Cruise holidays are witnessing growing popularity among Indian travellers, driven by rising demand for immersive, experience-led vacations that combine multiple destinations with luxury hospitality. Recognising this trend, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, along with its group company SOTC Travel, has strengthened its luxury cruise holiday portfolio with curated ocean and expedition voyages spanning Europe, the Mediterranean, Antarctica and the Arctic.
The expanded portfolio brings together iconic ocean voyages, premium Mediterranean sailings and expedition-led experiences, complemented by thoughtfully curated land itineraries. Key highlights include journeys aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2, luxury Mediterranean cruises across France, Italy, Spain and Greece, all-inclusive Antarctica expedition cruises featuring Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings, and the “Arctic Delights – Northern Lights Special,” which combines a unique Icebreaker Cruise with Norwegian fjords, Lapland adventures and opportunities to witness the Aurora Borealis. Each itinerary is designed as a seamless end-to-end holiday, including flights, hotels, transfers, sightseeing and cruise experiences.
Backed by partnerships with leading international cruise operators and extensive destination expertise, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel aim to offer professionally curated cruise holidays that blend world-class cruising with immersive onshore experiences. The portfolio is designed to cater to a wide range of travellers, from couples and families to multi-generational groups and affluent explorers seeking distinctive, once-in-a-lifetime journeys, all backed by the convenience of a single trusted travel partner from planning through to return.
Among the featured experiences, the Queen Mary 2 voyage offers travellers the timeless elegance of Cunard’s iconic flagship, known for its signature White Star Service and premium positioning within the luxury cruise segment. The Mediterranean cruises, operated in partnership with Costa and MSC cruise lines, allow travellers to explore vibrant coastal cities, idyllic islands, celebrated gastronomy and rich cultural heritage across France, Italy, Spain and Greece, with select winter departures offering milder weather and fewer crowds for a more relaxed experience.
The Antarctica expedition cruises are tailored for adventure-seeking travellers, including a stay in Buenos Aires, flights to Ushuaia, and voyages aboard purpose-built polar expedition vessels such as Swan Hellenic and Atlas Expedition, offering guided Zodiac excursions and wildlife encounters with penguins, whales and seals. Meanwhile, the Arctic Delights itinerary spans Tromsø, Stokmarknes, Narvik, Kiruna, Rovaniemi, Kemi and Helsinki, combining dramatic Arctic landscapes with immersive Nordic experiences.
Commenting on the expansion, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said cruise holidays are entering an exciting phase in India, with travellers increasingly viewing the journey itself as a core part of the holiday experience rather than a means of transport. He noted that the strengthened cruise portfolio reflects this shift, combining iconic ocean voyages with extraordinary expedition experiences across multiple continents through curated, end-to-end holiday packages.
SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, added that cruise holidays offer a compelling proposition by combining relaxation, exploration, premium hospitality and multi-destination travel within a single journey, making them increasingly relevant across a wide spectrum of travellers, from couples and families to multi-generational groups seeking unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.