If you’ve spent any time watching television over the last few decades, that iconic, soaring melody has definitely lived in your head rent-free at least once. It’s a piece of pop culture history. You know the one. It starts with those bright horns and leads into a smooth, lounge-style invitation to "come aboard, we're expecting you." But here’s the thing: most people associate the song with the 1970s TV show starring Gavin MacLeod, yet they find themselves humming it because of a recent ad campaign. This has led to a massive surge in people asking about the Love Boat commercial singer, and honestly, the answer depends entirely on which era of the "Sea Witch" you’re watching.
Music is powerful. It sells vacations.
For the modern Princess Cruises commercials, the voice you’re hearing isn't a ghost from the past. It’s a very intentional, high-production tribute to the original. While the legendary Jack Jones recorded the version that defined the show's early years, Princess Cruises has frequently used updated arrangements for their marketing blitzes. In the most recent high-profile "Come Feel the Love" campaign, the brand leaned into a contemporary, lush orchestral version. But to understand why this specific song works so well for a commercial, you have to look at the lineage of the vocalists who have tackled Paul Williams and Charles Fox’s masterpiece.
The Original Legend: Jack Jones
Jack Jones is the gold standard. Period. When the show premiered in 1977, his velvet baritone was the primary engine behind the theme’s success. Jones was a Grammy-winning powerhouse, already famous for hits like "Wives and Lovers." He brought a certain "Cool Vegas" energy to the track that made cruising seem like the height of sophistication.
He didn't just sing the notes; he sold a lifestyle of mid-century glamour.
Interestingly, Jones actually re-recorded the song multiple times. If you listen closely to the show's early seasons versus the mid-run, there are subtle differences in his delivery. He remained the Love Boat commercial singer in spirit for decades, as his version was the one licensed for countless travel agency spots and early Princess Cruises promotions.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
The Dionne Warwick Pivot
Most people forget this part. In the final season of the original series (1985-1986), the producers decided they needed a fresh sound. They brought in the incomparable Dionne Warwick.
It was a bold move.
Warwick’s version was more synth-heavy, reflecting the mid-80s aesthetic. While her talent is undeniable, many fans felt it lacked the "nautical" warmth of the Jones original. Because of this, when modern ad agencies look for a Love Boat commercial singer to front a new campaign, they almost always go back to the Jack Jones style or hire a session vocalist who can mimic that specific 1970s lounge-pop vibrato.
Who is the singer in the current Princess Cruises ads?
The current ads often feature a re-imagined version of the theme. For the "Come Feel the Love" campaign that aired heavily during major sporting events and primetime slots, the vocals were handled by a studio ensemble and featured soloists designed to bridge the gap between nostalgia and modern pop.
Princess Cruises hasn't always put one single name in the credits for these commercial spots. Often, these are "work for hire" arrangements where incredibly talented session singers—the kind of people who sing backup for Lady Gaga or record demos for Disney—are brought in to capture a very specific vibe. The goal is to make it sound exactly like the memory of the song, which is often more polished than the actual 1977 recording.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
The "New Love Boat" (the 1998 revival) featured a version by Charo. Yes, that Charo. While it was energetic, it didn't have the staying power to become a commercial staple.
Why this song is a marketing miracle
Why does a song from nearly 50 years ago still work for a commercial? It’s because of the "Earworm Factor." The interval between the first two notes is instantly recognizable. From a branding perspective, the Love Boat commercial singer has the easiest job in the world because the melody does 90% of the heavy lifting.
Psychologically, the song triggers a sense of "safe adventure." It’s an oxymoron that cruise lines love. It promises something new and exciting, but within the comfortable, familiar confines of a luxury ship. When you hear that singer hit the high note on "The Love Booooat," your brain isn't thinking about 1977. It's thinking about a piña colada.
The Paul Williams Connection
We can’t talk about the singer without the writer. Paul Williams, the diminutive genius behind "Rainbow Connection" and "We've Only Just Begun," wrote the lyrics. He’s gone on record saying that the song was meant to be a simple, catchy invitation. It wasn't supposed to be high art, yet it became one of the most profitable pieces of intellectual property in music history.
Williams’ lyrics are simple.
"Love, exciting and new."
"Come aboard, we’re expecting you."
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
There is no subtext. There is no hidden meaning. It is pure, unadulterated sunshine. This simplicity is why it translates so well to a 30-second commercial. You don't have to think. You just feel.
Misconceptions about the Commercial Voice
A common rumor floating around internet forums is that Bobby Darin or even Frank Sinatra sang a version for a commercial. That’s a total myth. Sinatra never touched it. The confusion likely stems from the fact that Jack Jones sounds a bit like the Rat Pack era singers.
Another misconception? That the cast sang it. While the cast members were certainly multitalented (Fred Grandy, who played Gopher, eventually went to Congress!), they weren't the ones providing the professional vocals for the commercial tracks.
Finding the music today
If you’re looking to add the specific version from the commercials to your playlist, it’s actually kind of tricky. The "Official" TV theme by Jack Jones is available on every streaming platform, from Spotify to Apple Music. However, the specific 30-second arrangements used in the newest Princess Cruises ads are often proprietary. They are owned by the ad agency or the cruise line and aren't always released as full-length singles.
However, if you want that specific "modern but classic" feel, look for the 2017 anniversary versions or the "Come Feel the Love" promotional tracks released by Princess. They often hire high-end orchestras to give the song a "cinematic" sweep that the original TV version lacked.
Actionable Steps for the Nostalgia Hunter
If you’re obsessed with the sound of the Love Boat commercial singer and want to dig deeper, here is exactly how to find the best versions:
- Check the Jack Jones 1980s re-recordings: These are often punchier and higher fidelity than the 1977 original and are frequently what agencies use as a reference.
- Search for "The Love Boat: 20th Anniversary Version": This has a much fuller sound that mimics the contemporary commercial style.
- Look up the "Come Feel the Love" credits: On sites like iSpot.tv, you can often find the specific creative agencies (like Goodby Silverstein & Partners) who produced the ads, though they rarely credit the session singer by name unless it's a major celebrity.
- Listen to the Paul Williams demos: If you want to hear how the song was "born," find the recordings of the songwriter himself singing it. It’s a completely different, more stripped-back experience.
The song isn't going anywhere. As long as there are ships in the water and people wanting to escape their cubicles, that melody will be there, beckoning. Whether it’s Jack Jones or an anonymous session pro in a Burbank studio, the voice of the Love Boat remains the ultimate siren song of the travel industry.