Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a mega cruise vessel, announced on Monday that she’s leaving Celebrity Cruises after more than two decades of service.
by: Andrea Santillan
(Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)
The internet-famous captain revealed on Instagram, “Today, I say farewell to Celebrity. I’ve spent the last 22 years on 11 ships in the Royal Caribbean Group, from 2nd Officer to Captain. I have seen some of the most beautiful places, met inspiring and wonderful people, and had opportunities to live my 12-year-old dream out loud!”
A Trailblazing Career at Sea
(Photo courtesy of Kate McCue’s Facebook)
Captain Kate began working in the cruise industry in 2002 as a Third Mate for Disney Cruise Line before joining Royal Caribbean and eventually Celebrity Cruises.
Her groundbreaking achievement came in 2015 when, at age 37, she became the first American female captain of Celebrity Summit. She later commanded Celebrity Edge and Equinox and was a spokesperson for Celebrity’s Edge-class vessels.
Fans and Colleagues Express Support
Doug with Captain Kate and her cat Bug Naked on Celebrity Edge this past summer
With one million Instagram followers and over 84,000 YouTube subscribers, Captain Kate has built a devoted online community. News of her departure prompted an outpouring of appreciation from colleagues, followers, and former passengers.
“A leader who will forever be an example throughout my career at sea! In the eight years we worked together, I can’t recall a single moment when she wasn’t fully present, demonstrating unwavering love, care, and passion for her profession,” wrote one co-worker.
Another said, “You are an inspiration for girls all over the world to be able to become a captain of a major cruise ship one day.”
A New Chapter Awaits
In 2015, Captain Kate was the first American cruise ship captain. (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)
While Captain Kate didn’t elaborate on her reasons for leaving, she mentioned experiencing “big life changes” recently. “Simply put, life has an incredible way of reminding us what’s important and changing up priorities,” she explained.
However, she reassured fans that her maritime journey is far from over. “Are my sailing days over? Absolutely not! I’ve got too much salt in my veins to leave the sea behind,” she added.
Throughout her distinguished career, Captain Kate has been a fearless and inspiring presence. She has led rescue missions at sea and stood up to online critics—all while sailing with her beloved Sphynx cat, Bug, who sadly passed away in December 2024.
For the countless young women inspired by her groundbreaking career, Captain Kate’s story reminds them that even the most challenging seas can be navigated with determination, skill, and perhaps a shipboard cat named Bug.