Cordelia Cruises returns to Mumbai homeport with Empress

Cordelia Cruises has returned its single cruise ship Empress to Mumbai for a season of roundtrip cruises to Goa, after completing a successful season on India’s east coast.

From January, 2023 Empress will sail roundtrip from Mumbai to Goa, a 3-day itinerary that alternates with a 4-day roundtrip voyage that visits Lakshadweep.

Between October, 2022 and January next year, she’ll sail from Mumbai to Goa, Kochi, and Lakshadweep on a limited series of two-night, three-night, four-night, and five-night cruises.

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“It is heartening to witness the overwhelming response that we have received from our guests over the course of the past 12 months,” said Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO, Cordelia Cruises.

“India and Indians have welcomed Cordelia Cruises with open arms and we take this opportunity to express our gratitude,” he added. “We are more than excited to be returning to our homeport in Mumbai and are ready to welcome the upcoming festive season, starting with the Navratri celebrations.”

Empress is Cordelia’s only cruise ship at present, but the cruise line has outlined plans to acquire more vessels.

She offers guests several dining options, live music and entertainment, and other activities and dining celebrations geared around key local festivals.

“We have a host of exciting activities lined up all the way to Christmas and New Years and cannot wait to welcome our guests aboard,” added Bailom.

The former Empress of the Seas was sold by Royal Caribbean International in 2020. She was sent to Dubai by Cordelia Cruises for a refit and renovation at Dubai Drydocks before being repositioned to India to sail her first domestic cruise season in the country.

Dining options onboard include oriental, continental, Mughlai and Indian street food. There are also five different bars, a casino, nightclub and theatre where production shows are 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.”

Cordelia is planning to add a second cruise ship to its fleet by August, 2022, and by 2025 wants to have between four and six ships in operation.