite destination! Snorkeling in Bora Bora is out of this world!! Heavenly!!! This remains our dream destination!!
Wow!!! What a wonderful career. It was always so much fun watching ”The Love Boat” It did make you dream
) And now our dreams are coming true. We have sailed with Princess five times and getting ready to sail with her again in June for a beautiful Greek Isle cruise…..and really looking forward to it. Tahiti is definitly on our bucket list. We loved Hawaii & will return, hopefully on our 2012 or 2013 cruise. Thank you Captian Stubing for making Princess so special. We love Princess cruise line….. 
)
My Princess (Ana) + Princess Cruises (Royal) + Tahiti = Love & Heaven extravaganza. Just came back (already missing paradise) from a 10 days cruise for our anniversary, totally recharged for many more years to come……thank you Princess (both)
That is the most romantic thing I have heard all day! Thank you ptrenti for your lovely and touching tribute to your Princess(s)!
Can’t wait to get there on April 2 for an April 6th departure for 28 days on the Royal Princess (Tahitii to Ft. Lauderdale).
We were aboard the Pacific Princess two years ago and sailed around French Polynesia! We loved every thing we did and every port we visited! Hope to do it again in the future…
Fantastic……!! It’s indeed the most awesome place I’ve ever been…..!! If you truly want to go to paradise Tahiti is the place… I’ve been to 5 of the islands and it’s just…… well let me say hard to put into words…..!! Just plain Beautiful……!!
Fabulous as usual from Cpt Stubing!! I have always loved watching the series, the personal vignettes of the Capt and his sweet daughter, as well as watching his testimony with Patty on TBN–the real life Love Story of Gavin and Patty!!
Thank you Shannon. I’m blessed to have had these wonderful moments in my life.
Fantastic experience. Having been to Tahiti once and only experiencing the city plus an excursion up a canyon to a waterfall we were somewhat disappointed. It sounds like we need to return and venture out to those beaches you’ve written about.
You should go back on a Princess cruise next time – you won’t be disappointed!
Great memories, Mr. MacLeod. Tahiti has long been on my bucket list — a Princess cruise to Tahiti, of course!
Gavin is a great Ambassador for Princess Cruises, not just because he was Captain Stubing on The Love Boat, but because he is genuinely a nice man who loves his wife and loves cruising.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvcnryF4IF0
Thanks for your kind words Barry. I hope you’re doing well!
This was a wonderful story and makes me want to visit those beautiful island, so I can have that same life changing experience.