Antara Cruises to Expand with New River Routes in Kashmir, Goa, and Kerala

Luxury river cruise operator Antara Cruises is set to introduce new routes in the next five years, expanding its services to the backwaters of Kerala, the Jhelum River in Kashmir, and Goa, according to Raj Singh, Founder and Chairman of Antara Cruises – Heritage River Journeys.

“We are planning to introduce new routes, including Goa, Kerala’s backwaters with 5-6 night cruises from north to south, and the Jhelum River in Kashmir, where we plan to offer multi-night river cruises. These are the regions we are currently focusing on,” Singh told PTI in a telephonic interview.

Expanding India’s River Cruise Experience

Antara Cruises currently operates a fleet that includes MV Ganges Voyager, MV Ganges Voyager II, MV Ganga Vilas, MV Bengal Ganga, MV Nauka Vilas, and four catamarans. The company is known for providing luxury river cruise experiences on India’s major river systems, including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Bhitarkanika National Park rivers.

Its flagship cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, travels an extensive 3,200 km journey from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Dibrugarh (Assam) via Bangladesh, covering 27 river systems and stopping at 50 major tourist destinations along the way.

Challenges in Launching New Cruise Routes

Singh highlighted key challenges in launching a cruise service on a new route, stating that understanding the river’s characteristics is crucial.

“By understanding the river, we mean assessing the water levels, ensuring the depth is suitable for sailing, and evaluating the river’s width to determine the size of the ships that can be deployed,” he explained.

Another challenge is gaining the trust of local communities and demonstrating the economic benefits that cruise tourism can bring to their regions.

Focus on India and Job Creation

Antara Cruises currently has no plans to expand beyond India and Bangladesh, despite similarities in river landscapes in other countries.

“With over 110 National Waterways in India, there is immense potential to grow within the country. Right now, we are fully focused on exploring opportunities here,” Singh said.

Each cruise ship employs 300 to 400 people, while the company’s overall operations are expected to create over 20,000 indirect jobs by engaging local transport services, tour guides, and other supporting industries at various cruise destinations.

With these ambitious plans, Antara Cruises aims to revolutionize river tourism in India, offering travelers a unique and immersive experience in some of the country’s most scenic waterways.