"The Love Boat" Wont Be Making Another Run
The Love Boat will soon be making another run, but this time it's to the scrap heap.
USA Today , citing a report in Italy's La Repubblica, says the 1971-built Pacific Princess ship that became the official "Love Boat" for Princess Cruises after gaining fame as the backdrop for ABC's popular series, The Love Boat, has been sold to a Turkish demolition firm for approximately $3.3 million.
The 600-passenger ship was sold by Princess Cruises in 2002 and was most recently operated by the Spanish-based Quail Cruises. MaritimeMatters.com reports the boat, which was renamed Pacific, has been docked in Genoa, Italy since being seized last year by the Italian Coast Guard.
The Love Boat series aired from 1977 to 1986. It starred Gavin MacLeod as Captain Stubing, Bernie Kopell as the ship's doctor, Fred Grandy as your Yeoman Purser "Gopher" Smith, Ted Lange as Issac Washington, your bartender, and Lauren Tewes as Julie McCoy, your cruise director. Jill Whelan portrayed the captain's daughter, Vicki.
The 19,000-ton Pacific Princess was recognizable by millions as "The Love Boat," but according to IMDB.com, footage of a second Princess Cruises ship was also featured in the series, and several other boats were included in special two-hour episodes.
