Captain Kate McCue is the first American female captain of a major cruise ship. In a male-dominated industry, her accomplishment breaks down long-standing gender barriers in this area. Kate McCue is considered both a pioneer and trailblazer in this field, as she demonstrates another profession in which women can succeed.
At 37, Kate McCue has made history. In 2015, she was chosen to be the captain of the Celebrity benefit. McCue was also the first commander to depart from a United States port after the pandemic shutdowns. These closures crippled the cruise industry for more than a year.
A fiery passion for sailing
After her first cruise, McCue fell in love with sailing. Since the age of 12, she aspired to become a cruise director. She fondly remembered her father supporting her decision but advising her to dream bigger. He told his daughter she could achieve anything she wanted, including being a ship’s captain, if that was what she wanted.
Born in California, Kate McCue went to the California State University Maritime Academy. She completed a degree in business administration in addition to studying celestial navigation during her spring break.
While attending California Maritime Academy, she interned for Chiquita Brands International aboard a freighter. His job was to help transport bananas from Ecuador to Los Angeles.
After graduating from the academy, McCue moved to Hawaii. She started working as a deckhand aboard a catamaran. McCue worked diligently to gain experience in the industry while residing with his cousin for six months.
Professional growth
After Hawaii, she applied to several cruise lines for nearly nine months before getting a job with Disney Cruise Line. She secured an entry-level position as a third mate of the line while sailing primarily in the Caribbean.
McCue was offered a job in 2003 as a second officer for the Royal Caribbean line, giving him the opportunity and experience to travel globally and gain more experience in the airline industry. cruises. She enjoyed her time sailing around Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
In 2004, McCue was promoted to first officer for the same cruise line, a groundbreaking achievement for a woman.
To further his education, in 2009 McCue earned a sophomore and master’s degree from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. This achievement brought her one step closer to her ultimate dream of becoming a ship’s captain. At this point, she was qualified to command a ship.
Royal Caribbean promoted her to chief officer (first senior officer) and then, in 2011, staff captain. She was now second in command.
Celebrity Cruises, owned by Royal Caribbean Group, has asked Kate McCue to apply for the role of captain. In 2015, Kate accepted the role of commanding officer of the Celebrity Summit.
Her promotion put her in the maritime history books. McCue has fulfilled her dream of becoming the first female commander of a mega-ship.
As captain, Kate oversees operations, navigation, safety and passenger service. She oversees 1,200 crew members and ensures guests follow local laws when docked in a foreign port. Since 2015, Captain Kate McCue has worked as the Commander of the Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Summitand Celebrity benefit.
Captain McCue played a major role in resumption of services for Celebrity. Celebrity benefit was the first major line to resume shipping on June 26, 2021.
People have described Kate as someone who goes above and beyond. Her leadership style mimics the imagination and design of the ships she leads. Kate simply transcends being a captain; she is a living example of change, diversity and inclusiveness.
Pioneer and trailblazer
Celebrity Cruises praised Kate for being a pioneer in her field. The cruise line has publicly acknowledged that Kate provides opportunities for significant changes in the business for gender equality.
Celebrity Cruises says Captain Kate McCue has inspired people around the world to achieve their goals. Additionally, Kate McCue has achieved online fame with over 3.5 million subscribers on her TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram channels. McCue’s sequel stems from providing people with a glimpse into life as a captain on a cruise ship.
What awaits us?
Captain Kate McCue has been named captain aboard Celebrity Cruise’s newest cruise ship, Celebrity Beyond. The new luxury ship debuts in the spring of 2022. It’s a huge honor for any captain. The ship begins its maiden voyage on April 27, 2022 from Southampton, England.
the Celebrity Beyond is the largest ship in the fleet, and it offers a ten-night voyage, bound for Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
McCue’s personal side
McCue’s onboard companion is his Sphynx cat, Bug Naked. Kate’s fur baby can be seen in a stroller aboard the cruise line. The two common quarters attached to the ship’s main control center.
Passengers note that Kate only has the name “Captain” on her tag. Kate noted that people tended to just call her Kate when she had “Captain Kate” on the name tag. McCue is proud of her accomplishments as it took 19 years to earn the captaincy.
Kate McCue demonstrates that you can achieve anything you can imagine. There are no limits other than those we impose on ourselves. McCue did not allow her gender to limit her thinking.
Through determination and years of hard work, Kate finally achieved her dream of becoming a ship’s captain, paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
