Celebrity Cruises has made history once again. Not content at being the first cruise line to appoint an American female captain, it is now the first to appoint a second female captain!
Dedicated to advancing the role of women in leadership, Celebrity first hired Captain Kate McCue to helm Celebrity Summit in 2015. Now, Ecuadorian national, Nathaly Albán, will guide Celebrity Xploration through the exotic waters of the Galapagos Islands.
Making waves in the Galapagos
According to Celebrity Cruises, Albán is the first women to ever captain in the region, opening her passengers’ eyes to a fascinating world full of completely unique wildlife. Previously the third officer on-board Celebrity Xpedition, she was one of just six women in her graduating class at La Escuela de la Marina Mercante Nacional in Ecuador. Albán served in a number of roles during her undergraduate years, including on the FLOPEC Tanker Fleet of the Ecuadorian Navy!
Despite being the Galapagos’ first female captain, Albán actually has 12 years’ experience of sailing in this one-of-a-kind region. Her local knowledge means she can offer an even more exciting experience to the 16 passengers on-board the exclusive Celebrity Xploration, and by the sound of it, Albán can’t wait to get started:
“It is a great honour and privilege – I’m overwhelmed with positive emotion,” she said. “I told my family many times that I would be wearing white one day and be the first woman to serve as a captain on a ship in the Galapagos, now it’s happening and I’m committed to delivering the very best experience for all guests on-board.”
Empowering strong women
Celebrity Cruises has an admirable dedication to driving forward the roles of women in the cruise industry:
“Empowering strong women and elevating them to deserved leadership roles is a cause that is close to my heart, and one that Celebrity Cruises truly values,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “When the opportunity presented itself to promote Nathaly, who radiates passion and love for her job and for Celebrity, to captain, the decision was easy.”
We can’t wait to see how Albán’s career progresses and how Celebrity Cruises continues to champion its female employees. After all, there is plenty of opportunity within the Galapagos Islands.
The luxury cruise line continues to expand its Ecuadorian offering, giving discerning travellers even more sailing options. The recently refreshed Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience come as part of a multi-million dollar expansion in the region, joining Celebrity Xpedition to offer six unique itineraries to 15 islands with more than 30 ports of call.
Would you like to embark on a luxury cruise you will remember forever? Call our Cruise Concierge on 0207 526 3035 to plan your perfect Galapagos expedition cruise. You may even find yourself under the expert guidance of Nathaly Albán!
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