Disney Cruise Line Makes History With Its First-Ever Female Captain

In a historic move, Disney Cruise Line has promoted Maria Gotor to Captain at the helm of the 144,000 gross ton Disney Wish, becoming the first-ever female captain in the cruise line’s history.

Gotor joined Disney Cruise Line just two years ago in 2024 as a Staff Captain after leaving the same role at Celebrity Cruises. She first shared the news of her promotion on social media on July 15, 2026 with a selfie, grinning ear to ear while pointing at her new captain epaulets. 

The new captain sat down with Disney Experiences for a Q&A session, shared on July 17, where she told the story of how she left behind a growing legal career to pursue a life on the high seas.

As a child growing up in landlocked Seville, Spain, Gotor was drawn to lucrative careers like being a doctor, lawyer, or architect. She ended up going to law school and spent six years growing a career in the legal field.

However, one trip on a ferry would change the course of her life. One day, when she was crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to visit some friends, she met the ferry’s captain. The captain invited her to visit the wheelhouse, and she became transfixed at the notion of a nautical career. 

“[I] realized there was an entire industry I’ve never considered before,” Gotor said.

She asked the captain what it took to get that job, and immediately began pursuing a master’s in nautical engineering, while continuing her legal job.

After finishing her degree, she immediately left her legal career behind and began piloting a Trasmediterranea ferry, the very same one, in fact, that inspired her career change. After six years, looking for more opportunities to grow and learn, she joined the cruise industry in 2009 as a Junior Officer for Celebrity Cruises.

She rose through the ranks at Celebrity Cruises quickly, being promoted to Chief Officer in 2011, Safety Officer in 2012, then finally to Staff Captain in March of 2018. She is a popular onboard figure with guests, and is active on social media, sharing her travels and life updates with her nearly 3,000 followers on Facebook and over 11,000 followers on Instagram.

Gotor’s Journey With Disney

Maria Gotor stayed with Celebrity Cruises as Staff Captain for another six and a half years before answering the call of Mickey Mouse in September 2024. When asked what drew her to Disney Cruise Line, Maria Gotor gushed about the unique brand of happiness felt onboard by both guests and crew with Disney.

“I’ve sailed for many years, but there is something unique about Disney Cruise Line,” Gotor said. The joy on board is real, and today I am the happiest I have ever been. I feel it from the guests, from the crew, even standing on the open deck. It’s unlike anything else in this industry.”

Her promotion comes at a time of rapid expansion for Disney. The cruise line plans to nearly double its fleet with 13 total vessels by 2031. This is marked most recently by the announcement of their fourth Wish-Class ship, Disney Believe, debuting in late 2027.

Her appointment also marks a shift in a predominantly male-dominated industry. While exact numbers vary by source, most reports put the percentage of cruise captains who are female at less than 3%. That is a number, however, that has been growing in recent years. Fellow Celebrity Cruises alumna, Captain Kate McCue, made history in 2015 by becoming the first-ever American female cruise captain.

With this promotion, Gotor is already serving as a role model for young girls.

“My Captain Emma was on the Treasure last week looking for lady captains,” one user commented on Gotor’s Facebook post. “Someone told us about you being the first female captain for Disney so now she wants to go on the Wish to see you.”

If you also want to see Captain Gotor at work, Disney Wish is sailing 3 and 4 day Bahamas cruises out of Port Canaveral until April 25, 2027, when she will reposition to Barcelona to begin Mediterranean and European itineraries.