6 minute read
I’ve been keeping a close eye on the India cruise market for a while now, and one thing is certainly becoming clear: 2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for cruise tourism in India. The growth numbers, the new infrastructure, and the government backing all point in the same direction.
With India targeting 1 million passengers by 2029, a projected $323 million market by 2030, and a potential 800% growth over the next decade, the timing for travel agencies to enter the cruise sector couldn’t be better. Early movers can secure market share before competition intensifies and cruising becomes mainstream in India.
Whats Shaping This Growth and Why 2026 Is Crucial
- Significant investments in infrastructure.
In April 2025, India inaugurated the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier, after an investment of ₹556 crore. The facility can handle five cruise ships simultaneously and aims for a throughput of 1 million passengers per year.
With the government’s Cruise Bharat Mission, plans are already underway to develop 10 ocean cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and 5 marinas by 2029.
Ports in Goa, Kochi, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam are being upgraded concurrently, and India is targeting a jump from ~125 ocean + river cruise calls today to 500 by 2025.
The result: the chronic infrastructure bottleneck that has held back cruise expansion is finally being addressed and the infrastructure will soon allow for India to be poised as a global hub for cruise.
- Policy tailwinds and regulatory easing
India’s five-year plan aims to grow ocean cruise passenger numbers from half a million to 1 million, while boosting cruise and river cruise calls.
Import duty exemptions and simplified tax regimes for foreign cruise operators have also been introduced, reducing one of the major friction points for international cruise lines operating in India.
These shifts make it materially easier now than ever for operators, tour agents and distribution partners to enter or scale in the segment.
Photo by Amira El Fohail via Unsplash
- Global cruise growth remains robust
On the global front, CLIA forecasts 37.7 million ocean-going cruise passengers in 2025, driven largely by new-to-cruise travellers and growing loyalty.
Cruise lines continue to invest in sustainable innovations, fleet capacity, and diversified itineraries, all of which expand the addressable market.
The momentum is definitely there, and India is increasingly becoming part of their playbook.
- India’s trajectory is among the fastest in Asia
Recent reports suggest India has posted among the highest year-on-year growth in passenger volumes in Asia. (While precise CAGR estimates vary by source, most place India at or near the top).
India’s share of Asia’s source cruise market has gone from about 8-9% in 2019 to around 16% in 2023, according to CLIA, effectively a doubling in just a few years.
With penetration still extremely low compared to mature markets and the investment into infrastructure, the upside remains huge.
Why Now Is the Best Time for Indian Travel Businesses to Jump In
Low competition, high margins
The cruise distribution space in India is extremely under-penetrated. Many travel agents still do not offer cruise products or only do so via cumbersome, manual processes. Entering now means securing market share before the field gets crowded.
Hyderabad, India by Shiva Charan Pabba (@shivacharan)
Where Indian Travel Businesses Can Win in Cruise
The good news is you don’t need to buy ships or build terminals to benefit from the India cruise boom. For most leisure travel businesses, the biggest opportunities are right here:
- Cruise package sales:
Sell international itineraries across the world to meet the growing demand Indian travellers are already showing for cruising. Create tailor-made packages that bring dream holidays to life, whether for first-time cruisers or multi-generational families. - Shore excursions and local add-ons:
Cruise passengers want memorable experiences at every port. This is a great opportunity to offer flights, pre- or post-cruise accommodation, visas, cultural tours, food trails, and day trips, giving travellers a complete, seamless experience. - Niche and river cruising: River cruises like the MV Ganga Vilas prove that Indian travellers are ready for unique, luxury options. Smaller agencies can create bundles around these emerging products.
Technology removes the last obstacle
Getting into cruise isn’t just about selling cabins – it’s about having the right partner who knows the sector inside out. Cruise is complex: different lines, different booking systems, thousands of itineraries, changing rates. If you try to manage it all yourself, it’s overwhelming.
This is where Traveltek becomes a game changer. Our cruise API and booking products give you instant access to all the major cruise lines and tens of thousands of itineraries with no need for dozens of individual integrations. Agents and operators can quote, book, and dynamically package cruises in minutes, instead of wrangling spreadsheets, supplier portals, or manual calls.
Because our API is multi-currency, supports dynamic packaging (cruise + flights + hotels), and is cloud-native (PCI and security compliant), it gives you the tools to compete with global operators instantly.
The combination of technology and deep cruise expertise means you’re not just getting software, you’re getting a partner who knows how to make cruise work in India. There has literally never been an easier time for Indian travel businesses to launch or scale cruise operations and no more accessible path to connecting with top cruise lines than via Traveltek’s award-winning platform.
Photo by Matt Wilson on Unsplash
Next Steps
As we look ahead to 2026, the question is: Is your business ready to capture the growing demand in India’s cruise market?
We’re excited to share that our team will be at SATTE 2026 in Delhi. If you’ll be there, let’s book a time to chat and explore how you can leverage Traveltek’s cruise API and product suite to kickstart your cruise journey.
Can’t wait until SATTE? No problem, simply fill in our contact form and let’s schedule in an exploratory call into the opportunities that await. I’d be happy to show you how we’re driving cruise growth across Asia and how your business can plug in quickly and easily in the Indian market.
