The dynamic and decorated captain will usher in a new era for the new-luxury brand, sailing a ship brought to life by a dream team of modern lifestyle icons including multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; celebrated American designer Nate Berkus; the culinary gifts of Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud; and featuring wellness experiences and products from goop CEO and founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the brands Well-Being Advisor. Since that time Captain Kate has been a pioneer and trailblazer, breaking the gender barrier in 2015 when Lutoff-Perlo named her to be the first -- and still only -- American female to captain a major cruise ship - Celebrity Summit. She constantly thinks about how she can go above and beyond, mirroring the exceptional design and imagination of the ship she will captain. Meet Kate McCue, First American Woman to Captain Mega Cruise Ship - Insider Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. McCue was eventually promoted to first officer in 2004 for Royal Caribbean, which was a huge accomplishment for the female sailor. This promotion placed Kate as second in command for Royal Caribbean in 2011. Now that she has resumed her captain duties, she has had to give up the weekly plumbing rounds. In September 2015, she was chosen to be the captain of the Celebrity Summit. Their cabin is attached to the bridge, the main control center. @onespaworld, Snack it to me! The Celebrity Edge, she came out with 30% of the bridge team being female," she said, adding that she hopes other companies will soon follow suit. The Time I Met Captain Kate McCue - CRUISE NEWS - YouTube Captain Kate McCue (@captainkatemccue) on Instagram The Beyond is the first ship she will captain from its launch. Captain McCue also has a notable companion onboard, her elf-ear Sphynx cat named Bug Naked. Captain Kate headed the first-ever sailing with an entirely female bridge and officer team. Captain Kate McCue to Helm Celebrity Beyond in 2022 - Cruise Critic When in a new city, she's usually out to discover under-the-radar art, culture, and secondhand stores. Captain Kate also led the Celebrity fleet - and the industry - back into operation when, on June 26, 2021, Celebrity Edge became the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in . All Rights Reserved. 1st Officer Sahira brings the sweet & savory snacks of Japan to try! By Andrea Sachs. Celebrity Cruises has praised Kate for being a trailblazer in her field. "It is a unique environment where you play, you work, we sleep all in the same place. Captain Karin Stahre-Janson, from Sweden, became the first female cruise ship captain in the world in 2007, also manning a Celebrity Cruises ship. When Celebrity Cruises Captain Kate McCue became the first American woman to captain a mega cruise ship in 2015, it didn't take her long to bring her hairless Sphinx aboard. I'm honestly not sure what most of that means but my 50 minutes made me feel like I just had a fantastic nap, which is handy as we change the time zones almost daily on the way to Europe. Captain Kate also led the Celebrity fleetand the industryback into operation when, on June 26, 2021,Celebrity Edgebecame the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in more than a year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. She supervises 1,200 crew members and makes sure guests follow local laws while docked in a foreign port. Later, she went on to be the master of Celebrity Edge, and has since . Every element of Celebrity Beyonds look and feel has been carefully curated with newly imagined spaces and expanded versions of the brands popular signature spaces, including: Celebrity Beyonds maiden voyage will depart on April 27, 2022, from Southampton, England, for a 10-night Western Europe cruise visiting Bordeaux, France; Lisbon, Portugal; and Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain. When she became the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit in 2015, it was the first time that an American woman had been named captain of a "Mega" cruise ship. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. It's an incredible environment, and it's an opportunity to travel the world and meet the best people. This accomplishment brought her closer to her ultimate dream of becoming a ship captain. Login to access downloadable video and image content She has more TikTok followers than Alex Rodriguez, Kesha and Rebel Wilson but Kate McCue is not a sports star or an entertainer. As a California native, McCue attended college at the California State Universitys Maritime Academy. McCue worked hard to gain valuable industry experience while living with her cousins for 6 months. While McCue said she couldn't get one without the other, the idea was also that she would have the degree to fall back on should she ever get sick of sailing. "You know, more ships are coming out. Captain Kate McCue - YouTube Celebrity Cruises president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said that McCue mirrors"the exceptional design and imagination" of the ship by constantly going the extra mile. Luxury cruises keep crossing paths with migrants | CNN CEO and President of Celebrity