This International Women’s Day 2022, Celebrity Cruises celebrates reaching a milestone of 32% of female bridge officers. A great achievement in an industry that is historically male-dominated, with less than 2% of mariners being women.
Celebrity Cruises has a long history of championing diversity and inclusion, and today, on International Women’s Day, the brand is changing its global “X” logo to “XX” on its social media channels in honour of the female chromosome and celebration of all those who identify as female. This display is symbolic of the brand’s commitment to equality, advancement and the accomplishments of women and supports this year’s #BreakTheBias international theme.
With a penchant for rising above the industry norms, Celebrity has made maritime history for its progressive thinking and barrier-breaking initiatives. In 2015, President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, a catalyst for change in the 200-year-old industry, appointed Captain Kate McCue as the first – and still only – American female ship captain, starting an intentional effort by the brand to attract more women to the industry and into leadership roles across its fleet.
The cruise line further captured the world’s attention on International Women’s Day 2020, when the first all-female bridge and officer team led by Captain Kate departed on a history-making sailing on board the award-winning Celebrity Edge. Made up of 26 women representing 16 different countries, the all-female bridge and leadership team reunited virtually on International Women’s Day 2021, one year after their glass ceiling-shattering achievement, to reflect on the historic sailing and discuss the challenging year that followed amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Then, on 26th June 2021, Captain Kate led the Celebrity fleet – and the industry – back into operation when Celebrity Edge became the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in more than a year due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
“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,” said Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “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.”
