For the first time ever, Azamara Club Cruises will launch two itineraries from India by the end of this year. Alan Lam reports.

On Wednesday, 26 November, the line’s Azamara Quest will begin its 13-day Spice Route Voyage from Mumbai, calling at Goa, Kochi, Maldives, Colombo, Galle, and Chennai. Then, on 9 December, the ship will sail from Chennai for its second 13-day cruise across of the Bay of Bengal to Singapore, with calls at Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.

This development will be welcome by a country that has until now been largely ignored by the cruise industry. Since the brief appearance of Star Cruises a few years ago, India has hardly had any cruise activity to speak of.

As it looks on with envy at the vibrant cruise scene in the Far East, especially China, India hopes that many more brands to touch its shores. It is working on relaxing its maritime rules in an effort to attract cruise business.

The first cruise line formed specifically to serve this region is likely to be the long awaited Royal Asian Cruise Line, which is still in preparation for launch.

Mass market cruise tourism is still a distance from becoming reality in India. Azamara will suit the country’s pioneering elites. The company is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group.