India sets sail towards Cruise tourism

India is stepping confidently into a new era of cruise tourism, with the government launching major national programmes to harness the country’s vast coastline and river systems. With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline, 111 national waterways, and over 1,300 islands, the country holds immense untapped potential for cruise-based travel, both oceanic and inland.

The recently launched Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM), initiated in September 2024 from Mumbai, aims to double cruise passenger numbers by 2029. In 2023–24, India recorded 4.71 lakh cruise travellers. This figure is expected to rise significantly as CBM provides a coordinated framework involving multiple ministries and agencies such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, and State Tourism Boards. The mission is being implemented in three phases, with a strong push towards creating seamless experiences for both domestic and international tourists.

River cruise tourism, a fast-growing segment of leisure travel, is also receiving unprecedented focus. India’s rivers, such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Yamuna, now host luxury cruises and eco-friendly tourism options. The MV Ganga Vilas, launched in January 2023 by the Prime Minister, is the world’s longest river cruise and has gained global attention for covering 3,200 km across five Indian states and Bangladesh. It even made it into the Limca Book of Records.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has also signed multiple MoUs to support local development. In Delhi, a four-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna River will be transformed into an eco-tourism zone with electric-solar hybrid boats. In Jammu & Kashmir, Rs 100 crore is being invested to develop cruise tourism on the rivers Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi. A similar partnership with Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh has initiated cruise routes from Kukshi to Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Further boosting this momentum is the Maritime India Vision 2030, which outlines plans to grow the Indian cruise market eight-fold in the next decade. It promotes development across three key areas: oceanic and coastal cruises, island infrastructure, and river cruising.

A substantial Rs 45,000 crore investment plan—Rs 35,000 crore for cruise vessels and Rs 10,000 crore for terminals—is in motion to support long-term goals up to 2047, as outlined in the River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047.

With streamlined policies, modern infrastructure, and strong inter-ministerial coordination, India is now positioning itself as a world-class cruise tourism hub, offering travellers new ways to explore the rich culture, heritage, and natural beauty of Bharat by water.