SANTA CLARITA, Calif.,
July 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Princess Cruises celebrated Gavin
MacLeod today, the beloved award-winning actor who played
Captain Merrill Stubing on the
iconic "Love Boat" TV show, for his 30 years serving as the cruise
line's global ambassador. The City of
Santa Clarita, Calif., home of the world headquarters of
Princess Cruises, honored MacLeod by proclaiming July 6 "Gavin MacLeod Princess Cruises Ambassador
Day" during a special ceremony hosted by Captain Stubing's TV
daughter Jill Whelan, aka
"Vicki Stubing," which was attended
by hundreds of Princess employees and fans.
MacLeod has now served as the cruise line's celebrity ambassador
for three decades, exclusively promoting the premium cruise line to
millions of consumers through thousands of media interviews, public
appearances, travel industry conferences and on board the Princess
Cruises fleet, proudly sharing the joys of cruising.
Princess Cruises president, Jan
Swartz, also made an exclusive announcement at the
event. MacLeod will continue his ambassador duties for the
line with an upcoming role as celebrity judge on the ship's newest
onboard entertainment offering, "The Voice of the Ocean." The
show is based on the excitement and spectacle of TV's wildly
popular international singing competition and is brought to life
throughout the cruise with auditions, mentor rehearsal sessions,
the iconic "I Want You" chairs, three charismatic team coaches and
ultimately a live finale performance where guests choose the
winner.
"We are so proud to honor Gavin
MacLeod as our beloved global ambassador and treasure the
impact he's had on not only Princess Cruises but the entire
industry over the last 30 years," said Jan
Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "In this role, Gavin has
truly touched millions of people, sharing and listening to
cherished cruise memories. If you've been lucky enough to swap
stories with Gavin, shake his hand or take a photo, you've been
lucky enough to experience his pure passion for cruising and love
of life."
From 1977-1986, MacLeod won the hearts of millions of viewers
playing everyone's favorite cruise ship captain on "The Love Boat,"
as Princess Cruises served as the backdrop for what became one of
the highest-rated primetime television shows in history. The show
has been widely credited with introducing millions of viewers to
contemporary cruise vacations sparking a dramatic expansion of the
industry.
"I am deeply humbled by this occasion marking my 30th
year serving as global ambassador for Princess Cruises," said
MacLeod. "Promoting Princess has truly been one of the highlights
of my life. People still come up to me and tell me that 'The Love
Boat' gave them something to dream about and now all these years
later, cruising is a reality for millions and the growth of the
industry just proves that dreams really do come true."
With a successful career spanning more than 60 years, MacLeod is
a celebrated television, film and theater actor widely known for
his leading role as Merrill Stubing
on "The Love Boat" and Murray
Slaughter on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Recently he
published a best-selling autobiography, "This is Your Captain
Speaking," starred in a two-man play "Happy Hour" in his hometown
Palm Springs, Calif., and received
a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available
through a professional travel consultant, by calling
1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at
princess.com.
About Princess Cruises:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a
global cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern
cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of
choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided with
the experience of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader
in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.7 million guests each
year to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than
150 itineraries ranging in length from three to 111 days. The
company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;
NYSE:CUK).
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SOURCE Princess Cruises