Frequently asked Questions
Becoming a Cruise Ship Captain
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First, let me say: expect a marathon, not a sprint. Good things come to those who put in the time and effort.
Now, where to start? I can recommend one of two ways: as a Maritime Academy Cadet or a Hawsepiper.
A “Hawsepiper” is someone who begins their career at an entry level, unlicensed merchant mariner position and works their way up the ranks by accruing experience, which is required to sit for their license exams once they reach the required sea time.
Maritime Academies are structured in a way to make the process pretty straightforward. It will take anywhere from 3-5 years, depending on the country you attend the Academy in. I went to California Maritime Academy, which is part of the Cal State University system (the official name is California State University Vallejo, California Maritime Academy). It’s a 4 year university with an emphasis on Marine Transportation. Upon graduation I received my BSBA and a 3rd Mate unlimited license to sail anything from a tug boat to the world’s largest super tanker and everything in between. I couldn’t get my license without getting my degree and vice versa because the thinking was that if I transitioned from sea to land, I had the degree to fall back on. But having a Business degree as a Captain in charge of a $1.3 billion ship, the business side comes in handy!
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Similar to the aviation industry, the maritime industry requires that we accrue a certain amount of time in order to upgrade to our next licenses. Where aviation pilots require flight hours, seafarers require a certain amount of sailing days. The requirements may differ from country to country. In the US, Deck Officers will sit for their OOW (Officer of the Watch), Chief Mate license, with 365 sailing days required between to sit for the next exams. The Chief Mate’s license exam also includes the Master’s license material so once a Chief Mate racks up 365 sailing days, the license can be upgraded to Master without additional testing necessary.
Advancement and positions will depend on the segment of the industry you sail in and the company you sail with. It took me 19 years to be promoted to Captain and this is pretty typical in the cruise industry. Promotions depend on availability, for example, if a company is building more ships or people are retiring, then there will be more opportunities to progress
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When I was 12 years old, my parents took me and my brother on a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. When we got off the ship, I told my dad that I wanted to be the Cruise Director and plan all the fun events onboard the ship. My dad said, "You can do anything you want, including drive the thing". That is where the seed was planted and after 19 years at sea, and a steady progression through the ranks, I was promoted to Captain in 2015.
Since beginning my career at sea as a Cadet at California Maritime Academy in 1996 I have worked my way up the ranks from Apprentice Officer, 3rd Officer, 2nd Officer, 1st Officer Deck, 1st Officer Safety, 1st Officer Navigation, Chief Officer Safety, Staff Captain, and Captain.
Duties of a Cruise Ship Captain
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The Captain is like the CEO of the ship. While my main priority is ensuring the health and safety of the over 5000 lives onboard, I see everything else as my responsibility. There isn’t a job or task onboard that I see as “beneath me” or that I wouldn’t be willing to do, but I understand that no one can do it all alone. That’s why I am extremely fortunate to have a professional team of motivated officers and crew who are highly skilled at what they do to give our guests and crew have the most incredible experience.
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From safe navigation to delivering the best experience to our guests and crew while understanding that no two days are the same. Each day finds us in a different place, surrounded by different people and even different weather so expecting the unexpected is part of the job to ensure that safety of all onboard remains the priority.
Advice & Encouragement
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1) Being part of a movement started by Celebrity Cruises President & CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, that has seen representation of women on our bridges increase from 2% in 2014 to over 30% today is definitely an accomplishment I'm extremely proud of. One of the greatest joys is to be able to pay it forward with opportunities for well deserving individuals who previously may not have had chances to get their foot in the door.
2) One of the highest honors of a Captain is to be part of the new build process of a ship. From overseeing the construction process to bringing her into service is like having your own child. Introducing our flagship, Celebrity Beyond, which is the largest and most luxurious ship in our fleet, is an immense opportunity. She isn't just a ship or an amazing destination. While her hardware IS spectacular, what sets her apart is her software; the 1400+ incredible crew members, who make me proud every single day.
3) But the proudest moment of my career to date was being part of a team rescued people from a sinking sailboat in the Caribbean in 2016. Initially when we brought 6 of them onboard we were unaware that on this day, we saved 8 of them because 2 of the women were pregnant.
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The formula for success as a woman in the cruise industry is the same as any industry. Understanding who you are as a person, your priorities, and knowing what you want is key. Surround yourself with diversity, be your authentic self, approachable and vulnerable. Be kind, be supportive, and pay it forward.
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What I love about shipping is the opportunity to travel the world while meeting the most incredible people. The crew, from 72 different nationalities, motivates me everyday and the highlight of my career is watching others succeed and helping them be better tomorrow than they are today.
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The opportunities are there & I would encourage anyone who wanted to pursue a life at sea to jump in wholeheartedly. Seek out a company that is making conscious efforts to break the bias of any minority in maritime. You don't need to follow in anyone else's footsteps. Forge your own path by bringing your unique personalities and perspectives to each job you do.
Breaking Gender Barriers
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I love this question because I don't have a stereotypical answer that comes to mind. That's because I have been blessed to work for a company that values diversity and inclusion. Onboard our ships, our crew come from 60 to 75 different nationalities. Everyone is a minority of some sort, be it race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc. Because of this, I've found that we don't pick on each others differences, but rather wee are in a unique environment that celebrates those differences. Therefore, being a female onboard wasn't what defined me.
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It all starts from the top. When it comes to leadership representation in the cruise industry, one name comes to mind, above all others: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. Celebrity Cruises President and CEO has made such a positive impact in recruiting underrepresented minorities, including women, into this industry by being a conscious positive disrupter for change with increasing diversity and inclusion for all. Lisa sets the tone and has given visibility and opportunities for growth like no other in the maritime.
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Becoming the first American woman to captain a cruise ship was a goal I set for myself as I was rising through the ranks. There is an advantage to being the "first". For me, it meant that I could write my own rule book and define my position the way that I wanted to, by being authentic and bringing a sense of self to the Captain's role. But I look forward to the day when I’m not a “female captain”, I’m just “Captain”.
When I joined Celebrity Cruises in 2015 only 2% of our bridge teams across the fleet were women. Today it’s over 32% because the company has put a conscious effort to provide opportunities to the most qualified candidates. There have been many “firsts” for officers and crew who come from countries where these opportunities had not existed before and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how they thrive in an environment of diversity and inclusion, which is so unique to the cruising industry.
It's important to remember that we need others to help us succeed. No one could do this on their own. It’s essential to have an attitude of gratitude for those who helped me get where I am and appreciating those who support me through the day-to-day.