Cruises stated, Captain Kate has transcended what it means to be captain as a voice and example of inclusivity, diversity and change. Sign up for notifications from Insider! This is a day that Ive been waiting for since we made the first cut of steel on our beautiful Celebrity Beyond. Captain Kate also played a major role in restarting cruise for Celebrity when Celebrity Edge, under her command, became the first major cruise ship to resume service from a U.S. homeport June 26. MIAMI (October 14, 2021) Exciting news today, as Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced Captain Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain, will take the helm of Celebrity Beyond, the companys third ship in its industry-transforming Edge Series debuting in spring 2022. Captain Kate McCue To Take The Helm Of Celebrity Cruises - Insider Celebrity Edge Captain Kate McCue tells CNN Travel what it's like taking charge of an enormous floating city and navigating the unexpected, choppy waters of the pandemic. For Captain Kate, the seed to be a captain was planted following a cruise the then-12-year-old McCue took with her family. McCue is the first American woman (and fifth woman overall) to command a. She chose the sailboat and spent 2 years at sea with her cat. Captain Kate McCue to Take Helm of Celebrity Beyond McCues following stems from providing people with glimpses of the life of a captain on a cruise ship. Captain Kate McCue will take the helm of brand new - Travelweek NOW WATCH: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer, Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, working, eating, and sleeping all in the same place, She documents her adventures on Instagram, staffed by an all-women bridge and officer team, I went deep into the bowels of the world's largest cruise ship to get a behind-the-scenes look at how it makes 30,000 meals a day, A performer on the world's largest cruise ship reveals how she got the gig, and what working at sea is really like, After years of traveling, I went on my very first cruise and found it was a totally different way of seeing the world. The Celebrity Edge ship has a unique passenger aboard, a hairless cat. She fondly remembered her father supporting her decision but informing her to dream bigger. Celebrity Cruise captain explains how her crew maneuvered their massive This is a day that Ive been waiting for since we made the first cut of steel on our beautifulCelebrity Beyond. Your only a woman," a social media user wrote to McCue, 42, who became the first American female captain of a mega-ship in 2015. On March 8, 2020, McCue further cemented her place in the history books when she captained the history-making, barrier-breaking sailing onCelebrity Edgethat comprised a cruise ships first-ever all-female bridge and officer team. The Celebrity Edge's gross tonnage is almost 131,000. Her dad supported her decision but encouraged her to think bigger: Instead of just planning activities for passengers, why not run the whole ship? McCue has also become something of an online celebrity. His advice to her was that she could do anything she wanted, including captaining the ship. LGBT Meeting Professionals Association Thrives, Global Recognition Awards Winners Announced, Incentive Adventures With Scenic: Small Ship Luxury, Transcend Cruises: Purpose Built for Groups, Cruise State of The Industry: Rebounding and Ready for Incentives. I never get stuck in traffic when I go to work, she said. Captain Kate also led the Celebrity fleet and the industry back into operation when, on June 26, 2021, Celebrity Edge became the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in more than a year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The Celebrity Beyond is the largest ship in the fleet, and its inaugural season was spent offering ten-night voyages going to Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands. Captain Kate has transcended what it means to be a captain as a voice and example of inclusivity, diversity, and change, said Lutoff-Perlo, in a press statement. "I would prefer five months on to two weeks off. She enjoyed her time sailing around Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. "To be the 'take out' captain for a new vessel is an honor for any captain, and it is an absolute dream come true for me," McCue said in a statement. She explained that she's in charge of all the ship's department heads, who report directly to her and include a chief engineer, a hotel director, a staff captain responsible for security and ship maintenance, and a human-resources manager. Passengers note that Kate only has the name Captain on her name tag. Kate McCue - who became the first American woman to captain a megaship at the age of 38 and accessorises her uniform with black platform patent Christian Louboutins - may be pretty, but she . "We've got this really neat kind of around-the-world honeymoon thing going on, which is really cool because it makes the most out of the time we have, and we're having some really epic adventures," she said. According to McCue, he told her, "You can do anything you want, including drive the thing.". MIAMI Celebrity Cruises' President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo