It was Antara Cruises that launched vacationers to the magnificent waterways of India and Bangladesh and led them to sail on indigenously designed world-class ships in sustainable luxurious whereas discovering journey and pleasure. In a free dialog with Brando TD, Raj Singh, President, Antara River Cruises tells us extra in regards to the distinctive river cruise experiences in India.
Model TD: Your dream for Antara River Cruises began in 2023. How did it develop?
Raj Singh (RJ): Our journey started in 2009 with the primary cruise from Calcutta to Varanasi. But it surely wasn’t till January 2023 that Antara River Cruises made a reputation for itself within the river cruise market by launching the world’s longest river cruise aboard the 18-suite Ganga Vilas from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh, Assam in India by way of Dhaka in Bangladesh. This 3200 km journey takes 51 days passing by 2 nations, 5 states and 27 river methods.
What was transformative in these years was the expertise of understanding the river, bringing others to it, after which constructing Indian ships that would navigate the ever-evolving, altering, meandering physique of water. It provides me immense pleasure to deliver vacationers to sail the Ganges in its splendor, providing new encounters with the traditional panorama in fashionable occasions. It was Antara Cruises that launched vacationers to the magnificent waterways of India and Bangladesh and led them to sail on indigenously designed world-class ships in sustainable luxurious whereas discovering journey and pleasure.
At present, Antara River Cruises is a fast-growing boutique cruise line known as Heritage River Journeys, with a fleet that features Ganga Vilas, Ganges Voyager and Ganges Voyager II and different vessels such because the not too long ago launched 2-suite catamarans – Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi. Our fleet may even have new additions later in 2024, Nauka Vilas, a one-suite luxurious ship, in addition to the upgraded 20-suite Bengal Ganga.
All interiors are handcrafted by Indian artisans, underneath a neighborhood flag, with a everlasting crew and utilizing anti-pollution applied sciences. Seamlessly mixing custom and modernity, Antara River Cruise ships are designed with all fashionable facilities together with massive suites, gourmand eating places, spacious lounges, with absolutely geared up galleys, engine room, WiFi connection and the assist of attentive however unobtrusive employees.
Model TD: How was Antara River Cruises’ enterprise in 2023? What are your peak work months?
RJ: One of the best time for a river cruise in India is from September to April. Since we launched the world’s longest river cruise aboard Ganga Vilas in January 2023, our enterprise has grown tremendously. Many itineraries and cruises are already bought out no less than a 12 months prematurely as incoming vacationers guide.
In September 2023, we debuted a specifically designed vegan cruise, the primary in India, which has been an enormous hit with inbound vacationers. We’ve got additionally launched shorter particular curiosity itineraries of three nights, 7 nights and 10 nights for the home market. In January 2024, we launched 2-suite catamarans in Odisha and as well as, we’re additionally introducing a 31-day cruise from Nimati in Assam to Kolkata by way of Dhaka in February and an 11-day cruise from Kolkata to Dhaka by way of Sundarbani in November. There are additionally particular gives for particular sailings from 3 nights to 4 days for distinctive festivals in Varanasi like Dev Diwali.
There’s quite a lot of curiosity in these gives and we hope to develop our buyer base.
Model TD: Inform us in regards to the world’s longest river cruise from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh, Assam, India by way of Dhaka, Bangladesh that you’ve got launched
RJ: The launch of the world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas by Antara River Cruises in January 2023 demonstrated the massive potential of river cruises not solely in India, but additionally put this cruise on the worldwide circuit, giving inbound vacationers a brand new alternative to expertise India. Ganga Vilas was the primary cruise service of its form to be endorsed by the Ministry of Ports, Transport and Waterways and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
This extensively acclaimed cruise not solely highlighted the capability of India’s waterways for tourism but additionally gave passengers a distinct expertise to understand the area’s pure magnificence, cultural heritage and religious splendor alongside the banks of the Ganga all the best way from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh, Assam in India by way of Dhaka in Bangladesh. All of the traveler needed to do was unpack simply as soon as in the course of the 3,200 km journey that took 51 days, passing by 2 nations, 5 states and 27 river methods.
Model TD: What are the particular itineraries you provide on your river cruises?
RJ: Antara River Cruises gives distinctive and fascinating itineraries that provide greater than only a journey. They’re an expertise, a sensory experience by completely different cultures and delightful river landscapes of the areas by which you sail.
Every of those experiences has been personally examined and designed by the Antara workforce for fellow fans. Historic and cultural routes have been finalized with the assist, help and cooperation of native governmental and non-governmental businesses, artisan communities {and professional} guides. We should additionally keep in mind that artisans and craft methods lived alongside these historic rivers. Researching native crafts and humanities, craftsmen and the preserved heritage of expertise supplies perception into the cultural historical past and evolution of India through the years. Whereas crusing, we’ve got shows and talks by specialists on completely different matters on board, in addition to performs that characterize native tradition.
Antara Ganga Vilas’ 18-suite luxurious cruise from Varanasi to Dibrugarh is ideal for leisure vacationers, historical past buffs, tradition buffs and nature lovers who wish to spend prolonged time exploring the area in consolation and luxurious, with a hop-on hop-off possibility. for individuals who can not decide to the entire journey.
