52 days in luxury: World's longest river cruise sets off on maiden voyage

India has launched the world’s longest river cruise, which is being touted as the start of a new era in luxury tourism.

The MV Ganga Vilas, which will traverse through 27 rivers over 52 days, covering over 3,200 km, was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi on Friday.

Sun beds on the sundeck on MV Ganga Vilas

Lounge bar, MV Ganga Vilas

The cruise, operated by Antara Luxury River Cruises, will visit 50 tourist spots, including world heritage sites, national parks, river ghats, and major cities, such as Patna, Kolkata, Dhaka, and Guwahati.

Ganga Vilas will pip the Mississippi river cruise, which spans 2253-2574 km, according to Sanjay Bandopadhyay, chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The maiden voyage will host 32 Swiss nationals, and is expected to reach Dibrugarh, its final stop, on March 1. 

MV Ganga Vilas' restaurant

The Centre is expecting the cruise to feature on itineraries of foreign dignitaries, said Bandopadhyay. India holds the G20 Presidency this year.

ABOARD MV Ganga Vilas

Dimensions:

• Length: 62 m,
• Width: 12 m
• Draft: 1.4 m
• Investment: Rs 68 crore
• Decks: 3
• Suites: 18 (can accommodate 36 people)

What it costs

• Rs 50,000 per night for an all-inclusive package
• Tickets can be purchased from the website of Antara Luxury River Cruises. But the cruise is already booked for two years, and reservations would be available against cancellations, said Raj Singh, founder, and CEO of the company.

Best in class:

Besides suites, the cruise features a sun deck, spa, lounge, restaurant, library, and gym, among other amenities.

Bon voyage:

• It will make six voyages each year, said Singh.
• People have the option to stay on the cruise for the whole 52-day journey, or smaller travel packages between Varanasi and Kolkata, and Kolkata to Dibrugarh.

THE ROUTE

After Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, the cruise sail to Sarnath, a revered Buddhist site. It will also cover Mayong, known for its Tantric craft, and Majuli, the largest river island and hub of the Vaishnavite culture in Assam. Moreover, the cruise will traverse through the Sunderbans, and the Kaziranga National Park. In Bihar, Ganga Vilas will take visitors to Bihar School of Yoga and Vikramshila University. Bangladesh, too, is on its route.

Since many of the locations to be covered are holy sites, Singh said the cruise will serve essentially vegetarian items, and everything on offer has been planned keeping religious sentiments in mind.