Kate McCue

Kate McCue (born January 6, 1978) Originally from San Francisco, she spent time in Evans, Georgia, where she attended Lakeside High School, Her family then moved back to San Francisco.

Maritime career McCue began attending the California State University Maritime Academy, then California Maritime Academy, in 1996. In 2003, she became a second officer for Royal Caribbean, being promoted to first officer after a year of service. McCue attended the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in Baltimore in 2009 where she earned her Chief Mate and Master's License, enabling her to take command of a vessel. Upon returning to Royal Caribbean McCue was promoted first to chief officer—the senior first officer—and then to second in command as staff captain in 2011. making her the first American woman to command a modern "mega ship". Lutoff-Perlo later said, "Kate was the first opportunity to make significant change at Celebrity related to gender equality." In 2018, McCue left the Summit to become commanding officer on Celebrity Equinox and subsequently moved to the Celebrity Edge in 2019. On October 14, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that McCue would take the helm of Celebrity Beyond, their newest ship at the time of its debut in spring 2022.

McCue's sphynx cat, Bug Naked, sailed with her aboard and attracted media attention. Bug Naked passed away on December 26, 2024.

On February 24, 2025, McCue announced via Instagram that she was leaving Celebrity Cruises.

On March 18, 2025, Four Seasons Yachts announced McCue's appointment as the inaugural Captain of Four Seasons l, which entered service in January 2026.