Inger Olsen, a Danish lady, has the honour of being the first female captain in the 171 year history of Cunard Cruise Lines.

Inger’s nautical skills were developed during a long career on ferries, cargo ships and dredgers before she eventually applied for a job on a cruise ship. Cunard Cruise Lines hired her in 1997 and it took 13 years of hard work before she reached her current position.

Ms Olsen also worked for a couple of other companies that form part of the Carnival Corporation group, including P&O, Princess Cruises and Sabourn. Currently, she is on leave and will return to her ship, the Queen Victoria, in May 2011.

Out of every six month period she normally spends roughly three and a half months on board the Queen Victoria and the other two and a half months on leave. When she is not cruising the world, she loves to spend time at her home in Svendborg, Denmark.

According to Inger, her job does not have a set routine. On days when the ship docks at a port she obviously has to be on the bridge. Once docked she briefs her management team on their duties and then continues with the various other aspects her job entails, such as safety and security, health, environment and guest services.

She says her first experience on a cruise ship was in 1997 when she joined the Cunard ship the Vistafjord. It was a complete change from the world of boiler suits, containers and trailers she had known until then. Suddenly she had to wear a white uniform every day and learn how to deal with passengers.