Cordelia Cruises expands Indian cruise itineraries following Dubai refit

India’s only major domestic cruise line, Cordelia Cruises, has announced it is significantly expanding its homeporting operations in the country, along with the range of Indian cruise destinations on offer.

Chennai and Kochi will join Mumbai as one of the cruise line’s primary homeports, while new destinations on offer include Colombo, Trincomalee, and Puducherry, in addition to Goa, a long-standing favourite for the Indian cruise market.

The new deployments for the next 18 months were released following Empress’ reintroduction into service after her routine refit and refurbishment in Dubai.

“Following a significant drydock in Dubai this June, Empress will reposition to homeport in Chennai,” said Jurgen Bailom, President, Cordelia Cruises.

“This strategic relocation is instrumental in ensuring uninterrupted cruise operations during the monsoon season and reinforces India’s capacity to host cruises year-round,” he added. 

“We have thoughtfully planned a mix of international and domestic sailings departing from Chennai,” he added. 

A look through Cordelia’s itineraries on its website shows most of these cruises are short sailings, with options starting at two nights, which is a popular option in young cruise markets such as India, where new-to-cruise guests may be wary of longer sailings.

Other summer homeports include Mumbai and Kochi. Longer itineraries include a week-long sailing open-jaw from Mumbai to Chennai with calls into Kochi, Colombo and Trincomalee.

Bailom said a noteworthy enhancement to the company’s deployment is the addition of Puducherry as a new port of call.

“Lakshadweep has emerged as a hot destination for Cordelia Cruises, driven by the heightened interest following Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit,” he said. “The allure of this pristine location resonates with the Indian audience, and we’ve observed a surge in eagerness to explore it.”

Cordelia’s upcoming cruises run through June 2025, with June featuring a series of sailings ranging from two to five nights, including two-night sampler cruises both from Mumbai to Goa and roundtrip Mumbai.

Empress is Cordelia Cruises’ only vessel at present. She sailed as the former Empress of the Seas for Royal Caribbean and was acquired by Cordelia in 2020. The ship carries more than 1,800 passengers and offers four restaurants and four bars and lounges.

While the onboard experience leans toward the international, the cruise line has also carefully ensured that the tastes and preferences of India’s diverse market is catered to, with locally-inspired cuisine and entertainment.