Cordelia Cruises, the new Indian cruise start up, will continue the legacy of Jalesh Cruises, the first ever domestic cruise line in the country, which was forced to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This is according to Jurgen Bailom, the CEO of Cordelia Cruises, who previously headed up Jalesh Cruises and pioneered the growth of India’s domestic cruise tourism sector before those plans were derailed by COVID-19.

Cordelia Cruises has purchased the former Empress of the Seas from Royal Caribbean.

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In a press statement, Bailom said he was “continuing the legacy of Jalesh Cruises in upholding the spirit, culture, and value of ‘Incredible India’ and… curating memorable cruise holidays that delight customers” according to Cruise Industry News.

Cordelia Cruises plans to enter service later this year, it has purchased the former Empress of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International and re-named her Empress.

The cruise line announced the purchase in late December, 2020. It’s parent company, Waterways Leisure Tourism Private Limited, previously acquired Jalesh Cruises, which announced bankruptcy in October, 2020.

With many of the same employees, from the CEO to her operations and oceanside staff, it is expected that Cordelia Cruises will retain many of the same premium cruise experience elements that made Jalesh an instant hit amongst the cruising Indian public.

According to Cordelia Cruises’ website, the cruise line will be sailing 2- to 7-night itineraries from Mumbai to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, along the coast of India. The first cruise available for booking departs on June 5th, 2021 – a seven-night itinerary around India and Sri Lanka.

India has a burgeoning domestic cruise market, as well as being a popular cruise destination for foreign tourists.

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“True to its name, Cordelia aspires to promote and drive the cruise culture in India through experiences that are stylish, luxurious and most importantly, inherently Indian. Cordelia is a cruise liner for Indians catering to the way Indians love to holiday,” the cruise line said in a statement.

Cordelia Cruises will offer several dining options onboard the Empress – such as oriental, continental, Mughlai and Indian street food.

Reflecting India’s rich variety of cultures and tastes, the ship will also feature a special section of Jain Food, “so that you can enjoy a delightful meal while sticking to your dietary preferences,” the cruise line said.

The ship will also feature five different bars, a casino, nightclub and theatre where production shows will be staged nightly. Up top, there are several swimming pools, a rock-climbing wall, and a “dedicated area for educational and fun activities for kids of all age groups.”

Cruises will initially offer free packages for children under 12 years of age.