By
Rebecca Gibson |
Historically forbidden from sailing on military vessels or merchant ships due to an old nautical superstition that their presence would anger the sea gods and bring bad luck, women are now smashing through the glass ceilings and rising through the ranks at various passenger shipping companies.
From Cindy D’Aoust who manages global operations at the Cruise Lines International Association, to former Crystal Cruises president and CEO Edie Rodriguez who is now chairman of Ponant Cruises Americas Brand, women are gaining prominence across the ocean cruise industry.
Driven by president and CEO Arnold Donald's forward-thinking diversity policies, Carnival Corporation is paving the way when it comes to empowering women to reach the top in the global cruise industry. The corporation's chief procurement officer is Julia Brown, the executive chairman of its Carnival Australia brand is Ann Sherry, Jan Swartz is president of both Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia, Christine Duffy leads Carnival Cruise Line, and Fathom is spearheaded by Tara Russell.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has two brands managed by women – TUI Cruises led by Wybcke Meier, and Celebrity Cruises, run by Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. The latter is using her position as president and CEO to not only transform the line's guest ships and guest experience, but also to empower more women to get involved in traditionally 'male roles' in the cruise industry. Since Lutoff-Perlo’s appointment, the brand has become the first to recruit female bridge officers from West Africa via its Celebrity Cadet Program, which is being run in partnership with Ghana’s Regional Maritime University. This has increased the percentage of women on ship bridges from 5% to 20% over an 18-month period.
Speaking to International Cruise & Ferry Review in an interview in the new Spring/Summer 2018 issue, Lutoff-Perlo said: “It started with Captain Kate McCue who is the first American women to captain a cruise ship and we’ve just added Nathaly Albán, the first Ecuadorian woman to captain a ship. Now there is Nicholine Tifuh Azirh, who comes from the Regional Maritime University in Ghana – and she is the first African woman to work on the bridge of a cruise ship. Celebrity is a brand of firsts in a lot of ways. Gender and equality is something I am particularly proud of. It makes for a much better environment onboard for our decision making and crew.”
In addition to Celebrity Cruises, several ocean cruise brands are also actively hiring women as captains. P&O Cruises UK named Sarah Breton as its first female captain in 2010. Inger Klein Thorhauge was the first women to command of a Cunard Line ship. And Belinda Bennett made history when she became the first female and black captain at Windstar Cruises, as well as the first black female captain in the commercial cruise industry. This March, AIDA Cruises appointed Nicole Langosch as captain of AIDAsol, making her the first female cruise ship captain for both the brand and Germany.
Women are also growing increasingly prominent in the river cruise industry too. Notable female executives include Kristin Karst, executive vice president of AmaWaterways; Jennifer Tombaugh, president of Tauck; Terri Burke, managing director of Avalon Waterways; Karine Hagen, senior vice president of Viking Cruises; and Ellen Bettridge who took the helm of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection last year.
Female empowerment is gathering pace in the ferry industry too. Our new Spring/Summer 2018 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review bears testament to this, showcasing interviews with newly appointed female executives including P&O Ferries CEO Janette Bell, Washington State Ferries COO Amy Scarton and BC Ferries’ vice president and COO Corrine Storey.
Meanwhile, operators such as Isle of Wight-based company Red Funnel are championing female commanders, first officers, deck hands and engineers. This March, the ferry line also promoted long-time employee Alice Duncan to the role of captain – a first for the company.
“I feel so proud and privileged to have made it,” said Duncan. “It has been my dream for many years, and just shows that hard work pays off. We need more women in maritime careers and if I can help to encourage other women to embark on this career then that’s amazing.”