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."
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I love to cruise at Princess !!!! Now I am dreaming with this round trip from LA to Hawaii and French Polynesia, but you only offer this itinerary on Oct 19/2913, and for 28 days!!!!! Are you sure this is a good season to cross Pacific to go and to return????
And what about the cyclones and hurricanes at that time?
Could you giveme some detailled information why you choose this period as the only one for this itinerary this year?
tks!!!! ledamaria
Superbe croisière sur l’ Ocean princess du 18/12 au 28/12 le bateau et super agréable et Tahiti et les îles génial je conseille cette croisière qui est vraiment fantastique
Nous partons pour cet te crosiere février 6….quel tour nous suggérer vous a faire absolument surtout a bora bora …ns serons la pour 2 nuits.
Merci
Thank you all for sharing your comments and valuable feedback with us.
In order to best assist you with customer service concerns and booking support, please call us at the Princess Cruises office that is closest to you:
1-800-Princess (US)
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0843 374 4444 (UK)
Thinking of booking a cruise in January from Tahiti to Hawaii on a small ship(690 passengers) and would have 5 days at sea,any comments about the crossing on a small ship? Please let us know ! Thanks
Have done this cruise four times but from LA AND 67 & 62 DAY CRUISES WHILE ON ROUTE FROM HAWAII AND ASIA. THIS IS A CRUISE THAT SHOWS YOU THE BEAUITFUL ISLANDS AND THE VERY RICH LIFE STYLE OF THE TAHITIAN PEOPLE. WELL WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY. THERE IS/WAS A NITE STYLE MARKET IN THE PARKING LOT JUST OFF THE PEIR WERE THE SHIP DOCKS.
ellagator – Hi Mahlon,Do you still have the snake around your neck? Tell me about Tahiti. Did you eat while you were there? What did you eat? Was it like food here? So is it dmtiyae there when it is dmtiyae here? It has been warm here still. No snow, no ice. Maybe it will happen when you get back so you can have a snow day to recuperate from your trip.Take care and give your mom a hug for me.Love Ms Robin
A Tahiti island cruise is on my ” bucket list “. Oh well – - -Someday . . . .
Hello my story is short i never been marriage before and im 55 year old but i will love to be marry on the cruise line
We have travelled the Tahitian Islands on both the Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess -mid size ships and so enjoyable, but a cruise to the Marquesas a few years ago -a once only – left me longing to see more of this wonderful group of islands. In July we cruised on the freighter Aranui3 to do so and enjoyed the experience immensely.
We are going on the Arunia 3 in 4 days.( April 28). We also went on the Tahitian Princess 5 years ago and loved the cruise
The Society Islands are fabulous. We enjoyed Huahini, Morea & Bora Bora…all were beautiful, but different.
After our cruise, we went back to Morea for 4 nights in an over-water bungalow. What a great experience! A vacation of a life time!
I will be sailing to Hawaii and Tahiti in october on the sapphire princess wanted any feedback on excursions and being a single woman will there be other single people or will I be around a lot of newlyweds. ( 1st time princess sailor) ?
Hi Lisa,
We look forward to welcoming you onboard! You have picked a great itinerary!
On our Cruise Personalizer the shore excursions can be filtered according to your interests (site seeing, activity/ adventure etc.). The Most Popular badge will identify those excursions most often picked by our sailed passengers. Also, there should be a mixture of passengers onboard.
we’ll miss cruise tour frm S.F. to Sydney Sep.2011 for we’ve booked Euro tour. I wonder if there will be any 29 day cruise tour frm S.F. to Sydney in 2012? We don’t want to miss it again. Also we want to know if we need visa issued to visit Tahiti. thxs!
Hi Guangzhi,
The Sea Princess sails on a similar 29day cruise on April 15, 2012. This cruise sails from Sydney to San Francisco. For more information on this cruise please visit: http://bit.ly/oguuHM
We hope you’ll be able to join us on this fantastic cruise!
What a wonderful vision of the French Polynesian Islands. I have been looking at a Tahitian cruise and would like to know if anyone has sailed in January and if there is any time of the year that the ocean is a bit calmer. Most of the ships that sail around French Polynesia are smaller and therefore there will be more movement felt. I generally don’t have an issue with sea sickness but then again I don’t want to chance it since I would have to travel so far just to begin the cruise. Any suggestions?
We sailed three times in July, all three times, the ocean was as placid as its name says.
Our ships were much smaller, the freighters Aranui 2 and 3 the catamaran Haumana.
We sailed on the Royal Princess which is a 900 passenger ship in January this year and the seas were calm. The weather was good with some clouds and brief rain showers,
It was really nice being on a smaller ship.
