WHILE CRUISING TOWARDS NEW HORIZONS
The allure of cruises lies in their ability to provide a comprehensive and captivating travel experience, catering to the diverse tastes and desires of travellers. Recently, cruise operators have focused on India, bringing forth the nation’s potential as an untapped and promising market. As cruise enthusiasts embark on a journey to discover new horizons, the stage is set by distinct cruise companies for an era of exploration, luxury, and unforgettable adventures.
Cruising stands out as a dynamic and rapidly expanding segment and aligns seamlessly with the preferences of many Indians, proffering precisely the kind of leisure they seek. As the Indian economy continues to develop steadily and the middle class expands, individuals are increasingly equipped with disposable incomes that could be directed toward leisure pursuits. This presents a significant opportunity for the burgeoning cruise industry to gain traction among Indians on a substantial scale.
In India, while cruise tourism may have started as a niche segment, the evolving landscape suggests a trajectory toward broader appeal and market expansion.
Now, cruising not only attracts traditional cruise enthusiasts but also new customers, and Millennials and Gen X are identified as particularly enthusiastic demographics.
Adapting, Evolving, and Staying Relevant
Cruise companies are constantly adapting to emerging travel trends and taking various innovative steps to ensure that the cruise experience remains relevant and attractive to Indian travellers. Naresh Rawal, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Resorts World Cruises, India, says, “We are constantly anticipating and adapting to new trends to stay ahead of the curve. We have been seeing an uptick and steady increase in demand for Fly-Cruise from India throughout 2023. To further support this surging trend, we will continue to introduce more exciting thematic cruises in 2024 that resonate with our Indian market, be it onboard activities, performances, food, and beverages, including Jain cuisine.”
Considering the current trend for portrich itineraries among travellers that provide them with opportunities to explore unique destinations on the ground and fully immerse in local culture, Manoj Singh, Country Head, India Norwegian, Cruise Line, says, “Innovation is ingrained in NCL’s DNA. We consistently prioritise our guests, adapting and evolving our offerings based on their cruising preferences. For port-rich itineraries, we can offer more overnights and fewer sea days. In Europe, for instance, our seven-day itineraries have expanded to 9, 10, and 11 days, featuring late-night
departures in vibrant locations like Ibiza and Mykonos. Travellers are increasingly drawn to experiences that provide in-depth exploration. Whether it’s a port-rich itinerary with minimal sea days and late-night stays or shore excursions encouraging them to ‘Go Local,’ our goal is to facilitate a genuine connection with the communities and the places they visit.”
Emerging travel trends indicate that today’s travellers are increasingly drawn to unique destinations, such as the subtropical islands of Japan or Antarctic coasts, steering away from the overcrowded bucket-list spots. Ponant, in response to this shift, is continuously developing itineraries that promise bespoke experiences at distinctive locations, some of which remain unexplored hence, from the North to the South Pole. Manish Sonar, Ponant’s Business Development Executive for India and Sri Lanka, shares, “The luxury offered by Ponant’s small ships ensures access to these destinations on expedition itineraries that seamlessly blend wellness and luxury qualities highly sought after by modern travellers and contribute to a truly exceptional journey no matter which vessel the guest is sailing aboard in any part of the world. Ponant’s itineraries not only provide the unlooked-for chance to explore unique locales but also offer opportunities to connect with local cultures and the surrounding environment. To maximise the guest experience when visiting these unique locations, Ponant also offers allinclusive shore excursions on voyages starting October 2024.”
Ark Travel Group’s cruise vertical, Ark Cruises, also discerns plenty of opportunities and has added more products to its cruise portfolio, including domestic and river cruises. Kishan Biyani, MD, The Ark Travel Group, reveals, “We have only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cruises as an option, be it domestic or international. However, it is interesting to witness that more and more cruise companies are looking at either visiting Indian ports or deploying ships for a shorter duration.”
TripJack, over the past couple of years, has dedicated holidays and a cruise division to cater to their travel partners’ demands. Abdul Thingna, Vice President, Hotels and Holidays, TripJack, says, “There is a shift towards experiential tourism; people want to explore diverse cultures and have immersive holiday experiences. With curated content for holidays and partnerships with domestic and international cruise lines, our aim is to offer our travel partners a one-stop solution for all their travel needs.”
