# Captaining the Love Boat **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 2, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640 "2024-09-02T18:23:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/1 "2024-09-02T18:23:43Z")
I’m currently being tormented by an earworm of the “Love Boat” theme, which brought a question to mind: How do you get to be Captain Steubing? Navy command path, then retire to something less martial? Merchant Marine then get tired of Liberian flagged ships? Assistant radio polisher for Princess then work your way up? Anybody know how that usually works? Definitely don’t need the answer promptly. Sorry about the earworm. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/2 "2024-09-02T18:33:08Z")
If you are on social media, follow Captain Kate McCue - [Captain Kate McCue (@captainkatemccue) • Instagram profile](https://www.instagram.com/captainkatemccue/?hl=en) or [https://www.youtube.com/c/captainkatemccue](https://www.youtube.com/c/captainkatemccue) She’s a cruise ship captain and her content shows the day to day life on ship, but also goes into what her career path was to get there. Basically, you start with lower roles on smaller ships and work your way up. Most of the bridge crew seems to have gone to a Maritime Academy. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/3 "2024-09-02T18:35:53Z")
The few wiki pages I’m seeing for cruise ship captains seems to suggest they ‘work their way up’. [Inger Klein Thorhuage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inger_Klein_Thorhauge) > After obtaining her Master’s Licence in 1994,[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inger_Klein_Thorhauge#cite_note-hun-2) she became interested in working in the [cruise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruise_ship) industry, joining [Cunard Lines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunard_Lines) as a deck officer in 1997. Over the next 13 years, she worked her way up through the ranks.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inger_Klein_Thorhauge#cite_note-telegraph-3)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inger_Klein_Thorhauge#cite_note-kfm-4) In 2010, she was named as the Captain of [Cunard Lines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunard_Lines)’ [MS _Queen Victoria_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Victoria). [Belinda Bennett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belinda_Bennett) > she started working for [Windstar Cruises](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windstar_Cruises) as a Second Officer in 2005. She continued rising in rank, being made Captain of the _[MSY Wind Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSY_Wind_Star)_,[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belinda_Bennett#cite_note-BermudaReal-1) and Windstar’s first woman captain, in March 2016.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belinda_Bennett#cite_note-3) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/4 "2024-09-02T18:36:00Z")
Your captains papers, creditials, years of onboard positions. A Master Mariners license. And apparently a love of quirky characters as a crew. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/5 "2024-09-02T18:38:46Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > If you are on social media, follow Captain Kate McCue I ran across her wiki page while putting my post together, but I couldn’t find a good short quote to use. > **[Kate McCue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_McCue#Maritime_career)** > > Kate McCue (born January 6, 1978) is an American cruise ship captain. She is currently employed by Celebrity Cruises and is the captain of the Celebrity Beyond. > When she became the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit in 2015, it was the first time that an American woman had been named captain of a "Mega" cruise ship. Prior to her time at Celebrity, she had worked as an officer for both Disney Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. > McCue moved around with her family during her childhood due to... ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/6 "2024-09-02T18:48:24Z")
Did Stubing ever get any action, or was he too busy captaining? As for the theme song, I tend to hear the South Park version in my head for some reason, complete with the abrupt ending with Randy screaming. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/7 "2024-09-02T19:04:05Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > How do you get to be Captain Steubing? Navy command path, then retire to something less martial? Merchant Marine then get tired of Liberian flagged ships? Assistant radio polisher for Princess then work your way up? Alternatively, you get a supporting role on a popular sitcom as a terrible writer, and then fail upward until you get ~~promoted~~ cast as the captain in the sexiest sea cruising commercial on television. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/8 "2024-09-02T19:12:03Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Did Stubing ever get any action, or was he too busy captaining? Well, he _married_ Marion Ross in the last episode. I’d say that counts. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/9 "2024-09-02T20:01:59Z")
A seafaring adventurer made a deal with Mr. Roarke many years ago that if he made the dude the captain of a luxury liner, a trip could be arranged to bring the whole ship over to Fantasy Island. That promise was fulfilled on November 22nd, 1980 on a special Love Boat/Fantasy Island 2 hour crossover. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/10 "2024-09-02T20:08:55Z")
The career of this former captain here: [Francesco Schettino - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Schettino) He’s the one who ran the Costa Concordia aground while grandstanding, then abandoned it. He’s serving 16 years. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/11 "2024-09-02T20:20:23Z")
So, is the guy schmoozing the first class passengers at the captain’s table and giving tours of the bridge really the same guy responsible for actual nautical matters? Seems like two completely different jobs to me. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/12 "2024-09-02T20:25:44Z")
Even the captain has to eat. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/13 "2024-09-02T20:27:02Z")
But kissing ass is usually the last thing a person who has climbed to a position of authority wants to do. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/14 "2024-09-02T20:30:39Z")
Didn’t Steubing get started on a PT boat during WWII? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/15 "2024-09-02T20:31:57Z")
The Captain does what The Company wants, and The Company loves charming ass-kissers. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/16 "2024-09-02T20:33:27Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Didn’t Steubing get started on a PT boat during WWII? [Submarine](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053143/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_95_act). ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/17 "2024-09-02T21:32:17Z")
He had loads of romantic interludes. Yep, Playa! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/18 "2024-09-02T21:52:34Z")
He was also a crew member in a tank in WWII. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/19 "2024-09-02T21:59:06Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Even the captain has to eat. IIRC, Captain Kate (linked above) doesn’t do the Captain’s Table, she doesn’t like them. The captain has great discretion as to which non-essential activities they have to perform. I think that was in one of her Captain’s Logs, but I can’t find it on a quick search. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640/20 "2024-09-02T22:22:31Z")
I don’t know if they actually dined at the Captain’s table, but my parents definitely schmoozed with the Captain on the several cruises they took. At the very least, I guess the Captain is supposed to walk around and greet the passengers for a certain amount of time each day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640.md?page=2)