Sun Princess’ New Godmother, Hannah Waddingham, Has One Very Important Tip to Share With Cruisers

When Princess Cruises asked Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham if she might be interested in serving as the godmother to their new ship, she didn’t hesitate for a second. As it turns out, her family has a long and storied history when it comes to the sea. 

“I don’t think it’s something they knew,” admits the multi-talented performer best known to American audiences for her role as Rebecca on the Apple+ series. “But my grandfather, who is still alive at 107, was in the Royal Navy. He served in the North Atlantic convoy, scraping ice off the bows of ships.”

As a result, when she was approached by Princess to become godmother, “I replied immediately, because it’s something I couldn’t turn down!” 

Needless to say, her grandfather was amongst the first she told. “I am going to try and take him to Portsmith to see the ship,” she shares as we chat in the glass-encased dome which is a signature of the ship over which she officially reigns. 

Obviously, one would assume that being godmother of a billion-dollar cruise ship comes with more than a few perks. Waddingham’s favorite? “That I can bring my daughter on board so she can explore and learn the ways of the sea,” she says. I haven’t scheduled time to do that yet, what with my schedule and all, but trust me, I will!” 

Having had a chance to poke around a bit, Waddingham is clearly impressed with the Sun Princess. “I don’t think people realize how much you can do on a cruise ship,” she says of those who’ve never experienced one of the modern wonders. 

Asked which of her former Ted Lasso co-stars she’d love to take a cruise with, Waddingham doesn’t pause for a second before answering. “Oh, hello, 100 percent Juno Temple,” she says, best known to viewers as Rebecca’s bestie, Keeley. “All day, every day. Although I will have to try and take her massive, massive high-heel boots off!” 

Glancing down at her feet, she recognizes the irony of that statement before offering a fashion-forward tip: “I may be wearing heels today, but in general, you have to wear a pair of flats on a cruise ship!” 

Sun Princess is currently doing European sailings for the summer, and will reposition to the Caribbean at the end of the Mediterranean season.