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Female Captain Announced

CruisingChick

By CruisingChick,
in Celebrity Cruises

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CruisingChick

CruisingChick

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http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2067104

 

Kate McCue Advances Women's Leadership in Cruising as Celebrity Cruises Names Her the Industry's First-Ever American Female Captain

 

 

MIAMI, July 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in the cruise industry – and in Celebrity Cruises' history – an American female will take the helm of a mega-ton cruise ship. At 37 years of age, San Francisco native Kate McCue will command Celebrity Summit– a 91,000-ton, 965-foot ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet, sailing between the eastern United States and Bermuda. 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.

 

Celebrity Cruises named Kate McCue as the cruise industry's first American female captain

 

The modern luxury cruise brand, which operates a fleet of 10 ships, has elevated McCue to the position of Captain based on her 15 years of successful experience and leadership in the maritime industry. During her tenure, McCue has managed ship logistics while sailing worldwide itineraries, including Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and along the Panama Canal. Captain McCue has also served as a maritime leader while sailing several transatlantic and repositioning cruises, and played a notable role in the revitalization of ships in Singapore.

 

Continuing Celebrity Cruises' dedication to advancing the role of women in leadership, Kate McCue's appointment follows that of Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, who was named President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises in December 2014.

 

"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 Lutoff-Perlo. "Of all the great moments throughout my career, this is at the top of my list. I am both honored 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."

 

A graduate of California State University's California Maritime Academy, Captain McCue has held a variety of roles in the maritime industry, beginning as a cadet and deck officer, then working through a series of successively more responsible positions to her most recent role as Master Mariner with Royal Caribbean International. McCue has earned numerous certifications in a variety of areas pertaining to leadership navigation, ship management and security.

 

"Becoming the first female American captain of a cruise ship has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember," says 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."

 

McCue will begin her new role on Celebrity Summit in August of 2015.

 

For more information about Celebrity Cruises, visit http://www.celebritycruises.com or 1-800-437-3111.

 

About Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers' precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 10 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit http://www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150713/235420

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kate-mccue-advances-womens-leadership-in-cruising-as-celebrity-cruises-names-her-the-industrys-first-ever-american-female-captain-300111992.html

 

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises

 

Katherine Hill, 305.539.6127, katherinehill@rccl.com; Stephanie Holder, 305.982.2959, sholder@rccl.com

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

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Congratulations to Captain McCue!!! Yeah to Celebrity for being progressive.

 

I personally would not call it "progressive" in the year 2015 for an employer to appoint the first woman anything. I'd call it "long overdue."

 

Huge congratulations to Captain McCue!

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jcpc

jcpc

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Congrats to her and Celebrity, it will be nice to have a Captain who we can understand when announcements will be made.

 

I just said that exact same thing to a friend of mine.

Edited by jcpc
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boscobeans

boscobeans

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I personally would not call it "progressive" in the year 2015 for an employer to appoint the first woman anything. I'd call it "long overdue."

 

Huge congratulations to Captain McCue!

 

I remember back about 14 years when a female waiter in the MDR was a rarity.

BTW ours was beyond excellent and made our first cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship a wonderful experience.

 

bosco

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Project_gal

Project_gal

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Congrats to her and Celebrity, it will be nice to have a Captain who we can understand when announcements will be made.

 

I'd like to add my congratulations especially at Captain McCue achieving this at her tender age but I also could not help mentioning something that your post reminded me of.

 

I have found the recent Greek financial crisis "interesting". Every time I hear a Greek politician or financial expert on the radio, I suddenly think I am on a Celebrity ship with the Captain giving his 10am update. I, for one, will be sorry if the crisis is actually now over!

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vivi9909

vivi9909

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I agree that it's long overdue and that Celebrity should be congratulated for that "premiere".

What has not been commented yet, is the fact that it also breaks a long time tradition for Celebrity: she is not from Greece.

 

Moreover, as many passengers who have sailed on the Summit, we greatly appreciated the present Master Captain, Leonardos Palaiokrassas. Does someone know what will happen to him? Will he be promoted to another ship?

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Btank

Btank

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For the first time in the cruise industry – and in Celebrity Cruises' history – an American female will take the helm of a mega-ton cruise ship.

...

McCue will begin her new role on Celebrity Summit in August of 2015.

 

OUT-standing! We're on the Summit on 9th August, and I'm hoping she'll be onboard for that sailing!

 

--bruce T.

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BILLP1

BILLP1

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As long as she is qualified which I am sure that she is and this isn't some we want to be first publicity stunt. Celebrity has always been very proud of their senior officers and always points out their years of experience and schooling . Why should this be any different?

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MisterBill99

MisterBill99

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Equally shocking to me (maybe more so) is that she doesn't appear to be Greek (as vivi9909 had mentioned previously)!

 

I'll be on Summit on 8/23 so I guess there is a good chance I'll get to meet her. Which captain left to open up this spot for her?

Edited by MisterBill99
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keesar Great Review Rare

keesar

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She must be outstanding as she probably had to work harder than most to receive this appointment. This is exciting! And an American female getting in the long established "club". Or any female getting in the "club".

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Andy

Andy

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Hi Everyone,

 

Great news ! Congratulations to Captain McCue. Wishing her all the very best of success on Summit, and with Celebrity !

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