Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria has her own leading lady

Inger Olsen rose through the Cunard’s tradition steeped rankings to become the cruise line’s first female captain

At 16 she signed on to a cargo ship just to eanr a little extra pocket money,"I was looking for a job after school and on weekends," Olsen recalled from her home in Svendborg, Denmark. "I didn't have any idea what I wanted to do."

In 1997 she applied to become a cadet and joined the world famous Cunard Line. "I thought I'd do it for a few years and then go ashore and have a family," said Olsen, 43. "But one year led to another."

In December 2010, Captain Olsen finally took helm of the luxury liner Queen Victoria to become one of only a few female cruise ship captains in the world

The Queen Victoria, which carries 2,000 passengers, is the youngest of Cunard's three Queens, joining the fleet alongside the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in 2007.

"Each ship has its own feel," Olsen said. "Once you get used to a particular ship, get the training in it, that ship seems like the best one for you. When people say this is fantastic, the greatest time of life, then you know that we have delivered what we promised."

Olsen said her voyage through the ranks has been mostly smooth sailing. "People have welcomed me all the way through," she said. "It's only been extremely positive."

Currently on leave until she sets sail in May, Olsen is enjoying the pleasures of dry land back home

"When I'm home I have my house, my garden, my family," she said. "I go to concerts, spend time with friends. Just enjoy, really. "

"You're away for three or four months," she explained. "Most women who have kids don't want to be away for that long."

Olsen closed with "At least I can say that I've done it. I did it all the way," Olsen said. "But it wasn't really a dream, I think. It was more just circumstances, really."