The Indian middle class was watching cruises as the last magnificent holidays, only for prosperous.

Idea? Drinking alcohol in the middle of the oceans, trying its luck in Casino, the ship moves towards its next stage, looking at unrealistic sunses where sometimes the waters drop the giant golden sun down the sun, soaking them in strong winds on the deck. Add that wide buffet, live music and to the ocean.

For many people, the Titanic (1997) of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio was introduced in these bhogi cruise holidays. Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala’s Mann (1999) also gave a glimpse of how rich Indians jet on long cruise holidays.

Years later, Dil Dhadken Do (2015) set a cruise goal for Indian families (Minus the Family Drama, of course). Almost a decade later, we saw an ultra-rich dance to Gallon Goodian riding on a magnificent 10-day Mediterranean Cruise, such holidays are no longer rare or domains of ultra-alete in India.

India’s growing cruise culture

In fact, the cruises are emerging as a tendency of the next big journey in India. A travel tendency report of SOTC and Thomas Cook recently stated that Indians are choosing fast for new and unique travel formats, with top of the list.

Cruises in domestic and international (both ocean and river options) are now popular among Indian travelers. Industry experts believe that it reflects the growing appeal of immersive and slow journey on travel programs filled in the innings. For the first time, the demand to repeat the passengers as well as passengers is increasing for the first time.

When 54 -year -old businessman Anish Sharma, a Delhi -based businessman, took his family on Cordelia Cruise (Chennai – Sri Lanka – Chennai) for the first time two years ago, it was an unforgettable experience for his entire family.

“Whenever we plan a long journey, it usually means stopping between hotels, catching several flights, or ending long road trips. But the cruise has removed all that. We were no constant packing and unpacking – the ship was like a floating hotel. Today tells India.

Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore are among the international destinations you can raise from India. Cordelia cruise, an Indian cruise line that began operating in 2021, leads to this trend. A 5-night, a 6-day cruise journey generated from Chennai, may cost around Rs 50,000 per person. If you are located in Mumbai, it does not include your journey from Chennai.

In addition to this inexpensive luxury segment, premium and ultra-lux options such as the Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean, Greek Islands and Scandinavia Cruise are always present. They need to fly to international departure cities. India’s growing cruise interest is important for players such as Disney Cruise Line who recently entered the Asia market, with a cruise set to depart from Singapore in December.

Domestic cruises jet off

While giant oceans and endless sea migration come up with heavy prices, domestic river cruises are emerging as a budget -friendly alternative to cruiser for the first time in India.

Domestic sailors start with international sailors at Rs 20,000 per person and Rs 45,000.

From Brahmaputra and Ganga to Hooghly, domestic river in India provides many experiences in revolutions – small 2 to 3 days from gateway to expanded trips for 20 days.

While Mumbai-Goa has been one of the most demanded routes, many are now also choosing for other options, such as Antara Cruise from Kolkata to Varanasi, which lets you see the untouched beauty of the stop in the middle.

Assam Bengal navigation provides cruises on the Brahmaputra and Ganga rivers. Assam disappointment in the name of an old mail route from Kolkata to Dibrugarh is operated on the Brahmaputra. These trips last for 4 to 10 nights, providing a comfortable way to detect Assam. Many destinations on the banks of the river are difficult to reach the road, which makes the cruise a unique and convenient way to experience this slices of heaven in the Northeast.

Kochi – Lakshadweep – Mumbai is another popular domestic route.

“The arrival of cruise lines like Costa and Cordelia in India has created strong interest on domestic water offering domestic water for sightseeing like Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Goa and Lakshadweep and Sri Lanka, demanding driving between cruisers and repeated travelers for the first time,”

“Meanwhile, international sailors with MSc Cruise, Star Dream Cruise and Norwegian cruise line have continued to receive traction,” he said.

Theme-based cruises are also gaining popularity. The artisans of Bengal by Antara Cruise allow you to detect various textile weaving traditions and indigenous crafts, as well as insight into preceding colonies such as French Chandnagor and Danish Serampore.

Similarly, the Brahmaputra River offers cruise silk and rhinoceros-4-day campaign from Guwahati to Silghat. It includes a stop at the center of Assamiachi, Assamese silk production, where visitors can visit weaving workshops and witness the process of making full silk-making-dyeing from cocoon and spinning and weaving by hand up to exquisite Mekela Chaders. The visit also has a stop in Silghat for a jeep safari in Kaziranga National Park, which gives a chance to present the tigers of royal Bengal and a horny rhinoceros.

Not just an old-gene activity

Running cruise culture in India is young. Unlike this notion, retired retired are not only eager to hover.

Rajiv Kel, Chairman and head of the country, holidays, mice, mice, visas, visas, thomas, India) Limited says, “Mandrana has been traditionally popular with senior citizens globally, it is young India-General Z, Millionals and Young Working Pros. Profession-Showing strong interests, high-e-e-e-e-e-educationals are showing strong interests and pricing for prostitution. Thanks, “Rajiv Kel, the president and the country’s head, holidays, mice, visas, thos, India) are called Limited.

The journey, especially for the younger generation, is no longer about taking trains or flights and following the journey program. The thrills, secluded, slow travel and unique experience are at the top of their list of travel goals.

For them, the number of fridge magnets collected from the migration of their journey is more than a new inexpensive SUV or a semi-pot society more than 2BHK. Experiences are considered better than physical procurement, and inexpensive luxury appeals to them. Unlike purchasing homes and cars, travel does not include large -scale financial commitment.

Industry experts believe that it is also an all-intended nature of the cruises that resonate with families, couples and young professionals who seek stress-free holidays. Nandkumar of the SOTC journey also accepts for increasing interest from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

“To fulfill this demand, we have cured regional cruise tourism with regional festivals (local language and local household meal comfort), which bring both comfort and cultural connections on the ship,” he explains today.

Birthdays, anniversary and family reunion are also going on revolutions.

As the cruise story of India comes out, the government is also clearly emphasizing the Cruise Bharat Mission (announced in September 2024) and Maritime India Vision 2030.

This vision is to make India an important player in the global cruise market, which is for both the ocean and the river cruises.

A PIB report states, “The Indian cruise market has the ability to grow 8X in the next decade, inspired by rising demand and disposable income.”
In FY 2023-24, the number of cruise passengers was 4.71 lakh. The government aims to double cruise passenger traffic for more than 1 million by 2029.

The Indian middle class is no longer looking at the cruises from a distance – it is on the board, and the journey has just begun.