|
 Celebrity
Cruises named Kate McCue as the cruise industry's first American female
captainFor the first time in the cruise industry an American female will take
the helm of a cruise shp.
At 37 years of age, San Francisco native Kate McCue will command Celebrity
Summit starting this August.
Celebrity said it 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,” added 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 onboard Celebrity Summit in August 2015. |
