Cruises move out of India after high-profile drug bust on Goa-bound ship

Most destinations are closer home, companies make promo offers even as passengers hanker for easier cancellations and refunds

Just as the cruise business was beginning to set sail this season, the recent incident of drugs being seized on a Goa-bound cruise liner has prompted cruise companies to arrange trips beyond Indian ports, albeit for destinations closer home.
 
“Most enquiries are for international trips with a preference for close-to-home destinations. We have seen interest pick up in the past few months,” said Nalini Gupta, managing director and owner of Lotus Aero Enterprises (Costa Cruises).’
  
Lotus Aero Enterprises is a passenger sales agent of Costa Cruise India, which has commenced a seven-night itinerary for a Dubai-bound cruise that includes Oman and other parts of the United Arab Emirates. 
 
“Apart from destinations closer home, people are also looking for robust flight connectivity in times of uncertainty,” added Gupta.
 
Alongside, the company is also witnessing increased enquiries for five-night trips, mainly for weddings and corporate events.
 
With regard to ticket pricing for the season, industry executives said while companies are rolling out promotional offers, passengers are underscoring flexibility pertaining to cancellations and easy refunds, in case of change in plans.
 
“In the current scenario, what has changed for cruise companies a propos Indian travellers is that we need to check with international port authorities whether Indians will be allowed entry,” said another cruise company executive.
 
Bottlenecks notwithstanding, Gupta of Costa Cruise India is of the view that the ongoing cruise business pick-up is sustainable since the company is also receiving enquiries for cruises scheduled next summer for destinations in Europe.
 
The company has no plans to start India port-bound cruise at the moment and will take a call once the dust settles on the pandemic, said Gupta
 
For domestic cruises, however, the pick-up is still weak.
 
“There are infrequent enquiries. We have not started any cruise trips yet and will take a call on the December sail. Nothing immediate even though the sailing season has started. There is no clear green signal in terms of business pick-up for domestic cruise sail. People are still sceptical about taking to the seas,” said Captain Nitin Dhond, director, Angriya, India’s first domestic cruise liner.
 
With regard to ticketing for domestic cruises, industry executives said with fuel prices having gone up considerably to Rs 50,000 per tonne, from Rs 30,000 per tonne two years ago, that will have to be factored in as well.
 
Domestic or international cruise enquiries notwithstanding, passengers are looking for guaranteed safety and security, with cruise companies strictly adhering to standard operating procedures to ensure a smooth sail, especially after the incident of a drug haul on the Goa-bound cruise Cordelia over the weekend, said executives.     
 
“It is the Central Industrial Security Force and port terminal which are responsible for the security of passengers and not the cruise company,” said Vijay Kesavan, director-sales and marketing, Cordelia Cruises.
 
The number of  people taking cruises every year in India is just about 200,000-300,000, growing at 10-15 per cent annually. The global cruise market is 29 million passengers.