Renowned for providing insightful and enriching itineraries in the far-flung corners of the world, Princess Cruises represents a pinnacle of cruising. The line, which is currently made up of 18 vessels, has become one of the most respected in the industry for offering passengers unique experiences that delight all the senses.
This unique sense of style and sophistication was first depicted in the popular US TV series ‘The Love Boat’, which was filmed on board Princess Cruises’s former ship, Pacific Princess. The show, which aired between 1977 and 1986, was deemed a huge success and could not have aired at a better time for the cruise industry. In an era which saw passenger flights become cheaper, ‘The Love Boat’ showcased the romantic appeal of cruising and helped popularise the concept for younger couples.
30 years after the final episode of ‘The Love Boat’ was broadcast, the cameras returned to the decks of Princess Cruises ships to film a unique ITV documentary series. ‘The Cruise’ offered a glance into the day-to-day operation onboard Princess Cruises’s Regal Princess as she sailed across the Baltic Sea from Copenhagen to St. Petersburg.
The documentary series, which was produced by UK factual production company, Wild Pictures, followed the vessel’s key figures. Highlights included the captain successfully navigating the ship through narrow passages and into centuries-old ports, and the Hotel General Manager ensuring passengers enjoyed high-quality service. It also provided a glance into the roles of the entertainment team and those provisioned with preparing 20,000 meals per day in the kitchen.
In similar fashion to ‘The Love Boat’, the show was deemed a success – attracting an average viewership of 3.5 million per episode. It was so popular that it has prompted the production of a second series, which will be filmed on board Princess Cruises’s Royal Princess and is scheduled to broadcast in early 2017.
This new six-part series will follow passengers and crew as the 3,560-passenger Royal Princess sails around the Mediterranean throughout summer 2016. This glamorous cruise ship certainly has an element of prestige, having been christened in 2013 by HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Passenger expectations will be very high and it will be interesting to see how the vessel’s leading figures cope with the everyday challenges that arise.
Princess Cruises's Vice President for UK and Europe, Tony Roberts, said: "The first series of The Cruise was a great success for Princess and the cruise industry as a whole, so we are thrilled ITV has asked to come on board again.
"We're eagerly anticipating following Royal Princess as she sails around the Mediterranean and watching the onboard stories unfold to an audience of millions."
Executive Producer at Wild Pictures, Paul Hamann, said: “Our team will be working hard filming over the summer to give our audience a tantalising taste of life aboard Royal Princess as it cruises around the Mediterranean.”
CLIA Europe Vice President Operations, Andy Harmer, said: “Television is the perfect vehicle for showcasing cruise holidays, particularly to those ‘yet to cruise’ – from the many innovative features now found onboard to the great entertainment, and from the amazing dining options to the exceptionally high levels of service provided by the crew members.
“The second series of The Cruise will no doubt be as popular, if not more, than its predecessor which attracted double the number of viewers than British passengers taking a cruise holiday.”
Princess Cruises continuously strives to appeal to holiday-makers who are seeking a romantic, modern and elegant experience. With the cameras fixed on the decks of Princess Cruises’s vessels once more, it is clear that the cruise line relishes being in the limelight. ‘The Cruise’ will be a strong marketing force for the cruise line, and it may encourage new-to-cruise customers to embark on a holiday on the seas for the very first time.
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