Antara Cruises Relaunches MV Ganga Vilas with Ganges' First Pool

Antara Cruises has relaunched its flagship MV Ganga Vilas and restored India–Bangladesh luxury river cruising, marking the return of one of Asia's few cross-border river cruise experiences. Following a major enhancement programme, the vessel now features the Ganges' first open-air sun deck pool, creating a new benchmark for luxury river cruising in the region.

MV Ganga Vilas Relaunch
- Flagship vessel: MV Ganga Vilas, originally inaugurated in January 2023.
- Enhancement: Now features the first open-air sun deck pool on the Ganges — a luxury amenity usually seen on ocean cruises.
- Experience: Suites with panoramic bay windows, gourmet dining, handcrafted interiors blending mid-century furniture, Varanasi Gyasar textiles, and Tantric art.

India–Bangladesh River Cruise Programme
- Recommenced itineraries: Linking historic waterways across two countries.
- Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wildlife habitats, riverside communities.
- Bookings:
- Varanasi–Kolkata sailings: Late 2026 and throughout 2027.
- India–Bangladesh departures: From 2027.

Leadership Vision
- Raj Singh, Founder & Chairman:
> “Luxury is about constantly evolving the guest experience. The addition of the Ganges’ first open-air sun deck pool aboard MV Ganga Vilas is another step towards redefining luxury river cruising in India.”

Significance
- Reinforces Antara Cruises’ role as a pioneer in India’s luxury river cruise sector.
- Positions inland waterways as a new frontier for experiential travel in South Asia.
- Elevates India’s river cruising to global luxury standards.

This relaunch signals a bold step: blending heritage-rich itineraries with world-class amenities to attract both domestic and international luxury travellers.