(The spectacular aerial celebration marks a new chapter for India’s cruise industry as Cordelia expands to a two-ship fleet, establishes Kochi as an additional homeport and announces Cordelia Sun for 2027)
BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
MUMBAI | 12 OCTOBER 2026
The city’s night sky transformed into a spectacular aerial stage on Sunday evening as Cordelia Cruises, India’s premium cruise line, celebrated the arrival of its second ship, Cordelia Sky, with a choreographed 1,500-drone show over the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
The light, music, and motion spectacle marked a major milestone in Cordelia’s five-year journey. The drones illuminated the sky with formations inspired by India, Mumbai, and the cruise line’s new flagship, culminating in a massive, glowing depiction of the ship itself. The event also offered a glimpse into the company’s future roadmap, announcing Cordelia Sun, its third vessel, which is slated to join the fleet in October 2027.
Attended by business partners, media, and key stakeholders, the evening highlighted the cruise liner’s rapid growth and its ambitions to redefine Indian cruise tourism.
The induction of Cordelia Sky marks a transition for the company from a single-vessel entity to a two-ship fleet. Going forward, Cordelia Sky will sail from Mumbai, while Cordelia Empress will operate out of Kochi
. This strategic deployment expands the company’s presence across two major Indian coastal gateways, significantly boosting guest capacity and offering domestic travellers enhanced options for luxury cruise vacations.
Speaking on the occasion, Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO, Cordelia Cruises has informed,”When we started Cordelia Cruises five years ago, we set out to make cruising a holiday choice for more Indians. Welcoming our second ship is a significant milestone in that journey, and we wanted to celebrate it in a way that was just as special. With Cordelia Sky joining our fleet, what better way to mark the occasion than by taking the celebration to the skies above Mumbai, a city that has been central to our journey from the very beginning.
Tonight is not just about welcoming a new ship. It is about celebrating how far we have come and the exciting journey ahead. With Cordelia Sky sailing from Mumbai, Cordelia Empress beginning a new chapter from Kochi, and Cordelia Sun set to join us in 2027, we are taking another step towards making cruise holidays a part of how India travels, celebrates and explores.”
A New Chapter of Growth for Indian Cruising
Since commencing operations in 2021, Cordelia Cruises has welcomed more than 800,000 guests, helping introduce cruise holidays to a growing base of Indian travellers. The addition of Cordelia Sky represents the company’s next phase of expansion, with a larger fleet, greater guest capacity, an expanded destination network and a wider range of onboard experiences.
With Cordelia Sky joining Cordelia Empress, the fleet will offer a combined 1,798 staterooms and approximately 3,596 guests at double occupancy, representing an increase of approximately 126% in double-occupancy guest capacity compared with the single-ship operation.
The expansion also allows Cordelia Cruises to serve two distinct homeports simultaneously, strengthening its presence in western and southern India while offering travellers greater flexibility in choosing their cruise holidays.
Looking ahead, Cordelia Cruises has also announced Cordelia Sun, its third ship, scheduled to join the fleet in November 2027. The planned addition reflects the company’s long-term commitment to developing the cruise holiday market in India and expanding the choices available to Indian travellers.
Meet Cordelia Sky: A Bigger World of Experiences at Sea
At 258 metres in length and 77,104 gross tonnage (GT), Cordelia Sky accommodates 2,004 guests at double occupancy across 1,002 staterooms, including 245 mini suites.
Designed to offer a wider variety of experiences at sea, the ship features 10 dining venues, 11 bars and lounges, a 930-seat Marquee Theatre, two swimming pools, five hot tubs and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of open deck space.
Guests can enjoy a diverse range of Indian and international cuisines, including regional favourites, Italian and sushi, with pure vegetarian and Jain meal options also available. The ship brings together live entertainment, theatre productions, sports and recreation, wellness facilities and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers, offering experiences suited to families, couples and groups travelling together.
Cordelia Sky will commence her inaugural commercial sailing from Mumbai on 23 October 2026, offering a range of short breaks and longer holidays. These include two-night cruises at sea, three-night Goa sailings, four-night Lakshadweep cruises and five-night itineraries combining Goa and Lakshadweep.
The ship is also scheduled to operate seven-night Southeast Asia itineraries from Chennai, offering Indian travellers destinations including Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Kochi Emerges as an Additional Gateway for Cruise Holidays
As Cordelia Sky begins operations from Mumbai, Cordelia Empress will establish Kochi as her new homeport, with commercial sailings scheduled to commence on 25 October 2026.
The move represents an important expansion of Cordelia Cruises’ presence in South India, bringing cruise holidays closer to travellers across Kerala and neighbouring markets.
From Kochi, Cordelia Empress will offer short weekend getaways, expanded Lakshadweep itineraries and international sailings connecting travellers to Malé in the Maldives and Colombo in Sri Lanka.
The expansion will also introduce additional Lakshadweep destinations, including Minicoy and Kavaratti, creating more opportunities for travellers to explore the islands through cruise holidays.
By establishing regular cruise operations from Kochi, Cordelia Cruises also aims to contribute to the region’s tourism economy through increased visitor movement and opportunities for port services, local suppliers and tourism-related businesses.
Building the Future of Cruise Holidays in India
The addition of Cordelia Sky, the expansion into Kochi and the planned arrival of Cordelia Sun in 2027 reflect a larger ambition to broaden the cruise holiday market in India.
With more ships, additional departure ports, varied itineraries and experiences designed around the preferences of Indian travellers, Cordelia Cruises is working towards making cruising an increasingly familiar and accessible holiday choice.
Following the spectacular celebration in Mumbai, Cordelia Sky will welcome her first guests on 23 October 2026, beginning the next chapter of Cordelia Cruises’ journey at sea.
About Cordelia Cruises
Cordelia Cruises is India’s premium cruise line, designed for the way Indians love to travel, celebrate and explore. With a vision to make cruising a preferred holiday choice in India, Cordelia Cruises offers journeys across domestic and international destinations, combining Indian hospitality with world-class service and onboard experiences.
About Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited
Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited is India’s leading cruise company and a pioneer of cruise holidays for Indian travellers. Through Cordelia Cruises, the company is building a cruise culture that is accessible and experience-led, bringing together hospitality, entertainment and destinations in a single holiday experience at sea.
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