Nishith Saxena of InterGlobe Cruises says, “Though a chunk (over 80 per cent) of the demand is still for short duration (2 nights) cruises in Southeast Asia, led by Star Cruises (they offer packages that start as low as $250 per person for 2 nights, all inclusive), an increasing number of Indians are now queuing up for longer duration cruise trips in Europe and the US.”

What is adding to the upswing in the figures is that a lot of corporate houses—Titan Industries, BPL, UB, Shaw Wallace, etc—are offering such cruises to their employees as a bonus or reward, or to their franchisees and agents as incentives. BPL alone sent about 500 of their agents on cruises last year.

Cox and Kings is another of the leading sellers of cruise travel in India along with TCI and Thomas Cook. Tour operators say 50 per cent of their cruise clientele are honeymooners and first-time travellers, while the rest comprise incentive group travel from companies.

nother factor that's adding to the popularity of this floating holiday is that the concept satisfies the Indians' innate value-for-money requisite. Typically, such cruises offer fantastic onboard entertainment like live floor shows (with even topless dancers—a major crowd puller for the Indians, it appears), discos, live bands, casinos, films—the works.

Interestingly, even though the number of passengers is hardly embarrassing, cruise companies don't really calculate growth that way. Their bottom line stays healthy not because of the volume of small, 2-day packages, but because of the longer cruises, which are the real money-earners. Even if 500 passengers book a 12-night itinerary, it would amount to 6,000 cruise nights, translating into a very good revenue opportunity for any operator. “We feel that the cruise vacation concept is being accepted very quickly in India . That is why there is a 20-25 per cent year-on-year growth,” explains Saxena.

Most companies feel the current buoyancy will make India emerge as one of the biggest source markets for various cruise companies by 2010. The current trend shows first-time cruisers who would traditionally opt for a two- to four-day cruise, are now willing to opt for a seven-day or even longer cruise vacation.

Confirming this and providing enthusiasm to tour operators in India , Seatrade publisher and managing director Christopher Hayman said last December at the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry that cruise tourism could provide a major boost to India 's marine industry. He said Indian Ocean cruises could be an effective solution for winter deployment of ships operating in Northern Europe .

“With the development of cruise terminals at five ports on the west and east coasts of India , cruise tourism could be a major opportunity for the country,” said Hayman. “This would open up avenues for Indian industry to provide marine and hospitality services, port excursions and the like to these cruises.”

But at the moment, admits Ravneet Kler of Sadhna Travels, “the cruise industry is hamstrung by the fact that most of these cruises don't start from Indian shores. Some cruise lines may make a stop at Mumbai, but most cruises, even with a large number of Indian passengers, start from Singapore or Europe .” Currently, the holiday-maker's budget does have to include the cost of flying to the port of boarding.

For instance, the Royal Caribbean Celebrity Cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and back costs between $1,020 and $4,470 per person (depending upon the category of accommodation) for a seven-night cruise. However, flying to Vancouver from India is likely to cost anywhere around Rs 60,000 per person.

Another option is taking a cruise from Europe . Flights to European countries are cheaper. For instance, you could take a 12-night Royal Caribbean Celebrity Mediterranean Cruise which starts from Barcelona , Spain , and after making calls at Nice in France , Florence , Rome and Naples in Italy , Mykonos , Santorini and Athens in Greece and Dubrovnik in Croatia , finally anchors at Venice , Italy . The cruise costs between $1,820 and $7,020.

Some cruise operators, of course, have tried to get round this problem by offering combination trips. Star Cruise has tied up with SOTC Holidays to provide packages to the US and South East Asia . For instance, one could take a 12-day package to the US , visit New York , Washington DC, Niagara Falls and Orlando . Added to this will be a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas . The complete trip, including return economy airfare, hotel accommodation, meals, sightseeing, visa charges, airport taxes, coach tours, transfers, entrance fees and surface transportation costs Rs 113,800 per person.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON BOARD

All food is included, even room service, in the total cost charged for the trip. Generally, room service on cruise liners is very good with several options, even for desserts. Often, food is available 24 hours. One can eat in the main, often-formal dining rooms or at the casual buffet on the decks. Or one could have a hamburger or hot dog served by the pool. Most liners also cater for special dietary needs. There are special meals like diabetic, kosher, low fat, etc.

There is special entertainment each night on a cruise. It ranges from Las Vegas style shows to comedians, vocalists, illusionists to variety acts. Most shows are after dinner. If there is early dining, the shows will start around 8:30 pm . With a late dinner, the shows start around 10:30 pm. Casinos are open until 2 am on sea days. There are also several different lounges on most ships that offer a different style of music for dancing or just lounging around, drinking. Some ships offer movies. Some of the new Princess Cruise ships have “movies under the stars”. These ships offer a 300 square foot LED screen on the pool deck where one can watch the movie outside by the pool area.

The use of the fitness centers and gyms is also usually free. They offer exercise and weight training equipment, spinning and yoga. One can use the jacuzzi, hot tub, sauna and steam room. Most ships have basketball and volleyball courts. Some ships offer golf simulators and golf swing analysis.

There are special programmes for children on board cruise liners. There are separate groups for children ranging from 2 to 17 years and each group offers appropriate activities. The larger ships offer inline skating, 18-hole miniature golf, ice skating rink, video arcade, separate teen disco and pool area for children and teens. Late evening pizza and pajama parties are offered for the younger children to give parents time alone. There are also baby-sitters or special children's room available aboard most ships.

Shore excursions cost extra and are optional. Some options are swimming with the dolphins, feeding the stingrays, parasailing, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling or taking a catamaran tour. The prices usually start at $35 per person and go up from there depending on the shore excursion. If a shore excursion does not sound interesting, one can walk around at the different ports and shop.

The going rate for tipping is $10 per passenger per day. This is charged to your shipboard account and billed to you at the end of your cruise. The money is divided between the cabin steward, waiter and bus boy.