Cordelia Cruises has expanded its fleet with the launch of its second ship, Cordelia Sky, marked by a spectacular 1,500-drone show at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
Having started operations with a single vessel in 2021, the premium cruise operator now has two ships in its fleet and plans to add a third, Cordelia Sun, in 2027. Since launching its services in 2021, Cordelia Cruises has welcomed more than 800,000 passengers.
Addressing the gathering, Jurgen Bailom, president and chief executive officer of Cordelia Cruises, said the company had set out to make cruise holidays a preferred choice for every Indian when it began operations five years ago. The display featured formations inspired by India, Mumbai and the new vessel, culminating in a larger-than-life depiction of Cordelia Sky against the night sky. The event brought together guests, business partners, media representatives and industry figures to celebrate the company’s five-year journey and its expansion into a two-ship operation. The addition of Cordelia Sky is expected to significantly expand its capacity and broaden its range of itineraries.
With Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Empress in its fleet, the company now has a combined total of 1,798 staterooms. At double occupancy, the two ships can accommodate up to 3,596 passengers at a time, representing an increase of around 126 per cent in passenger capacity compared with its earlier single-ship operations. Cordelia Sky has a length of 258 metres and a gross tonnage of 77,104 GT. The ship has a capacity of 2,004 guests at double occupancy and features 1,002 staterooms, including 245 mini suites. The vessel’s onboard facilities include 10 dining venues, 11 bars and lounges, a 930-seat theatre, two swimming pools, five hot tubs and more than 30,000 square feet of open deck space. Cordelia Cruises plans to introduce its third vessel, Cordelia Sun, in 2027. However, the company’s announcement mentions both October and November 2027 as the expected arrival period. Cordelia Sky is scheduled to begin its inaugural commercial sailing from Mumbai on October 23, 2026. Commercial sailings from the Kerala port are set to begin on October 25, 2026. The expansion marks a new phase of growth for Cordelia Cruises, which began operations in 2021 with a single ship. With Cordelia Sky beginning commercial operations from Mumbai and Cordelia Empress preparing to sail from Kochi, the company is expanding both its fleet and its network of departure points as it prepares for the planned addition of Cordelia Sun in 2027.
Designed with Indian travellers in mind, Cordelia Sky offers a range of dining choices, including Indian, Italian and other international cuisines. The ship also provides vegetarian meals and options suited to the dietary requirements of Jain passengers. Entertainment and leisure facilities include live shows, theatre productions, a fitness and wellness centre, sports facilities, and dedicated play areas for children and teenagers. The ship’s range of dining and recreational facilities is intended to cater to families and passengers seeking different onboard experiences during their cruise holidays. Its planned itineraries include short cruises, domestic destinations and international journeys. The Mumbai sailings will include two-night cruises at sea, three-night trips to Goa, four-night cruises to Lakshadweep and five-night Goa-Lakshadweep itineraries. The company also plans to offer seven-night South-East Asian cruises departing from Chennai, with stops in Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The expanded schedule is expected to give passengers more departure options and access to a wider selection of cruise destinations. Following the arrival of Cordelia Sky in Mumbai, Cordelia Cruises’ first vessel, Cordelia Empress, is scheduled to shift its homeport to Kochi. From Kochi, Cordelia Empress will offer weekend getaways, cruises to the Lakshadweep islands of Minicoy and Kavaratti, and international itineraries to Malé in the Maldives and Colombo in Sri Lanka. The move is expected to improve access to cruise holidays for travellers in Kerala and other parts of southern India. The addition of Cordelia Sky increases its passenger capacity, while the planned deployment of Cordelia Empress from Kochi is expected to widen its reach across southern India. The company expects its expansion in Kochi to create opportunities for port services, local suppliers and tourism-related businesses, alongside increasing the availability of cruise holidays for domestic and international travellers.