recently announced that Captain Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain, will take the helm of Celebrity Beyond . "We're hoping that something like this International Women's Day we put that message out there and people start to get on board and other companies will start to catch up, because right now we have over twice the representation actually I think three times the representation of any company in the cruise industry," she said. How to plan a cruise to ensure it goes smoothly, 13 Things Celebrity Cruises does different than Royal Caribbean that I like better, Disney Cruise Lines newest private island Lighthouse Point: Everything we know so far. Your IP address is listed in our blacklist and blocked from completing this request. It's not all hard work, though, as McCue said she gets to go out and explore the ports along the cruise's stops. Born in California, Kate McCue went to the Maritime Academy at California State University. In total, Celebrity's fleet will contain 15 ships with the addition of Beyond. I always say that if you see it, you can be it and I hope that Celebrity Beyond sails as an inspiration for all to see past convention in pursuit of any goal in life, said Captain Kate McCue. Captain Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain, will take the helm of Celebrity Beyond , debuting in spring 2022. McCue said her days are spent in daily meetings with these department heads, leading various inspections of the ship, doing paperwork, and participating in events with the guests and crew. According to Comparably, a cruise ship captain's salary is around $93,328 per year, in a salary range from $48,485 to $180,308. 0:44. A Weekly Round-Up Of Worldwide Cruise Ship News, Live From Celebrity Edge: A Cruise That Seems Normal Again; "I'm So Hopeful", Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of The Seas Cruise Ship Officially Christened, Celebrity Beyond Completes Sea Trials; Moves One Step Closer to Debut, Celebrity Cruises Partners with Annie Leibovitz, Renowned Photographers in Project That Recognizes Diversity in Travel, Live from Grandeur of the Seas: The Beloved Lady G Cruise Ship Still Reigns, Captain Kate McCue serves as the captain on Celebrity Edge (Photo: Celebrity Cruises). Captain Kate McCue's Maritime Career. The 1,073-foot-long vessel, which will be able to host 3,260 passengers in1,646 stateroomsis the third ship inthe Royal Caribbean Group subsidiary's Edge Series. This is described as: "Vibroacoustic, electromagnetic and infrared technology uses healing sound resonance in tandem with full body vibrations, natural Earth frequencies and infrared for an unbelievable mind, body, and spirit experience that is only reached in deep meditation states. In this day and age, Im shocked that someone still doesnt know the difference between youre and your," she started. The Beyond, which Celebrity touts as its largest and most luxurious ship to date,is scheduled to set sail on a Western Europe cruisefrom Southampton, England on April 27 for 10 nights with McCue at the helm. There are no limitations but those we place upon ourselves. Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo on Thursday appointed Captain Kate to helm of .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Celebrity Beyond, the third of the line's Edge Class vessels. Kate McCue and her cat Bug Naked, are voyaging the open seas together as best friends.. Captain Kate to helm Celebrity Beyond cruise launching in April - USA Today In 2015, Kate McCue made history when she became captain of the Celebrity Edge at the age of 37 years old. Kate McCue - Wikipedia What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Captain McCue played a major role in resuming services for Celebrity. Meet Kate McCue, the First American Woman to Captain a Cruise Liner: 'Let's Go Together' Season 2, Episode 22 A Buzzy Art Scene Has Popped Up in the Cayman Islands Here's What to See The 19 . There is a wide range of estimates on cruise ship captains' salaries, as . This is not your Love Boat or Captain Stubing. In 2015, McCue, who was 37 years old, secured a place in the maritime history books as the first female American captain of a megaship. Captain Kate is giving her followers a glimpse into the life of a cruise ship captain. AbbyCruiser45. Captain Kate McCue - Brains and Beauty on the Edge Captain Kate McCue, who has more than 3.5 million follows across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, has already been breaking records as the first American female to captain a major cruise ship. Senior Editor, News and Features. After her time in Hawaii, McCue applied to cruise lines for nearly 9 months before landing a position with Disney Cruise Line. Disembarking the pilot today in Ponta Delgada. To be the take out captain for a new vessel is an honor for any captain and it is an absolute dream come true for me. Captain Kate McCue, who has millions of followers on TikTok and hundreds of thousands more on Instagram, shared video of the rescue and its aftermath, thanking her crew for jumping into action and . The cruise line has publicly acknowledged that McCue provided an opportunity to make significant changes to gender equality at