If you don’t know the ever popular Captain Kate from TikTok or Instagram you are certainly missing out.
This full-time cruise ship Captain, part time mermaid, and forever cat mom to the famous Bug Naked is certainly someone you want to follow, and more importantly take your next vacation with.
Captain Kate, is the Captain of Celebrity Beyond. The newest ship in the wildly popular Celebrity Edge ship class.
These ships cater to a more adult crowd with an emphasis on unique food, creative bar space, and amble entertainment.
But the real highlight is the first female American mega cruise ship captain, Kate McCue. She not only drives the boat, but manages the over 3000 crew on board, all while in 4 inch Louboutins, and we think that’s pretty bad ass here at Bitches be Tripping.
Captain Kate is originally from San Francisco, CA and began her sailing career at California State University Maritime Academy where she graduated in 1999. She got her first gig onboard Disney Cruise Lines as a third mate and quickly advanced to a second officer in 2003 for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity’s parent company. The following year she was promoted to first officer and attended the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies in Baltimore to earn her Chief Mate and Master’s License to enable her to become a Captain. Upon her return to RCL she was promoted to senior first officer and then staff captain who is second in command in 2011.
It wasn’t until 2015 when Captain Kate was reached out to by the CEO of Celebrity Cruise Lines (who is also a woman) to apply for a role as Captain with them. She was hired and appointed as Captain of Celebrity Summit where she became the first American woman to command a modern “mega ship”. She has been championed as the significant change made that help bring about gender equality within the company. During her time at Celebrity, Captain Kate has commanded Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Edge, and now Celebrity Beyond which debuted in Spring of 2022.
I have actually sailed with Captain Kate twice. First on Celebrity Edge in 2021 onboard the second sailing to leave the US after the COVID lockdown and then just last week on Celebrity Beyond which she help launch.
On both sailings I have noticed what a queen and celebrity Captain Kate truly is. She cares so much about her job, crew ,and guests. You get the chance to see her many times throughout the cruise. Whether that be grabbing a coffee at the bistro, pouring drinks and doing tricks at the martini bar, or hosting Captain’s Q&A and Bug trivia.
Her presence and excitement is felt throughout the cruise from her 10am announcements with my favorite mom quotes to her getting up bright and early on disembarkation day to wish you a safe travel home.
She truly gives me the goosebumps at how much she has accomplished not only as a woman but as a person.
So while I’ll continue harp on Celebrity being my favorite cruise line, a cruise on Celebrity with Captain Kate at the helm puts the experience above and beyond.