The shift isn’t just a trend—it’s backed by numbers. As per the Tourism Ministry, in 2023, over 2,00,000 Indians took to the seas. Skift, a New York-based travel data company, estimates out of roughly 4,70,000 travellers who took cruises in India in 2023-2024, 80 per cent were Indians. The number is only expected to soar. The government has invested in new infrastructure projects such as the upcoming Mumbai International Cruise Terminal and set new policies to lure global cruise liners. Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam are being developed as cruise terminals, while homegrown operators like Cordelia Cruises are making waves with domestic itineraries that explore India’s western coast and beyond.
“We are not adapting cruising for India. We are building cruising for India,” says Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Cordelia Cruises, one among India’s few premium cruise lines. “Our vision is to give Indian travellers an experience that reflects their values, tastes, and love for togetherness. The response has shown us that this is only the beginning,” he adds.
International cruise liners such as Costa Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line are tapping into the Indian market, offering tailored packages, Indian cuisine on board, and Bollywood-style entertainment. The success of fly-cruise packages to destinations like Singapore, Dubai, and the Mediterranean is no drop in the ocean, but a tide.