All parents want to be a good example for their children. But Natalya Leahy doesn’t just talk the talk around her two daughters; she lives it. With Holland America Group (a division of Carnival Corporation that includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line), Leahy has advanced from the company’s chief financial officer to its chief operating officer to her current role of Seabourn president.
“I take pride in having more than 200 female officers onboard Seabourn ships post-pandemic, which is nearly a 40% increase pre-pandemic,” Leahy says. “And last year, we announced two female staff captains, the highest-ranking position.”
As the high-end cruise line’s leader, the Uzbekistan native is not only guiding the company’s diversity journey, but she’s also making sure expeditions to more than 400 global ports remain unforgettable experiences every time. Leahy recently sat down with us to discuss Seabourn’s vision, ideal voyages for new cruisers and her favorite after-work passion.
You hold the most important position with one of the most respected cruise lines in the world. What part of your career journey are you most proud of?
Recently, some first-time cruisers shared with me that they had the best experience of their lives visiting Alaska with Seabourn. They said it was the most real, authentic and personalized travel experience coupled with attentive and warm service. Moreover, when I’ve spoken to the crew about why they chose Seabourn, the answer consistently is the special culture at Seabourn, where each crew member feels their unique talents and personalities are not only accepted but celebrated.
Building a strong culture where every person feels they belong based on their talents and contributions is something I’ve always worked to achieve in every job I’ve had. And it is something I’m proud to have fostered at Seabourn. My entire leadership team is united in the strong belief that our people are the most important ingredient to our success. We work very hard to maintain that “secret sauce” that attracts the best talent from over 90 countries in the world.
You are helping to create a more diverse culture at Seabourn. Why is that mission so important to you?
The key to the mission is our people and the atmosphere they create on board. Our crew knows exactly how to personalize the guest experience so that when our guests describe Seabourn, they often use the words “home” and “family.” In my eyes, attracting diverse talent and ensuring their personalities shine is not just a choice but imperative to business. At Seabourn, we strive to recognize the full potential of each employee and give them more than a job, but a career. Many members of my executive leadership team have started their career paths onboard our ships, and that legacy and experience make our team so much stronger.
Attracting and supporting a diversity of talent is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I believe the more we as companies show different faces and models of leadership, the stronger talent we attract, and better results will follow.
One example of this came in the form of a congratulatory letter I received from a housekeeping team member. She said that, after seeing my appointment as president of Seabourn, she promised herself that she would become a hotel director one day because it was possible within our company. I find these types of messages humbling and so inspiring.
I have been dedicated to empowering and mentoring women to enhance gender inclusivity through various mentorship initiatives and networking events such as the Women Warriors speaker series. I am delighted to witness more women assuming leadership roles in the evolving hospitality industry.
How are you able to find dependable employees when so many companies struggle in that department?
One of our guests noted to me, “On board Seabourn, I feel pampered and spoiled, but I also feel like I stepped into the embrace of an old friend.” This type of service can only be delivered by people with both the highest levels of technical skills and high emotional intelligence. Hailing from all over the world, 90-plus countries and trained through the famed Seabourn Academy, we empower our employees to exercise their individuality while delivering uniquely authentic “Seabourn Moments” for our guests.
Upon becoming president of Seabourn, I immediately embarked on a listening tour with our trusted travel advisors and guests to gather their critical feedback and understand what makes them choose and return to Seabourn. The responses we received inspired many of our innovations over the past few months. They also helped me understand that our people make the Seabourn difference and, as a result, the recipe is simple: making new hires a strategic priority; finding the best people; training them well, not only in hard skills but also in culture; providing a platform to listen to them; and giving them a career. We are not always perfect, but we can strive to do that.
Beyond staff, what separates a Seabourn experience from others in the high-end cruise space?
First, we truly cover the world, as our intimate ships with yacht-like atmospheres take our guests to all seven continents and over 400 ports every year. Our purpose-built, ultra-luxury expedition ships have technical capabilities that allow guests to be taken to places that only a few will ever visit, without any compromises on comfort and luxury. I am very proud of what we created with our expedition product.
I truly believe we offer travelers an unforgettable, ultra-luxury experience with unmatched value. From complimentary access to caviar, fine wines and champagne to gourmet dining that rivals the finest restaurants in the world, we’re able to ensure that our guests feel pampered.
Lastly, and what I believe [most] sets us apart, is that we’re constantly listening to our guests to refine and sharpen the Seabourn experience. We work hard to achieve this through our signature Seabourn Moments program, which are thoughtful experiences designed for reconnection, discovery and adventure. These include small and large moments for our guests, such as champagne being ready in their suite for milestone moments like birthdays or anniversaries or having a personal cheer squad when they come up from a polar plunge on one of our Arctic explorations. These small yet highly meaningful touches are what make a Seabourn Moment.
For the person considering a first trip with Seabourn, which itinerary would be the best one for a debut experience?
I always recommend my friends to try one of our shorter seven-day itineraries in Alaska or the Mediterranean, if they want to get a taste of cruising and Seabourn. You will experience amazing iconic destinations and get a taste of the unprecedented Seabourn service and luxury.
I also do think that embarking on a voyage aboard one of our expedition ships, Seabourn Pursuit or Seabourn Venture, is an unparalleled choice for a first trip with Seabourn because guests will scratch off a bucket-list destination, many of which can be reached only via small ships, and do it without compromising comfort and luxury. While all our ships offer spaces for relaxation for the laid-back vacationer, gourmet culinary experiences for the foodie traveler and unique adventures for every type of guest in between, our expedition ships are primarily designed to create lifetime memories for guests who want to go to remote destinations like the Arctic Circle, Antarctica or Kimberley in Western Australia.
Our guided expedition experiences include state-of-the-art submarines, Zodiac [boats] and kayaks, allowing travelers to extend their exploration further for greater ocean discovery, while complimentary signature events like caviar on ice add a touch of luxury to the journey. With handcrafted itineraries tailored to take travelers closer to the most coveted and remote destinations in the world, a Seabourn expedition is an unforgettable and enriching first trip opportunity.
What makes Seattle such a wonderful place to call home?
I consider myself fortunate for the opportunity to get to know Seattle, as I moved here when I started my career at Seabourn, Holland America Line. I genuinely love Seattle, as it has so much to offer: the great outdoors, a great culinary scene, a fun city life and, of course, incredible coffee. I also enjoy the diversity of people that Seattle brings. That said, I confess that I do sometimes miss the sun.
When you aren’t in meetings or doing interviews, how do you relax?
I have two wonderful, firecracker daughters who inspire and challenge me more than any job ever could. I prioritize spending time with the two of them as much as possible. To relax, I love reading — my recent favorite book was 10% Happier by Dan Harris — and running. I am a marathon runner, which I recommend as a great way to really learn about yourself and your capabilities. I enjoy cooking for and hosting friends and family at home.
