The "Love Boat" cruise ship headed to the scrap yard!

The Pacific Princess, the cruise ship that was the model for the hit ABC series "The Love Boat" and featured in its opening credits, may be headed to the scrap yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the ship, which has been idle at a port in Genoa, Italy, for more than a year after its owners failed to pay an Italian company for asbestos removal and refurbishment, was recently sold for $3.3 million to the Turkish company Cemsan, which specializes in demolishing ships.

The Pacific Princess, 600-passenger ship, tiny by today's standards, gained fame and recognition as the scene for provided for the fictional "Love Boat" and appeared in the opening credits for the show's run from 1977 to 1986. It was originally built in 1971 for $25 million for Flagship Cruises as the Sea Venture, the ship was originally built for New York to Bermuda cruise service, reports Maritime Matters.  It sailed between Bermuda and U.S. ports for three years, before it was sold to Princess Cruises in 1974, and renamed “Pacific Princess”.

It made its last run for Princess in 2002 and sailed for other cruise lines for several years after.

Sailed under the following names:

• 1971—1975: Sea Venture

• 1975—2002: Pacific Princess

• 2002—present: Pacific

Owners:

• 1971—1975: Flagship Cruises

• 1975—2002: Princess Cruises

• 2002—2012: Viagens CVC

• 2012: CEMSAN

Operators:

• 1971—1975: Flagship Cruises

• 1975—2002: Princess Cruises

• 2002—2008: Pullmantur Cruises/Viagens CVC

• 2008: Quail Cruises

 

Producer Aaron Spelling's drama was a huge hit for ABC and featured a lengthy roster of guest stars every week as passengers on the ship. The regular crew included Gavin MacLeod as Captain Stubing, future Congressman Fred Grandy as Yeoman Purser “Gopher” and Ted Lange as Isaac the bartender.