Regal Princess to be named by cast of The Love Boat

When it came to finding a godmother for their newest ship, Princess Cruises was never going to be able to match the glamour and prestige of the Duchess of Cambridge, who officiated at the christening of Royal Princess.

Kate Middleton, wearing a striking black and white outfit and in her last solo public engagement before giving birth to Prince George, was a publicist’s dream, continuing to provide TV footage and newspaper column inches long after the event in Southampton last June.

Sister ship Regal slipped quietly into service this summer and will not be officially named until she gets to Florida in November.

Instead of having one glamorous godmother, she will have a whole bunch of godparents, Princess announced today.

Six of the original cast members from TV’s The Love Boat will be reunited for the event, in Fort Lauderdale on November 5. The series, which ran from 1977 to 1987 was set on board Princess Cruises ships and is widely credited with helping the cruise industry grow.

Gavin MacLeod, who played Captain Stubing, will lead Fred Grandy (Gopher, the chief purser), Ted Lange (Isaac, the bartender), Bernie Kopell (the ship’s doctor), Lauren Tewes (Julie, the cruise director) and Jill Whelan (Vicki, the captain’s daughter).

It won’t be the first time a cruise ship has had multiple godparents, although the previous occasions have involved only godmothers. The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes were on hand for Norwegian Cruise Line’s New York-based Norwegian Breakaway, while The Miami Dolphins’ cheerleaders took the role at the christening of sister ship Norwegian Getaway. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas had seven godmothers.

There’s another touch that will help Capt Stubing and his crew feel at home. Both Royal and Regal Princess have ship’s whistles that play the opening notes of The Love Boat theme tune.

For more information on Regal Princess or to book a cruise visit www.princess.com/holiday, contact your local travel agent or call 0843 374 2402.

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