She will then offer a variety of Mediterranean journeys including nine-night Italian Riviera and France itineraries and 10-night Greek Isles itineraries through early October, when she then heads to the Caribbean. Who is Captain Kate McCue - A Trailblazer and Pioneer - Cruise Hive 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 chose the sailboat and spent 2 years at sea with her cat. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. How I SEA it! While she works on the ship 24/7 for three months and . "It's a great time in our industry," she added. The Time I Met Captain Kate McCue - CRUISE NEWS - YouTube Log in to follow creators, like videos, and view comments. On March 8, 2020, McCue further cemented her place in the history books when she captained the history-making, barrier-breaking sailing on Celebrity Edge that comprised a cruise ships first-ever all-female bridge and officer team. She obtained an entry-level position as the lines third mate while sailing predominantly throughout the Caribbean. McCue is the commanding officer for Celebrity Beyond, the cruise lines newest luxury cruise ship launching in spring 2022. Captain Kate McCue To Take The Helm Of Celebrity Cruises - Insider Celebrity Cruise captain Kate McCue explained how her crew was able to rescue a small boat of 19 migrants off the coast of Florida earlier this week in a video posted to social media. What it's like to be a cruise ship captain | CNN Now that she has resumed her captain duties, she has had to give up the weekly plumbing rounds. No matter her location, you can find her on Twitter, on Instagram or at caileyrizzo.com. "This is a day that I've been waiting for since we made the first cut of steel of this beautiful vessel. There are no limitations but those we place upon ourselves. 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. Copyright 2021 - Prevue Meetings. Courtesy Celebrity Cruises . "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. Captain Kate McCue has helmed Celebrity Edge since 2019. companys third ship in its industry-transforming Edge Series debuting in spring 2022. After her memorable first trip, she told her dad she wanted to be a cruise director when she grew up. 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. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Kate McCue became the first American female captain on a mega cruise ship in 2015. On June 28, 2022, she posted a video walked viewers through all considerations that go into cancelling a port of a call, making this information more accessible than ever. Other members of the small group of female cruise ship captains include Karin Stahre-Janson of Sweden, the first woman to hold the top seafaring spot, and Belinda Bennett, the first Black female captain. 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. Additionally, Kate McCue has obtained online fame with over 3.5 million followers on her TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram channels. McCue went to Cal Maritime, encouraged and inspired by her father, who had also once applied there but didn't met the age requirements after a stint in the Peace Corps. She enjoyed her time sailing around Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. This is not your Love Boat or Captain Stubing. What is a Typical Cruise Ship Captain Salary? - High Seas Cruising McCue is the first American woman (and fifth woman overall) to command a. Kate first became a cruise ship captain at the age of 37 after 19 years of training. She remembers distinctly how her father supported her aspirations, but encouraged her to dream bigger. Celebrity Edge was the first major line to resume sailing on June 26, 2021. In 2015, Kate accepted the role of commanding officer for the Celebrity Summit on September 13, 2015. The 43-year-old Celebrity Cruises . Captain Karin Stahre-Janson, from Sweden, became the first female cruise ship captain in the world in 2007, also manning a Celebrity Cruises ship. Credit: 2021 Captain Kate McCue. McCue shares her stateroom with Bug Naked, her elf-ear Sphynx cat whom she pushes around the ship in a baby stroller. The Edge Seriescollectionalso includes Celebrity Apexand Celebrity Edge. McCue worked hard to gain valuable industry experience while living with her cousins for 6 months. 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. Later, she went on to be the master of Celebrity Edge, and has since . Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! To further her education, in 2009, McCue earned a Chief Mate and Masters Licence from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. 590K Followers, 3,532 Posts - Official Instagram of @CelebrityCruises Captain, modern mermaid, red sole rockin' Mum to wanderluster @bugnaked "If you can Sea it, you can Be it" Captain Kate McCue (@captainkatemccue) on Instagram McCue diligently worked to garner industry experience while residing with her cousin for six months. Today, Captain McCue is still the only American female captain of any mega ship. She sailed around Asia, Alaska, Australia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean during her time as second officer. Seeing Beyond, McCue said, gave her "goosebumps on goosebumps.". Captain Kate McCue was appointed master aboard Celebrity Cruises new cruise ship, Celebrity Beyond. 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. While she attended the California Maritime Academy, she completed an internship for Chiquita Brands International working aboard a cargo ship. Nikola Petrovic. In an industry dominated by males, her accomplishment breaks longstanding gender barriers in this field. Learn how her father inspired her to think bigger, leading her to become the first American female captain of a major cruise ship. