Varun Chadha on Bringing Cruises to India & Building TIRUN

In this episode of Hisaab Kitaab, Varun Chadha, CEO of TIRUN Travel Marketing, sits down with Karishma Mehta to take a deep dive into the world of global cruising — a space many have seen, but few truly understand. From pioneering cruises in India in 1993 to partnering with global giants like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, Varun unpacks the vision, scale, and evolution behind one of travel's most powerful formats.

The Business of Cruising — By the Numbers

Varun demystifies how the cruise industry actually works — from ships worth billions of dollars to a pricing spectrum that ranges from $150 to $10,000 per night. He outlines the three distinct segments of cruising: family entertainment-packed ships designed for high energy and variety, mid-tier experiences balancing comfort and exploration, and ultra-luxury, highly personalised voyages where every detail is tailored to the individual guest.

Who Is Actually Booking?

The conversation explores real consumer behaviour — who is choosing cruises, what drives their decisions, and why India remains an emerging market with enormous untapped potential. From group travel and destination weddings at sea to multi-generational repeat customers, cruising is quietly building one of the most loyal customer bases in global travel.

Experiences Over Itineraries

A key thread throughout the episode is the broader shift in how modern travellers think. "Travel has moved from being planned around destinations to being centred around experiences," Varun notes. Cruising is uniquely positioned to capitalise on this — offering access to places like Alaska, Antarctica, and the Mediterranean that are otherwise difficult or impossible to reach through conventional travel.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, this episode makes a compelling case for why cruising isn't just a holiday format — it may well be the future of travel itself.