Celebrity Beyond launches with a female-led team

Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain, is at the helm of Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship

New Celebrity Cruise ship Celebrity Beyond made its debut sailing from Southampton on 27 April 2022, following trade and media fam trip sailings to introduce the ship to the industry.

During the media sailing, Celebrity Cruises president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and captain Kate McCue, the first-ever American female cruise ship captain, hosted a press conference to address questions from the media.

Lutoff-Perlo was proud to announce that 70% of captain Kate McCue’s team are women, saying: “Little girls should see Captain Kate in her role and know they can follow in her wake and become a master.”

McCue hopes to inspire more women to consider a career on the bridges, commenting: “Women have said to me, ‘I didn’t know that was a career option for me.’ Now they do.”

Celebrity Associations
Celebrity Beyond builds on the features and design of its Edge-class predecessors Celebrity Edge (launched in 2018) and Celebrity Apex (launched in 2020).

Highlights include The Retreat, an exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests with a two-story sundeck, plus updated accommodations across the entire ship from modern two-story villas with private plunge pools to staterooms with ‘infinite verandas’ that add space to cabins but can be sectioned off with sliding doors to create a private balcony with full-width windows that roll down.

The ship also lives up to its brand name with famous actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow serving as a wellbeing advisor and celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s first restaurant at sea onboard.

Interiors have been created by globally renowned British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE

“Celebrity Cruises has always been an innovator at sea, and now we have challenged the status quo with a vessel that goes beyond expectations,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “Celebrity Beyond shatters preconceived notions of the cruising experience. This exquisite ship offers a journey at the intersection of elegance and approachability filled with what’s important to our guests today: forward-thinking design, culinary excellence, unparalleled wellbeing and incomparable service.”

Celebrity Beyond’s Inaugural Sailing
Celebrity Beyond’s first sailing, taking place from 27 April to 7 May 2022, is following a 10-night western European itinerary from Southampton, stopping at La Rochelle, France; Bilbao, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal, before returning to Spain to complete the journey via Cadiz, Malaga and Palma De Majorca, ending in Barcelona.

It will remain in Europe offering nine- and 10-day itineraries spanning Italy, Greece, France, Spain and Malta until departing on a 12-night transatlantic sailing on 12 October 2022, after which time it will sail out of Florida on Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries for the winter.

For bookings, contact Safeen Tourism LLC, the Middle East Representative for Royal Caribbean lines including Celebrity Cruises, on +971 4 331 4299, or visit www.royalcaribbean.ae