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Kate McCue is the captain of Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge. McCue was eventually promoted to first officer in 2004 for Royal Caribbean, which was a huge accomplishment for the female sailor. A cruise ship captain's salary depends on the captain's experience, the cruise line they work for, and the size of the ship they sail. https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-ships/celebrity-beyond, Transformational accommodations, from modern two-story villas with plunge pools to staterooms with infinite verandas, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, An expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning resort deck featuring cantilevered float pools, A stunning multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar that defines the ships aft, A first-ever Daniel Boulud fine-dining restaurant at sea called, A redesigned Grand Plaza spanning three decks and creating an airiness never-before experienced on a cruise ship. This is a day that Ive been waiting for since we made the first cut of steel on our beautifulCelebrity Beyond. 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 the first 10 months of the coronavirus pandemic, McCue stayed on the ship in the waters around Florida until the crew members could safely return to their homes in more than 60 countries. This feels SO bizarre to say but TheCaptainKate.com is officially live! Captain Kate McCue uses social media to offer a behind-the-scenes look at cruising. In this day and age, Im shocked that someone still doesnt know the difference between youre and your," she started. Her promotion placed her in the maritime history books. "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. 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. "I spent 19 years looking out the window as an officer of the watch.". 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. 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. She pushes her cat in a baby stroller around the ship; the two share a cabin attached to the ships main control center. In 2015, Celebrity Cruises (which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD) asked Kate to apply for a captains position. Cruise Critic had the opportunity earlier this year to chat with Captain Kate about her career at sea, and what that restart was like. It's a great place to be. ", "I started at the bottom. When Celebrity Cruises Captain Kate McCue became the first American woman to captain a mega cruise ship . Because we never know what can happen," she said, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic that kept the industry shuttered for more than a year in the U.S. McCue has known about her next career move since April but keptquiet about the news. "You can put a boat on a ship, but you can't put a ship on a boat," she said. . "There is no such thing as an average day, because the reality is that every day is different," she said. She supervises 1,200 crew members and makes sure guests follow local laws while docked in a foreign port. As always, thank you for your continued support and for letting me share this Beyond amazing career! 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. In total, Celebrity's fleet will contain 15 ships with the addition of Beyond. Royal Caribbean promoted her to the chief officer (senior first officer) and subsequently, in 2011, to staff captain. Celebrity Cruises states that Captain Kate McCue inspired people globally to reach for their goals. And before she captained the Edge, she served as captain of Celebrity Summit, a role she entered in 2015 and also was captain of Celebrity Equinox before joining the Edge. Captain Kate McCue, the first and only American woman to captain a major cruise ship, is embarking on a new leg of her career by captaining the Celebrity Beyond which is expected to launch . Btw, is one of the nicest folks I've had the pleasure to meet (besides Bob, obviously)! Captain McCue played a major role in resuming services for Celebrity. Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a megaship . Her father supported the idea, but told young Kate she could be anything she wanted -- including the captain of the ship. She's on call 24/7 and takes a nap every afternoon in case something comes up late at night. Fittingly, Captain Kate McCue, the first - and still only . 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. 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. Captain Kate McCue is the first American female captain of a large cruise ship. 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 . "Cargo ships are fine, but I always wanted to be on cruise ships.". Kate McCue demonstrates that you can achieve anything that you can imagine. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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 to Take the Helm of Celebrity Cruises' Newest and captain, watches as construction continues on Celebrity Beyond at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. There she got a degree in business administration, as well as a license to sail "anything from a tugboat to a supertanker, and everything in between," she said. He suggested that she could do anything she wanted, even run the whole ship if that was her dream. Her job was to aid in transporting bananas from Ecuador to Los Angeles. Growing up, McCue had aspirations to be a cruise director after she sailed on her first cruise at the age of 12. Speaking to CNN at the height of the crisis, some crew members said they felt abandoned by the cruise lines, . Who is Captain Kate McCue? | Cruise.Blog "In January, I'll join full time in the yard until her completion," McCue said of the