Cunard, has named woman Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge who will take the helm of Queen Anne, its newest luxury ship when she takes to the ocean on her maiden voyage in early 2024.

Announcing the appointment in the week of  International Women’s Day,  Thorhauge is Cunard’s first female Captain when she made Captain of Queen Victoria in 2010. She will sail Queen Anne from Italy, where she is currently being built to Southampton, ahead of her inaugural sailing in 2024.

She started her career as a Second Officer on board Cunard’s Vistafjord in 1997, became Captain of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in 2011. During her 25 years with Cunard, she has sailed the world many times over.

“I am very proud to be Cunard’s first female captain, but to be named as the first captain of Queen Anne is the greatest honour. It means the absolute world to me to be part of the next chapter of Cunard,” Captain Thorhauge said.

“I can’t wait to see the reaction Queen Anne will receive from our guests when they first step on board, then to set sail and showcase our beautiful new ship to the world, visiting wonderful, and exciting ports. I can only begin to imagine the reception she will receive.

“When I discuss Queen Anne with Cunard crew it is so clear how excited and proud they are too, to welcome a new ship to the fleet. The crew are fundamental in delivering that quintessential Cunard experience, and I know they will continue to deliver the exceptionally high standards of our White Star Service on Queen Anne that our guests expect from us.”

Thorhauge is from Denmark’s Faroe Islands, a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Shetland Islands.

Sharing captain duties on board Queen Anne will be David Hudson who started with Cunard in 2006.

Cunard will reveal itineraries for Queen Anne in May this year.

For more information, visit cunard.com/en-au