Manoj Singh — Country Head, India–Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Holdings
Are there any specific itineraries that work best for Indian travellers and why?
Being the third largest cruise operator in the world, we offer itineraries to nearly 300 destinations around the world! For Indians, Europe is the most sought-after cruising destination followed by Alaska. Apart from the destination, Indian travellers also look forward to participating in our exciting shore-excursion programmes, customised as per the offerings of each destination. For example, aboard our youngest fleet - Norwegian Joy, guests can cruise around in Alaskan waters, indulge in salmon tasting, whale watching or even white-water rafting, while Europe, with its most remarkable architectural and environmental wonders, has its own charm.
What are the specific offerings tailor-made by NCL for Indians on the cruise, given our distinct dietary and cultural stipulations?
In the past few years, we have witnessed a swift growth among Indian cruise travellers and we have seen that they do not travel with restrictions. Our Norwegian Cruise Lines’ ‘Freestyle Cruise’ experience is perfect for family cruising, as it offers each guest the freedom and flexibility to design their own vacation around their preferred individual schedules. With no set dining times, an array of award-winning entertainment options and no formal dress codes, guests have multiple choices to do what suits them in a hassle-free and relaxed manner. As for the food, guests can choose between fine dining with the family, lavish buffets or our award-winning specialty restaurants including those with customised Indian menus and vegetarian fare. Considering Indian travellers prefer shorter sailings, we offer extensive choices of destinations and itineraries to choose from.
What are some of the latest offerings NCL is putting in place for the Indian market in terms of offers, deals, etc.?
Travellers looking for deals with the best value for money, can benefit from the fabulous offers like the ‘Free at Sea promotion’ that promises up to five free offers—choose from a free beverage and specialty dining package, shore-excursion credits, free Wi-Fi and friends and family sailing at a reduced rate—all depending on the cabin category that suits the family best. Or, opt for Buy-one-get-one-half-off (BOGOHO), where the second guest travelling onboard pays only half price. Indian travellers can take their pick from these exciting offers and have an enriching cruising experience.
In your opinion, what is the future for cruise tourism in India? Is it going to be the next big wave of how Indians will holiday in the following 10 years?
The future of cruise tourism in India looks promising, and India is regarded as a significant market for Norwegian Cruise Lines in Asia. In the past few years, cruising has grown at a rapid pace among Indian travellers as awareness of the value and experience it offers have increased. Alongside the pursuit to seek a distinct experience, we find that the thrill of embarking on a cruise carries great aspirational value among Indian travellers. The myth that cruise holidays are very expensive is slowly breaking with an increasing number of middle-income travellers opting to cruise every year. With a gradual increase in spending capacity and an increased awareness of the cruising sector, our expectation is that cruise tourism in India will continue to grow strongly in the travel and tourism space.
