The first - and still only - American woman to captain a cruise ship. The captain of the first and only all-female bridge and officer team on board the Celebrity Edge. And the captain who led the cruise line - and the entire industry - back into American operations, at the helm of the Edge when it became the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in over a year in JUN.
Now comes word that Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo has named Captain Kate McCue, to take out the Celebrity Beyond when it debuts in APR 2022.
"This is a day that I've been waiting for since we made the first cut of steel on our beautiful Celebrity Beyond. Captain Kate has transcended what it means to be a captain as a voice and example of inclusivity, diversity, and change," said Lutoff-Perlo.
"She constantly thinks about how she can go above and beyond, mirroring the exceptional design and imagination of the ship she will captain. I'm beyond excited to see her take our guests to locations that will open their eyes to the beauty of the world around them and experience travel on a new-luxury ship without comparison."
"To be the 'take out' captain for a new vessel is an honor for any captain and it is an absolute dream come true for me. I always say that if you see it, you can be it and I hope that Celebrity Beyond sails as an inspiration for all to see past convention in pursuit of any goal in life," said Captain Kate McCue.
"I'm forever grateful to Lisa for entrusting this labor of love to me to captain. The thoughtfulness and imagination she put into this ship is only matched by her forward thinking to move the industry beyond what it is now and see what it should be."
Beyond to Be Largest, "Most Luxurious" Ship in Fleet
Celebrity Beyond is the cruise line's third, Edge-series ship, following the pandemic-delayed Apex which is currently sailing its first inaugural season, and whose christening is scheduled for early NOV.
At 17 decks high and 21 meters longer than its Edge-series predecessors Celebrity Edge (2018) and Celebrity Apex (2020), Celebrity Beyond will be the largest Celebrity Cruises ship to date. The company claims it will also be the most luxurious.
The design and experiences of the newest ship draws on the celebrity talents of the same team of modern lifestyle icons including award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; American TV designer Nate Berkus; Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud; and will feature wellness experiences and products from goop CEO and founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the brand's Well-Being Advisor.
Celebrity Beyond will feature newly imagined spaces and expanded versions of the brand's signature spaces, including:
- The Retreat, an exclusive area for suite guests, now featuring a two-story sundeck;
- Accommodations ranging from modern two-story villas with plunge pools to staterooms with infinite verandas, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living;
- An expanded Rooftop Garden and resort deck featuring cantilevered float pools;
- A multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar that defines the ship's aft;
- A first-ever Daniel Boulud fine-dining restaurant at sea called Le Voyage;
- A redesigned Grand Plaza spanning three decks;
- And, the Magic Carpet, an engineering feat soaring cantilevered above the sea, offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.
Celebrity Beyond's maiden voyage will depart on 27APR 2022, from Southampton, England, for a 10-night Western Europe cruise visiting Bordeaux, France; Lisbon, Portugal; and Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain.
The ship will then sail a variety of Mediterranean journeys including 9-night Italian Riviera and France itineraries and 10-night Greek Isles itineraries through early October, when she then heads to the Caribbean.
Voyages on the Celebrity Beyond are now open for booking.
For more information on all inaugural 2022-2023 season sailings, visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-ships/celebrity-beyond.
