Captain Kate McCue steps down from Four Seasons Yachts, takes break from sailing

Captain Kate McCue, one of the cruise industry's most recognizable figures and a social media sensation, has announced she is stepping down from Four Seasons Yachts to take a break from life at sea.

The news comes less than two years after McCue joined the luxury yacht brand ahead of its inaugural season.

In a video shared on social media, McCue said the decision followed years of time spent away from home and reflection on her 30-year maritime career, including the past 11 years serving as a captain.

“I’ve made the decision to resign from Four Seasons Yachts and begin a new chapter,” said McCue, adding that her priorities now are spending time with her family as well as pursuing things that bring her joy.

Widely known as the “Most Followed Mariner on Social Media,” McCue said one of her immediate plans is to help her father fulfill items on his bucket list, including taking cruises together.

“I’m incredibly grateful, of course, to everyone who was on this journey and all the opportunities I’ve had. If you’re wondering, I am keeping my captain’s license active so sailing again is absolutely not off the table.”

McCue was appointed captain of the 222-guest Four Seasons I on March 18, 2025, and went on to lead the vessel through its January 2026 debut and inaugural season.

Prior to joining Four Seasons Yachts, McCue spent 22 years at Royal Caribbean Group, rising to fame when she became the Captain of the Celebrity Summit at 37 years old in 2015 (the first American female captain of a mega-ton cruise ship).

Throughout her time at Celebrity, she gained notoriety online, amassing millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where she offers a glimpse into the daily life of being a cruise ship Captain.

In 2022, Captain McCue took the helm of Celebrity Beyond, and over time, she played a key role in increasing female representation on ship bridges to more than 30 per cent across Celebrity’s fleet.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.