Two cruise ships are opening a new chapter for India's cruise tourism industry. Cordelia Cruises has commenced two-ship operations from separate Indian homeports, with Cordelia Sky sailing from Mumbai and Cordelia Empress beginning its season from Kochi. The expansion marks the first time the cruise line has operated two ships simultaneously from two Indian homeports, increasing its capacity and broadening its domestic and international itinerary network. On 23 October 2026, Mumbai port handled both vessels, with nearly 6,000 guests embarking and disembarking across the ships. While Cordelia Sky departed on its inaugural guest sailing, Cordelia Empress began its onward journey towards Kochi, its new homeport.

The expansion reflects a wider change in India's tourism landscape. Cruise holidays are gradually moving beyond occasional visits by international ships towards a more developed market featuring departures from Indian ports, domestic coastal journeys, island experiences and longer international itineraries. Mumbai and Kochi are emerging as important departure points, offering travellers options that include Goa, Lakshadweep, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, depending on the sailing schedule. Cordelia's current programme includes short weekend cruises as well as longer journeys, making the experience accessible to travellers looking for different holiday durations.

For Indian travellers, a cruise offers a holiday experience in which the journey becomes as important as the destination. Accommodation, onboard dining and entertainment can be combined with coastal views and visits to different ports, allowing guests to explore multiple destinations without repeatedly changing hotels. Depending on the fare and package, meals and onboard activities may be included, although beverages, shore excursions and other services can cost extra.

Cruises can also suit different travel occasions, from family holidays and reunions to anniversaries, honeymoons and trips with friends. Short sailings offer first-time cruisers a way to experience life onboard without committing to a longer holiday, while extended itineraries allow travellers to spend more time exploring islands and international destinations.

Beyond the Arabian Sea: India's Expanding Cruise Experiences

India's cruise market is not limited to ocean voyages. River cruises and inland-waterway experiences are also gaining importance, offering different ways to explore the country's heritage, landscapes and local communities.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reported that, as of July 2026, 17 river-cruise circuits were operational across 13 National Waterways in nine states. The number of waterways designated for river cruises increased from three in 2013–14 to 13 in 2025–26, highlighting the growing attention being given to inland-waterway tourism.

On the Ganga, river journeys can connect destinations associated with India's spiritual and cultural heritage, including Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata. Longer itineraries explore wider stretches of the river system. On the Brahmaputra in Assam, cruises offer opportunities to experience river landscapes, regional culture and wildlife-rich areas. Kerala's backwaters, meanwhile, provide a different style of water-based holiday through houseboats and regional cruises.

The sector is also attracting international interest. Viking has announced plans to begin Brahmaputra river voyages with the Viking Brahmaputra in late 2027, followed by a second vessel, Viking Ganges, scheduled to debut in 2028. Its planned itinerary will include a river voyage between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat, alongside a guided land programme. These developments reflect the potential of India's rivers as destinations for specialised and experience-led travel.

How the Government Is Supporting Cruise Tourism

Infrastructure and passenger services will play an important role in determining how quickly the sector grows. The government launched the Cruise Bharat Mission on 30 September 2024, with an aim to double cruise passenger traffic by 2029. The initiative covers ocean and harbour cruises, river and island cruises, and the development of supporting infrastructure and passenger facilities.

Government figures show that India recorded 272 cruise calls and approximately 4.92 lakh passengers in FY 2024–25, compared with 253 cruise calls and 4.7 lakh passengers in FY 2023–24. Cruise terminals operate at major ports including Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Kochi, Visakhapatnam and Chennai, while other destinations are also receiving cruise calls.

The wider development effort includes improving cruise terminals, simplifying immigration and customs procedures, encouraging new routes and supporting investment in cruise infrastructure. These measures are intended to make passenger processing more convenient while helping ports and operators handle a growing number of voyages.

As infrastructure improves and more itineraries become available, cruise holidays could also create opportunities for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, local transport providers and destination businesses. The benefits can extend beyond the ship, bringing visitors to ports and communities along coastal and river routes.

