Priyanka Saxena Ray
Currently, STIC is the GSA/representative in India for eight prestigious cruise companies. Could you give us a brief overview of each of these brands and what makes them unique in their offerings?
At STIC Travel Group, we represent a portfolio of cruise brands that cater to every category of Indian travellers—from explorers and families to culture-seekers and luxury connoisseurs. Each of the eight brands brings something unique, with product-market relevance and potential for scale in India.
- Albatros Expeditions is ideal for intrepid travellers looking to explore the ends of the Earth—from Antarctica to the Arctic and Greenland. It stands out for the Indian market with its approval to host an Indian chef onboard, catering to vegetarian, Jain, and special interest groups who want adventure without compromising dietary preferences.
- Celestyal Cruises offers rich cultural immersion across the Mediterranean and is gaining rapid interest in India for its Middle East sailings, including Christmas, New Year, and Formula 1-themed itineraries. With warm hospitality, shorter voyages, and great value, it’s ideal for FITs and affinity groups seeking a celebratory or cultural cruise experience.
- Holland America Line combines heritage and sophistication. Known for its elegant mid-sized ships and immersive destination programming, HAL appeals strongly to mature Indian travellers who seek thoughtful exploration—whether in Alaska, the Mediterranean, or beyond.
- Disney Cruise Line is a benchmark for family cruising. The upcoming Disney Adventure, set to homeport in Southeast Asia, opens exciting new possibilities for Indian families and multigenerational groups to access the Disney magic more easily than ever before—with everything from themed dining to character experiences and Broadway-calibre shows.
- Ponant is a leader in luxury polar expedition cruising, with a focus on sustainability and intimate exploration. Its voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic attract HNIs looking for immersive experiences, paired with French sophistication, educational programming, and discreet luxury.
- A-ROSA is Europe’s modern river cruise specialist—offering scenic, stress-free journeys through Germany, Austria, France, and beyond. With flexible boarding, wellness facilities, and family-friendly cabins, A-ROSA is perfect for travellers looking to explore Europe at a relaxed pace.
- Variety Cruises focuses on intimate, small-ship voyages to offbeat destinations—from the Cyclades to the Seychelles. It’s casual, immersive, and ideal for those who value cultural depth and a more personal connection to the places they visit.
- Windstar Cruises offers luxury and elegance on small ships, taking travellers to destinations large ships can’t reach. Its Japan sailings and roundtrip Iceland itineraries are especially appealing to Indian travellers seeking an uncrowded, experiential alternative to mainstream cruising.
What do you believe is the biggest untapped opportunity for the cruise industry in India today?
India is still at the beginning of its cruise journey—but the potential is enormous. The real opportunity lies in demystifying cruising and positioning it as a mainstream, all-occasion travel choice—just like a Europe trip or a beach resort vacation. With the right packaging, partnerships, and education, cruise holidays can become an annual habit rather than a once-in-a-lifetime event. Another untapped segment is special interest groups—wellness, music, spiritual, alumni, and milestone travel—all of which are a perfect fit for thematic cruising. The key is to shift mindsets, and that’s where we’re focusing.
Can you share insights on how the Indian outbound cruise market is maturing and which segments (luxury, expedition, family, etc.) are gaining the most traction?
The Indian cruise traveller is no longer just a first-timer testing the waters. We’re seeing growth across three exciting segments:
- Expedition cruising is on the rise—especially among HNIs and well-travelled explorers seeking immersive, off-grid destinations. The polar regions are no longer out of reach.
- Cultural and heritage cruising is growing, with mature travellers choosing itineraries that offer rich local engagement, history, and depth. Cruises like Celestyal and Holland America thrive in this space.
- Family and multigenerational cruising continues to be a dominant segment, especially with brands like Disney and Holland America Line. It’s no longer limited to families with young kids—older parents, teenagers, and grandparents are all on board.
What are some of the key challenges STIC faces in promoting cruises in India, and how are you working to overcome them?
- Cruising in India still battles a few perception gaps—many see it as either too expensive, too foreign, or just a floating hotel. Add to that limited direct connectivity to key ports and a lack of cruise-specific awareness among general travel agents.
- To tackle this, we’re focusing on:
- Educating the trade and travellers—positioning cruising as a value-rich, all-inclusive holiday with something for everyone.
- Localized marketing—creating India-relevant content, itineraries, and promotions.
- Bringing the product closer to home—by promoting regional options like Celestyal, and offering end-to-end support that removes complexity.
- Our aim is to normalize cruising as a preferred travel choice, not just a novelty—and we’re getting there, one sail at a time.
Looking ahead, do you foresee any new cruise lines joining your portfolio? Are there any exciting partnerships or announcements on the horizon?
Absolutely. At STIC, we’re always in active conversations with innovative and like-minded cruise brands that see strong potential in the Indian outbound market.
Our goal is to continuously diversify our portfolio—whether through new luxury entrants, regional cruise concepts, or thematic sailings that cater to evolving Indian tastes.
While we can’t reveal names just yet, some exciting partnerships are in the pipeline, and we look forward to making those announcements soon. Stay tuned—the horizon is full of promise.
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