As a child in southwest England, Anna Nash rode a tiny passenger ferry to and from school every single day. She also learned to sail at a very young age.
Because of these early experiences, Nash says she has always viewed the water as both grounding and freeing.
So, it is perhaps apropos that Nash’s career trajectory in the travel industry led her to her current role: President of a cruise line.
Last year, Nash joined Explora Journeys, one of the world’s newest cruise lines. The company launched in 2021 with two ultra-luxury ships and is preparing to unveil a third in 2026.
Nash arrived in her new role after a 25-year career in the hospitality industry that began at the legendary, ultra-luxury Orient Express, where she spent 11 years ascending the ranks of the company’s public relations department.
Next, she spent a decade with the five-star hotel Rosewood London, followed by another globally renowned luxury brand, Aman, where Nash worked first as head of global public relations and – after a decade with the company in various key roles – departed as its chief commercial officer to join Explora Journeys.
That was in September 2024, meaning Nash has just marked her one year anniversary in the new role at Explora Journeys, a position she’s described in previous interviews as a “once in a career opportunity to brand-build and redefine ocean travel.”
With all of that in mind, TravelPulse recently conducted a Q&A with Nash, covering everything from her career trajectory to her vision for the fledgling brand and her advice for other women working their way up through an industry where the C-suite continues to remain predominantly male.
Some questions and responses have been edited for clarity or brevity.
Anna Nash, president, Explora Journeys (Photo Credit: Courtesy Explora Journeys)
A Conversation With Anna Nash
TP: Can you tell our readers a little bit about your career trajectory and navigating from your first role at Orient Express as a PR coordinator to your current role? What were some of the key steps or choices you made along the way that helped you rise to the top of the industry?
AN: My path from PR coordinator at Orient-Express to President of Explora Journeys has been anything but linear, but every step taught me something invaluable.
I’ve had the privilege of working with iconic, purpose-led brands, from Orient-Express, Rosewood, to Aman, and now Explora Journeys. Each chapter has shaped not only my career but also my approach to leadership.
I learned early on to say yes to opportunities that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and invited me to grow. Curiosity has always been a guiding force. Curiosity of people, about places, and about what creates a truly meaningful guest experience.
Equally, being present has allowed me to listen deeply: to guests as they share their journeys, to colleagues whose ideas spark innovation, and to those I’ve had the privilege of mentoring along the way.
As a leader, I have always strived to be fair and approachable, to inspire by being present and rolling up my sleeves alongside the team. And I believe it’s important to choose a brand and an industry you feel deeply connected to because when your work becomes part of you, it’s no longer just a job, it’s a calling.
TP: Was being a cruise company executive something you envisioned for yourself when you began your travel industry career?
AN: I never set out with a plan to lead a cruise brand, but looking back, it feels like a natural evolution.
I have always been drawn to the sea and the rhythm of a journey. The sense of a beginning, discovery in the middle, and closure at the end, feel like chapters in a story.
Growing up in the countryside in Devon, my connection to water began early: I learned to sail and took a small passenger ferry to school each day. I didn’t cruise as a child, but my first voyage with my husband was unforgettable. Waking at sunrise to complete stillness and an endless horizon captured everything I love about travel: freedom, rhythm, discovery, and wonder.
Cruising became a natural extension of my career in luxury hospitality, and what excites me now is the opportunity to reimagine ocean travel, not just as transport, but as a transformative, soulful experience. I’ve always been passionate about meaningful travel, the kind that connects people to place, to each other, and to themselves. Ocean travel adds a unique, almost poetic dimension to that purpose.
When I first encountered Explora Journeys, I felt an immediate alignment – creatively, emotionally, and professionally. It’s not just a role, but a chance to help reimagine a category, to shape ultra-elegant travel at sea, and to build a brand with genuine depth and purpose.
Working alongside Pierfrancesco Vago and the Aponte-Vago family has been a privilege. With over 300 years of maritime heritage, their knowledge of the ocean is unparalleled, and their vision, expertise, and passion make every collaboration inspiring and deeply meaningful.
TP: What are one or two pieces of critical advice you would give other women about succeeding in the travel industry? What does it take? And is this an industry where women can really make their mark and make a difference in the world?
AN: Be bold, build your network, and trust your instincts. This industry absolutely allows women to lead and create change, but you have to raise your hand for the opportunities that stretch you, even when they feel just outside your comfort zone.
Find mentors to listen and learn from, surround yourself with people who believe in your potential, and don’t be afraid to speak with clarity and conviction. Travel is an incredibly personal industry, and qualities like empathy, emotional intelligence, and collaboration are more important than ever. Women bring those strengths in abundance. And yes, we can make a real mark.
TP: According to 2023 data from the World Travel & Tourism Counci, women accounted for only 7 percent of top CEO and chair spots in the leisure travel sector. What are your thoughts about this issue?
Representation matters. Women bring a valuable perspective to hospitality and travel, one that is empathetic, intuitive, and collaborative. I want other women to see that a seat at the table is not only possible, but powerful. As one of the few female presidents in this space, I take that responsibility seriously, not just to lead, but to help pave the way.
My advice [for other women]? Support each other, advocate for your ideas, and step forward with confidence. Don’t wait to feel 100% ready. Growth lives just beyond that point of discomfort. And above all, be yourself. Your perspective is not just valid—it’s needed.
