TBM Staff - Mumbai Griffon Cruises, currently promoting the iconic British cruising company Cunard Line, is tailoring its offerings to attract Indian travellers. Cunard, known for its renowned ships like Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and the newly launched Queen Anne, is enhancing its appeal to the Indian market.
“Cunard Line is known for its British heritage and its transatlantic cruises, giving Indian travellers a peek into the bygone era when the only medium for cross-border travel was a ship,” said Vivek Jain, Managing Director of Griffon Cruises.
Cunard offers various sailings, including transatlantic routes from Southampton to New York and round-the-world cruises. Other itineraries include the East and West Mediterranean, the British Isles, Norwegian fjords, the Atlantic coast, and the Canary Islands. “We cover most of Europe, Japan for cherry blossom season, as well as Australia in the summer months, Alaska, and the Caribbean Islands,” Jain added.
This year, Griffon has focused on promoting Cunard’s East and West Mediterranean sailings and the fjords. “We also did bookings for cherry blossom season. The British Isles and the Northern Lights are doing great for the Diwali season. In October, we are focusing on European sailings, starting from 7-day itineraries. We also have shorter sailings of 2-3 nights,” Jain noted.
For the Indian clientele, Cunard is seen as an aspirational product. “It’s an old English charm, and the luxury attracts Indian travellers. We have so much focus on the Indian market that we serve Indian food on our group movements. On the Queen Anne, there is an Indian restaurant as well,” Jain explained.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest among Indians in cruise holidays.
Jain shared his experience, stating, “I have been selling cruises for the last 20 years when the concept itself wasn’t understood in the market. With ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ being shot on Pullmantur ships, gradually we started educating people on the cruise experience. On Cunard, we do a lot of English activities, therefore there are guests who are mature enough to undertake a 14-day sailing.”
Griffon Cruises’ efforts to adapt to Indian tastes and preferences highlight the increasing demand for luxury cruise experiences among Indian travellers.
