Antara Cruises

Antara Cruise provides a different way to explore India than traveling via air, rail or by road with an unparalleled experience. It is a leisurely float through the middle of the country with the river being the road and every twist and turn along the way telling you another story.

Here are some things that make Antara Cruises so special:

All-Suite Accommodations - Every cabin is a suite so you have spacious accommodation, with breath-taking views from your window.

Fully Vegetarian Restaurants - Antara serves fresh, regional, Michelin-inspired vegetarian cuisine. The food tells the story of every destination you pass through.

Cultural Performances On-board - Local artists, musicians and dancers board the ship at various ports and provide guests with an authentic taste of the local culture.

Expert-Led Shore Excursions - At each port, a local guide will lead you to wonderful places such as temples, wildlife parks & historical sites

Sustainable Travel Practices - Antara has made it their mission to protect the rivers of India. They are using shore power connections, sewage treatment systems, eco-friendly lights, bamboo straws, and dolphin deterring devices to ensure their voyages do not impact the environment negatively.

Antara has nine ships in its fleet (including the flagship MV Ganga Vilas), with four more being built, each with a unique character.

MV Ganga Vilas is the flagship. It has 18 all-suite rooms, panoramic balcony windows and art deco-inspired interiors by Josef Albers. The ship has a spa, fitness centre, and butler service. The ship sails the longest route from Varanasi, India to Dibrugarh, India via Bangladesh.

Ganges Voyager was Antara's first purpose-designed fleet vessel, launched in 2014, carrying up to 56 guests in beautifully appointed suites and remains one of the fleet's most popular ships.

MV Bengal Ganga is an intimate all-suite vessel built from Burmese teak with colonial charm and modern comforts. It sails between Kolkata and Varanasi on carefully curated itineraries.

MV Bhitarkanika & MV Mahanadi are eco-catamarans with only two suites, which provide guests with very intimate experiences focused on wildlife in the mangrove forests of Odisha.

MV Nauka Vilas is perhaps the most exclusive ship; it is a wooden riverboat with only one luxury suite, private chef, and dedicated crew perfect for couples on their honeymoon or for those wishing for a truly private vacation.

Every Antara itinerary is a historic experience. Here are some of the highlight destinations that Antara River Cruise ships sail to:

Varanasi - This is one of the oldest cities in the world. The experience of being on a boat and watching the Ganges Aarti at dawn while moving past the ghats is indescribable!

Sundarbans - An incredible area of wilderness that is home to Bengal tigers, dolphins, otters, turtle and literally thousands of other species. The surreal beauty of this area will leave you wishing you could stay forever.

Chandernagore - (near Calcutta) was formerly a French colony and has beautiful colonial architecture, an attractive riverside promenade, and a laid-back, European ambience.

Shantipur - Known as the handloom paradise of Bengal, this town is famous for its traditional sarees and rich weaving heritage.

Bhitarkanika - Odisha's Mini-Amazon, where you glide past crocodiles, kingfishers, and wild mangroves in near-complete silence.

Kolkata - A vibrant city with many architectural sites are best viewed from the water along with the bustling Ghats.

Note: All prices are per person, suite category. Cabin prices exclude port fees & taxes and are subject to change. Surcharge may apply for festive sailings like Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, and Holi. Call 020-66442999 or enquire online for latest availability.

Cruisebay is India’s first retail cruises-only company offering 15000+ ocean, river, expedition and yacht cruises from 35 cruise lines. We have sent 1000s of happy cruisers on their cruise holiday since 2008 and our 4.8/5 rating on Google is testament to the service that we have provided our guests. We deliver the best value to our guests thanks to the strong strong relationships with CruiseBay maintains with all the cruise lines.

When you book Antara Cruises with CruiseBay, you get expert guidance, personalised service, and the assurance of a team that understands cruise travel inside out.