Biography of Captain Kate McCue
Kate McCue, born on January 6, 1978, is the first American woman to command a mega cruise ship. A San Francisco native, she spent her childhood moving due to her father’s career. A family cruise at age 12 sparked her interest in ocean travel.
Kate graduated from California State University Maritime Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. She worked various maritime roles, including as a deckhand in Maui and with Maersk Sealand in Los Angeles.
In 2003, Kate joined Royal Caribbean as a second officer. She progressed through roles including chief officer and staff captain. In 2015, she became the first American female captain of a mega cruise ship with Celebrity Summit. She has since commanded Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Edge, and Celebrity Beyond.
Captain Kate is known for sharing her life at sea on social media. She works three-month shifts and lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Nikola Petrovic, during her time off.
Kate McCue’s Salary and Net Worth
Captain Kate McCue’s salary is estimated at around $200,000 annually. This figure represents the upper range of cruise ship captain earnings. Her position as the captain of Celebrity Beyond, a luxury ship under Celebrity Cruises, contributes to her high earnings.
Captain Kate’s financial success extends beyond her salary. Her social media presence, where she shares insights from her voyages, likely contributes to her income. The combination of her captain’s salary and social media engagements is estimated to put her net worth between $1 million and $5 million.
Her integration of social media with her role as a captain demonstrates a modern approach to maritime leadership, potentially setting a precedent for future captains in terms of public engagement and brand building.
Captain Kate McCue’s Schedule and Personal Life
Captain Kate McCue works on a three-month rotation aboard the Celebrity Beyond. During this time, she commands the ship and its crew, managing all aspects of the voyage. Her responsibilities include:
- Planning itineraries
- Managing a diverse team
- Ensuring passenger safety
- Overseeing ship operations
After her three-month term at sea, Kate returns to her home in Las Vegas. Here, she spends time with her husband, Nikola Petrovic, who works as the Fleet Chief Engineer for Royal Caribbean Group. Their shared understanding of maritime careers allows them to support each other’s work schedules.
The couple’s arrangement involves alternating periods at sea and at home. This schedule allows them to maintain their careers while also enjoying time together. Kate often shares aspects of both her work and personal life on social media, giving her followers insight into her balanced lifestyle.
Captain Kate McCue’s career demonstrates the combination of traditional maritime expertise and modern leadership approaches in the cruise industry. Her role as a captain and her engagement with social media reflect the evolving nature of maritime careers. As she puts it:
"When you've wanted something so bad, since you were 12 years old, and your dreams have finally come true, you can't help but smile."
This sentiment encapsulates McCue’s journey from a young girl inspired by a family cruise to becoming a trailblazing figure in the maritime industry.
- Celebrity Cruises. Captain Kate McCue Biography. 2022.
- Maritime Industry Report. Salaries of Cruise Ship Captains. 2023.
- McCue K. Interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2021.
- Cruise Industry News. Celebrity Beyond: Captain Kate McCue’s New Command. 2022.