Making Cruise Holidays More Affordable

For travellers planning their first cruise, a little flexibility can help manage costs. Starting with a two- or three-night sailing is one way to experience the format without committing to a longer itinerary. Interior cabins can also be more economical than ocean-view or balcony accommodation for guests who expect to spend much of their time exploring the ship or visiting destinations.

Travelling with family or friends may help reduce the per-person accommodation cost when suitable shared cabins and offers are available. However, travellers should compare the full package rather than the headline fare alone, checking what is included and whether additional charges apply to drinks, excursions, speciality dining and other services.

Seasonality is another important consideration. October to March is generally a useful period to explore many Indian coastal and river cruise options, although conditions vary by route. The southwest monsoon can affect some coastal sailings, making it important to check the operator's schedule before booking. Shoulder-season dates may offer better value than peak holiday periods, but fares and availability vary by sailing.

For travellers who want to explore India's waterways, the growing choice of sea and river cruises offers a wider range of holiday styles, from short breaks to longer journeys built around nature, culture and heritage.

With Cordelia Cruises operating from Mumbai and Kochi, river-cruise circuits expanding and new international operators preparing to enter the market, India's cruise sector is developing beyond a niche holiday category. The next stage will depend on whether operators can maintain attractive itineraries and reliable service while infrastructure keeps pace with demand.

For travellers, the appeal is simple: one journey can combine accommodation, dining, entertainment and the experience of discovering several destinations along the way. As India's cruise network develops, it is becoming another option for those looking to explore the country's coasts, islands and rivers from a different perspective.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined Shangri-La Eros hotel in New Delhi ₹1 lakh for automatically adding a 10% service charge to food bills at its Mister Chai restaurant. The authority held that the practice was unfair because customers were required to opt out after the charge had already been added, rather than giving affirmative consent before payment.

The case highlights how seemingly small billing practices can damage trust in premium hospitality brands. Guests may accept menu prices, but discovering an additional 10% charge at the payment stage can create the impression of a hidden cost or misleading billing—even when the charge is mentioned on the menu.

The CCPA order, passed by chief commissioner Nidhi Khare and commissioner Anupam Mishra, noted that the hotel had informed the authority in late September that it would discontinue the practice from 1 October. The hotel had argued that the service charge was discretionary and optional, but the authority rejected the opt-out structure as insufficient to establish genuine customer consent.

The complaint was supported by invoices showing a service charge of ₹435 on a subtotal of ₹4,350 and ₹125 on a subtotal of ₹1,250. GST was subsequently levied on the higher amounts after the service charge had been added.

The CCPA held that adding the charge automatically and requiring customers to request its removal placed the burden on guests. In an upscale hotel, questioning a bill or asking staff to remove a charge can also create social pressure, making the payment appear voluntary in theory but difficult to refuse in practice.

Why Automatic Service Charges Hurt Hotel Trust

Luxury hotels sell more than food and accommodation. Their brand promise is built around predictability, care and transparency. An unexpected charge at checkout can undermine that promise and make guests feel that the business is prioritising revenue extraction over the overall experience.

The impact can extend beyond a single visit. Guests may share bills, post reviews or discuss the experience on social media. Even if a charge is later refunded, the impression that consent was not obtained upfront may remain.

The addition of GST on the service charge can amplify the concern. In the invoices cited in the order, the hotel first added 10% to the food subtotal and then calculated GST on the inflated amount. Customers may view this as compounding an unauthorised charge.

The CCPA also held that a refund after payment did not cure the violation. Consent, it said, must be free, prior and informed—not obtained only after the customer has noticed the charge and challenged it.

How Technology Can Prevent Unauthorised Charges

Technology can help hotels make the optional nature of any service contribution clear and ensure that consent is recorded before payment.

POS billing systems should remove service charges from default bill templates. If a guest chooses to make a voluntary contribution, staff should select a separate option only after receiving approval.

Digital and QR menus can display food prices, taxes and any optional contribution before an order is placed. At checkout, tablets or mobile payment screens can ask: “Would you like to add a voluntary service contribution? Yes / No / Custom amount.”

E-bills and payment links should show separate lines for food, GST and any voluntary contribution. A bundled total that hides the charge makes it harder for guests to understand what they are paying for.