the company. People have described Kate as someone who goes above and beyond. You know, this real world sucks. When Celebrity Cruises Captain Kate McCue became the first American woman to captain a mega cruise ship . She is currently employed by Celebrity Cruises and is the captain of the Celebrity Beyond. The Edge Seriescollectionalso includes Celebrity Apexand Celebrity Edge. As captain, shes in charge of navigation, operations, safety, passenger service and 1,220 crew members. Celebrity Cruises states that Captain Kate McCue inspired people globally to reach for their goals. Kate McCue demonstrates that you can achieve anything that you can imagine. She constantly thinks about how she can go above and beyond, mirroring the exceptional design and imagination of the ship she will captain. Captain Kate McCue has been the commanding officer onboard Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Edge since her first captain role with the company in 2015. This historic sailing took place on International Women's Day - March 8, 2020 - aboard the Celebrity Edge. She documents her adventures on Instagram, where she's racked up over 91,000 followers. Kate McCue, captain of the Celebrity Edge, a 2,918-passenger cruise ship, says she has too much time off work. Of the more than 300 passenger cruise ships around the world, only nine are captained by women, according to the Womens International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). www.travelweek.ca/news/captain-kate-mccue-will-take-the-helm-of-brand-new-celebrity-beyond-in-spring-2022/, Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_15_6) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/15.5 Safari/605.1.15. She helped transport bananas between Ecuador and Los Angeles. "We've gone from a 3% female bridge team to over 22% on every single ship in our fleet. In 2015, Kate accepted the role of commanding officer for the Celebrity Summit on September 13, 2015. It's sitting in traffic, going grocery shopping, cooking for yourself, making your own bed, all of those things.". Captain Kate then was appointed to Celebrity Equinox before taking command of Celebrity Edge in September 2019. When I started documenting my life as a cruise ship Captain, I never, in a million years, expected the interest or following that has grown around this platform. She obtained an entry-level position as the lines third mate while sailing predominantly throughout the Caribbean. When Celebrity Beyond departs on its maiden voyage April 27 from Southampton, England, it will become the largest vessel in the Celebrity Cruises fleet. Today, Captain McCue is still the only American female captain of any mega ship. While she works on the ship 24/7 for three months and then has three months off, McCue said she loves her job so much that she would happily take less time off. During construction of the Celebrity Beyond, she provided viewers with behind-the-scenes footage of the ship's construction. And people wonder why I choose to vacation where I work! The Celebrity Cruises captain finished the video by settling into her captains chair and reminding commenters where she could be found. The ship's first sailing will be a 10-night Western European voyage sailing to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. "Cargo ships are fine, but I always wanted to be on cruise ships.". She constantly thinks about how she can go above and beyond.. McCue is a trailblazer and pioneer in the cruise industry - breaking the gender barrier and proving that women can take leadership roles in the same way that men can. He told his daughter that she could attain anything she desired, including being a ship captain, if thats what she wanted. This feels SO bizarre to say but TheCaptainKate.com is officially live! As captain, Kate oversees operations, navigation, safety, and passenger service. Mega-ship Captain Kate McCue taught a quick grammar lesson on Tik-Tok for after a follower questioned her position simply because she's a woman. According to McCue, a mega cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 80,000 or more; the Celebrity Edge's is almost 131,000. Captain Kate McCue Is a trailblazer in the maritime industry, and is the first American female to take the helm of a mega cruise ship, but she is so much more! Captain Kate McCue: 'Why I couldn't abandon my cruise ship - even Captain Dimitrios is a master at using the elements to safely maneuver, but every ship & port has it's limits. It eliminates EMF radiation from the entire body, enhances a meditative state and self awareness, supports quality sleep, enhances brain function and memory". I was an apprentice officer on banana boats, which were taking bananas between Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Long Beach," she said. I think its about high time that I address this," she said in her TikTok earlier this week and proceeded to shut down the shamer in a comeback disguised as a teaching moment. