Disney Cruise Line has promoted Maria Gotor to captain, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first female captain in the cruise line’s history.
Gotor shared the news with followers on social media, posting a photograph displaying her new captain’s stripes alongside the caption: “And Just like this…. We have a new Captain in the room”
The promotion comes less than two years after Gotor joined Disney Cruise Line and follows a maritime career spanning more than 15 years at sea. Gotor confirmed will be the captain of Disney Wish.
A native of Spain, Gotor began her seafaring career transporting vessels across the Strait of Gibraltar before moving into the cruise industry.
She joined Celebrity Cruises in 2009 and steadily progressed through the ranks during a career that lasted nearly 15 years with the premium cruise operator.
In 2018, she was promoted to Staff Captain and went on to serve aboard several ships, including Celebrity Edge, one of the most innovative vessels in the Celebrity Cruises fleet.
After leaving Celebrity Cruises, Gotor joined Disney Cruise Line as Staff Captain in September 2024.
Her promotion to captain in June 2026 represents the latest step in a career that has seen her rise through some of the most senior operational positions in the cruise industry.
Popular Figure Among Cruise Fans
Beyond her professional achievements, Gotor has built a following among cruise enthusiasts through her active social media presence, where she regularly shares insights into life at sea and behind-the-scenes moments from her career.
She has attracted nearly 3,000 followers on Facebook and more than 10,000 followers on Instagram, with news of her promotion generating hundreds of congratulatory messages across both platforms.
Among those celebrating the milestone was Captain Wesley Dunlop, the well-known former P&O Cruises captain who joined Disney Cruise Line in late 2024 and later took command of Disney Fantasy.
Responding to the flood of messages, Gotor thanked supporters with a heartfelt post, writing:
“Thank you all so very much!!!!. Being onboard it’s a bit more difficult for me to reply to all of you, but you all made my day, and I need to read one by one all these comments!!. Love you all!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Growing Representation On The Bridge
While women remain underrepresented in senior maritime roles, Gotor’s promotion reflects a broader shift within the cruise industry as more women move into command positions.
Several major cruise lines have appointed female captains in recent years, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Voyages.
However, Disney Cruise Line had not previously announced a woman serving as captain of one of its vessels, making Gotor’s appointment a significant milestone for the company.
The promotion also comes during a period of rapid expansion for Disney Cruise Line.
The cruise line has grown from a fleet of four ships just a few years ago and is currently undertaking one of the largest fleet expansion programmes in the industry, with multiple new vessels scheduled to enter service over the coming years.
As Disney continues to expand, Gotor’s appointment places her among a growing group of female maritime leaders helping shape the future of the global cruise industry.
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