Celebrity Cruises appoints first female captain

For the first time in Celebrity Cruises’ history, an American female will take the helm of a mega-tonne cruise ship.

Kate McCue, who is 37 and from San Francisco,  will command the 91,000-tonne, 965-foot Celebrity Summit.

The vessel will sail between the eastern United States and Bermuda with McCue as captain. She will be responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the onboard experience of its 2,158 guests and 952 crew members.

“From the first time I met Kate, I looked forward to this moment, when I could extend my congratulations to her for being such a dynamic and highly respected leader who will continue to pave the way for women in the maritime industry,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, who was named President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.

“Of all the great moments throughout my career, this is at the top of my list. I am both honoured that Kate accepted this position, and proud of the way our team continues to transform the way people think about Celebrity, and about cruising in general.”

“Becoming the first female American captain of a cruise ship has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember,” said McCue. “The honor is amplified by being the first at a company like Celebrity Cruises. The cruise industry is ever-evolving, from the ships and the itineraries, to our guests’ expectations for vacation experiences.

“Celebrity has a history of delivering on each of these, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.  I look forward to working with an amazing team and the exceptional leadership who bring the Celebrity Cruises vision to life every day.”