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. , I'm always down to try something new, especially in the Spa (or food )! She was 12 years old, and, after the trip was finished, she told her father she wanted to be a cruise director when she grew up. Following her graduation from the maritime academy, she moved to Hawaii to work as a general deckhand on a catamaran. McCue said she became interested in cruises after going on a voyage with her family. Captain Kate McCue became the first American female captain of a mega cruise ship when she took the helm of Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit in 2015. Seeing Beyond, McCue said, gave her "goosebumps on goosebumps.". Who is Captain Kate McCue - A Trailblazer and Pioneer - Cruise Hive One of Celebrity's most popular captains, Captain Kate McCue became the first American woman to captain a major cruise ship in 2015, when she took the helm of Celebrity Summit. Celebrity Cruises has praised Kate for being a trailblazer in the cruise industry. McCue did not allow her gender to limit her thinking. I always say that if you see it, you can be it and I hope thatCelebrity Beyondsails as an inspiration for all to see past convention in pursuit of any goal in life, said Captain Kate McCue, in a press statement. What it's like to be a cruise ship captain - CNN The endearing and charismatic McCue has also become a social media celebrity, amassing nearly 3.5 million followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube by humanizing the profile of captain and sharing behind the scenes looks at seafaring life. "I think the secret to a happy marriage is 12 time zones," McCue said, adding that she sees her husband of 13 years more now via FaceTime than they did when they both worked on the same ship. Changes Up Ahead: Promotion to Celebrity Cruises, Maritime Academy at California State University, Mechanical Issue Forces Disney Ship to Skip Port, Adjust Itinerary, First Cruise Ship Arrives for Busy Montreal Season, Another Overbooked Oasis-Class Royal Caribbean Ship. Captain Kate has transcended what it means to be a captain as a voice and example of inclusivity, diversity, and change," Lutoff-Perlo said. The Harbor Pilot brings valuable knowledge onboard about the port (tides, currents, weather, traffic, hazards to navigation aids, etc). 2023 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. She is also in charge of nearly 1,200 crew members onboard, along with ensuring passengers follow local laws when docked in foreign ports. If you've ever sailed on a cruise ship, you could almost count on the fact that the captain. "This is a culmination of a career.". She told her father that she wanted to be a cruise director when she grew up. Royal Caribbean promoted her to the chief officer (senior first officer) and subsequently, in 2011, to staff captain. Find FAQ's, ask questions, join the list for upcoming info & releases! Her father supported the idea, but told young Kate she could be anything she wanted -- including the captain of the ship. She supervises 1,200 crew members and makes sure guests follow local laws while docked in a foreign port. Since the age of 12, she aspired to become a cruise director. Copyright 2021 - Prevue Meetings. McCue shares her stateroom with Bug Naked, her elf-ear Sphynx cat whom she pushes around the ship in a baby stroller. McCue accomplished her dream of becoming the first female commanding officer of a mega-ship. While the job is demanding, according to McCue, it has its perks. Captain McCue commanded the ship and the 26 other women to create an all-female bridge and officer leadership team. Nikola Petrovic. Youcan check out the full length videos on his FB & Snap . Allie's been on nearly 30 cruises all over the world. , There's usually something on sale & if not for you, it might make a good souvenir/gift for someone back home, Combining climate controlled exercise & an appreciation for the art and creativity on board. , Whiteboards beware! "How can you be a captain? "To say 'I'm honored' is an understatement," McCue, 43, who has been working in the industry for two decades,told USA TODAY. Capt. She pushes her cat in a baby stroller around the ship; the two share a cabin attached to the ships main control center. Captain Kate has transcended what it means to be a captain as a voice and example of inclusivity, diversity, and change, said Lutoff-Perlo. Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a megaship . This brought her one step closer to her dream, as she was now fully qualified to take command of a vessel. How I SEA it! Industry Q&A: Captain Kate McCue of Celebrity Cruises Discusses Life Kate McCue is considered both a pioneer and a trailblazer in this field as she demonstrates another occupation in that women can succeed. During her time at the university, she landed an internship for Chiquita Brands International working on one of their cargo ships. The ship begins its maiden voyage on April 27, 2022, from Southampton, England. captain, watches as construction continues on Celebrity Beyond at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. First look:Celebrity Cruises luxury ship, Celebrity Beyond, will have private plunge pools, open spaces, Virgin Voyages' first ship:Scarlet Lady set sail in US after 18 month delay amid COVID-19. First American Woman to Captain a Cruise Ship Delivers Master - Leisure It's truly great to meet someone you follow and admire and realize they are even nicer in person.#cruiseship.