Enough Adventure and Love to Last a Lifetime
Mary and Hal, happy and in love!
September 4, 2012
by Mary Director
As I boarded Pacific Princess back in 1986, I was looking for my first, big adventure. Well I found it, along with my true love, my husband Hal. I should have figured—after all, the Pacific Princess’ primetime alter ego was “The Love Boat.”
I was 34 at the time and had yet to venture far from my Tacoma home. But back then, the local news was full of stories of cruise ships coming to the Seattle piers and the exciting Canadian Expo, featuring the King Tut exhibit, coming to nearby Vancouver. That unlocked my wanderlust.
I asked Rosie, my close friend, if she would join me on an eight-day cruise to Vancouver and Alaska. Her husband, David, urged us to go. Even my boyfriend at the time, a colleague I’d been casually dating, encouraged me to get out there and see something of the world.
We booked our passage nine months in advance, giving us plenty of time to prepare. All through the summer, my travel agent called saying she could get us on an earlier sailing, but Rosie and I were set on going in September. And thank goodness for that because I would never have met Hal if I took her advice.
There is always an element of fate in how one meets the love of their life. While I was telling my travel agent, No, I’ll stick with my original plans, my future husband, Hal, was living the life of a confirmed bachelor in Los Angeles. Hal and his roommate, Pat, did not book the cruise until three days before, when they stumbled upon a good deal.
Hal and I first met at breakfast on our first full day of the cruise. Lightening did not strike. I assumed Pat (Patricia) was his girlfriend. Rosie and I were just thrilled to be there, exploring all the fun things to do on the ship, meeting lots of people and anticipating Alaska. We were having a blast. That night, we hung out at the disco and I spent time with Hal, still assuming Pat was his partner.
The next morning, Pat pulled me aside and said she and Hal were just friends, nothing more. Rosie and I kind of laughed about that and went on our way. But we kept running into Hal and Pat.
That night at the disco Hal and I clicked. We danced for hours and kept the club open till 4 a.m. We would have kept going, but we took mercy on the DJ and went on a romantic, pre-dawn stroll instead.
On the third day, a mere 72 hours after meeting, Hal told me he loved me. Impossible! Here was Hal, at 37 a confirmed bachelor and me, resigned to a lifetime of hearing those words that are meant to be encouraging: “Maybe you’ll be the next to meet someone special.” “Just wait, your turn will come.” Weddings and baby showers were getting uncomfortable.
Even though I had shrugged off Hal’s declaration of love, we were inseparable after that. I think I slept a total of 24 hours that week. When the ship returned to Seattle, I assumed Hal would go back to his life in Los Angeles and I’d return to mine in Tacoma.
Rosie knew better. My parents picked us up at the pier and she immediately announced that I had met the man I was going to marry. We all laughed. I could not see that my life had profoundly changed on that cruise.
But the fabled Love Boat had cast its spell. Over the weeks, Hal and I talked on the phone and wrote letters to each other. I had Rosie spurring me on and Hal had his cupid in Pat. Not that we needed their encouragement, for Hal and I married three months later.
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in 2012 and can both say that we love each other more each day. I definitely found adventure when I took my first big trip. Enough adventure and love to last a lifetime.
Mary and Hal live in Chandler, Ariz. and have enjoyed 10 cruises since their “Love Boat” adventure.
Mary, your story about taking your first adventure and finding love at the same time is inspiring. Many thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you for sharing your story. So encouraging. All the best to you.
The story is the same as ours We met on the Fairstar 27 years ago first dance on first night of sailing We have now been married for 26 years I was bringing up two children alone. Lyn not only got a husband but 2 teenagers to We are now retired and about to do our third cruise in 3 years. Cruising with Princes cruises is rather special to us
My brother met his wife on a cruise a many years earlier and both girls lived in near by country towns 1000 km,s from us
I know Mary and Hal. In fact, Mary stood up with me when I married my husband over 33 years ago. She is the “aunt” to my 42 year old daughter. Mary and Hal’s romance is heartwarming in every sense. It’s a real joy to read what Mary’s written about her love affair with Hal.
