Celebrity Cruises captain Kate McCue announces departure from the line

Captain Kate McCue, one of the mosts highly regarded figures in the cruise industry and the first American woman to command a large cruise ship, has announced her departure from Celebrity Cruises. 

McCue, who most recently captained Celebrity Beyond, shared the news on social media, citing personal reasons for her decision to end the 22-year career with Royal Caribbean Group.

“Life has an incredible way of reminding us what’s important and changing up priorities,” McCue wrote in her announcement on social media. “Are my sailing days over? Absolutely not! I’ve got too much salt in my veins to leave the sea behind.”

During her career with the company, Captain McCue served on 11 ships across the fleet. Her appointment in 2015 as captain of Celebrity Summit was a milestone in an industry where leadership roles at sea have traditionally been male-dominated. 

She went on to command Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Edge before assuming the helm of Celebrity Beyond, one of the line’s newest and most technologically advanced vessels.

Beyond her role as captain, McCue also served as a brand ambassador for Celebrity Cruises, promoting the cruise line in media campaigns and leading the introduction of Celebrity Beyond in 2022. 

Her popularity extended beyond the cruise industry, with a significant following on social media, where she shared insights into life at sea—often alongside her beloved hairless cat, Bug Naked, who passed away late last year.

McCue’s career unfolded against the backdrop of broader industry efforts to promote gender diversity in maritime leadership. While women remain underrepresented in senior seafaring roles, cruise lines have increasingly sought to elevate female officers, captains, and engineers. 

Celebrity Cruises, in particular, has highlighted its commitment to greater representation, launching initiatives to recruit and promote women across its fleet. The cruise line has appointed women to around 32% of its senior bridge positions.

“I know her love for the sea and those who share in its magic will never change,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises in reference to Captain McCue’s departure. “And, so it is with gratitude and admiration that, on behalf of all of us at Celebrity Cruises, we wish her fair winds, following seas, and the very best always.”

While McCue has not announced her next steps, her statement suggested her maritime career is far from over. “I’ve got too much salt in my veins to leave the sea behind,” she said.