Indian cruise line Cordelia could return to Middle East following long-term charter deal

Cordelia Cruises, India’s only homegrown cruise brand tailored specifically to the local market, has confirmed the signing of an agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line for the long-term charter of two of its vessels.

Cordelia will charter Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun from 2026 and 2027, respectively, significantly expanding its footprint in the Indian cruise market, offering more destinations and a greater range of roundtrip itineraries from Mumbai.

The move comes just weeks after Cordelia confirmed that it was considering expanding its fleet. At the time, it had been anticipated that the cruise line would purchase up to two vessels second hand.

It’s current one-ship fleet is made up of Empress, the former Empress of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International.

“We are thrilled to welcome these iconic vessels to the Cordelia fleet, building on the overwhelming success of Empress, which redefined cruise holidays for Indian travellers,” said Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Cordelia Cruises. 

“With the addition of Sky and Sun, we are entering a new era of cruise holidays for Indian guests — one that is bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever before,” he added.

Both 77,000 gross ton Sun-class vessels accommodate around 2,000 passengers and 900 crew members, putting them in a similar class size to Empress. 

The cruise line will soon announce deployment timelines and destinations for the two new ships, with plans to serve a mix of domestic and international routes, according to a press release. 

The addition of the two vessels will allow the cruise line to reach more ports across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East — opening doors to new regions, longer itineraries and an increased frequency of voyages.

The expansion could see Cordelia offer roundtrip cruises in the Middle East out of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, a regional its long-coveted due to the large Indian expat community in the UAE. The cruise line formerly operated as Jalesh Cruises, which sailed a highly successful season out of Dubai in 2019.

In  a press release, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, confirmed that the long-term charter agreements are inclusive of purchase options.

The cruise line has released four vessels from its fleet for the charter agreements, with Seven Seas Navigator from Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Insignia from Oceania Cruises operating under Crescent Seas, a residential cruise line.

“These agreements are a testament to our disciplined approach to fleet optimisation,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “By strategically repurposing these vessels into markets and uses outside of our core business, we continue to generate value for our shareholders while focusing on a modernised fleet that enhances our guests’ vacation experiences.” 

“We’re thrilled that Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun will begin new chapters in the Indian cruise market through a long-term agreement with Cordelia Cruises, a leading operator in the region who we look forward to collaborating with into the future,” he added.