This ain’t the Love Boat, but you would be excused to think maybe there’s an element of that, according to recent news headlines. Because, sure, there is an element of that.
Before we even left Colorado, Kit was getting “suggestions” from the Facebook algorithm that she might want to “friend” Angie, a woman from the next town over, since they had friends in common. Kit looked and saw who the common friends were: Mike, the then-CEO of Villa Vie Residences, and Kathy, the now-CEO of VVR.
Wait… what? Kit sent Angie a note, and she confirmed that yes, she was planning to join the ship for its inaugural voyage, just as we were. She lived only about 15 miles away from us in rural western Colorado. Crazy!
Gian, meanwhile, works onboard just as I do, and has an office at the “other” end of the row of Resident offices from mine. He also works online, though in marketing. We see each other all the time.
Angie and Gian got to know each other as we went back and forth to the ship during ever-extended drydock time in Belfast. To make a long story short, they not only won the “First Marriage” contest, they did it onboard, first in a private ceremony with close friends and family, and the next day, an everyone-invited repeat with the captain officiating.
It was a terrific time and a fantastic celebration. The photos prove it …and this is just a small selection:
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The Honeymoon Isn’t Over
Gian promised Angie that for their honeymoon, they were going on a long world cruise.
Hah!
So maybe they’ll have a honeymoon that never ends. And you know, Kit and I can pretty well relate. We’re coming up on the 7-1/2 month mark onboard, and things continue to improve.
Not that the bar was terribly low to begin with. Food, for instance, has always been pretty good, even if they struggle sometimes to keep everything in stock. (For some reason, they can’t get enough chocolate syrup for the dessert bar in the buffet.)
I saw the Executive Chef, Ruben, watching over the buffet recently, and I went up to him. “Good evening, Randy!” he said. He knows me well because I’ve given him “feedback, not complaints” several times.
“I’m forced to give you some more feedback,” I said sternly. “Yes?” he said, bracing himself, but only a little because he knows my feedback is spot on. A sous chef was standing next to him, and he immediately put his entire focus on my face.
“Last night,” I said, “the beef bourguignon was fantastic!”
“Oh! Thank you!” they said, almost in unison.
“And the Tom Yum soup?” I continued without letting either of them catch their breath: “Incredible! Full of flavor and wonderfully spicy without going over the top.”
They assured me they would pass my comments on to the line chefs.
I won’t say that every dish is a “wow,” or even to my liking, but I’ve always been able to find something I want to eat. And sometimes, it is a wow.
So really, our own “honeymoon” onboard continues.
But Back to the Love Boat
It happened once. Could it happen again?
Too late: already has.
We’ve enjoyed meeting Tom and Donna, too — who also happen to be from Colorado. (I’m pretty confident that per capita, Colorado is the most represented state among the Residents.)
Tom and Donna met for the first time at the cruise terminal in Belfast, after our long wait there, to board the ship.
Things …blossomed. By the time the ship got to Casablanca (day 58), they were exploring the idea of marriage. They took a side trip to really talk about it (to beautiful Milan, Italy), and made their engagement official. On April 1, the 6-month anniversary of departure. No foolin’!
She had said that if she ever got married again, she wanted to be the one to ask. She asked. He said yes.
They decided to go back to Colorado for their mile-high wedding, comfortably near Cloud 9. “June 14,” he told me — “32 days from today (but who’s counting?)”
Kids these days! 😉
Originally Published May 12, 2025 — Last Updated May 12, 2025- About the Author
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I LOVE THESE STORIES!!!!!!!!
Thank you Arcie. It is great to read some “good” news!
You write with such a kind “voice” and I enjoy reading your musings. We’re boarding Wednesday 5/14 for a week trial — hope to meet you then.
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I’m in the far-right office, by the windows. Easy to find! -rc
June 14th…Flag Day…and my Birthday! I was married to a Tom, dated a Tom, and married to another Tom, and my name is Dawn (pretty close!)
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If I know this Tom, and I’m pretty sure I do, he’ll get a chuckle out of this comment. -rc
These were so fun to read. 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed it! -rc
I am very fortunate to know your voice. When I read your stories, it’s as if you are saying the words you have written. Love You & Kit.
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You know my voice in person, even! Otherwise, anyone who wants to know my voice can check my (old) videos or podcasts.
I’m currently lying in a hospital bed (not life-threatening) and feeling miserable. Your stories are just what I need right now. THANK YOU, and congratulations to the newly betrothed!
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Hope you’re feeling better soon, Ray. -rc
Watching too many episodes of the Love Boat when I was younger led to a 5 year stint working on a cruise ship. My husband and I will be joining for a trial run from San Diego to Vancouver. Hope to meet you.
I really enjoyed this post. We had such a great time at the wedding. It filled me with emotion. It’s a fantasy in so many ways.
I can’t wait to join you soon! We are originally from Colorado, but have been Hoosiers for the last 7 years.
We will join you for the run to Hawaii, looking forward to seeing it all for real.
Love the stories and photos. Keep it up!
It’s fun seeing where you all have been thus far. I worked all over the world in oil and gas and mining/minerals, and it gave me the opportunity to travel outside of work. We are having an early spring storm in northeastern Wyoming with lots of snow. Keep posting the stories. It’s fun to see where your travels are taking you. Good luck.
My maternal grandparents were married on board a ship of the White Star Line, by the ship’s captain, in the middle of the Atlantic in… about 1910 / 1911 I think. The ship was sunk during World War Two, with all its records. When my mother needed a marriage certificate “substitute”, the paper wasn’t available. She had to get a sworn affidavit from someone who was present at the wedding… and still living!
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One would think White Star would have kept copies of such documents in its offices! Or at least a log…. -rc