Cordelia Cruises runs two ships from Mumbai and Kochi at once for first time

Cordelia Cruises has begun a new phase of its operations in India. Cordelia Sky is now sailing from Mumbai, while Cordelia Empress has started its season from Kochi. For the first time, the cruise line is operating two ships at once from two home ports in India. This has increased the company's deployed capacity and widened its domestic and international network.

Weekend cruises, Goa and Lakshadweep cruises, and international voyages such as those to the Maldives and Sri Lanka are now being run from Mumbai and Kochi. The company's expanded operations were on view in Mumbai on October 23, when both Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Empress were brought into port on the same day. Nearly 6,000 guests travelled on and disembarked from the two ships.

Cordelia Sky left Mumbai on its first passenger cruise. Cordelia Empress headed on towards its new home port in Kochi. After departure, the two ships sailed alongside each other for a while off India's west coast, and the moment was captured at sea. The photograph, the company says, marks a decisive point in its journey from a single-ship business to a fleet of two ships operating between Mumbai and Kochi.

Jurgen Bailom, president and chief executive officer of Cordelia Cruises, said: "Seeing Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Empress sail together was a very special moment for all of us. Five years ago, we began with the vision of making cruising a holiday option for more and more Indians. Today our two ships sail from two home ports, which gives guests more destinations, more itineraries and more ways to enjoy a holiday at sea. Mumbai has been at the heart of our journey from the start, and adding Kochi as a home port allows us to bring cruising closer to many travellers across the country."

Cordelia Sky, a new addition to the fleet, is now operating from Mumbai after its first passenger cruise on October 23, 2026. Options on the ship include 2-night and 3-night weekend cruises, a 4-night Lakshadweep cruise and a 5-night voyage linking Goa and Lakshadweep. At full capacity the ship accommodates 2,280 guests in 1,002 staterooms, including 245 mini suites, 11 penthouse suites and four chairman's suites. The ship also offers new dining concepts, grand production shows, live entertainment, games, wellness and open-air experiences through the day and into the evening.

With Cordelia Empress starting sailings from Kochi, another home port has been added to the company's network in India, and new cruise options are available for travellers in South India. The Kochi programme includes 2-night weekend cruises, 3-night and 4-night Lakshadweep cruises, and a 5-night international voyage linking Kochi with Male (Maldives) and Colombo (Sri Lanka). Cordelia's presence in Lakshadweep has also grown this season, and guests will be able to visit Kavaratti and Minicoy.

The service of the two ships began after several milestones in Mumbai, including Cordelia Sky's arrival in India, the cruise's premiere and its first passenger cruise. Before the first sailing, guests, officials and crew gathered for the "Cordelia Sky welcome ceremony". At a ceremony on the pool deck, the ship and everyone travelling on it were blessed together.

Since it began operations in 2021, Cordelia Cruises has welcomed more than 800,000 guests. The fleet will grow further when Cordelia Sun joins it in 2027. Cordelia Cruises is operated by Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited.