Female Cruise Captains Are Shattering One of the Seas Oldest Traditions

Female cruise ship captains are still rare — fewer than 3% of all cruise captains are women. But that’s slowly starting to change.

A Long Road to the Captain’s Chair

Becoming a cruise ship captain takes decades of hard work. Maritime academies didn’t even open their doors to women until the mid-1970s. So it’s no wonder that female captains are still uncommon today.

The first female cruise ship captain didn’t appear until 2007. That’s when Karin Stahre-Janson took command of Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas. Since then, progress has been slow but steady.

One of the most well-known female captains today is Kate McCue. She became the first female American cruise ship captain in 2015 aboard Celebrity Summit. She left in 2025 and will soon serve as the inaugural captain of the new Four Seasons I.

‘I Was Told the Sea Was Not for Women’

Captain Belinda Bennett — Emerald Sakara

Belinda Bennett made history in 2016. She became the first Black female cruise ship captain when she took the helm of Wind Star with Windstar Cruises. Today, she commands Emerald Sakara.

Belinda grew up on St. Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic. Back in the 1980s, there was no airport there. Ships were the only way off the island. At 17, she took her first job as a marine cadet, eager to see the world.

Her path to captain wasn’t easy. It took 21 years. She faced old-fashioned attitudes about women at sea every step of the way.

She said: “I went through being told that ‘the sea was not for women.’ I was determined to prove people wrong.”

Belinda is also open about why her promotions were slow. She said: “I know I didn’t get my promotion as quickly as I am very vocal and not afraid to challenge. That was something that blocked my promotions previously.”

She believes the old-fashioned thinking is fading. But she’s clear that progress still needs to happen.

“Newer generations are more accepting that women have a place in the workplace, shoreside or sea,” she said. “You still have to be strong minded and have a strong character to become a captain. It is still male dominated but more women are coming through. The ratio is still too low though.”

Life at sea also means time away from family. Belinda is honest about that sacrifice.

She said: “Sometimes my relatives back home send me messages to ask if I am alive. Your family has to understand that there will be some days where you don’t have time to answer messages as soon as they are sent. It is a lot of sacrifice, if you want it you will work.”

‘Mentorship Is Important to Encourage Female Captains’

Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge — Cunard’s Queen Anne

Inger Klein Thorhauge broke barriers at Cunard in 2010. She became the cruise line’s first female captain when she took charge of Queen Victoria. She now commands Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne.

Inger grew up in the Faroe Islands in a family with deep maritime roots. Her father was a chief engineer on a fishing trawler. Her grandfather worked in the fishing trade too.

She believes her upbringing gave her a head start. She said: “If I had not grown up in a maritime family, I might not have thought of becoming a captain as an option. When you do not see people like yourself in certain roles, it can be harder to imagine yourself there.”

Inger earned her Master’s License in 1994 and joined Cunard as a deck officer in 1997. She says her experience moving up through the ranks was a positive one. She hopes her story can open doors for others.

She said: “When people see women in senior roles at sea, it helps make the path feel more real and possible. I take that responsibility seriously and I hope that by simply doing my job well, I can show that this career is open to anyone who is willing to work for it.”

She also stresses the value of having someone to look up to. “Mentorship is key,” she said. “Having someone you can talk to, ask questions and learn from makes a real difference.”

‘Cruise Ship Life Isn’t for Everybody’

Captain Serena Melani — Explora Journeys

Serena Melani is a true trailblazer. She became the first Italian female cruise ship captain in 2016 with Regent Seven Seas. She later joined Explora Journeys in 2022 and has commanded both Explora I and Explora II.

She grew up in Livorno, Italy, and studied at a nautical school before working her way up through cargo and cruise ships. Her journey to the top took 26 years.

She said: “When I first stepped on board 36 years ago, I remained the only woman on board for several years. It took me 26 years to reach the highest rank as a master unlimited licensed captain.”

Serena acknowledges that gender bias still exists in the industry. But she says it has changed over time. “It is no longer loud; it is often more subtle and sometimes part of the general mindset,” she said. “It is something I continue to work on — not only for myself, but especially for the women who will come after us.”

She’s also proud of the progress she’s seen at Explora Journeys. She said: “Explora Journeys is doing more to encourage women early in their careers to be part of the maritime industry. In the UK and Italy, we operate a successful cadet programme that strongly encourages female candidates, and the company takes extra care to ensure they are supported.”

‘Men Treated Us Like Second-Class Citizens on Board’

Karin Strand — HX Expeditions

Female leadership on cruise ships isn’t limited to the captain’s chair. Women hold senior roles across the industry. Laura Hodges Bethge is president of Celebrity Cruises. Christine Duffy leads Carnival Cruise Line.

Karin Strand is another key figure. She serves as Vice President of Expedition Development for HX Expeditions. Her team creates tours in places like Scandinavia and Antarctica. She’s been with HX for over 25 years, starting out as an expedition leader.

When she began her career, the environment was tough for women. She said: “Women had to be tough and work in an environment where men treated us as second class citizens. There were few women when I started as expedition cruising is physically demanding. You need to know about engines and diesel filters and how to manoeuvre a zodiac.”

But Karin says things have improved. As more women like her have moved into shoreside leadership roles, they’re helping guide the next generation. “The barriers aren’t there anymore,” she said.

She also shared a strong opinion about what women bring to expedition leadership. She said: “I have found that women make better expedition leaders than men as they have way better control and empathy that passengers appreciate.”

Still, she believes more needs to be done in how girls are raised and encouraged. She said: “There are still stereotypes in the way we bring up girls. I wish the sky was higher and people shouldn’t be pigeon-holed.”

What the Industry Says

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says the cruise industry actually leads the way in employing female seafarers. According to CLIA, more than 90% of all female seafarers worldwide work in the cruise industry.

CLIA stated: “From the navigation bridge to the boardroom, the cruise industry recognises that gender diversity is critical, encouraging teamwork and creativity from a range of perspectives.”

Progress is real, but these four women agree there’s still work to do. More female role models, stronger mentorship programs, and better recruitment efforts can all help move the needle. The sea may have once been seen as no place for women — but these captains and leaders are proving that idea wrong every single day.