What a wonderful story and great looking couple. Just goes to show, it IS out there, and what a better place than on the Love Boat. May you have another wonderful 25 years together. Enjoy it for what it is.
What a wonderful story!!
Hi Mary – I was writing shows for Princess in 1985 and took part of my fee in travel vouchers for two. The ship I first sailed on was the Pacific Princess, a lovely older voyager. I wasn’t married at the time so I asked the lady I was in love with to join me on a cruise to the Mediterranean. She said “Oh, cruises are full of old people and there’s nothing to do.” When I said I’d find somebody else to go with, she relented and joined me. She cried when they made her get off the ship at the end of the cruise. We married in 1986 and we’ve been cruising ever since. In fact, we taking one from Singapore to Hong Kong in a few months. Princess has always held a special place in my heart and we’ve sailed with them more than seven times.
Mary, your story is just as if taken from a romantic movie. It’s so good to read about these things, becuase it make one believe that there is still magic out there.
Gene, please keep us posted with details on your Asia cruise. My family and I are willing to do this in 2014.
What a delight to read Mary’s story. I knew that I wanted to marry my boyfriend after I went on a Panama Canal cruise with the girls. That was 1976 and in 35 yrs of marriage we still love to cruise. We get along better onboard then on dry land. May you have 25 more years, Mary!
What an amazing story. Destiny.
My husband and I are going on a segment of the 2013world cruise for our 50th anniversary trip. We love Princess and are sure this will be as great as ever.
Mary, thanks for sharing your story. My husband and I were scheduled to go on a Princess cruise in August. My husband got sick on the day we were scheduled to fly to met the ship. We were so upset. It would have been our third cruise with Princess. Your story brightened my spirits and we are now ready to start plans for our next trip. I was just too oupset to plan. Your lovely story renewed my spirits. Thanks again.
Jeannie … don’t give up, there are more cruises in your future. Hal and I planned a Hawaii cruise for Dec 2012 to celebrate our 25th anniversary (a few week early). I had a medical emergency two days before we were to leave and we had to cancel. (all is OK). We now have two cruises schedule and can’t wait. I love the planning, and it gives me something to look forward to also.
Loved your story! My husband and I met a few weeks before you and Hal met and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary Oct. 3. We married after knowing each other six weeks. Our favorite cruise line is Princess and we have had many cruises in our almost 25 years of marriage. May you and Hal enjoy many more healthy and happy years.
My husband and I also married after knowing each other 6 weeks! We will be celebrating our 37th anniversary in October. We are looking forward to our first cruise – one of our daughters (an addicted cruiser) is coming with us. Really looking forward to it.
F. Nelson … loved hearing your story too. We would of been married much sooner too, but I had a commitment to work thru the end of the year and had to plan a move to CA. We did get engaged three weeks after the cruise. Many more wonderful years together for the two of you also.
My husband & I love cruising.Your story Mary is amazing & should be taken ” on board ” for anyone who thinks cruising is boring – it can be taken to do as much or as little as you prefer.Geoff & I have now cruised 12 times ( unfortunately not all with P&O/ Princess ) Our next one over Xmas & New Year is on the Grand Princess to celebrate our silver (25 ) anniversary & we are now platinum members working our way towards the BIG CARD!! for the future. Good on you for your wonderful story & may you continue to have a wonderful life together. Sent from Australia.
My husband and I will be on the Grand Princess to celebrate our 4th Anniversary, we were married on the Golden Princess in 2008. this will be be also our 4th voyage on the Grand Princess. Cruising is not boring at all, it is all about the company that you keep. Elite Status is awesome.. …Princess Cruise is awesome.
We are booked on the Grand for Spring 2014 for one of the Pacific Coastal cruises. Can’t wait. Enjoy your cruise and Happy Anniversary just a bit early.
My husband is dying to go on a cruise, buy my daughter and I suffer very badly from sea sickness. Has anyone ever been sea sick on these cruises?
