Hannah Waddingham Takes onThe Love BoatTheme for Princess Cruise Ad — and Shares How It Honors Her 108-Year-Old Grandpa

Mar. 15, 2025

Hannah Waddingham on Princess Cruises' Sun Princess.Photo:Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Hannah Waddinghamwas “brought up on boats” and now she’s the officially the “godmother” of her very own!

Back in April, theTed Lassostarchristened Princess Cruises' newest ship, Sun Princess, during a ceremony in Barcelona, earning her the title of Godmother of the ship. Not only did the moment enter her into an esteemed club that includes some of the “world’s most iconic women” — includingPrincess Diana, Audrey Hepburn and Kate Middleton — but it also gave her a reason to honor her grandfather, an admirer of boats himself.

“I started a boat before I started a car. My grandfather has just turned 108 and was in the Navy in the second World War, my father has been a boatman all his life,” Waddingham, 50, tells PEOPLE in an email, calling her own role with the Princess fleet a “beautiful thing to continue withmy daughter.”

In her latest ad, the actress can be seen enjoying the benefits of the new Sun Princess — including some picturesque views, entertainment and a few drinks — as she sings one of television’s most iconic theme songs fromThe Love Boat, which she admits is “still” stuck in her head even well after filming.

While Waddingham winkingly assured PEOPLE she’s “too young to remember” the series — which ran from 1977 to 1986 on ABC — the song is still “deeply embedded” in her brain.

“But I absolutely love it and the work that myself and my musical supervisor Joe Stilgoe did, with the whole Princess Cruises music team,” she says of the recording process, which took place at Miami’s Criteria Recording Studios.

“I mean, if people aren’t singing ‘the Love Boat, soon, I’ll be making another run…’ for weeks to come then I haven’t done my job properly!” she jokes.

Doing her job properly required assistance from her “hard-working, fabulous and very silly team,” Waddingham says, and it also gave her a chance to meet the “absolutely brilliant and palpably passionate” crew on the Sun Princess. The actress got the opportunity to learn a bit about the vessel that she’s now the “Godmother” of, too.

Hannah Waddingham on Princess Cruises' Sun Princess.Courtesy of Princess Cruises

And as for her personal favorite aspect of any cruise, Waddingham admits the “ease and variety” takes the cake.

“You can pack so much into one trip—exploring new destinations, unbelievably good food (and I’m picky about these things!!), watching amazing entertainment—all without ever worrying about logistics,” she says, adding that she has Alaska in her sights next for a personal trip: “It’s also perfect for families; I can’t wait to take mine along soon. I just know my daughter will absolutely love it!”

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Princess Cruises' Sun Princess.Getty Images James D. Morgan

Getty Images James D. Morgan

When asked which of her costars she’d want to experience a trip with her, Waddingham revealed that she isn’t picking favorites. “It’s such a beautiful experience. I would genuinely take anyone,” she says.

source: people.com