Celebrity Cruises will celebrate International Women’s Day by sailing with its first entirely female bridge and officer team.
There will three British women in the 27-strong female crew onboard Celebrity Edge, including first officer Rachel Arnold, cruise director Sue Denning and guest relations director Julie Sherrington.
The seven-night trip will depart from Florida on 8 March next year and be captained by Kate McCue.
“We are all passionate about closing the gender gap,” Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, chief executive of Celebrity Cruises, said.
“Over the last few years, we have worked hard to diversify the crew onboard and bring more women than ever into our industry.”
The company said although only 2% of the world’s mariners are women, its bridge teams are 22% female.
Captain McCue added: “Excitement does not even begin to describe how I’m feeling about working alongside these incredible, barrier-breaking women on Celebrity Edge for this truly historic sailing.
“I am inspired every day by the amazing women we have working throughout this organisation – both on land and at sea. They’re proof that there’s power in diversity.”
There will be a special programme for the International Women’s Day sailing, including art exhibitions and auctions of female artists’ work; a cinema series featuring female directors, leads and narratives; Women of the World-themed trivia challenges; a female officers vs guests pool volleyball tournament; and a Q&A panel with the ship’s leadership team.