No we have never been sick & looking to our Eighth cruise in about two weeks .All the modern fleet ships are stabilised & absolutely wonderful & i have no doubt that Ruby Princess will be Equally as good .Just put your fears behind you and enjoy
Try a Caribbean cruise, the waters are usually calm and if you do feel queasy, visit the ship’s doctor. Once you start cruising, you’ll be hooked. Go for it!
My husband and I first cruised in 1977 on the Pacific Princess. We didn’t cruise again until 2007 because of his fear of getting sea sick. We took the Alaska cruise and have been hooked ever since. No sea sickness. We will be taking our 16th cruise on the new Royal Princess in October 2013. Just do it!!!
There are plenty of medications to help prevent sea sickness; it really shouldn’t stop you from a cruise. Get a cabin midship or aft, arm yourself w/ Bonine, or the patch (your doctor can advise), and get out there! I am prone to seasickness, and it doesn’t stop me!
I am also VERY prone to sea sickness and I still cruise. The patch is good but if you want a non-drug alternative, try SeaBands – they go on your wrists and apply pressure. I found they work quite well unless seas are very rough.
Just do it.
It may sound counterintuitive, but another trick is to keep a little food in your stomach, not difficult to do on a cruise! Even if it’s a few bites of bread, it will help keep the queasiness at bay. Have fun!
Hi,
On my first cruise, I was very very sick the first day and had to take some medication. Th nexy days were not so bad but I told my husband that I didn’y want to go on another cruise, ever. But, my husnband qualify at work for another cruise, a few years later. I decide to try a patch and I put it early the day of the departure (arounf 6 am ) and everything has been fine then. Now, I am planning my 6th cruise and I don’t even need patch anymore. I keep them near in case of bad sea but it never happened.
Good luck.
in the past, i suffered horribly with sea sickness. then, i discovered wrist acupuncture bands. unlike the pills and the patch, there are no side efffects. i put them on the moment i board. wearing two (one on each wrist) work best for me. with the bands, i have weathered turbulent storms, atlantic crossings,and everything in between. the bands can be purchased at local drug stores ( sweat band-like), magellan travel catalog (more fashionable), and if you forget to pack them, on the most ships. also, the crew suggested including a granny smith apple occasionally as your snack. happy cruising!
Lynnr.
This Dec. will be my husband and my 4 cruise. On the first cruise I ws sea sick. However, ny doctor instructed me to take some ginger or Draimine. You can buy both from any drug store. Take three to four hours before boarding the ship.
We also get very motion sick and it’s always a concern. We’ve had several cruises when the seas were very calm and others when we ran into rough weather. The “patch” has been a godsend for us! There are some minor side effects which sometimes happen, sometimes not. Someone suggested ginger root tablets and I plan to try them next cruise. Some people have suggested Bonine or dramamine but both make me very drowsy. I have put on a patch before a cruise and also have waited to put one on after hitting a little rough water (each person’s tolerance for motion is different so you’ll have to determine that yourself). Keep in mind it takes about 4 hours to take effect. The best for us as far as smooth seas has been the Alaska cruise and a Canadian cruise that started in Montreal, traveled through the St Lawrence Seaway and ended in Ft. Lauderdale. We’ve been on a Carribbean cruise when the seas were rough and when they were calm, just depends on the month. Again, one person’s motion does not bother another. Generally if there are a lot of ports, you won’t have as many days on the sea so less chance of getting sick. Despite getting motion sick I would rather be on a cruise vacation than land and I am always sorry to get off the ship! Our main problem is trying to decide which to do next! Don’t let it keep you from trying a cruise! Happy sailing!
Lynnr … neither Hal or I ever got seasick, but my poor mom did. She swore by the use of bio-bands (acupressure). She would put them on before she left home and wear them thru the cruise until 24 hours after she got home. Once she started using the bio-band, she no longer had problems. You can find them at bioband.com When you book a cruise, book a cabin that is mid-ship and mid-deck level for the smoothest ride. Also book on a larger ship (doesn’t have to be a HUGE ship), but the newer, larger ships ride smoother. Hope you will decide to cruise. You will LOVE it.
In the past I had trouble with seasickness, but now I ask my doctor for a patch. I only put it on if it looks like rough weather ahead, and I rarely need it. My husband has over the counter Bonine for those rare instances when he needs something. But the ships are so stable these days, it’s seldom necessary.