Expanding Market Reach and Capitalising on MICE
Resorts World Cruises has been stepping up its advertising and promotions, and social media and digital campaigns, to boost awareness of the benefits and value of cruising to enhance reach to a wider demographic, including the younger crowds and MICE segment. “Moving ahead with a close rapport with our travel partners, we will also continue to equip them with updated ‘tools and training’ to promote cruising to vacationers and potential MICE groups. We are also exploring collaborations with key consumer brands to elevate our brand and the concept of cruising as a choice vacation,” apprises Naresh.
The MICE segment holds tremendous potential for NCL, and they actively focus on tapping this market by collaborating closely with their trusted travel agents and meeting planners across the globe. Manoj elaborates, “Choosing a cruise ship for corporate events provides organisers with an allinclusive and immersive brand experience. Everything they need is on the ship, making it easy to navigate and manage large teams from different locations worldwide. Whether it’s our diverse accommodation options for large, multi-generational, and small groups, well-equipped, state-of-the-art conference rooms, diverse multi-cuisine dining choices, or the plethora of entertainment we offer on board and at the destinations, the NCL fleet of ships provides the perfect balance both between work and leisure.”
When it comes to MICE, as a B2B player, for Ark Travels, their scope of work is to educate and inform about the principles to their travel partners so that they can convince corporates to choose cruises over land as a destination. “Cruise is a hasslefree destination itself, where all facilities are under one roof and adept for MICE events. We are noticing that cruise companies are open to change and creating events and entertainment for MICE and are increasingly depicting more flexibility and sensitivity to the needs of the MICE,” asserts Kishan.
Abdul emphasises, “Cruise as a segment still needs nurturing. TripJack’s aim is to engage our travel partners and create strong awareness of the category by positioning the said business as a premier choice for travellers seeking distinctive coastal experiences. As a B2B platform, our aim is to empower our travel partners, and our objective is to be their backbone in the cruise category.”
Charting New and Unique Courses
For the Genting Dream, the cruise ship of Resorts World, both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will remain its key homeport departure points for their FlyCruise customers, as well as their other popular destinations, together with Phuket and Penang on the itinerary. These destinations remain attractive to their potential customers. In January 2024, a special sailing from Resorts World One in Hong Kong to Boracay and Manila in the Philippines adds to the allure, complementing existing itineraries to Okinawa, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Sanya.
Norwegian Cruise Line is reinforcing its dedication to Asia, a crucial market for the company. In the upcoming 2024–25 season and beyond, NCL is deploying a record four ships—the Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Sun, and Sky—offering Indian travellers an unparalleled array of options. A major highlight is the debut of Norwegian Sun in the Asia-Pacific region,
presenting 12 exotic itineraries, including four never-before-offered routes. These cruises, spanning from December 2024 to March 2025, traverse Melbourne, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Bali, Indonesia; Honolulu; Papeete; and French Polynesia. Norwegian Sky also contributes seven sailings from various Asian ports, promising immersive experiences in destinations such as the Philippines and Japan. The Mediterranean cruises by NCL boast over 250 port-rich itineraries, allowing travellers to explore a new city almost every day across more than 170 ports of call.
In 2024, Ponant is set to captivate guests with novel experiences in thrilling destinations. Le Jacques Cartier will embark on an enthralling exploration of Kyushu’s secret islands and ancestral heritage in Japan from April to May. This new flight-inclusive itinerary promises a seamless blend of enchanting nature and unexpected Christian heritage, where Western and Japanese traditions intersect harmoniously. For those craving more distant adventures, Ponant’s 2024–25 Arctic season unveils immersive itineraries in Greenland during spring, offering guests the chance to discover extraordinary landscapes and engage with the local Inuit communities. Additionally, new itineraries aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s sole luxury icebreaker, unveil the enchanting Baltic cities in the magical Christmas season. Above the Arctic Circle, guests can explore Norway’s Lofoten Islands on horseback, forging connections with local communities, including the Sami and Norwegian reindeer herders. These off-peak destinations present a unique opportunity for detachment from the world, coupled with the chance to witness the ethereal Northern Lights.
