Hannah Waddingham Takes on “The Love Boat” Theme for Princess Cruise Ad — and Shares How It Honors Her 108-Year-Old Grandpa
The 'Ted Lasso' star appears in Princess Cruises' latest campaign — now as the "godmother" of its newest ship, Sun Princess
Hannah Waddingham was "brought up on boats" and now she's the officially the "godmother" of her very own!
Back in April, the Ted Lasso star christened 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" — including Princess 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 with my daughter."
While the ceremony took place in April, Sun Princess officially arrived in Florida in October. And now, Waddingham herself is continuing her work with Princess Cruises on Friday, Nov. 22 with a new advertisement campaign, "Love Boat by Hannah."
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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 from The 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.
"One of my favorite discoveries was the Sanctuary Collection at the top and stern (the back!) of the ship," Waddingham says of her favorite spot to sit. "Another standout is Spellbound by Magic Castle, which has suitably magical, fabulous cocktails and is a v to be experienced!"
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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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.
Waddingham's latest campaign with Princess Cruises, directed by Hungry Man's Dave Laden, is now live — with guests able to book their stay on the Sun Princess for their own "exciting and new" Caribbean sail.