We sailed in January 09 .From SanDiego .I took sea bands but never used them once.we were also on a top floor which cant take on a little movement no problem itwas amazingly calm..We found the weather amazing .We rented cars before arrival as .the islands were small enought to get around .The views were spectacular.with the exception of Papete( largest city) all the people were friendly.if you know any french it is a bonus. In Nuka Hiva (we set up our own tour as there are not any) though the internet We with a organised group of locals with SUVs led by a NZ fellow wonderful excursion .Enjoy its well worth the cruise.It truely is paradise.Ive been on 20 cruises now.This was a top 3.
We sailed March 3, 2011 on the Royal Princess. There was CALM seas the entire 11 days. It was a trip in a lifetime for us. The islands are exactly like the pictures you see in the Princess brochures. The water is that blue. Totally amazing! We would not have traveled with any other cruiseline. The small ship was so much more personal the large ships. Princess is the BEST hosts. GO GO GO and enjoy the trip!
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We spent our 30th wedding anniversary (November 2010) aboard the Royal Princess visiting Tahiti, Papeete, Moorea, and Bora Bora, It was one of the most beautiful places in the world, fabulous people,fabulous ship. We have sailed with Princess Cruises visiting the Caribbean and Europe but so far you cannot beat Tahiti.. We are planning Europe again for this year and Alaska next. Happy Cruising All!
It was our first cruise there, right after 9/11. Best shore excursions ever! Love it, hope to go back again.
Been to Papeete, Moorea, and Bora Bora in April 2011 on board the Royal Princess. Spent 4 days in Papeete before boarding the ship. Being from Honolulu we know just what wonderful beaches can be. I gree Tahiti is a huge competition for Hawaii. But, there is no comparison when factoring in the cost of living in Tahiti. It’s a heavy price to pay for paradise. Still it is worth a visit. Would like to visit there again, but only for a day at a time at each island. Then, return to the ship. Since it is too costly to stay on island for any length of time. Hotel costs are high when they add on a few local taxes to your bill. Everything is costly here. Taxi rates change from day to night rates. Try to sail into and out of Tahiti, if possible. Or, limit your stay. Taking a hotel w/hot pot or mini kitchen in Papeete, grocery shop at Champion Market and prepare your meals to reduce costs. Otherwise, expect to spend about $100 a day for meals for 2. A buffet meal at a hotel can run from $40 up pp, even for breakfast. Plan ahead and you can still enjoy Tahiti, regardless of the high prices. It’s still worth a visit to paradise. This is as good as it gets. Just be willing to pay the price for paradise.
Yes, it is expensive, but we ate at the roulottes and did not stay in one of the luxury hotels where Americans usually stay.
where is a good place to stay in Papeete ? – we are sailing in Jan 2012 and will end up in Papeete where have to stay a few days before our flight leaves – any suggestions – as long as it is clean and has a/c we will be happy.
My wife have just visited Tahiti on the Dawn Princess and the area was truly stunning. We travelled deep into rain forests on a 4WD and witnessed breathtaking waterfalls and mountain rangers, whilst eating local french bread rolls and vanilla slices. We also feed stingrays and black tip reef sharks in waste deep water that was so clear and warm it was totally theraputic, giving us memories we will share forever. Tahiti offers total relaxation, and I encourage all travellers to marvel in this beautiful region in the not to distant future.
Enjoyed Moorea and Papeete on our voyage from Sydney to LA iin 2009. Moorea is captivating (as is Bora Bora) in that it retains the Polynesian cultural elements mixed with 2011′s marketting focus.
I boought my wife a beautiful natural ‘headress’ for $5 at a small kiosk near the tender dock which she cherished.
i find in this often unsafe world, cruising is without doubt yhe safest way to see the world, i’ll be cruising even more often now . been to europe many times, but havent done s ‘med’ cruise including the greek islands.so thats next ,in october’ would love some advice about which ship that has best itinery, food most important,and about 12 to 15 days
We agree with all the comments, but no one said anything about the food and wine. It is a very special experience to sit down for a meal and enjoy the local delicacies and a glass of superb french wine. Breakfast is unbelievably good: a variety of french cheeses with a crispy baguette and local fruit. Hm, hm; o la la! Tahiti and its island — a paradis! We experienced it this last January before taking the Royal Princess to Hawaii.
Mr. and Mrs. Strub:
I would agree with your comments. We not only found the wine and champagne superb but also very affordable. Their local supermarkets had everything right at your fingertips!
Safe Travels!
