Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
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Sumit Banerji
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With the gradual maturity of the cruise travel segment in India, the luxury cruise market is expected to grow at a healthy pace. “Indian consumers (being generally highly brand-conscious) seeking luxury cruise vacation are maturing on product understanding while not compromising on their basic environmental parameters,” said Sumit Banerji, founder and country head – India and South Asia, Cruise Masters. He believes that concerted and focused efforts by the brand representatives and the trade partners will have a positive impact on the YOY business bottomline. “I’ll be pleased to see a CAGR of 20 per cent in line with the forecast for Indian luxury market, in the next five years,” added Banerji.
Known as the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers suite-only accommodation with private balcony and unlimited space for 700 guests onboard three mid-size ships, attended to by up to 445 international crew members. “The ships enjoy certain distinctions in accommodations, service, dining and amenities that elevate them to the lofty vantage point of an enviable six stars. They halt at ports that are generally inaccessible by large ships, with many itineraries offering ‘overnight stay’ at the port allowing guests to experience the destination’s nightlife,” said Banerji, adding that minimum cruise duration is of seven nights, many of the itineraries being one-way. He informed that this ‘Suite Life At Sea’ experience includes many interesting highlights like unlimited shore excursions at exotic port-of-calls; dining at specialty restaurants and offering exquisite haute French cuisine; in-suite dining, served course-by-course during restaurant hours; marble-appointed in-suite bathroom with L’Occitane amenities; and exciting onboard activities, etc.
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“Guests seeking exclusivity, space, luxury ambiance and most-inclusive product during their vacation, are our target clientele. They are matured travellers, who seek out experiential vacation without compromising on their basic necessity of exclusivity and space. They include the HNWIs and affluent families of the society,” mentioned Banerji.
