The Original Love Boat Comes to Life in 250,000 LEGO® Bricks

A love of cruising has led to a remarkably creative version of Princess Cruises' famous "Love Boat" - Pacific Princess - as reincarnated in LEGO® by a fan in Melbourne, Australia.

Measuring 10.5 feet long and nearly 5 feet high and made from more than 250,000 LEGO bricks, the extraordinary model took six months to build and is the largest single project ever undertaken by professional LEGO builder, Ryan McNaught. More images of the LEGO Love Boat can be seen on www.flickr.com/photos/ryanmcnaught.

The son of Melbourne travel agent Lyn McNaught, the 36-year-old McNaught was inspired by the many cruises he has enjoyed over the years. He also recently built a giant Airbus 380 LEGO model, so he decided the time had come to tackle a ship. "I wanted to do something with character so I chose the original Love Boat, Pacific Princess, and studied photos and deck plans to capture her features and her beauty," McNaught said.

While one side of the model features the exterior of the famous ship, the other side is an open cutaway revealing all the action inside--from chefs in the kitchen to passengers working out in the health club. McNaught has also brought the cast of the famous Love Boat TV show to life with LEGO models of the legendary Captain Stubing, Gopher, and cruise director Julie, along with some of the show's most famous guests such as David Hasselhoff. Flashing LED lights for the disco and tiny motors powering the propellers and elevators complete the picture.

McNaught (http://www.thebrickman.com/) is one of only 12 certified LEGO builders in the world. Having shown his Love Boat model at Australia's LEGO Convention--Brickvention--in Melbourne this month, he now plans to move it to Chicago for Brickworld. Held in June, Brickworld is one of the largest LEGO conventions in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and featuring 700 exhibitors.

About Princess Cruises: One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from seven to 107 days. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.