It's Love!

Setting Sail with a Love for the Sea: My Inaugural Journey with Pincess Cruises

Growing up, I was captivated by the adventures aboard the Pacific Princess in *The Love Boat*. Each episode filled me with dreams of the sea, romance, and exploration. I remember eagerly waiting for each episode, completely enchanted by the sun-soaked destinations and heartwarming stories. It’s no surprise that after years of watching that TV gem and films like *An Affair to Remember*, I felt destined to set sail myself.

When I first stepped into the world of travel, I knew I wanted to work with Princess Cruises—the original Love Boat. My excitement reached new heights when I received the incredible opportunity to embark on the inaugural U.S. voyage of their newest ship, the Sun Princess. How could I possibly say no?

However, Mother Nature had other plans. Hurricane Milton was brewing, causing major delays for the ship as it was scheduled to arrive on the same day as the storm. The Sun Princess found refuge behind the island of Cuba, and with a bit of luck and skill, she managed to arrive just in time for our departure. After a whirlwind of offloading repositioning cruise guests and completing U.S. inspections, the ship welcomed a unique mix of travel professionals, industry leaders, and even a few celebrities. Bravo to Princess for such a speedy turn-around!

Stepping aboard the Medallion Class ship was an exhilarating experience, greeted by refreshing cocktails and an atmosphere buzzing with energy. We made our way to our stateroom, a stunning balcony cabin on the starboard side. I loved that the door automatically unlocked thanks to my cruise medallion—it felt so futuristic! After dropping our bags off in our room we headed down to our assigned muster station which happened to be located in the Princess Arena and completed the safety briefing. We then set off to explore the ship, wandering through the various restaurants, lounges, pool decks, and the spa. We even sampled some delicious food before heading back to our rooms to unpack and prepare for our 7:30 dinner reservation. Our Sail-Away would not be complete without a cocktail party on the lido deck and a 750-Drone show just above the ship. You can watch here.

As we set sail for a short 3-night cruise to Nassau, I felt that familiar thrill of adventure bubbling inside me. The journey was already proving to be unforgettable, the ocean was calling and then I heard that famous tune!

I felt incredibly fortunate to share this adventure with my companions from the convention— dinner service, Table for 10! Our journey was just beginning as we set sail from Port Everglades, with Nassau, Bahamas, as our exciting destination.

Our first day on board was a beautiful sea day, starting with a leisurely breakfast in the buffet. Afterward, I made my way to the Princess Arena for some exciting announcements. We were introduced to the celebrity chefs who were on board, along with other partners who help elevate dining and beverage experiences during our journeys. The presentations were informative and entertaining. Surrounded by leaders in the travel industry, I was taken aback when I looked up to see none other than Tyra Banks standing right in front of me! She was there to unveil her new partnership featuring her ice cream brand, Smize & Dream. We enjoyed delicious ice cream, cookbooks, and even some tequila as part of the festivities.

After the exciting introductions, we headed over to the Irish pub, where we spent a lively afternoon learning to play the spoons and stomping our feet to the "Third Class Dance." Later, we dressed up for "formal night" and enjoyed a lovely dinner with our colleagues. The evening culminated in a spectacular show, and there was something special in the air. After the final song was sung and the last dance performed, we learned it was the cast's final performance together. It was a truly magical night, and we felt incredibly fortunate to be a part of it. After indulging in some Silent Disco, enjoying a few evening cocktails and dancing in the vibrant piazza, I finally decided it was time to call it a night. The energy of the evening was infectious, but I knew I needed some rest to gear up for the exciting activities that awaited me the next day. With a sense of anticipation for what was to come, I settled into my cozy bed, ready to recharge for another day of adventure on the ship.

We arrived to an overcast morning, with a dark cloud looming on the horizon. Undeterred, my friends and I were excited for our snorkeling adventure with Stuart Cove's dive shop. We met our shuttle driver, who whisked us away to the dive shop, where we were introduced to our captain and crew aboard the Zambezi. As we set out to sea, we passed historical landmarks and filming locations from movies like *Jaws: The Revenge* and *Pirates of the Caribbean*, culminating in our first snorkeling stop. The water was a stunning blue and the temperature was perfect. I spent an exhilarating time exploring the reef, but after a while, I felt the fatigue set in and headed back to the boat—only to realize I had forgotten my sea-sickness pills that morning! I ended up skipping the second dive, and napping on the boat as we returned to shore, a reminder from the sea not to rush and to always be prepared. Lesson learned!

After we were shuttled back to the port, we set out in search of conch fritters and a special souvenir for our families. I’d heard that the shop vendors in Nassau could be quite aggressive, but I wasn’t prepared for just how intense it would be. Despite my eagerness to explore the local market, I quickly found myself feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. We decided to head back to the port, conch fritters in hand, ready to return to the comfort of our ship.

As we arrived, the Princess crew welcomed us with refreshing infused water options and cool hand towels, perfect for wiping away the humidity and sweat from our faces. It was such a thoughtful touch that made us feel instantly refreshed. We headed back to our room to freshen up before dinner. While my roommate made a beeline for the spa for a much-needed massage, I decided to indulge in some retail therapy at the Wave Shops. I’m happy to report that my shopping trip was a resounding success! After a satisfying afternoon of browsing and picking up a few treasures, I enjoyed one last meal with my cruise colleagues, savoring every moment of our time together.

Once back in my room, I faced the daunting and bittersweet task of packing. After assessing my haul, it became clear that I would need to check a second bag at the airport. Thankfully, I had just purchased a stylish Princess tote bag, which I filled with my remaining items for the flight home the next day. Though it was hard to say goodbye to this incredible trip, I was excited to bring a piece of the adventure back with me.

Disembarkation morning hit me like an unwelcome flu, a bittersweet reminder that our adventure was coming to an end. I gathered my belongings and opted for self-assisted disembarkation, which meant hauling all my luggage—no small feat! With the clock ticking I finished my packing and bid farewell to my colleagues before heading off in my Uber to the Fort Lauderdale airport, my destination: homeward bound to Southern California.

Of course, my journey included a two-hour layover at New York’s JFK, but I wasn’t worried—I can work from anywhere, and there’s nothing like an airport terminal to catch up on some office tasks. It turned out to be a long day, but eventually, my feet landed back on Southern California soil and this lucky girl was first off the plane. As I settled into my own bed, grateful for the incredible experiences I had just enjoyed, I couldn’t help but wonder where my next adventure would take me.