TP: In a previous media interview you said: “There’s a lot of pressure—but you need a clear vision. You soon realize as a leader, the higher and higher you climb, the less and less you know.” Can you share just a little bit about how you handle those challenges?
AN:Leadership comes with pressure, no doubt. I handle it by staying anchored in our vision and surrounding myself with a team I trust deeply. I have learned that vulnerability and leadership aren’t mutually exclusive—you don’t need all the answers to be effective, but you do need clarity of purpose.
As you grow into more senior roles, you quickly realise that leadership is less about being the subject-matter expert and more about being the orchestrator. The higher you climb, the broader your scope becomes, and inevitably the less detail you can personally know across every area.
Your role shifts to setting a clear direction, empowering specialists, making decisions with their insight, and removing barriers so they can deliver their best work. That requires trust, constant communication, and a collaborative mindset.
I also make time to pause and reflect, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. Those quiet moments are where perspective lives. They help me move from reacting to responding, which is essential when guiding a brand that’s growing quickly but with deep intentionality.
TP. Another intriguing quote of your’s from a previous interview: “I’ve always tried to pick a brand that I connect with—and it becomes more than a job for me; it becomes part of me, my life, and my commitment—part of my purpose, really.” How have you’ve managed to accomplish this in practice and make it happen in your career?
AN:That quote reflects something I’ve always believed: your work should align with your values. Throughout my career, I’ve intentionally chosen brands that felt like a natural extension of who I am—not just professionally, but personally.
I didn’t follow a pre-mapped plan, but I always took time to understand the culture and leadership of a company before joining. I asked: Does this brand speak to something deeper in me? Does it have purpose and potential? Explora Journeys feels like a passion project. It blends innovation, design, and emotional connection in a way that excites me every day.
My advice is to research the companies you consider. Look beyond the role and understand the people, the culture, and whether their vision resonates with your own. That alignment makes all
the difference.
TP: What is a typical day like for you as president of Explora Journeys?
AN: No two days look exactly the same, which is part of what I love about this role. One moment I am on a call with our Global Markets aligning strategy, the next I’m speaking with a travel advisor discussing our latest news. I spend part of everyday reviewing marketing and communications plans to ensure we are telling our story in the most compelling and consistent way.
Equally, there’s a strong operational rhythm to my days, whether it’s reviewing itineraries with the team, looking at financial performance, or spending time in interviews as we continue to build and strengthen our global organisation. That balance of strategic oversight and hands-on involvement keeps me closely connected to every dimension of the business.
What keeps me grounded is staying close to our guests and trade partners listening to their feedback, understanding what resonates, and making sure every decision we make reflects our purpose. Strategy, operations, storytelling, and listening keep me energised and focused on guiding Explora Journeys forward, while working alongside Mr. Vago on ship development as we prepare to welcome four more ships.
TP: You’ve been open about the fact that you have a number of goals with Explora Journeys including hitting six ships by 2028—plus expanding Explora’s footprint to Alaska and Japan by 2027. And Explora Journeys recently unveiled a new loyalty program, Explora Club. Which of these efforts excite you the most for Explora Journeys and why?
AN: I’m incredibly excited about EXPLORA III, IV, V, and VI and the debut of our Alaska and Asia journeys in 2027. Japan, in particular, holds a very special place in my heart. I’ve been fortunate to travel there many times, and the sense of seasonality, tradition, and beauty always leaves me in awe.
I can’t wait for our guests to stand beneath cherry blossoms in Kyoto, stroll through Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods, and experience the serenity of a Japanese onsen—all while returning each evening to the comfort of their suite.
Each new ship and itinerary expands the ways our guests can connect with the world, whether it’s the wild beauty of Alaska or the rich cultural tapestry of Asia. And with the launch of Explora Club, we are deepening our relationship with returning guests, offering exclusive recognition and personalised benefits that make each journey feel even more rewarding. This is a moment of growth, but also of deepening—an invitation for our guests to discover something new with every journey.
TP: Finally, you have said you’re on a mission to redefine ocean travel. Can you tell our travel advisor readers a little bit about how specifically you plan to do that and what it will look like?
AN: Our vision at Explora Journeys is to create a category entirely of our own, not a cruise, but a five-star boutique hotel whose address happens to be the ocean. With superyacht-inspired design, generous space-to-guest ratios, and a slower pace of travel featuring more overnights and late departures, we are intentionally reimagining what it means to journey by sea.
Every detail, from our spacious oceanfront suites to our curated cultural experiences, has been designed to foster a sense of home rather than transit.
Guests are not rushing from port to port; they are embracing a slower, more intentional rhythm of travel, what we call the “Ocean State of Mind”, a space for discovery, reconnection, and transformation.
Our ships are destinations in their own right, blending modern European elegance with a spirit of exploration and connection.
Explora Journeys bridges two worlds: the operational excellence and scale of the MSC Group, paired with the ethos, meticulous attention to detail, and individuality of a boutique luxury brand.
We also differentiate through thoughtful, immersive experiences, from curated itineraries and culinary excellence to wellbeing, design, and meaningful connections with each destination.
Sustainability is embedded into every aspect of our operations, ensuring that luxury is delivered responsibly.
Ultimately, we are not simply another cruise line. We are building a new category of ocean travel—one that competes with the world’s finest hotels and resorts, offering transformative journeys that resonate long after the voyage ends.
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