Advise for sea sickness is agreed with most of the above. Should you suffer badly then I would recommend an injection prior to your cruise to alleviate the onstart. Follow this with daily motion sickness tablets whilst cruising + motion wristbands which can be purchased at most pharmacies which allow a continuous flow of levelling throughout your system therefore stopping the brain & inner ear from being disentoriated which is the cause of motion sickness ( sometimes the ground still feels as if it’s going up & down when you’re on dry land! )
My first cruises started apx. 1970 with my parents on the P&O Canberra,
Oriana & Chusan (probably because we had a family member who worked for P&O &were lucky enough to receive discount prices!!) These cruised from Southampton, England through the med. & many was the time that I was only one of a few people who made it to breakfast after sailing through the Bay of Biscay !!
Nowadays the stabalizers are far more efficient & even if the seas are rough the ship just ploughs through.
Go for it & enjoy – believe me once you’ve done one cruise you’ll be hooked.
P.S. I nearly married a waiter from the Canberra who came from London. We had a 2 year relationship & became engaged but that is a whole other story from many years ago………………………………………
Hi Lynn,
On my sailboat my wife was always subject to sea sickness. She took dramamine and immediate fell asleep, so I ended up sailing by myself. However, we have now taken around 15 ocean cruises all around the world and she has never gotten sea sick. Without dramamine! Newer ships all have stabilizers and you rarely feel any movement at all. In fact, very often, when you are inside, it’s difficult to know which direction the ship is moving in. And when your cabin has a veranda, it’s a joy just to watch the water and the sea life. It’s the best way to vacation when your hotel goes with you.
Way back in 1956 I too met the love of my life. We were two young Australians, 19 and 20,travelling over to the other side of the world for adventure. We’d worked hard and saved hard to get our tourist class bunks! Three years ago we celebrated our Golden Wedding, hosted by our four daughers and their husbands and our grandchildren. Of course the 50th Honeymoon was on a ship – Dawn Princess sailing round New Zealand. We’ve clocked up 20 voyages over the years and have a couple more planned – love the repositioning trips, Honolulu and Singapore and Hong Kong our current favourites – so easy and now so affordable. Have a wonderful life with your man – I am!
How wonderful. I loved hearing your story too.
What a beautiful story of how you both met. It brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for sharing your special trip and your love for each other.
It is a beautiful story.
What an inspiring love story. congratulations to you both!
What a wonderful story. You are right fate always plays a role in finding your true love.
May you have many more years of happiness.
My husband and I have been married twenty four years and have been on many cruises. We sailed on Princess for the first time this year and loved it. We will sail with Princess again next year. Us desert dwellers need to feel the ocean breeze every now and then!!!
You sound like such a delightful person that I can understand how your husband was so easily attracted to you and he sounds like a great guy too. We have been married 50 years and love to cruise, especially with Princess out of San Francisco. We finally made it to Elite! My husband is going through treatment for Non Hodgins Lymphoma and doing well. We are looking forward to cruising again soon.
I hope your husband will be able to cruise soon. How wonderful to be with your husband for 50 years. We will be on one of the Pacific Coastal Cruises out of San Francisco in 2014. Looking forward to it.
In my single days, I watched Love Boat, and hoped to marry and have a family. At our 10 year high school reunion, I met my future husband. A rugged outdoor type, he thought he would feel cooped up on a ship. When our 25th anniversary coincided with our daughter working for the helicopter company in Skagway, AK, the circumstances came together to get us underway for the first time. He found that he could always do an excursion or hike that would connect him with nature, while I relished the pampering onboard, or explored the towns. It was a perfect chance to each find excitement. We have been to Mexico, Carribean, and through the Panama Canal, and yes, Princess is our favorite by far. In fact we returned to AK on Princess, with six other couples we’ve known since high school. Everyone had a wonderful time.
What a wonderful love story!!!