Dear Mr. MacLeod, “Captain Stubing,” Thank you. Our recent cruise among the islands of French Polynesia aboard the Royal Princess was exactly as you described. Our fourth Princess cruise and our first on a “small ship,” it was the most romantic and relaxing escape ever! I think that’s where the R in “R ships” came from. The cruise was like being in the musical “South Pacific” and aboard the “Love Boat” at the same time. For me, a former Navy sailor, having a forward facing balcony stateroom, directly below the bridge, with a “Captains-eye” view was an extra thrill, especially when approaching an island and navigating through a narrow pass into a turquoise lagoon. My wife an I have been to the Hawaiian islands and throughout the Islands of the Caribbean and few compare to the lush, volcanic sculptured scenery of the Society Islands, of which Moorea is our favorite. The people of French Polynesia are beautiful too, the most friendly of any islands we’ve ever experienced. Even now, “Bali Hai” is calling!
Mr MacLeod, Thank you so much for sharing your vivid cruising memories of Tahiti and the South Pacific. Your recollections brought back so many fond memories of our Tahitian Cruise that my wife and I took back in 2001 for our 20th Wedding Anniversary .it was actually on a Renaissance Cruise Line ship which later became the Tahitian Princess and now apparently is the Ocean Princess. My understanding is that Princess Cruise line has retained the nautical, real wood classic cruising atmosphere and the exceptional service on this beautiful ship. Not to mention only 600 or so passengers. Having been on 10 cruises (I was fortunate enough to win 9 of them in my sales career), no other cruise destination delivers such a magical more beautiful destination than the South Pacific .Everyone I have talked to that has taken the Tahitian Princess (Now Ocean Princess?) agrees..These islands are spectacular. If you have 10 days available ,You will not find a better ship or a better Cruise line and like us you will want to come back again and will place it on your future bucket wish list. Don’t pass up this glimpse of heaven.
Just returned from the Tahiti to Hawaii cruise on board the Royal Princess. Whilst we found the Hawaiian islands very pretty and the mood in Waikiki was fantasti, there is nothing to beat the islands of French Polynesia. Each one of them has something to offer, with their lush vegetation, transparent turquoise waters, beautiful sunsets (don’t underestimate the sunrise from your over the water bungalow either) and extremely friendly and wonderful inhabitants. A true paradise !!
What a wonderful story! I was privileged to sail on the Tahitian Princess before she became the Ocean Princess to French Polynesia and the Cook Islands in 2008. This was actually our 2nd trip to this part of the world, however the first time was not associated with a cruise. My only thought when we arrived in 2006 was coming back for our 10th anniversary. We did and she was still just a glorious! The cruise is so amazing with one experience more exciting then the next. Views that no one can really appreciate even in pictures. I would suggest to anyone interested, take some additional time and fly to Bora Bora once the cruise is complete for that additional piece of heaven. Some of the best hotels in the world and food are in French Polynesia. Since this is a territory or province of France wines/champagnes and influences of french are everywhere. My memories of this cruise along with our stay in Bora Bora are forever! Our special evening seemed to crescendo with champagne flowing and sunset over Mt Otemanu. Safe Travels and Thanks Mr. LoveBoat for the memories!
I have always followed the weekly airtime of LoveBoat back in my native home country and cruises were something to browse in colored magazines. Now being here in America gave me the opportunity to fulfill of a lifelong dream of cruising. Your story of Tahiti brought back all the memories of my cruise during Sept. 9/11. Rode a different ship, but still the memories are vivid and you pictured each scenery like I’ve seen them. I hope to ride again, this time with Princess. Alaska cruise was great!!! But so far nothing can compare with the clear blue waters of Tahiti. Sometimes it looked purplish even. Island trips were so much fun and passengers joined in with the locals in the fun activites like Tahitian dancing, cooking of our dinner etc. Tahiti is a must, not just for lovers, partners, but friends and everyone. Thanks for your story!!
We have been lucky enough to cruise to many places and we love all of Europe, but this is definitely the one place we want to visit. After reading the story it makes want to go even more. Thank you for sharing this story. I’m already drooling thinking about it.
All your stories sound absolutely stunning about the island and its Amenities. Is there a way that I could perhaps get married aboard one of the ships overlooking tahiti or perhaps on the beaches. Thanks for the advice. Happy Seeking!
Hi Thrill Seeker,
For information on weddings please contact the independent company we have partnered with, called Tie the Knot Weddings. Their phone number is: 866-444-8820 or 305-421-1260 (9:00 am – 7:00 pm EST).
If you would like to download the Tie the Knot with Princess brochure please visit:
http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/celebrations/wedding/index.jsp