Find out why Captain Sandy from Below Deck is excited for her first cruise, and why she’s such a fan of Celebrity’s Captain Kate.

Strong women leaders, female captains — when you think about it, it makes sense that captain Sandy Yawn, the firm yet caring leader of the popular “Below Deck Mediterranean” reality show, would choose Celebrity Cruises for her first ocean cruise sailing.

After all, Celebrity Cruises has Lisa Lutoff-Perlo at its helm as president and CEO. There’s captain Kate McCue, the first female captain of a mainstream cruise ship, who just happens to be a social media sensation. And there’s the line’s commitment to building female-centric leadership not only throughout the company, but particularly through male-dominated Bridge positions.

That’s exactly how it went down — through women-empowered networking. Yawn met Lutoff-Perlo through an introduction; the two shared the stage for an American Cancer Society fundraiser. (Yawn is a survivor of kidney cancer.)

Cruise Critic sat down with yacht captain and author Yawn for a brief conversation during a mini-sailing on Celebrity Beyond. Here is an edited Q and A:

Cruise Critic: Tell me a little bit about how you met (Lutoff-Perlo?)

Sandy Yawn: When I met Lisa, it was an instant connection because she’s so humble and kind. I’m coming out with a leadership book (in October 2022), and I wanted a female CEO who could read my book and give me an endorsement. And she did.

I’m so grateful I met her because of my experience…