I just love happy endings
My wife (74) and I (77) took the Diamond Princess in 2009 on a honeymoon cruise from Bangkock to Bejing and then travelled in China (arranged by Princess) for two weeks. Both of us had lost our longtime spouses but we had met initially when we were students at Purdue in 1953. Alyhough we didnt meet on a cruise ship, we both loved cruising and have been on a constant honeymoon since. This year we have 4 cruises, 2 in the Caribbean, a houseboat on Lake Powell and November 15 from Istanbul to Dubai. We have never been seasick, maybe queasy a little but those little pills work just fine.
After 68 years of marriage we only take cruises for vacationing..two a year. My wife takes Bonine on rising each day an before the ship sails each day. You have to try different things, If something didn’t work….where would we get sailors to be on ships from nations around the globe.
Yes…..its all true….David and I met them as a couple on one of our trips……not only are they darling as a couple but you can just see the joy and love they have for each other always. We are blessed to have them as dear friends to this day. “”"Here’s to another 25 years”"”"
Hugs to you and David. We love you guys bunches. Hope to cruise with you again.
I meet my husband on the Pacific Princess in November “78″. 1st night of a 2 week cruise it was wonderful. We married in “81″ I’m from California and moved to Canada which is where my husband was from. We have been on several cruise’s since then and are doing a 1 night cruise Sept 22nd Seattle back to Vancover, BC
Love love Princess!!!
Thank you for sharing your story. That is wonderful. My husband and I love cruising there is nothing like it. Hope you spend many more anniversaries cruising!! I love Princess Cruises
Hi Mary,
My husband Alan and I live in Gilbert,AZ. I was touched by your story. We also love to
cruise. We have been on four cruises with Princess and can’t wait to go on another.
We will be married fo 40 years in September 2013 hopefully we will go then. It’s ironic that
we live a few miles from you and are also in your age group.
Rosemarie … we could be neighbors!!! Happy Anniversary to you. Cruising is truly the best way to vacation. We will be going back to Alaska next year.
What a wonderful story of romance: I am sure each cruise sees you deeper in love. Thanks for sharing. God is good!
I want to thank each person that took the time to stop and leave a comment for us. It one is greatly appreciated. We truly LOVE sharing our story, and were touched when Princess chose us as one of their Inspired to Cruise contributors. We are planning two more cruises (and hopefully many more in the future).
Hi Mary,
Great Love story. I guess there is still hope for us single cruisers. May you have many more happy years together. I have been on about 7 cruises & have loved each one of them.
I took my first cruise in September of 1990 onm the old Sea Princess. from the ,moment I stepped on the gangway I knew this was going t be my THING. | have to date taken 43 Princess cruises . I have never cruised on another line. I have met so many amaziing people and crew members from dancers to musicians to cruise staff. I still hear from them to this day. My best friend I met on the Regal Princess in 1993. We speak daily and she was a musician and singer with Princess for many years along with her Father Don Dean who played piano. Her name is Patricia Dean and she sings and plays drums. She now lives in Florida. I am grateful everyday to have her in my life, she really is my soul mate.
My health has gone down hill and am not able to travel, but when the time comes I will be dialing 1-800-princess to book a cruise to somewhere. Princess has been good to me and I really have no need to try any other cruise line.
Thanks for the memories and I do hope the time comes that I will be able to join the Princess family once again.
Yes amazing things happen on ships. I met Jean on our first cruise on the SS Raffaello, Italian Line in 1968. Engaged and married six months after the cruise. Three great kids and six beautiful grandchildren and 42 years later very much in love, happy and blessed and still cruising. Thirty plus cruises overall and 11 with Princess. We enjoy Princess the best. Next year, Alaska Cruisetour, Europe and then a return to Florida on a transatlantic crossing. Can’t wait
I’ll never forget what was said to us on our furst cruise to Alaska on Princess; This older couple said to us ” You are so smart to start cruising while you are still young, We waited till we retired and now are too frail to even get off the ship!” That stuck in my head.. Now we take two cruises a year, spending a month at sea every year! It is so nice to have something incredible to look forward to after booking our next cruise! We are seeing the world, and loving life! Thanks Princess, and thanks to what that nice couple said to us..RIchard Sarraille Now a platinum member!