India is the next port of call for global luxury cruises, backed by the Indian government’s policy changes and its intention to build world class infrastructure.

By December this India, India will be a crucial port in the global cruise network. Two international cruise liners have announced luxury cruises either beginning in Mumbai, or docking in Mumbai en route to other destinations.

Genting Dream, a luxury cruise liner from Dream Cruises, launched its operation in the metropolis last week, promising to make Mumbai the “gateway to international cruise tourism in India.” Its launch was hosted by the Mumbai Port Trust and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadavnis. In December 2016, the 18-deck behemoth, built in Germany, will carry 2,000 travellers from Ballard Pier dock, onwards to Singapore and Colombo.

 

The world’s biggest cruise liner, Costa Cruises, not the one to be left behind, has also announced plans to base a ship in Mumbai, which cruise all the way to Male, the capital of Maldives. The Costa neoClassica, a one-way seven-night cruise will also call at two other Indian ports: Mangalore and Cochin on the way out. If you were to take the cruise from Maldives, the port of calls would be Colombo and Mormugoa in Goa, and then the final destination, Mumbai. Buhdy Bok, president of Costa Group Asia says that Costa’s three-month Indian program is scheduled to run from 16 December 2016 until mid-March 2017.

 

 

Nipping at their heels is Monarch. “India has a huge untapped potential when it comes to the cruising industry and with the government being proactive to support the industry, it helps players like us,” says Josh Hill, Vice-Chairman at Monarch Cruise. According to him, Monarch is planning themed cruises from India, with two themes that most Indians are absolutely obsessed with: Bollywood and cricket. He said the company will invest close to $15 million in this cruise project and plans to come up with newer themed cruises in future. The ships are set to sail in March 2017, with cricket stars like Shane Warne, Kumar Sangakkara and Brett Lee, several Bollywood stars and Michelin star chefs on board.
India’s cruise industry is obviously on the cusp of great changes. This really is the first major attempt to kick-start international cruise tourism in India. The country lacks well-equipped ports and cruise liners have to deal with rather complicated custom and emigration processes. Now, with the Indian government initiating a coastal circuit policy that has identified Goa (Mormugao), Mumbai and Kochi as possible ports of call for global cruise liners, the industry is expected to achieve a global scale in due course.

Monarch Launch

In Mumbai, global liners are being offered almost 40 per cent concession by the Mumbai Port Trust Authority. Earlier, a cargo ship was given preference over a passenger cruise ship, says MBPT chairman Sanjay Bhatia, a policy that they have overturned.  The MBPT has also made extensive plans to expand the terminal, build international facilities and infrastructure to accommodate global cruise liners, at a budget of over $1million.

The India cruise market is estimated at 100,000 guests per annum and is expected to grow to about 300,000 in the next five years as cruise ships become more accessible and packages become affordable to customers, said Gavin Smith, Regional Vice President – Asia Pacific, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and added that the growth will mainly be driven by short-haul.

According to him, India continues to be a market of enormous interest to Royal Caribbean as the market enjoys a large, educated and urbanized population who has a zest for travel. Hence, Royal Caribbean is working towards widening its customer base in India by tapping into the family segment, with cheaper, short-haul itineraries.