Celebrity Cruises has broken industry records with the number of women it employs in senior roles.
Ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March), the line said it had achieved one-third female representation across its bridge officers. This compares to an industry standard of just 2% according to figures issued by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) show.
To mark IWD, the line has changed its global “X” logo to an “XX” edition on its social media channels to represent the female chromosome and acknowledge all those who identify as women.
Celebrity’s new ship Beyond, meanwhile, will become the first cruise ship to have its inaugural sailing captained by a woman, Captain Kate McCue.
McCue is also the first and only American female ship captain in the industry. In 2020, she helmed an all-female bridge and officer team, the first of its kind, onboard Celebrity Edge. The team consisted of 26 women from 16 different countries.
Celebrity Beyond is due to debut in April this year, sailing from France.
Celebrity Cruises’ president and chief executive, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, said: “Looking back at how far we’ve come in six years is quite extraordinary, and speaks volumes to the leadership and shared vision of the talented men and women I work with every day.
“Now, we have incredible women from 19 countries and at all levels of maritime leadership to inspire girls in this awe-inspiring industry that opens up the world with the transformative power of travel.
“We are so proud to pioneer this path and keep at this work so everyone who dreams of a career on board a cruise ship – whether they identify as male or female – encounters a new standard across the seven seas.”
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