Bengal Ganga was the first luxury cruise to navigate the sacred waters of the Ganga River in over a century
Raj Singh
When did you start your first cruise?
In 2009, we launched our first cruise ship, Bengal Ganga on its maiden voyage from Kolkata to Varanasi. Inspired by colonial Clyde steamships, it is a graceful craft with gleaming, well-polished Burma teak, large balconies and eclectic 1970s decor.
This historic event marked a monumental milestone in Indian river cruising, as it was the first luxury cruise to navigate the sacred waters of the Ganga River in over a century.
How have you grown since?
Between 2009 and 2024, we expanded our fleet to include nine vessels which include, four luxury ships, namely Bengal Ganga, Ganges Voyager I, Ganges Voyager II, and Ganga Vilas, four catamarans which are MV Bhitarkanika, MV Mahanadi, MV Baitarani, and MV Brahmani and one additional vessel that is Nauka Vilas.
Additionally, we have two more state-of-the-art luxury vessels under construction, which will enable us to extend our services to the Brahmaputra River from 2027.
Which are the key sailings offered by Antara?
We sail the entire stretch of Ganga from Varanasi to Kolkata upstream and downstream. We offer sailings which cover the magnificent mangrove forests of Sunderbans and Bhitarkanika in Odisha.
Each year, we welcome a significant number of passengers from all corners of the world which include Europe, the United States, Australia, Israel and South America. The scale of our operations reflects our dedication to delivering world-class travel experiences to a vast and diverse audience.
What kind of growth did you register in 2024 over 2023?
Our growth from 2023 to 2024 was astronomical. Major factors included the increasing interest in luxury cruising in India as clients are not looking for just a ‘run of the mill’ vacation but an immersive and ‘out of the box’ experience which we curate and offer.
As a result of this, 2025 and beyond promises exponential growth.
Which are the most popular cruises?
Amongst the most popular cruises are Kolkata-Mayapur (Upstream) and Mayapur-Kolkata (Downstream) aboard the historic Bengal Ganga. This shorter itinerary of three nights, makes it an ideal weekend getaway. Additionally, demand is rising for our Bhitarkanika sailings, since we are the only luxury cruise line operating in the forest. We believe that our private sailing option, where customers have the full catamaran to themselves and can venture into the wild in comfort and luxury is a great draw.
Bhitarkanika offers rare sightings of the largest number of estuarine crocodiles, seven distinct Kingfisher species, Painted Storks, 320 varieties of birds, making it a photographer’s and wildlife enthusiast’s delight.
Which are your biggest source markets overseas?
The Ganges, with its spiritual significance and historical depth, and Bhitarkanika, with its unique mangrove ecosystem and wildlife combined with our unparalleled global standards, allure visitors from all markets. Presently our biggest source markets are the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom.
What is the split between domestic and overseas clientele?
While our overseas clientele constitutes the majority of our business, the demand for unique experiences in the domestic market is now growing rapidly. The well-travelled High Networth Individuals who have sailed with us are now our ambassadors.
Our products provide a major option for domestic travellers looking for shorter flights and yet an exceptional world-class holiday.
What is your competition strategy?
Antara River Cruises in India leverages several key strategies to stand out in the competitive market. We provide unique experiences focusing on cultural immersions, picturesque landscapes, and personalised service. Along with this our customer service is our priority, ensuring every guest feels valued and cared for during their journey.
We also collaborate with local businesses and communities to enhance our offerings and provide authentic cultural experiences. Our biggest differentiating factor is our constantly updated itineraries feature less-travelled routes and hidden gems that set us apart from traditional cruise lines. With this we actively seek guest feedback allowing us to adapt and improve continuously, meeting the evolving preferences of our clientele.
Do you foresee global river cruise giants coming to India? If so, how will you compete with them?
Antara Luxury River Cruises can effectively compete with global river cruise giants entering the Indian market by adopting several strategies like leveraging deep knowledge of local cultures and collaborating with local guides to enhance guest experiences, partnering with travel agents and online platforms to reach target markets effectively, focus on unique offerings that emphasise immersive cultural experiences, differentiating from larger competitors, prioritize high-quality, personalised service to foster customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth. By focussing on these strategies, Antara Luxury River Cruises can carve out a niche in the competitive river cruise market.