While Captain Kate McCue has become a social media star partly because she's the first captain of a mega-ship, that's not her only claim to fame.
McCue had also become well 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 that McCue captains.
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Bug Naked has been the subject of trivia games and has been photographed by tens of thousands of passengers. As perhaps the only cat who lives on a large cruise ship, Bug Naked became a huge star in her own right.
That was partly because hairless cats are not that common and partly because McCue regularly posted photos of her animal companion in various outfits across social media.
Now, Bug Naked is again being talked about on social media, but it's for a terrible reason.
Our little girl is gone. Our hearts are shattered.
Bug passed away last night from complications after a routine dental cleaning and tooth extraction. She was surrounded at home by our family and enough love to fill this universe. 8 years and 6 months that we were blessed to spend together.
The greatest of sidekicks, the sweetest of angels, the saltiest of seafaring cats, Bug was one in a billion.
We are devastated. Our hearts have been ripped from our chests.
💔Bug, we will look for you in every rainbow and never forget the joy you brought every second of your brief life.
Bug Naked was born on March 20, 2016, and passed away on Dec, 26, 2026.
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Image source: Captain Kate McCue
Captain Kate shares her sorrow
Everyone who has unexpectedly lost a pet knows how hard it hits. McCue shared some of her feelings on her Instagram page.
"The emotions since losing Bug are something I've never experienced. The gaping hole in my chest feels like a void that can never be filled. The guilt from the uncertainty that I cut her life short is overwhelming. Then comes the wave of rage at the unfairness of it all. The immense sadness that takes over every time I think of the love she gave," she 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 has shared your journey, walked beside you, and been there through the good and the bad feels like more than I can bear. And then there's gratitude for having something in my life that brought the purest joy every single time I looked at her," McCue added.
Celebrity Beyond's Captain shared how she has been feeling since the loss.
"I see her everywhere. In her favorite fluffy blanket on the couch, at the door to greet me and remind me it's meal time, coming to find me if I take too long getting ready in the bathroom, lounging in the most sunlit spot...I think of her when I turn off the light, expecting her to hop into bed beside me and settle into her favorite place, only to wake up with her snuggled against my face," she shared. "To say I miss you, @bugnaked, is not enough."
Passengers express their condolences
Bug Naked had her own following, and many people reached out to Capt. Kate to share their condolences.
"Crying again reading this; I can’t imagine how you’re dealing with your Baby girl's loss! I know that pain & I have cried so much for you, Nikola, and the pain you have every minute, as you said, EVERYWHERE you look in your home & going back on the ship soon, all your Crew that loved her daily. You and Bugs have impacted so many lives," wrote HeidiBear301.
Many passengers expressed their sorrow by sharing their own losses and making it clear that McCue did the right thing.
"Captain, this is going to be so hard, and you are going to feel immense guilt, and if we could help you by just taking away an iota of that pain, know that we would. Our daughter put her beloved Yorkie down a few months ago and still questions whether she did it too soon. You had Bug’s best interest at heart when you sent her to have the dental work. It was necessary for her to have a pain-free life and to not suffer, and as a pet parent, you made the right decision," posted DoyleFamily8.
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Many posters shared that sentiment.
"You did nothing wrong. Guilt is a normal reaction. But please know you did nothing wrong. You gave her the very best life. Just hearing this has me in tears," added BobaFettMatt.
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