Four Seasons Yachts has announced the appointment of Kate McCue as the inaugural Captain of Four Seasons l, the first ultra-luxury yacht in the highly anticipated fleet. A graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Captain Kate brings nearly three decades of maritime expertise, combining technical precision with a passion for hospitality to create a genuinely transformative yachting experience. A pioneer in the industry, she made history in 2015 as the first American female captain of a mega-ton cruise ship.
“Captain Kate McCue is the ideal leader to helm Four Seasons I as we embark on this exciting new chapter in luxury yachting,” says Rainer Stampfer, President of Global Operations, Hotels, and Resorts at Four Seasons. “Her passion for hospitality, commitment to excellence, and trailblazing leadership align perfectly with our vision to reimagine the yachting experience. We are thrilled to welcome her aboard as we prepare to set sail in 2026, knowing she will inspire both our guests and employees alike.”
As Captain, she is responsible for the safe navigation of the Yacht and the onboard experience for all guests and crew members—a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio that ensures a truly personalized journey from port to port. From charting journeys throughout the Caribbean and the Mediterranean to establishing a best-in-class onboard service culture, Captain Kate is eager to shape the journey ahead.
“Yachting truly embodies the essence of the sea – calm, effortless, and deeply rejuvenating. This is the same philosophy behind Four Seasons I,” says Captain Kate. “This role is both an incredible honour and an exciting opportunity to shape the Four Seasons Yachts experience from the very first voyage. I look forward to doing what I love most – connecting with guests, leading an exceptional crew, and engaging with local communities. Together with our crew, we’ll craft unforgettable journeys and set new standards in luxury yachting, ensuring every milestone is a celebration of Four Seasons legendary service and innovation.”
Before joining Four Seasons, Captain Kate spent nearly a decade with Celebrity Cruises, where she most recently served as Captain of the Celebrity Beyond and played a key role in increasing female representation on ship bridges to more than 30% across the fleet. She has also held numerous maritime positions, from cadet and deck officer to Master Mariner and Captain, and has sailed with Royal Caribbean International and Disney Cruise Line.
“We are thrilled that Captain Kate has assumed the leadership position for Four Seasons l and will be responsible for the overall operation, safety, and navigation of our first luxury Yacht,” says Tony Faso, General Counsel and Chief Talent and Culture Officer, Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator, Four Seasons Yachts. “The selection of Captain Kate for this leadership position reflects our mission to attract and retain a first-in-class team of exceptional crew and top talent in the industry. She brings a wealth of experience, expertise, dedication, and passion for excellence that aligns perfectly with our commitment to being leaders in luxury hospitality at sea.”
Captain Kate’s appointment marks another milestone for Four Seasons Yachts, which is preparing to welcome its first guests aboard Four Seasons I in January 2026.
Get To Know Four Seasons Yachts
This venture combines luxury yachting company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator Four Seasons Yachts, venerated Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, and Four Seasons luxury hospitality leadership. With 95 meticulously designed residential-style suites, the Yacht will set a new sea luxury standard. Setting sail in January 2026, winter and spring itineraries in the Caribbean will be followed by Mediterranean locales each year in the summer.
Four Season I
All voyages are styled to immerse guests into each locale’s culture, history, and natural splendor and crafted with flexibility to allow for exploring beyond the familiar. Included among the Yacht’s exceptional features are the 9,975 square feet (927 square meters) Funnel Suite’s iconic floor-to-ceiling wraparound curved glass window modules, made up of the most significant contiguous piece of glass at sea and a bespoke onboard transverse marina featuring expansive openings across the vessel from port to starboard.
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