You’ve cruised the Rhine, the Danube and the Seine. Now it may be time to do something extraordinary and explore rivers in India with thousands of years in history.
Scenic Cruises– better known for ocean and European river voyages– has entered a partnership with Assam Bengal Navigation, an Indo-British family-owned company that operates cruises along the Ganges and the Brahmaputra River in northern India.
It’s part of Scenic Group’s expansion into India, using ABN’s more than two decades of experience that now includes three luxury river ships, along with two luxury houseboats.
Scenic had already announced that its Scenic Aura will sail on the Hooghly River, a tributary of the Ganges, from October 2027. And there was such strong demand for that Scenic’s founder Glen Moroney wants to offer more choices on India’s ancient rivers on ABN’s ships, along with land experiences that can include the Taj Mahal.
“India offers extraordinary potential for luxury river cruising,” he says. “Our partnership with Assam Bengal Navigation gives us the benefit of deep local expertise and an established operating platform, while allowing Scenic to bring its international experience in luxury cruising to the market.”
The latest boutique ship, Scenic Aura, will be exploring a river that flows through India’s West Bengal along with land extensions for tiger viewing and visiting the Taj Mahal. If the Hooghly River doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because it hasn’t been on cruise itineraries in the past. To refresh your geography, West Bengal is at the eastern corner of India, bordered by Bangladesh to the east and Nepal to the north. Its capital is Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, more famously reached by train.
Don’t be put off by the district’s official website that leads with the number for the disaster helpline. Scroll down and you’ll find links to file complaints about hospitals and news about the vector borne disease control team.
Seriously, it’s really a very safe and amazingly stunning corner of India. And with Scenic that has decades of experience organizing the journey, safety and comfort are priorities.
During its inaugural season from October 2027 to March 2028, Scenic Aura will welcome no more than 44 guests per nine-night all-inclusive luxury river experience through the heartland of West Bengal. The newly released itineraries feature a unique collection of Scenic Freechoice excursions and exclusive Scenic Enrich events to showcase vibrant cities, sacred sites and riverside villages.
The India program has been designed to integrate with a land journey program with five new itineraries from 17- to 25 days, across North India, South India, Rajasthan and Sri Lanka.
Each itinerary will feature unique Scenic Enrich experiences, including an elegant High Tea at Kathgola Palace in Murshidabad to time at the revered Hooghly Imambara, celebrated for its spiritual resonance and Mughal influenced architecture. The ISKCON Global Headquarters will be a highlight, where devotional music and vibrant rituals offer an immersive encounter with living spirituality. Guests will also meet master craftspeople in Matiari’s artisan quarter and travel by traditional toto to Katra Mosque through the atmospheric streets of Nawabi-era Bengal.
Scenic Aura is being re-designed by Scenic Group’s team at MKM Yachts for an intimate boutique ship experience. Each suite will feature a private balcony, separate bedroom and Scenic Sun Lounge. All meals across up to four dining experiences, complimentary beverages throughout the day, an in-suite mini-bar, unlimited Wi Fi, a resort-style pool, yoga classes, a Wellness Centre and fitness area, plus self-service laundry facilities are included. On combined land and river journeys, Scenic also includes handpicked hotels and special stays, internal transport,
Reflecting its ongoing commitment to growth, innovation and creating unique discovery experiences, Scenic Group’s expansion into India forms part of a broader investment in Asia as a destination.
The launch of Scenic Aura on the Hooghly River is among several major developments due in 2028. Scenic Spirit II will join Scenic Spirit on the Mekong River, Scenic Eclipse II returns to Asia and Oceania, and Emerald Xara is arriving in Asia.
Scenic Group has established a strong presence in Canada, with its head office located in Vancouver. The company employs more than 80 people across Canada and is dedicated to supporting the unique needs of travellers and advisors with an all-Canadian Contact Centre.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
