While Captain Kate McCue has become a social media star in part because she is the first female captain of a megaship, that's not her only claim to fame.
McCue had also become known for her hairless cat, Bug Naked. In addition to being a social media star, Bug Naked has become a character on Celebrity Beyond, the ship McCue captains.
Related: Royal Caribbean makes its new beverage policy very clear
Bug Naked has been the subject of trivia games and photographed by tens of thousands of passengers. As perhaps the only cat to live on a major cruise ship, Bug Naked became a major star in his own right.
This was partly because hairless cats are not that common and partly because McCue regularly posted photos of her animal companion in various outfits on social media.
Now, Bug Naked is being talked about again on social media, but it's for a terrible reason.
Our little girl is gone. Our hearts are broken.
Bug passed away last night from complications after a routine dental cleaning and tooth extraction. I was surrounded at home by our family and enough love to fill this universe. 8 years and 6 months that we were lucky to spend together.
Bug, the greatest of companions, the sweetest of angels, the saltiest of sailor cats, was one of a billion.
We are devastated. They have ripped our hearts out of our chests.
Bug, we will look for you in every rainbow and we will never forget the joy you brought every second of your short life.
Bug Naked was born on March 20, 2016 and passed away on December 26, 2026.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or first) cruise.
Image source: Captain Kate McCue
Captain Kate shares her pain
Anyone who has unexpectedly lost a pet knows how hard it is. McCue shared some of his feelings on his instagram page.
“The emotions since losing Bug are something I have never experienced. The gaping hole in my chest feels like a void that can never be filled. The guilt over the uncertainty of having cut his life short is overwhelming. Then comes the wave of anger “before the injustice of all this. The immense sadness that takes over me every time I think about the love she gave,” he wrote.
The Celebrity Cruises captain, who is currently on vacation, tried to find some positives in the untimely passing.
“And it's all the time. The loss of someone who shared your journey, walked by your side and was there through the good and the bad feels like more than I can bear. And then there's the gratitude for having something in me life that brought me the purest joy every time I looked at it,” McCue added.
The Celebrity Beyond captain shared how she's been feeling since the loss.
“I see her everywhere. On her favorite fluffy blanket on the couch, at the door to greet me and remind me that it's time to eat, coming to find me if I take too long to get ready in the bathroom, resting in the most sunlit place “I think about her when I turn off the light, waiting for her to jump into bed next to me and settle into her favorite spot, only to wake up with her snuggled up against my face,” he shared. “Saying I miss you, @bugnaked, that's not enough.”
Passengers express their condolences
Bug Naked had his own following and many people reached out to Captain Kate to share their condolences.
“I'm crying again reading this; I can't imagine how you're dealing with the loss of your baby! I know that pain and I've cried a lot for you, Nikola, and the pain you feel every minute, like you said, EVERYWHERE” You look in your home and soon return to the ship, your entire crew who loved her every day. “You and Bugs have impacted many lives,” wrote HeidiBear301.
Many passengers expressed their grief by sharing their own losses and making it clear that McCue did the right thing.
“Captain, this is going to be very difficult and you will feel immensely guilty, and if we could help you by taking one iota of that pain away, know that we would. Our daughter left her beloved Yorkie a few months ago and is still wondering if she did it.” too soon. You had Bug's best interests in mind when you sent her for dental treatment. It was necessary for her to have a pain-free life, and as a pet parent, you made the right decision,” Doyle8 Family posted.
Have questions about booking a cruise? Schedule a free appointment with postal travel planning associated with Come Cruise With Me travel agent.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise)
Many posters shared that sentiment.
“You didn't do anything wrong. Guilt is a normal reaction. But know that you didn't do anything wrong. You gave him the best life. Just hearing this makes me cry,” BobaFettMatt added.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to get answers to all your questions.
