© FRASER YACHTS
Women represent only about 2–3% of ship captains globally, so seeing a woman at the helm of a cruise ship or yacht still surprises many passengers. San Diego native Christiana Virgilio, captain of BIG EAGLE with Fraser Yachts for 17 years, has become accustomed to guests asking to speak with the captain and then reacting when she introduces herself. “Whenever someone asks me to speak with the captain,” she said, “I always smile, then say, ‘Sure, how can I help?’” Her experience highlights how assumptions persist, even as female leadership at sea becomes more visible.
PHOTO: © EXPLORA JOURNEYS
Italian captain Serena Melani, the new master of EXPLORA I—the inaugural ship of Explora Journeys’ luxury fleet that launched this summer—made maritime history in 2020 as the first female captain to bring a cruise ship out of a shipyard. She recalls the early days of her career as difficult, especially finding that initial position on board and often being the only woman among the crew. “It was difficult to find my first job on board a ship, and I can still remember being the only woman on board,” she said. Today she welcomes the gradual increase in opportunities for women across the industry.
© WINDSTAR CRUISES
Belinda Bennett, captain with Windstar Cruises and currently master of Wind Spirit, also describes a slow but real shift in the maritime world. From her native Saint Helena—a small, remote British Overseas Territory—Bennett holds the distinction of being Windstar’s first female captain and the first Black woman to serve as captain on a cruise ship. She has faced both racism and sexism during her career but has refused to let those challenges define her path. “I’ve run into both racism and sexism over the years, but I have never let it be an issue. It’s not my problem, it’s theirs,” she said, adding that she never shied away from working harder than her peers.
All three captains emphasize perseverance and resilience. Virgilio, Melani and Bennett offer consistent advice to women considering life at sea: be prepared to work hard, remain confident, and do not let stereotypes or setbacks deter you. The rewards include travel, leadership opportunities and a meaningful career on the water. As the industry slowly opens up, their stories serve as examples that the bridge can—and increasingly does—belong to women.