Lately launched Between the catamarans discover Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Mangrove Swamp, also referred to as Mini Amazon from India, masking an space of 672 sq. kilometers within the estuary space of the Brahmani – Baitarani river system and their tributaries. Provided by MV Mahanadi and MV Bhitarkanika Itineraries of three nights/4 days – Amazon East sails each Friday and Cruise in Bhitarkanika each monday. Embarking in Gupti, simply over 3 hours drive from Bhubaneswar airport, cruise by Dangamal exploring Bhitarkanika after which return to Gupti.
As well as, there are new itineraries on MV Ganga Vilas: Nimati Ghat – Dhaka – Kolkata Epic Cruise- 30 NIGHTS, 31 DAYS –February 28 to March 29, 2024. Passengers will board the cruise at Nimati Ghat, a 4 hour drive from Dibrugarh and sail all through Majuli – Kaziranga – Guwahati – Dhaka – Sundarbans disembarking at Kolkata for the flight again dwelling. That is an thrilling cruise as you may expertise the wildlife within the Kaziranga Nationwide Park in addition to the tradition and heritage alongside the rivers.
In March 2024, we’re additionally presenting a specifically ready itinerary of three NIGHTS, 4 DAYS Kinare Daria– Baithaks on the Ganges from 01.-04. March 2024 that includes concert events and artist-in-residence talks on MV Ganges Voyager I. India’s most famous music maestros like Ustaad Shujaat Khan, Aruna Sairam, Pandit Mukul Shivputra, Usha Uthup and Dr. Radhika Chopra will come collectively to create musical magic.
Additionally on MV Ganga Vilas, is Kolkata to Dhaka downstream cruise 11 NIGHTS, 12 DAYS from November 20 to December 1, 2024. Passengers on this cruise embark in Kolkata and disembark in Dhaka for the flight again dwelling. On this cruise, you may expertise the charms of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, in addition to see the Ganga river dolphins in Karamjol.
RV Bengal Ganga debuts in 2024 s A particular Varanasi cruise for 3 NIGHTS, 4 DAYS. In November [14 to 17] the distinctive one Dev Diwali Varanasi pageant may also be skilled on a 3 NIGHT 4 DAY cruise on the identical ship.
Different itineraries supplied by Antara River Cruises embody personalized 7-night/8-day quick spherical cruises specializing in Bengali artisans, textiles, and many others., for particular curiosity teams on the 28-suite Ganges Voyager in addition to an 11-day cruise. a particular vegan cruise.. The truth is now all our departures are vegan pleasant.
Antara River Cruises additionally tailors itineraries for MICE journey. Excessive-level board conferences, management applications at Antara present that unique and discreet setting.
Model TD: What sort of natural world and birdlife can guests hope to see?
RJ: Company can expertise various natural world on Antara river cruises within the Sundarbans of West Bengal and Bangladesh, Kaziranga in Assam and Bhitarkanika in Odisha, all World Heritage Websites.
Sightings within the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove delta forest positioned within the Bay of Bengal, embody Irrawaddy dolphins and different marine life, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, crocodiles, wild boar, axis deer and a variety of migratory and native birds.
Kaziranga Nationwide Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam is called the first habitat of the one-horned rhinoceros and residential to massive breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and the royal Bengal tiger, which collectively are generally known as the ‘Huge 5’ of Kaziranga, not too long ago acquired two new species of mammals, additional enriching its various fauna. These newcomers are the elusive binturong (Arctitis binturong), India’s largest civet, colloquially generally known as the bear cat, and the small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), each listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Safety Act, 1972.
Bhitarkanika in Odisha is also referred to as the Little Amazon of the East. The wildlife park’s wealthy and distinctive mangrove ecosystem of streams, mud flats and estuaries, managed by the majestic Sundari tree, has unparalleled dense mangroves, vivid landscapes and wealthy biodiversity. Sightings of majestic saltwater crocodiles or quite a few species of kingfishers caught within the act of catching fish for breakfast or perhaps a water-seeking lizard having a lazy morning are frequent.
Model TD: What are your advertising and marketing and enterprise methods in India, what promotional actions are you enterprise?
RJ: As defined above, we provide a spread of quick itineraries of particular curiosity to the home market, particularly HNIs who’re in search of distinctive and completely different experiences and might now discover them in India itself as an alternative of touring overseas.
Our promotional actions embody sharing partaking content material on social media, newsletters, agent introductions, in addition to influencers and focus teams from the Indian and abroad markets.
Model TD: Who’re the companions on your cruise line in India and what’s the agent fee proportion?
RJ: In India, we handle our personal ships, however we additionally cooperate with worldwide constitution corporations.
We observe worldwide requirements when it comes to commissions to brokers and many others. because it depends upon the work they supply us.
Model TD: What’s in retailer for Antara River Cruises in 2024? What tendencies do you foresee for the river cruise trade in India in 2024?
RJ: River cruise tourism in India is an untapped, unexplored market with big potential and good return on funding. A river cruise is without doubt one of the greatest and sustainable methods to expertise a sluggish journey as it’s distinctive to be surrounded by nature as you glide throughout the water and discover life in cities and cities alongside the river.
Antara River Cruises can also be exploring choices in Goa on the Mandovi and Zuari Rivers and the Cumbarjua Canal, in addition to river cruises in Kerala, the Chambal River in Rajasthan and the Saryu River in Uttar Pradesh.