Indian Travellers Choose Cruising, With Asia Leading The Wave

Cruising is fast becoming the holiday of choice for Indian travellers, with Asia emerging as the region’s favourite playground at sea. A new report by Int2Cruises, Asia’s cruise-first online travel platform, reveals that more than 70 per cent of Indian travellers now prefer Asian sailings, with Singapore standing out as the top destination across all age groups.

Commenting on the findings, Akansha Agarwal, Co-Founder & CMO of Int2Cruises, said, “What we’re witnessing is the rise of a new generation of cruise travellers — more curious, value-conscious, and digitally confident. They no longer see cruising as a niche or once-in-a-lifetime holiday, but as an accessible, repeatable experience. Int2Cruises was built to bridge the gap — to bring transparency, choice, and simplicity into cruise planning.”

The study shows that Singapore’s appeal cuts across generations — children (14.33 per cent), young adults (23 per cent), and middle-aged travellers (35.26 per cent) — making it an ideal choice for family holidays. Hong Kong attracts younger families, while Alaska is the clear favourite among senior travellers aged 44 to 69. Australia and New Zealand draw more of the 70+ demographic, while the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Europe see greater interest from younger and middle-aged cruisers.

Booking habits, however, paint a different picture. While most Indians (82%) decide their cruise destination well in advance, nearly 69 per cent make their reservations within 90 days of departure — a much shorter booking window compared to global travellers. For Asia-bound cruises, that number climbs to 80 per cent, underscoring Indians’ tendency toward last-minute planning, even for international journeys.

This pattern aligns with broader travel data from platforms like MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and ixigo, which show that around 78 per cet of domestic and 30 per cent of international flights from India are booked within just 15 days of travel — especially to visa-free destinations such as Thailand and the Maldives.

With flexible itineraries, accessible ports, and increasingly family-friendly experiences, cruising in Asia is no longer a niche segment — it’s becoming the go-to vacation choice for Indian travellers seeking both comfort and adventure on the high seas.