A-list celebrities have been associated with the cruise industry since the 1980s when TV show host Kathie Lee Gifford made a splash singing “Ain’t We Got Fun” on board a Carnival cruise ship in an iconic TV ad for the cruise line.
This year, that legendary commercial was introduced to a new generation when it was hilariously recreated on social media by actor Jonathan Bennett. Best known for his role as Aaron Samuels in the 2004 film “Mean Girls,” Bennett is godfather to the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
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Carnival-owned Princess Cruises has long maintained a connection to Hollywood too. Popular TV series “The Love Boat” was filmed aboard Princess cruise ships in the 1970s and ’80s. Today, the cruise line continues to honor its “Love Boat” heritage with special sailings and long-standing partnerships with stars of the show.
Recently, Princess Cruises also added another celebrity spokesperson to bring the magic of “The Love Boat” back to life. After naming Emmy-winning “Ted Lasso” actress and musical theater sensation Hannah Waddingham as godmother to its newest ship Sun Princess, the cruise line introduced the “Love Boat by Hannah” global advertising campaign.
Now, other cruise lines are joining Princess Cruises in adding star power to their advertising.
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Norwegian Cruise Line is calling on a big name to get attention.
Image source: Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Eric Stonestreet is the face of Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ad campaign
Norwegian Cruise Line recently revealed that two-time Emmy-winning actor Eric Stonestreet is its new brand ambassador and star of its “Experience More” campaign. Stonestreet is well known for his work on the hit television show “Modern Family” and beloved for his charisma and relatability.
In the cruise line’s lighthearted new campaign spots, Stonestreet joyfully showcases how passengers can experience more during their Norwegian cruise vacations, from enjoying unlimited drinks to racing on the only race tracks at sea.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line improves a passenger perk
Stonestreet was also named godfather of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, which launches April 26 from Port Canaveral.. Ahead of the ship’s maiden voyage, Stonestreet will help welcome the ship to the cruise line’s fleet during its christening ceremony on April 13 in Miami.
As the ship’s godfather, Stonestreet will lead the time-honored tradition of christening the vessel by breaking a champagne bottle across its bow. A classic maritime custom performed by the ship’s godparent, this act is meant to bring good fortune for the vessel and all the passengers who sail upon it.
MSC Cruises Super Bowl spot will feature two big names
MSC Cruises is also gearing up to introduce a new ship—its largest ship to ever serve the North American market—and it’s doubling the star power to do it in a big way.
Two acclaimed actors, Orlando Bloom and Drew Barrymore, will show Big Game viewers what it’s like to take an MSC cruise holiday as the cruise line debuts a new brand campaign with its first-ever Super Bowl commercial. The 60-second ad will highlight MSC Cruises’ signature blend of European style and American comfort while showcasing the new MSC World America flagship, which will launch from Miami on April 9.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have huge 2025 ship plans
The cruise line released a 15-second teaser of the ad on its YouTube channel that shows Barrymore and Bloom at the piano in the MSC Yacht Club’s Top Sail Lounge, an exclusive area available to passengers sailing in MSC Cruises’ luxury ship-within-a-ship offering. In the clip, Barrymore comically attempts to serenade an unimpressed Bloom with her rendition of Madonna’s “Holiday,” which is also the new campaign’s musical signature.
“The fun dynamic between Drew and Orlando in our Big Game commercial is a great representation of MSC World America—which combines European design and authentic experiences with everything Americans have come to expect from a cruise—to offer an unmatched vacation,” noted MSC Cruises Marketing Executive Vice President Suzanne Salas. “We want to give America a glimpse of all the unique features our new ship has to offer, through Drew and Orlando’s eyes of course.”
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