Explora Journeys is trying something new for winter 2026: putting its president on the ship with the guests. Anna Nash will personally host the brand's first President's Journey aboard Explora II from 9 to 16 December 2026, sailing as part of the line's A Serene Mediterranean Winter 2026–2027 collection.
The idea is unusually candid for the cruise business. Nash, who came to Explora after more than two decades in luxury hospitality outside cruising, has framed the sailing as a listening exercise. Guests get informal access to her — morning walks, small dinners — plus structured conversations with her and the leadership team, where the brand explicitly wants to hear what's working and what isn't. For anyone who likes being in the room when a company shapes its future, that's a rare setup.
The itinerary itself leans on two standout calls. In Gibraltar, a bespoke shore experience takes in the territory's World War II tunnels and The Convent, the Governor's official residence — spots not typically opened up in this way. In Casablanca, the ship stays overnight, and guests are treated to a complimentary sunset cocktail at the Royal Mansour Casablanca in a deliberately small, intimate setting, with the following day left free to explore the city at their own pace.
There's also a speaker programme with genuine pull. Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Ocean and record-breaking endurance swimmer, talks oceans and conservation; former British number one Annabel Croft brings stories from tennis and broadcasting; journalist Matt Barbet and destination expert Gail Packer round out the line-up.
Explora Club members get priority access to selected events, and the whole sailing sits inside a wider winter collection running November 2026 to March 2027, covering Sicily, Tunisia, the Greek islands, Iberia and the Atlantic coast. Notably, the collection adds shorter four- and five-night sailings — a sign Explora is chasing travellers who want a luxury taste of the Mediterranean without committing a fortnight.
Why it matters: this is a hosted sailing for people who want proximity — to the brand's decision-makers, to limited-capacity experiences, and to quieter winter Mediterranean ports without the summer crush. If you've sailed with Explora before, or you're considering it and want direct input into where the product goes next, this particular week is built for you. It's also a genuinely good winter itinerary on paper: mild weather, historic Gibraltar and an unhurried overnight in Casablanca.
