What does it take to maintain a successful career in travel for nearly 40 years? For AmaWaterways director of sales UK and Europe Andrea Stafford, a can-do attitude, an eagerness to learn and enough energy to sustain multiple late nights and early mornings

In this week’s episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, Stafford chats with co-host Will Payne about her glittering four-decade tenure in travel, which started in 1986 with Lunn Polly (now known as TUI).

Stafford offers insight into how the sector has evolved, from Telex machines and brochures to AI chat bots and video conferences, as well her advice for future professionals looking to climb the cruise career ladder.

Payne and Stafford also discuss the imminent launch of AmaWaterways’ AmaSofia on the Danube and the Rhine and AmaMaya on the Mekong, as well as Stafford’s highlights of 2025 and her predictions for the cruise sector in 2026.

In the last episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, Payne sat down with Scenic and Emerald Cruises head of sales Jonathan Davies to discuss the company’s standout year, the power of product diversification, and why travel agents remain central to the brand’s success story.

You can listen to the podcast below, or on all leading platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. You can also view the video version on YouTube.