All aboard! Indian cruises are the next big travel trend

In popular imagination, cruise holidays have spanned two ends of the spectrum. On one end are days in the sun with a bunch of retirees, those weeks-long journeys that allow grandparents, parents and their children to bond over bingo, Broadway-style performances and endless buffets across exotic destinations. All with a side of the inevitable family drama. (Because what’s a cruise without a little Dil Dhadakne Do energy, right?) Then there’s the romance of the high seas, the possibilities of strangers crossing paths as the sword of murder and mayhem dangles above their heads amidst sweeping Poirot-esque settings.

While there’s much to be said about the romance of floating across international waters, each day marked by a brand-new port of call, cruising hasn’t caught on in India—until now. Domestic cruising, it seems, is shaping up to be one of the country’s most exciting new travel trends.

It’s not just a vacation, it’s a whole vibe

For the well-travelled, cruising is not about getting from one place to another, it’s about the journey itself. Imagine floating down the Brahmaputra or tracing the Konkan coastline, watching the sun melt into the horizon, getting lost in a book on deck or lingering over a long, lazy meal as the waves set the perfect background score. It’s a different way to explore, one without the usual rush.

But beyond the R&R, a cruise also offers the ease of exploring multiple destinations without the hassle of repacking and hotel check-ins. Waking up to a new landscape every morning, with nothing to do but take it all in, is luxury, after all. Moreover, travellers are ditching the usual routes and now opting for river cruises—not just for comfort, but for a deeper connection.

Renu Basu, a 64-year-old strategic marketing consultant from Mumbai, recently set sail on the River Island Cruise from Silghat to Dibrugarh, a seven-day journey curated by Ibex Expeditions, the adventure travel company founded by Mandip Singh Soin. “A river cruise let us explore parts of India that often get overlooked. It wasn’t just about luxury, it was about slowing down, soaking it all in, and truly connecting with the places we visited.”

For 45-year-old Niloy Das, an HR professional who has been on international cruises and now has his eye on the Mumbai-Goa-Cochin-Lakshadweep route, a cruise “feels more exotic and immersive”. He adds, “Watching the colours of the horizon shift, feeling the gentle sway of the ship.... It’s a sensory experience like no other.” It’s slow travel with a side of culture—you can stop by remote monasteries, watch artisans at work and soak in the charm of places that most travellers never get to see.

Domestic cruises are also way cheaper than their global counterparts. Cordelia Cruises offers a four-night cruise to Lakshadweep for ₹52,000 (excluding taxes). A river cruise via the Assam Bengal Navigation from Guwahati to Kaziranga can set you back by ₹1,40,000 plus taxes for four days—still a pretty viable way to dip your feet into this burgeoning form of travel.

While global liners offer extravagant entertainment, high-end casinos, and sprawling shopping complexes, Indian cruises, still in their infancy, prioritise cultural depth and natural beauty. “The Indian cruises are much more budget-friendly and cater to our tastes. Cordelia, for example, serves 90 per cent Indian food. It’s perfect for multi-generational families looking for an easy holiday,” says 49-year-old Mumbai-based lifestyle journalist Priya Pathiyan, who calls herself a cruise enthusiast.

Shorter, cooler, more Instagrammable

With multigenerational travel on the rise, cruise operators are also witnessing interest from a new demographic. Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO of Cordelia Cruises, notes that there is a growing trend of millennials (aged between 25 and 40 now) and Gen Z travellers opting for cruise vacations. “Families and groups of friends are increasingly choosing cruises for reunions, celebrations and vacations due to the convenience and variety of activities on board.” Antara Cruises says they are “seeing more interest from younger travellers who want shorter, immersive trips that connect them with culture and nature. Instead of just visiting a destination, they want to experience it fully”.

It hasn’t come easily. For a few years now, operators have been making strategic changes to attract a younger crowd. Antara Cruises is curating shorter experiences, such as four- to six-night itineraries in the Sunderbans or two- to three-night in Orissa’s Bhitarkanika for 30- to 50-year-olds, who don’t have the luxury of extended vacations. According to Bailom, “The Instagrammable aesthetics of cruise vacations, combined with high-energy entertainment options like themed parties and Bollywood musicals, have made them a favourite among millennial and Gen Z travellers.”

Add to that, the growing awareness, and thus appeal, for a more sustainable form of travel. Unlike high-footfall destinations that struggle with over-tourism, river cruises offer a more mindful way to travel, which is low-impact, deeply local and rooted in respect for the land and its people. Many cruises are even incorporating eco-conscious practices, from plastic-free operations to partnerships with local artisans, ensuring that tourism benefits rather than disrupts the communities they visit. It’s what drew Pallavi Pasricha, a 42-year-old journalist, to take the Mumbai-Lakshadweep route, where travellers can snorkel, dive and step down for village tours. “There is a charm in how they focus on regional cuisine and cultural immersion,” says Pasricha.

The stats confirm that Indian cruises are on the brink of something big. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India’s cruise passenger traffic is set to soar from 0.4 million to 4 million by 2040. A study by Grand View Research further reinforces this growth, projecting that India’s cruise market, valued at USD 138.8 million, will reach USD 322.6 million by 2030. The government’s Cruise Bharat Mission, launched in September 2024, is giving the industry a serious upgrade. Think bigger, better terminals (going from two to 10 international cruise hubs), smoother sailing with 100 new river cruise terminals, and a bold target of 1.5 million river cruise passengers by 2029.

Whether you’re looking for time off with the endless horizon, the quiet hum of the engine or the way the world feels a little softer onboard, there’s no denying that a cruise has a lot of appeal. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want a holiday where you unpack once and wake up to a new view every morning?