Beyond. McCues following stems from providing people with glimpses of the life of a captain on a cruise ship. McCue said that at that size, you can't call it a boat. In September 2015, she was chosen to be the captain of the Celebrity Summit. Celebrity Beyond will not only hold the title of the largest ship in the fleet, but the distinction as the brands most luxurious vessel. This role solidified her place in maritime history books as the first female commanding officer of a mega ship in the United States. There are so many opportunities for everyone, whether you want to be on the bridge or you want to be in any of the other departments on our ships. Luxury cruises keep crossing paths with migrants | CNN Explore our newest ship, Beyond, with her captain, Kate McCue, and see the ship getting ready for the inaugural sailing on Apr. Youcan check out the full length videos on his FB & Snap . McCue was offered a job in 2003 as a second officer for the Royal Caribbean line, providing her with the opportunity and experience to travel on a global scale and gain more experience in the cruise industry. Like pilots, who put in hours of flight time, captains must put in days at sea. As captain, Kate oversees operations, navigation, safety, and passenger service. All Rights Reserved. Meet Captain Kate McCue - YouTube 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. 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. 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 . Meet Kate McCue, Celebrity Cruises captain and TikTok sensation - USA Today The Captain's strength is in knowing when to call it. Meet the First American Female Cruise Ship Captain The Celebrity Edge's gross tonnage is almost 131,000. 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. 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. Her schedule is three months on, three months off. AbbyCruiser45. The two share quarters attached to the main control center of the ship. was the first ship to sail with passengers in U.S. waters since the beginning of the pandemic, Celebrity Cruises luxury ship, Celebrity Beyond, will have private plunge pools, open spaces, Scarlet Lady set sail in US after 18 month delay amid COVID-19. To be the take out captain for a new vessel is an honor for any captain and it is an absolute dreamcome true for me. 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. "This is a culmination of a career.". She accepted the highly-coveted role of commanding officer for Celebrity Summit in September 2015. Celebrity Cruise captain explains how her crew maneuvered their massive July 27, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. 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. Celebrity Beyond stands at 17 decks high and 21 meters longer than her innovative predecessors Celebrity Edge (2018) and Celebrity Apex (2020). McCue said it took her 19 years from the time she started working on ships to become a captain in 2015. She states that others tend to just call her Kate when she had Captain Kate on her name tag. If you've ever sailed on a cruise ship, you could almost count on the fact that the captain. Kates fur baby can be seen in a baby stroller aboard the cruise line. The ship's first sailing will be a 10-night Western European voyage sailing to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. It's an incredible environment, and it's an opportunity to travel the world and meet the best people. After graduating from the California State University Maritime Academy, McCue received a job offer from Disney Cruise Line. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent, Just Back From Hurtigruten's Finnmarken: The First Cruise Ship to Set Sail, Post-Covid, Celestyal Cruises Buys Costa Cruises Ship, The Majestic Line Set to be First Cruise Line to Restart Cruising in the UK, 13 Times This Cruise Cat Was Absolutely Purr-fect For Halloween, Ships Ahoy! captainkatemccue (@captainkatemccue) Official | TikTok At 37 years of age, Kate McCue made history. She's a cruise ship captain. His advice to her was that she could do anything she wanted, including captaining the ship. 2023 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (for Accredited Press Only), Captain Kate McCue to Take the Helm of Celebrity Cruises Newest and Most Luxurious Ship Celebrity BeyondSM, From the Edge to Beyond: Highly Anticipated Ship Debuts April 2022. The cruise line has publicly acknowledged that McCue provided an opportunity to make significant changes to gender equality at the company. Kate McCue is considered both a pioneer and a trailblazer in this field as she demonstrates another occupation in that women can succeed. She told her father that she wanted to be a cruise director when she grew up. She was now second in command. Captain Kate McCue: Salary, Age, Husband & Fun Facts It took me 19 years to earn that title.. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. In 2015, then-37-year-old McCue became the first female American captain of a megaship. There is a wide range of estimates on cruise ship captains' salaries, as . She completed a degree in business administration in addition to studying celestial navigation during her spring break. 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. Captain Kate has transcended what it means to be a captain as a voice and example of inclusivity, diversity, and change," Lutoff-Perlo said. McCue said to The Washington Post, It took me 19 years to earn that title.". CRUISE NEWS, The Time I Met Captain Kate McCue. The captain said Celebrity Cruises has been working hard to get more female representation on board. The ship begins its maiden voyage on April 27, 2022, from Southampton, England. 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.