Travel Trailblazers: Cunard Cruise’s First Female Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge

Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge is the first female captain of the legendary British cruise line Cunard. Known for its fleet of recognized Queens, including the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth, Cunard is one of the world’s most historic and glamorous cruise lines. Since its inception in 1840, the ships have been a part of historic events, from making the first Transatlantic crossing to rescuing survivors during the tragic sinking of the Titanic. Sometimes referred to as “floating palaces”, the ships have hosted icons such as Charles Dickens, Bing Crosby, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and more. The luxury cruise line continues to honor the golden age of travel, and remains one of the only cruise lines requiring a dress code today.

Captain Inger shares her journey with Melissa, from her start as a stewardess cleaning the ship to now leading Cunard’s new Queen Anne set to sail this upcoming May. Originally from the Faroe Islands, she reveals inside details on life at sea and gives a glimpse into the fascinating history and daring crossings of Cunard. She also shares what you can expect on the Queen Anne, stories from navigating a ship during the start of the pandemic, and her leadership strategies for managing over 1,000 crew members. Tune in to discover what makes ocean travel with Cunard so special, and don’t miss Melissa’s hack where she uncovers facts about Cunard and Queen Anne.

Lightning Round with Captain Inger:

• Favorite part of being a Captain? When a voyage has been successful, I feel that guests and crew are happy.
• Most beautiful destination you’ve sailed to? The entire world
• Something people would be surprised to know about living on a ship? How similar it is to living ashore
• What part of Queen Anne are you most excited for guests to see and experience? The entire ship – she is so different from the rest of the Cunard fleet – so I am so excited to see the guests’ reaction.
• Any maritime traditions you take part in? There are a lot of traditions that are still kept at sea – and where my presence is required I will participate.
• What’s your favorite thing about the sea? The calmness and tranquility of the sea and the sound of it.