For the first time ever in maritime history, an all-female bridge and onboard leadership team set sail on March 8, commemorating International Women’s Day.
Led by the first American female cruise ship captain, Captain Kate McCue, who was accompanied by 26 other women representing a total of 16 different countries, Celebrity Edge sailed from Port Everglades FL and began her 7-day Caribbean voyage. Retiring Pilot Boat Captain Cheryl Phipps, one of a few female pilot boat captains in the country, led the liner out to sea.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the cruise ship lit up the high seas with a purple glow, the color associated with the day, to celebrate change-making women everywhere.
Only 2% of mariners around the world are women. Celebrity made it a priority to #BRIDGEthegap, leading the industry into a more diverse future and increasing the number of women on their bridge teams from 3% to almost 25% over the last few years.