For the first time in Disney Cruise Line history, a woman is serving as captain of one of its ships. Captain Maria Gotor has officially taken the helm of the Disney Wish, becoming the first woman to captain a Disney Cruise Line vessel. It’s a milestone years in the making, made even more remarkable by the fact that Gotor originally built a career as a lawyer in Spain before discovering a passion for maritime navigation after a chance encounter aboard a ferry.
Captain Gotor’s career on the ocean wasn’t always part of her plan. Before stepping onto a ship’s bridge, she spent six years working as a lawyer in her native Spain before a chance encounter completely changed her path. During a recent Q&A shared by Disney Cruise Line, Captain Gotor explained that she first discovered the maritime industry while taking a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to visit friends.
“I asked what it took to become a captain and soon realized there was an entire industry I’d never considered before,” she said.
Gotor returned to school to earn a master’s degree in nautical engineering and maritime navigation while continuing to work. Although it meant starting over professionally, she said she knew it was the career she wanted to pursue.
After completing her studies, she found herself back aboard the very ferry that sparked her interest, this time as one of its pilots. She spent six years in coastal navigation before moving into ocean cruising in 2009, where she worked her way up through the ranks to staff captain. In 2024, she joined Disney Cruise Line, a company she said had been on her radar for years.
“I’ve sailed for many years, but there is something unique about Disney Cruise Line,” Gotor shared. “The joy on board is real, and today I am the happiest I have ever been.”
She recalled experiencing the Disney Wish’s “Let’s Set Sail” sail away celebration for the first time, saying the emotion and excitement from both guests and crew stood out immediately.
Now serving as captain of the Disney Wish, Gotor says she enjoys both the technical challenges of safely navigating a 144,000-ton cruise ship and the opportunity to interact with guests and crew throughout each voyage.
“Serving as captain of the Disney Wish is both deeply personal and professionally meaningful,” she said. “Representing my home country of Spain on a ship like this makes it even more special.”
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