Jill Whelan: From TV's Love Boat to Princess Cruises’ Celebration Ambassador

Article Summary:

Best known as Vicki Stubing on The Love Boat, Jill Whelan has turned her lifelong love of the sea into a meaningful role as Princess Cruises’ Celebrations Ambassador. Now sailing on nearly 100 cruises, she helps others mark life’s biggest milestones—whether it’s a wedding at sea, a family reunion, or a personal triumph. Whelan shares touching stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and why she believes cruising is the perfect way to celebrate.

For millions of Americans, Jill Whelan will forever be Vicki Stubing, Captain Stubing's precocious daughter on The Love Boat. While the iconic TV series ended decades ago, Whelan's relationship with cruising has extended far beyond her childhood role.

As Princess Cruises’ Celebrations Ambassador since 2015, she’s sailed on nearly 100 cruises, bringing her lifetime connection with the sea full circle. “I don't know if I ever thought I’d be lucky enough to have the kind of relationship with Princess as an adult as I did when I was a kid,” Whelan says. “For me, it was like my playground as a kid and wouldn't it be amazing if that happened and a few years later it did. It was magical and so organic for me because I've always been a cruiser,” she says, noting her dad had a sailboat so she grew up on boats her whole life.

From child star to celebrations expert

Whelan's journey from child actor to cruise ambassador is as organic as it is heartwarming. After joining The Love Boat as a series regular at age 11, she learned invaluable life lessons from the show's veteran cast members.

“Being a kid working with those people, they're the ones who taught me the lessons about working in the industry,” Whelan says. “The motto was, we're very lucky to be working actors and we need to behave as such. Professionalism is number one. Humility is also number one.”

The bonds formed on that iconic show have endured for decades. “Gavin (McLeod) and I were extremely close. He really was like a dad,” Whelan shares. “I eulogized him — the family asked me to represent our cast, which was incredibly special and an honor but it speaks to how close and tight-knit we were.” The cast continues working together today. “Fred Grandy (who played Gopher) and Ted Lange (who played Isaac) — we did a play last year. And in the fall, we're doing an off-Broadway play that Ted wrote called Lady Patriot.”

Her connection with Princess Cruises rekindled in 2015 during the cruise line’s 50th anniversary celebration. When the scheduled host canceled at the last minute, Whelan stepped in, impressing executives with her natural ability to connect with guests.

“The head of PR said, ‘That went really well. You should do some work for us,’” Whelan recalls with a laugh. “So I owe it all to Tori Spelling for backing out!”

Memorable milestone celebrations

Throughout her years as Celebrations Ambassador, Whelan has witnessed countless touching moments that showcase the unique power of commemorating life events at sea.

One particularly memorable experience was participating in a Guinness Book of World Records event for the most weddings at sea. “You think, ‘Hey, I'm gonna go do this thing for Princess and it's gonna be super fun,’” Whelan says. “But then you see these people... they're already married, but how seriously they're taking it... it's just profound.”

On a more intimate scale, Whelan recalls watching close friends renew their vows after 45 years of marriage. “They're super funny, not outwardly emotional...they lead with humor,” she explains. “But they took it so seriously. She walked up the aisle trembling and he was in tears watching her walk down the aisle.”

Whelan has celebrated her own milestones at sea, including her 50th birthday Mediterranean voyage with her sons. The trip became especially meaningful when her eldest son had an unexpected emotional reaction.

“He’d just started college and was pledging fraternities,” Whelan recalls. “Here he is in Athens, standing on the Acropolis, looking at the Greek letter system as he's pledging at home. You know that age—nothing phases them. They're so jaded, they're too cool for anything. But he cried, because here he was understanding the incredibleness of where he was that affected the entire world and the universe and his little universe all at the same time.”

Why cruising is perfect for celebrations

Whelan's extensive experience has convinced her that cruises provide an ideal backdrop for milestone celebrations, particularly for older adults who may be new to cruising.

“I think cruises are the best—they offer you so much,” Whelan explains. “Not everybody is the same level of being ambulatory. The great thing about being on a cruise ship is you get on a boat, you unpack once, and you don't have the stress of taxi, Uber, hotel check-ins.”

This convenience factor—waking up in a new port every morning without the logistical headaches—makes cruising particularly appealing for celebrations involving multiple generations or varying mobility needs.

Safety is another significant advantage. “You're guaranteed to be safe. You're on a cruise where there's incredible security, incredible protocol, extremely high standards,” says Whelan. “There's 24/7 everything.”

What truly sets Princess Cruises apart, says Whelan, is the crew's authentic desire to make celebrations special. “There's something about the spirit of the team members here at Princess,” she points out. “They are so genuinely happy to accommodate and make you happy. I always call it the secret sauce—it's noticeable.”

Planning your perfect milestone celebration at sea

When planning a milestone celebration at sea, Whelan recommends focusing on what makes the occasion personally meaningful. “Everybody has a different story,” she says. “What is special to them that they want to celebrate?”

For multi-generational gatherings, Whelan recalls her last family cruise with her father. “We sat around and played cards in Crown Grill every afternoon. We'd get a back table and play gin rummy as a family,” she remembers fondly. “It's those kind of memories that I'll never forget—watching my kids playing cards with my dad.”

To enhance celebrations, Princess Cruises offers various specialty experiences, such as the immersive "360" dining available on select ships, featuring interactive tables and multi-sensory elements.

When celebrating with first-time cruisers, Whelan loves seeing their initial reactions, like when she brought her friend Leah on her first girlfriend getaway after 30 years of marriage. “It's her first time ever being on a cruise,” Whelan shares, clearly delighted by her friend's excitement.

For Whelan, celebrations aren't just about the grand gestures but also about recognizing the “snowflake moments” in life. She points to those small achievements and milestones (like quitting a toxic job, losing weight, or beating cancer) that accumulate into something beautiful. “Watching people take those steps towards something positive is profound,” she says. “The more we can celebrate the positives and the things that we've done to make our lives better, the better it is for our health.”

Whether you're marking a major life transition, celebrating a health victory, or simply gathering loved ones for a special occasion, a cruise offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and meaningful connection without the typical travel hassles.

And with the expert guidance of AAA Travel Agents and exclusive AAA Member benefits, often combinable with in-market offers, planning your next celebration at sea has never been easier—or more rewarding.

As Whelan puts it, “Every morning you open up your window and you have a new venue, a new vista.” And with each new horizon comes a fresh opportunity to create the kind of memories that last a lifetime.