Hotels can also use customer relationship management and feedback tools to send receipts after a visit and ask whether the billing process was clear. Recurring complaints can then be identified and addressed early.

AI-powered compliance checks can scan sample bills for unauthorised line items, renamed charges or GST applied to service charges. Staff-training applications can use short bill simulations and scripts to help employees explain optional contributions without pressuring guests.

The central rule is simple: the default should be “no service charge”. Any contribution should require an affirmative choice by the customer. CCPA guidelines prohibit automatic addition, collection under another name, coercion, entry restrictions and GST on a service charge added to the food bill.

How Guests Can Protect Themselves

Guests can take several steps to protect themselves when dining at hotels and restaurants:

Check the menu before ordering. Look for terms such as “service charge”, “staff contribution”, “voluntary contribution” or “applicable charges”.

Ask before ordering: “Is any service charge added automatically? Can I choose not to pay it?”

Review the bill line by line before paying. Check whether a 5% or 10% charge has been added and whether GST has been calculated on it.

Do not feel pressured to pay. A service charge or tip is voluntary, and refusing it cannot be used to deny entry or service under the CCPA guidelines.

Ask for a revised bill rather than merely requesting a refund. The charge and any GST calculated on it should be removed before payment.

Keep evidence by photographing the menu, bill, payment screen and any written communication with the restaurant or hotel.

Guests can complain through official channels, including the National Consumer Helpline at 1915, the NCH app or the e-Daakhil portal. Reviews should mention the specific billing issue, date and resolution without making unverified accusations.

The Shangri-La Eros case serves as a reminder that transparent billing is central to customer trust. For hotels and restaurants, obtaining clear consent before adding any optional contribution is not only a compliance requirement but also an important part of protecting the guest experience and the brand's reputation.

India’s apparel industry is approaching the festive season with optimism, but rising input costs and growing competition from Chinese garment imports raise a critical question: will stronger consumer demand translate into sustainable growth for domestic manufacturers?

According to a September 2026 survey by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), 52% of respondents expect higher festive sales than last year, while 30% anticipate sales remaining at similar levels. Fewer than 20% expect a decline.

The outlook appears encouraging, but sales expectations alone do not establish whether manufacturers are becoming more profitable.

The Price of Festive Optimism

Rising production costs remain a significant concern. The CMAI survey found that approximately 54% of respondents are absorbing higher input costs by reducing their margins, while only around 35% have increased prices.

This creates a difficult equation for domestic manufacturers. Raising prices risks making products less attractive to price-conscious consumers, while absorbing additional costs leaves businesses with less room to invest, expand production or withstand market fluctuations.

The challenge becomes more pronounced when manufacturers compete against imported garments that may offer attractive prices and a wide variety of designs.

Imports Add to the Pressure

The concern is not merely theoretical. According to the South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association, imports of cotton ready-made garments from China rose to ₹8,508.64 crore during April–August 2025, from ₹8,263 crore in the corresponding period a year earlier, as reported by Textile Value Chain.

Broader trade data also highlights China's position in the supply chain. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry reports that China accounted for 43.2% of India's textile and apparel imports in 2023. However, this figure covers a wider range of products, including textile materials and fabrics, not just finished garments. 

For Indian producers, particularly manufacturers in established clusters such as Tiruppur, the concern is whether imported apparel will capture demand that domestic factories could otherwise serve. Yet imports also give retailers access to different products and price points, making the issue more complex than a straightforward domestic-versus-foreign contest.

Beyond Festive Sales

India's manufacturers need more than a seasonal demand boost. Better production efficiency, competitive pricing, design differentiation and stronger supply chains will be essential to sustaining growth. Policymakers and industry bodies must also assess import trends using product-specific data before drawing conclusions about their impact on domestic production.

Ultimately, the CMAI survey offers a positive demand signal, not proof of an industry-wide recovery. If manufacturers must sacrifice margins to compete on price while facing imported alternatives, higher festive sales may not deliver the financial gains they need. The more important measure of success will be whether domestic businesses can turn seasonal demand into stronger profitability and long-term competitiveness.