Shaping Cruising Through Technology
Embracing and adopting the latest technologies is an ongoing and constant process for Resorts World Cruises. “Over the year, we have implemented various applications to enhance our guests’ experiences, from booking online to checking in digitally to checking out, making payments, and more. It’s also part of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise paper usage. Other digital enhancements in 2024 are in the pipeline and will be announced in due course,” assures Naresh.
NCL is committed to continuously adjusting and enhancing their offerings to align with guest preferences, ensuring an exceptional cruising experience across their fleet of 19 ships. The launch of the Norwegian Prima in 2022 marked the commencement of their innovative Prima Class, featuring six vessels. Building on this success, NCL introduced the Norwegian Viva in 2023 as the second ship in the Prima Class, boasting the same upscale design and structure that made its predecessor, the Norwegian Prima, a record-breaking sensation. With the launch of Norwegian Aqua in 2025, NCL will be introducing the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide—the Aqua Slide-coaster—that will take guests on an adrenaline-pumping ride through dual slides and magnetic lifts. This new ship will also have a Glow Court, which is a cutting-edge digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor that transforms into a pulsating nightclub after sunset. “You will find some of our favourites from our Prima Class fleet, including The Drop, a 10-story free-fall slide, and an expanded stadium game space on Norwegian Aqua. Our immersive virtual reality experiences allow guests to explore captivating destinations and embark on underwater adventures right on the ship,” adds Manoj.
Implementing a combination of technologies allows travel agents to stay competitive, provide excellent customer service, and adapt to the evolving landscape of the travel industry. “Technology does play an important role, and we at Ark Travels have also been encouraging our partners to book on our online platform, Deckpro,” shares Kishan. Abdul adds, “Travel agents are using newer technology to check out different cruise options, including sail dates and itineraries. Although people still have questions before booking cruises, we think that as the cruise industry grows, the booking process will get even better.”
Environmental Commitments
At Resorts World Cruises, their unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through stringent practices aimed at preserving the ecosystems in which they operate. Their focus includes bolstering energy efficiency, conserving fuel and water, curbing solid waste generation, and amplifying recycling efforts. They actively safeguard marine life and prevent oil pollution. Upholding this responsibility, Naresh affirms that they will continue to implement sustainable practices in all forms, which include getting their crew and shore staff informed and involved in executing sustainable policies effectively, designing and offering more onboard activities and shore excursions that help reduce carbon footprints (like trishaw rides, walking, and trekking), supporting local arts and crafts (shopping, workshops, etc.), and more.
NCL, with ships visiting 400-plus global destinations, acknowledges its profound connection to the planet and communities. The Sail & Sustain programme embodies its commitment to societal and environmental impact. Through a robust ESG strategy with pillars focused on climate action, ocean preservation, waste reduction, freshwater conservation, and sustainable sourcing, NCL aims for net zero by 2050. Specific targets include a 10 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity by 2026 and a 25 per cent by 2030. Manoj reveals that anticipated launches in 2027 and 2028 feature ships configured for green methanol, a cleaner fuel option, aligning with NCL’s dedication to emissions reduction.
In 2024, Ponant will continue its sustainability initiatives following 2023’s breakthroughs. Like the ship, Le Champlain, part of Ponant Explorers, now runs on revolutionary B100 biofuel from recycled cooking oil, a move aligned with the goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 30 per cent per navigation day by 2030. The Swap2Zero project, utilising Syroco EfficientShip, aims for a carbon-neutral sailing ship by 2030 with renewable energy, fuel cells, and carbon capture. Ponant’s Cleanship fleet, certified by Bureau Veritas, actively reduces single-use plastics, implements eco-friendly itineraries, and upholds environmental commitments, setting a new standard for sustainable exploration in 2024 and beyond. Manish mentions that “Ponant’s many holistic approaches reflect its dedication to environmental responsibility, setting a precedent for future exploration in 2024 and beyond.”