Category Archives: Cruises

Announcing its Bespoke Charter offering, Antara Cruises is now sailing the Ganges, crafting exclusive, intimate, and unforgettable event experiences for private group holidays, incentives, and life celebrations. Owned by pioneers of luxury river cruising in the region, Heritage River Journeys, AntaraCruises are redefining travel experiences, event celebrations, and experiential journeys for Indian and overseas audiences. Keeping with Antara Cruise’s bespoke ALL-INCLUSIVE hospitality, the ALL-SUITE, state-of-the-art, and environmentally-friendly luxury ships Ganges Voyager I and Ganges VoyagerII are leading the charter experiences starting this October. Family reunion holidays, intimate weddings, milestone celebrations, or be it a corporate retreat, the charters offer a perfect setting for private groups looking for truly unique, luxurious and experiential travel and for those who seek to connect together in more meaningful ways. Besides the lavish facilities on-board, which includes the ‘all-suite’ offering, French balconies, expansive social spaces, plush-on-board amenities, unique gastronomy experiences, wellness, sunrise yoga, butler service, expert-led on-board, and off-board activities; customization and personalization is part of the key offerings to guests. Antara’s bespoke hospitality services and a dedicated coordinator will ensure that the cruise customization is one-of-a-kind, stress-free and fun also incorporating the guests’ personal finishing touches to create an unforgettable occasion for friends and family on board. Mr Raj Singh, Chairman of the group and a pioneer in river cruising in India, has over the last 15 years collaborated with some of the leading international luxury river cruise brands to offer the Ganges cruise experiences under Heritage River Journeys and he says “The modern-day Indian luxury consumer is incredibly dynamic, undergoing radical changes, they are seeking luxuries that were never available before and we aim to introduce them to the Antara experience – Imagine an ultra-luxury ship that is all yours, …

The Goa government has granted an extension of 6 months to the off-shore casinos operating on Mandovi river in Panaji till an alternate location is recommended to them. Vessels with casinos can continue their operations for another 6 months from 31 March to 30 September.  

New luxury cruise brand, Cordelia Cruises is all set to start its maiden sailing from 7th May, 2021 from Mumbai to various destinations including Goa, Kochi and Chennai with its first ship that has a capacity of 2,000 individuals. The ship was earlier owned by Royal Caribbean. Waterways Leisure Tourism had bought over the cruise brand Jalesh Cruises.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Sagarika International Cruise Terminal at Cochin and said that Government of India is taking many efforts to improve tourism related infrastructure in Kerala. “The inauguration of this International Cruise Terminal is one example of this. It brings both comfort and convenience for tourists,” he said.

The Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the World Bank signed a US$ 105 million project to improve the inland water transport infrastructure in Kolkata, West Bengal. In the first phase, the project will enhance the capacity and improve the safety of the Inland Water Transport system; including rehabilitating existing jetties and buying new ferries.

Sharing news about a new cruise brand, Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO, Cordelia Cruises, says, “I am excited to share news of the launch of luxury cruise brand Cordelia Cruises with its first ship The Empress that has a capacity of 2,000 individuals. It was earlier owned by Royal Caribbean. We are working on adding a second ship to the line.” Waterways Leisure Tourism had recently bought over the brand Jalesh Cruises.

Antara Luxury River Cruises recently hosted around 20 luxury travel planners for a familiarisation trip which started from Kolkata. It was the maiden voyage of Antara Cruises to explore ‘Europe on the Ganges’, and the trip lasted for two nights and three days. The luxury river cruise brand was launched in August this year.  

Discover Qatar, the destination management subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has announced the launch of its first expedition cruise series around Qatar’s coastline. They are designed for seasoned and adventurous travellers, provide an opportunity to observe the largest gathering of the world’s largest living fish – the whale shark – in the Al Shaheen marine zone.

Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in a review meeting for the implementation of cruise service said that ‘Ramayan Cruise Tour’ on the Saryu river in Ayodhya will be launched soon. It will be the first-ever luxury Cruise service on the Saryu river (Ghagra/National Waterways-40) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

Zen Cruises has announced the sale of its premium cruise line brand- Jalesh to Waterways Leisure Tourism, part of Sant Chatwal promoted Dreams Hotel Group. The restructuring also involves the acquisition of the brand’s entire digital interface, technology, customer database, travel agent partner network backend. Waterways have also hired existing executives and employees of Zen Cruises.