In efforts of improving the gender gap in the shipping industry, Celebrity Cruises announced an industry’s first; Sailing with an entirely female bridge and officer team. This comes in line with the company’s plan on boosting female presence in the cruise industry, given that it still is a male-dominant sector.
With the initiative of #BRIDGEthegap, the cruise line is making steps into improving women’s place by having already hired the first American female cruise ship captain, Kate McCue, and again by announcing that 22% of their bridge teams are made up of women.
Following the all-female bridge news, the “historic voyage” will take place during the International Women’s Day (March 8, 2020) onboard the Celebrity Edge, led by Captain McCue at the helm and by 26 other women and Celebrity’s President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.
Lutoff-Perlo commented
We are all passionate about closing the gender gap. We are fortunate to have many incredible, experienced and beyond-qualified women who have worked tirelessly to achieve these positions. And we also celebrate the many men who continue to support them and help champion having more women crew onboard.
In addition, Senior Vice President of Global Marine Operations for Royal Caribbean Crusies Ltd. Patrik Dahlgren highlighted the company’s improvement on increasing the percentage of women on their navigational bridges from 3% to 22% from 2015.
The below all-women bridge and leadership team for this historic sailing of Celebrity Edge represents 17 different countries, including:
- Staff Captain Maria Gotor – Spain
- Hotel Director Niina Hautaniemi – Finland
- Guest Relations Director Julie Sherrington – United Kingdom
- F&B Director Byliana Velikova – Bulgaria
- Senior Doctor Jennifer Bernardo – Philippines
- Cruise Director Sue Denning – United Kingdom
- Safety Officer Ionela Burduja – Romania
- Associate Hotel Director Milana Dortangs – Netherlands
- Revenue and Marketing Director Sarah Guinot – France
- HR Manager Angel George – USA
- Financial Controller Teresa de Guzman – Philippines
- Chief Housekeeper Lyudmyla Miroshnychenko – Ukraine
- Safety Investigation Officer Alexandra Villarreal – USA
- Environmental Officer Maria Karoutsou – Greece
- Chief Security Officer Mor Segev – Israel
- Chief Officer Maria Koliou – Greece
- Chief Officer Maria Agius – Malta
- Doctor Sumaya Guffar – South Africa
- First Officer Rachel Arnold – United Kingdom
- First Officer Despoina Tsairi – Greece
- Third Engineer Anna Avgoustaki – Greece
- Second Officer Nicholine Tifuh Azirh – Cameroon
- Second Officer Ioana Tzovara – Greece
- Third Officer Esperanza Romero – Spain
- Third Officer Cassandra May Mead – New Zealand
- Apprentice Officer Gifty Adu Gyami – Ghana
In line with Celebrity Cruises’ innovation, the company will provide a unique schedule, including evening gallery exhibitions and art auctions featuring female artists, celebrating the female form; collaborating on an exclusive design with luxury jewelry designer Reout Kallati; hosting special events, such as a cinema series featuring iconic and impactful female directors, leads and inspirational narratives; and other dedicated onboard programming, including Women of the World-themed trivia challenges, Fearless Female Officers vs. Guests Pool Volleyball tournament, and a Q&A panel with the ship’s inspiring female leadership team.
