The Growing Appetite FOR CRUISING

Cruising has voyaged from being just a mode of sea passage or an exclusive domain of the rich and famous with their caviar dreams and champagne wishes to a thriving industry today. Indian trained professionals were introduced to the concept of cruise vacations and its potential to bloom as a standalone vertical in the gamut of travel products almost three decades ago. The cruise footprint has been growing ever since.

- Gurjit Singh Ahuja

Three decades ago, when the Indian leisure traveller was introduced to the concept of cruise vacations, there were many questions, apprehensions, and concerns! The cruise companies then had an uphill task of educating the travel Industry about the cruise product, hand hold to reassure and instil product confidence.

When the Hollywood blockbuster, Titanic, hit the Indian movie theatres, the cruise industry was on tenterhooks about the adverse effects of the movie and the fallout it could have on the global cruise industry, but what eventually transpired was a pleasant surprise.

The weave of romance, its characters, and picturisation prevailed and had impressed positively on public minds. Overnight cruises shot into fame. Not only was the movie a top Hollywood money grosser, but also increased the charisma and aspiration of taking a cruise vacation a hundredfold, earning it a place on the traveller’s bucket list. The Titanic effect, as one may call it, was also a turning point for the cruise business from India.

Those days there were no cruises originating from Indian ports of call except a few cruise vessels that touched Indian ports on their longer round-the-world itineraries. The closest cruise options available then were primarily on the East and West coasts of The United States of America, Europe, and transatlantic voyages. Cruises were still confined to the holiday list of the more seasoned Indian global traveller.

With South East Asia sailing out its first cruise liner, cruises were available closer to home. This meant shorter flights, cheaper airfares, and easier to obtain visas. This was a feather in the cap for the cruise opportunity out of India.