One of the biggest shifts Vasundhara Gupta, Director at ClickMyCruise, has seen is that Indian travellers are becoming far more experience-driven. They’re no longer looking at a cruise as just another holiday, but as a smart way to explore multiple destinations in one trip without the hassle of changing hotels every few days.
“We’ve seen demand grow across families, MICE groups and FIT travellers. More first-time cruisers are choosing shorter sailings from Singapore or Europe, while repeat travellers are exploring longer Mediterranean, Alaska and luxury itineraries. We’re also seeing cruises increasingly being chosen for milestone celebrations like anniversaries, birthdays and family reunions, as travellers look for experiences that bring everyone together,” she says.
Today’s Indian cruiser is much younger than a few years ago. Millennials and younger families are driving demand, while multigenerational holidays continue to remain one of the strongest segments. “We’re also seeing increasing enquiries from Tier II cities, supported by improved domestic connectivity to international hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru from where travellers can easily connect to embarkation ports such as Barcelona, Rome or Athens. Better air connectivity has made international cruising much more accessible for travellers outside the metros,” she adds.
When it comes to spending onboard, Indian guests value convenience. Her team actively recommends pre-purchasing beverage packages and Wi-Fi wherever applicable. “In the luxury segment, Explora Journeys has been very well received because many of these inclusions, such as premium beverages, gratuities and Wi-Fi, are already part of the experience,” Gupta claims.
Food is always at the top of the list for Indian travellers. No matter where they’re sailing, whether it’s Europe or Alaska, a comforting meal of dal, chawal, roti and sabzi goes a long way.
As an official representative for leading cruise lines like MSC, Explora Journeys, Costa, Princess Cruises & more in India, Gupta has built long-standing relationships with their headquarters and regularly work with them to better cater to the preferences of Indian travellers. “For our MICE groups, we’ve worked with cruise line partners down to the smallest details of the Indian menu and recipes to ensure guests feel at home. Today, many of our guests tell us the Indian food onboard is as good as, and sometimes even better than, what they enjoy back home,” she says.
The Med wins again
The Mediterranean continues to be India’s favourite. A seven- to ten-night Mediterranean cruise on MSC Cruises or Costa Cruises allows travellers to experience destinations such as Italy, France and Spain in a single holiday, while avoiding the hassle of changing hotels every few days. For many Indian travellers, it’s one of the most comfortable ways to explore Europe.
“We’re also seeing growing interest in destinations like Alaska. As the official representative of Princess Cruises in India, we’ve seen strong demand for its iconic Inside Passage itineraries. Interest in expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic is also growing, with travellers looking to explore some of the world’s most remote regions,” she says.
One region that remains genuinely underrated for Indian travellers is South America and the Amazon. “Explora Journeys, the ultra-luxury brand of the MSC Group, has announced its 2027 itineraries through the Caribbean and into the Amazon, with calls at Manaus and Devil’s Island. This is where I see the next wave of demand coming from,” Gupta shares.
With over 17 years of experience in the B2B travel and hospitality sector, she brings deep insight into travel trade dynamics, industry challenges and market developments. She holds an MA in English Literature and a Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, which underpin her strong editorial expertise. An avid nature enthusiast, she prefers outdoor and adventure-led travel, including hiking and trekking.