Mrs. Ratna Chadha : TIRUN Travel Marketing has pioneered the concept of cruise vacations in India over the past two decades. When TIRUN was established, the market for luxury cruises in the country was miniscule. I think something very important that we have achieved is to raise the aspirations in the Indian market over all. Families prefer the assurance of adequate amenities while cruising whereas discerning travelers want to try out exotic destinations such as the Black Sea, Arctic and Antarctic.

Mrs. Ratna Chadha: Themed tours are gradually becoming popular in India. More and more travelers are becoming accustomed to the fact that with a luxury cruise they can enjoy the best of on-board and off-board vacationing, an experience that only cruise vacations can offer. Recently, Royal Caribbean International introduced one of its kind experiences with the Dream Works Experience on select ships and the Barbie Premium Experience, fleetwide. Such innovative concepts have been delightfully welcomed by Indian family vacationers.

Mrs. Ratna Chadha: Recognized as India’s premier cruise counselors, in 2013, TIRUN Travel Marketing celebrated 20 years of partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises. We have been promoting three cruise brands within the umbrella of Royal Caribbean Cruises: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. The response for the same has been bourgeoning in popularity over the years and the association has been a mutually advantageous one for both the companies. The partnership between TIRUN and Celebrity Cruises has been very fruitful.

Mrs. Ratna Chadha: Like every year, Royal Caribbean Cruises has gone the extra mile to make cruise vacations on-board its vessels more enticing and appealing for patrons. The much awaited Quantum of the Seas promises to change the experience of cruising with its launch forecast for November 2014. Shopping is going to get a lot better with more and more brands being introduced on board ships. With technology growing in leaps and bounds, the Apple Store makes its presence on board Celebrity Cruises ships. Ships of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will dock at ports like St. Petersburg, Venice and Phuket overnight providing the cruisers a chance to experience the local culture and flavor of the destination. The year 2014 promises to see more celebrity chefs on board for their guests’ dining pleasure.

Mrs. Ratna Chadha: India has huge potential – Modern lifestyle, enhanced economic standards, competitive work culture, the internet revolution, quest for novel experiences – and we fit in beautifully to fulfill the need of the relevant consumer looking for an alternate and novel vacation experiences. So far we have just touched the tip of the iceberg – our endeavor is to get more and more people to experience this wonderful form of vacationing, so surely increasing the market for the cruising segment. As an organization, we are we are keen to explore other lifestyle experiences within and outside of travel!