The Real Love Boat will make its maiden voyage on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30 pm, on 10 and 10Play.
On board are 21 single men and women from around Australia ready to find love on a romantic cruise on the Princess Cruises ship, Regal Princess, across the Mediterranean to Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Turkey and Montenegro.
The new reality show will have Destination Dates, and surprise singles will test the couples’ compatibility and chemistry.
And after a month on the ocean, only one couple will have the chance to make it to the final port. As the series’ exclusive line partner, Princess Cruises will award the winning couple with a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The indispensable crew members will play pivotal roles in the matchmaking and navigation of the romantic (and sometimes turbulent) waters ahead.
On board is host Darren McMullen, cruise director Hannah Ferrier, head of entertainment Daniel Doody, and Princess Cruises’ captain Paolo Arrigo, who will guide the hopefuls on their quest to true love.
Ben, 39 (QLD), Chelsea 28 (QLD), Chris, 29 (ACT) and Courtney, 25 (VIC)
Among those ready to find love is Ben Milne, 39, a well-being coach and speaker from Queensland. He said he is looking for a partner to enjoy life’s simple pleasures with.
Queensland-based hairdresser salon owner Chelsea Murray, 28, is looking for a like-minded partner with emotional intelligence and depth. “I want someone who can mirror me but is also an individual,” she said.
Chris Antos, 29, from ACT, says he’s ready to find love and commit to someone. The real estate agency director said he is looking for: “someone who shares my passion for travel can help me be the best version of myself and wants to enjoy life with me.”
Functions manager Courtney Justin, 25, from Victoria, is also ready to find her special someone and anchor down. “When the right partner comes along, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to make them happy and feel appreciated,” she said.
Twins Harley (QLD) and Jesse (VIC), 23, Moana, 26 (QLD), Jack, 34 (NSW), Naomi, 28 (QLD)
Harley Anderson, 23, from Queensland, a physiotherapist assistant and a finance broker, joins the show with his twin brother Jesse. Harley shared that he is ready for a new chapter in his life. He said: “After being in a relationship for so long, I know what I want in a relationship, and this makes it harder for the right one to come along. And they just haven’t yet.”
Jesse Anderson, 23, from Victoria, said it is hard to find love in a small town of Echucha where he lives. Still, he is ready to take the big leap to find his match.
Moana Berryman, 26, from Queensland, is looking for a man who is 100% true to himself. She shared that she has been single because she needed to find herself again and build a better foundation for her life before giving her love to someone else.
Carpenter Jack Kane, 34, from NSW, is ready to go on the adventure of a lifetime on The Real Love Boat. He revealed that his deal breaker is his partner did not like music. He added that his dream date would be at the Glastonbury Music Festival.
Business manager Naomi Tibbles, 28, from Queensland, hopes some love can bloom for her on The Real Love Boat. She said her perfect match is someone who can be silly sometimes and is into self-development.
Keanu, 26 (NSW), Tyler, 23 (NSW), Paul, 28 (WA), and Paddy, 27 (NSW)
Disability support worker Keanu Moore, 26, from NSW, revealed he has only been in love once. But will he get to experience love again on The Real Love Boat? When in a relationship, he said: “I am actually the most loyal, loving person when I am in a committed relationship, and I am a ball of fun and entertainment.”
Digital strategist Tyler Grayling, 23, from NSW, describes herself as “chronically single” and is looking to mingle as she has never been on a date. She thinks she is the ultimate catch and knows her potential suitor’s mum will love her.
French-born Paul Antoine, 28 and based in Western Australia, is looking to create a strong connection and find true love with a special someone on board. Qualities he’s looking for in a potential match is someone with a down-to-earth nature and beautiful on the inside and out.
Chef Paddy Hughes, 27, from NSW, is ready to serve up some love. When looking for qualities in a partner, he said: “Humour is essential. I also look for someone who is driven but can be silly and not take life too seriously all the time. I am also attracted to someone who is affectionate, spontaneous, adventurous and effortlessly kind.”
Jay, 30 (NSW), Sari, 24 (QLD), Josh, 28 (NSW) and Sally, 31 (WA)
Social enterprise manager Jay Bonnell, 30, from NSW, is a single father to a daughter and is looking to share his life with his perfect match. He thinks he has lots to offer his potential partner and loves a confident person and someone who is sentimental, determined, adventurous and fun.
Sari Thaiday, 24, from Queensland, has never been in love and hopes The Real Love Boat will help her find it. She is strong-minded and passionate and hopes her big mouth doesn’t deter a potential suitor.
Josh Hack, 28 from NSW, hopes to find true love on the cruise and revealed that he is still single as he is very picky. “My last relationship was just over a year ago. We meet through friends. It was a beautiful relationship, but in the end, we were just two very different people,” he shared.
Wedding dress designer Sally Geach, 31, from Western Australia, is a single mother ready to take the big leap into love. She shared that her potential suitor needs to be good with kids, must be trustworthy and should never speak down to her.
Dalton, 27 (QLD), Katie, 25 (QLD), Daniel, 25 (QLD) and Mikaila, 23 (QLD)
Dalton Ford, 27, from Queensland, hopes to make a special connection on board. He shared that his dream date would be to have a fantastic beach view while watching the sun go down, enjoying good music and a bottle of sparkling.
Event coordinator Katie Langford, 25, from Queensland, is looking to find her Mr Right on board. She shared that she has a lot to offer her potential partner, from support to laughs and fun times. And while direct, she added that she is ready for the next stage in her love life.
Distillery manager Daniel Goodburn, 25, from Queensland’s Gold Coast, hopes to sweep someone off their feet. He said: “I’m fun, caring and like making the most out of my life. But most importantly, I want everyone around me to make the most of and enjoy their lives too.”
Mikaila Norman, 23 and based on Queensland’s Gold Coast, revealed she applied to the show to find her match. “The Mediterranean fits my adventurous nature, and I am always up for doing things outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “I have always said that I will meet “the one” organically and not on any dating apps.”
There will be destination dates on board the luxurious ship and at stunning locations around the Mediterranean. At the same time, surprise singles will test the couples’ compatibility and chemistry.
After a month on the ocean, only one couple will have the chance to make it to the final port. As the series’ exclusive line partner, Princess Cruises will award the winning couple with a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
On board is host Darren McMullen, cruise director Hannah Ferrier, head of entertainment Daniel Doody, and Princess Cruises’ captain Paolo Arrigo, who will help guide the hopefuls on their quest to true love.
Top: Paolo Arrigo. Bottom left to right: Hannah Ferrier, Darren McMullen and Daniel Doody