The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards 2023 saw Antara Cruises scoop the Silver in the River Cruising category.
Antara Cruises, India’s river cruising pioneer was humbled to make history alongside Ferdinand Magellan. He was the first mariner to circumnavigate the world. They received recognition from the US based Travel Weekly magazine in their recently announced Travel Weekly Magellan Awards.
The luxury boutique rivership, Antara Ganga Vilas, won Silver for the World’s Longest River Cruise in the Overall Cruising category.
This recognition for Antara River Cruises comes just 10 months after the launch of the world’s longest river cruise. That voyage begins in Varanasi and ends in Dibrugarh passing through Dhaka in Bangladesh. This epic journey created headlines in January 2023, when the ship traversed 3200 kms over 51 days, 2 countries, 5 states and 27 river systems.
The voyage of a lifetime offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to explore South Asian culture along some of its most ancient regions and systems. Perfect for leisure travellers, history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and nature lovers. The cruise further allows for a hop-on and hop-off option for those who cannot commit to the entire journey.
The World’s Longest River Cruise
Being selected as a Silver winner by the jury of the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards bears testimony to the effort and vision of the pioneers of river cruising in India. Antara River Cruises with its fleet of nine vessels has shown an ideal way to explore India through slow and sustainable travel. It allows guests to discover new cultures and destinations along the waterways immersing them in unforgettable experiences.
“This is an extremely proud moment for us. We are delighted to receive this esteemed recognition from the jury of the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards. We have had an amazing opening and it is indeed a great honour for us to be counted among the best in the river cruising business.” said Raj Singh, Chairman, Heritage River Journeys.
Crafted in India
Designed, detailed and crafted in India, Antara Ganga Vilas was built to honour mid-20th century Modernism. The 18-suite river ship is a luxurious amalgamation of yesteryear glory and modern elegance. Each room is inspired by the painted and meditative colour experiments of Josef Albers and has been designed using only locally made fabrics, linen, furniture, and serveware. Large ceiling to floor guillotine windows bring enchanting riverviews into the ship’s expansive spaces. Encompassing conscious luxury, the ship promises to sail you into a world of comfort and style. Its highly-rated cuisine offerings – the onboard kitchen specially curates menus keeping in mind the local and regional specialities as well as popular preferences – ensure you have an exceptional and unforgettable experience.
Best way to see South Asia
Antara believes the best way to see South Asia is from the river. What began in 2003 as a dream for travel industry pioneer and naturalist Raj Singh has today turned into Antara’s thoughtfully designed, well-appointed fleet of nine ships that sail South Asia’s most iconic rivers. Antara offers its guests beautiful perches on moving water from which to enjoy vibrant and meditative landscapes, people, crafts and wildlife. Their philosophy is to bring the region’s indigenous environments and cultures to the world, sustainably. And with its renowned hospitality, in ships that are designed with thought, luxury and care. Antara cruises encompass the Ganga, the Padma and the Brahmaputra River systems to make the world’s longest river cruise. In 2023, Antara will start sailing the four rivers that inundate Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second largest mangrove forest.
Travel Weekly is the most influential provider of news, research, opinion and analysis to the North American travel trade marketplace. It reaches a broad industry audience in print, online and face-to-face events throughout the year.
Travel Weekly is a division of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Northstar Travel Group. They are the largest travel business-to-business travel publisher in the world. The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honours the best in travel and salutes the outstanding travel professionals behind it all. The judging panel for Travel Weekly Magellan Awards comprises top travel industry professionals. And the Magellan is the award to win if you are in the business of travel.