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Meet the Captain Behind Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship
Disney Cruise Line is making history on the high seas! Disney officially introduced its newest ship captain, Captain Maria Gotor, who recently took command of one of the fleet’s most stunning vessels: the Disney Wish.
With her promotion to the bridge, Captain Maria has officially become the first female captain in Disney Cruise Line history.
While stepping into the role of captain on a 144,000-ton flagship is a monumental achievement on its own, her path to the helm makes the milestone even more inspiring. Long before she was donning her captain’s stripes, Maria was practicing law in Spain and never even considered a maritime career.
In an official Disney Q&A, Captain Maria shared her incredible journey from the courtroom to the coastline.
Growing up in Spain, Maria followed a traditional professional path, building a career over six years as a practicing lawyer. However, a single afternoon completely altered the course of her life.
While taking a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to visit some friends, she was invited into the vessel’s wheelhouse and met the ship’s captain. Fascinated, she asked what it took to lead a ship like that and realized an entirely new passion was calling her.
Instead of leaving it as a fun memory, Maria completely pivoted her life:
- She went back to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Nautical Engineering and Maritime Navigation—all while continuing to work her day job as a lawyer.
- After graduating, her career came full circle when she began piloting the exact same ferry where she first discovered her dream.
- Seeking a grander ocean navigation challenge, she officially entered the cruise industry as a junior officer in 2009, eventually working her way up to Staff Captain (second-in-command).
Captain Maria officially joined the Disney Cruise Line family in September 2024 as a Staff Captain before earning her history-making promotion to Captain. For her, sailing under the Disney flag has brought a level of fulfillment unmatched by any other company.
“I’ve sailed for many years, but there is something unique about Disney Cruise Line,” Captain Maria shared. “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.”
She recalled watching her very first “Let’s Set Sail” deck party aboard the Disney Wish and feeling the overwhelming emotion and happiness radiating from everyone onboard.
Commanding the Disney Wish is a massive responsibility that requires absolute precision. As Captain Maria playfully points out, handling a ship of that magnitude is no easy feat:
“On the Disney Wish, there’s 144,000 tons of steel that you have to stop without brakes. It’s challenging, and it’s rewarding.”
Beyond the technical skills needed on the bridge, Captain Maria emphasizes that her favorite part of the job is stepping away from the wheelhouse to walk the decks, connect with her fellow officers, and meet the families vacationing onboard.
The love goes both ways, too. Captain Maria noted that one of her most unforgettable milestones happened right after her promotion: “I’ll never forget when [the crew] celebrated and cheered me on during my first ship-wide announcement as Captain of the vessel. That was a special moment for me.”
As Disney Cruise Line continues its massive global expansion, inspiring stories like Captain Maria’s remind us that it’s never too late to chart a new course and follow your dreams!
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