Gavin MacLeod with Pacific Princess

In all its true Hollywood glory, the Love Boat will dock in Sydney Harbour later this week carrying its on-screen Captain, Merrill Stubing.

Arriving in Sydney on Sunday 26 February 2012, the Pacific Princess, the namesake of the original ship that starred in the 1970s and 1980s hit show the Love Boat, will sail into the Harbour with actor Gavin MacLeod.

Taking cruise lovers and Love Boat fans down memory lane, Princess Cruises’ commercial director Stan Birge said the actor and now spokesperson for the cruise line, Mr MacLeod was always welcome on board the ship.

“The Love Boat is a colourful part of our history and we love being able to bring such a cherished era of television and cruising back to life with Gavin’s help,” Mr Birge said.

Mr MacLeod joined the Pacific Princess from Auckland to Sydney as a guest speaker sharing tales of the series and of the original Pacific Princess.

As well as greeting the Captain when the ship docks, fans of the show have also been urged to share their memories of the TV series on Princess Cruises Facebook page.