2,500 days at sea and counting for South Florida woman who is the queen of Princess cruise ships
For the past 30 years, South Florida resident Ilene Weiner has traveled around the world aboard Princess cruise ships.
In fact, she’s been on 282 cruises and has logged 2,500 days at sea with the company.
That makes her the cruise line’s “most travelled guest,’’ according to the company.
“We’re incredibly honored to have the loyalty and passion for Princess Cruises that Ms. Weiner exudes as our most-travelled guest,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.
The cruise line marked the 81-year-old’s milestone with a 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific cruise on the Golden Princess out of Los Angeles. Weiner, who lives in Highland Beach in southern Palm Beach County, recently celebrated the holidays and New Year on the ship with her companion Carl Cutting, 76.
Her first Princess cruise
That was in 1989 with her late husband, Howard Weiner, aboard the Fair Princess, which traveled through the Caribbean. It was the beginning of a love affair with cruising for the couple. When he passed away in 2014, she continued cruising and met Cutting on the Crown Princess during is voyage from Scandinavia to New York.
“It was a true “Love Boat” experience and still is today,’’ said Weiner, a retiree. “For me, the Princess ships are the most romantic destination – so many possibilities and endless activities to truly connect with someone special. And, you can even watch “The Love Boat” in your stateroom!”
Her top destination is down under
Australia. She said that “no matter how many times you go, there is always something new to see. This past year was my first time visiting Western Australia, which is very different than my previous visits to East Coast and Northern Australia.”
Favorite cruise ship souvenir
When she was on the Pacific Princess for her 250th cruise, she said the ship’s captain and officers surprised her with four-stripe epaulettes. “The same as worn by the captain,’’ she said. “The picture they gave me of this event is my favorite souvenir.”
More cruising
On Wednesday, Weiner and Cutting will travel on the Grand Princess for trips to the Mexican Riviera and California coast. They also have six more cruises for this year and they plan to be on the Pacific Princess for an around-the-world cruise leaving from Fort Lauderdale in 2020.
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