Approximately 41 years ago, a new television show set aboard a cruise ship premiered featuring stories of romance, hijinks and adventure on the high seas with guest appearances by some of the biggest stars of the day.

On Thursday, May 10, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor the original cast of “The Love Boat” and Princess Cruises with an honorary plaque on the sidewalk in front of the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. The plaque is not a Hollywood Walk of Fame star but will be located nearby the Walk of Fame.

“The Love Boat” cast includes Gavin MacLeod (Capt. Stubing), Jill Whelan (Vicki), Ted Lange (Isaac), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Lauren Tewes (Julie) and Fred Grandy (Gopher).

“What an unexpected thrill for our cast to be honored with Princess Cruises on Hollywood Boulevard,” MacLeod said. “‘The Love Boat’ offered us many opportunities to see the world, create lifelong friendships and of course introduce the joys of cruising. People still approach me and say that the show gave them something to dream about – falling in love [and] finding happiness, all while sparking the desire to travel.”

The idea for the show began in the mid-1970s when television producer Douglas S. Cramer, who had created the television series “Love, American Style,” decided to transplant his popular comedy vignette series from its studio setting to the environs of a modern cruise ship. The resulting television show, “The Love Boat” has been widely credited with introducing millions of viewers to the concept of a contemporary cruise vacation and the dramatic growth of the industry.

“We’re proud to welcome the original cast of ‘The Love Boat’ and Princess Cruises as friends of the Walk of Fame recognizing their contribution to the history of television and support for the preservation of the Walk of Fame,” said Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

After the 1977 pilot show, which was shot aboard the line’s original Sun Princess in Mexico, Cramer partnered with television producer Aaron Spelling to create “The Love Boat” series, which ran for 10 seasons. “The Love Boat” featured more than 1,000 celebrity guest stars including Tom Hanks, Florence Henderson, Charo, Debbie Reynolds, Milton Berle, Mickey Rooney, Ethel Merman and Ginger Rogers. The original “Love Boat” series is in worldwide syndication.

For information, visit hollywoodchamber.net.