Anais Habbar
Anaïs Habbar is the Chief Executive Officer of DL SERVICES USA, Inc., a Miami-based company operating within the global cruise and hospitality supply industry and now part of De Wave Group. With nearly two decades of experience in the cruise sector, she built her career from the ground up after relocating from France in 2009 to establish and grow the company’s U.S. presence. Over the years, she has held progressive leadership roles including Project Development Manager, Director of Business Development, Vice President, and ultimately CEO, where she now oversees strategy, client relationships, and international growth initiatives across major cruise lines.
Her work focuses on turning long-term relationships into sustainable business growth, with a strong emphasis on trust, collaboration, and human connection. Anaïs is known for her relationship-driven leadership style, frequently engaging directly with clients, suppliers, and industry partners to develop solutions across ship design, lifecycle systems, catering architecture, and cruise operations. She is also an active voice in the industry, representing her company at major global events such as Seatrade Cruise Global and the Marine Hotel Association, where she has also served on the Board of Directors.
Beyond her executive role, Anaïs is deeply committed to leadership development and women’s empowerment within the maritime and cruise industries. She leads and participates in initiatives that support professional growth, mentorship, and visibility for women in business. Through her public speaking, industry presence, and personal reflections on resilience and legitimacy, she shares her journey to inspire others to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose while continuing to shape the future of global cruise hospitality.
• Certificate in Mindfulness and Empowerment
• CCI Nantes St Nazaire- M.B.A.
• Women Empowerment in Cruise Industry
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up and having faith in myself. My biggest challenge was gaining legitimacy as a woman in a male-dominated industry, especially when I was younger, because people didn't take me seriously. But by showing up for myself and always believing that I was going to kill it and do it, that was one of my forces to continue and arrive at where I am today. My inspiration was mainly my family, my kids, and I also have a great mentor who helped me gain confidence and keep showing up for my role in this industry and beyond. The possibility of America is so much bigger than Europe, and that was my force to stay in the U.S. and continue in this industry.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a mentor who helped me build confidence and reminded me to keep showing up, stay consistent even when things feel uncertain, and never give up—because progress comes from persistence and having faith in yourself even before others fully see your potential.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell her that even if she doesn't feel it and people are trying to test her, to never give up and to overcome. Never lower her energy to the room. Always keep shining and show up, because it will pay off one day.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field has been working in a traditionally male-dominated industry and having to earn legitimacy as a young woman while being taken seriously in leadership spaces. At the same time, there is a powerful opportunity right now with increasing female participation and visibility of women leaders, and I’m focused on helping create more impact and opening doors for others to follow.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are perseverance, faith in myself, confidence, showing up consistently even when it’s hard, and building genuine trust with the people I work with and serve.