Bringing together light, music and movement, the aerial spectacle celebrated a significant milestone in Cordelia Cruises’ five-year journey. The drones illuminated the night sky with a sequence of formations inspired by India, Mumbai and the distinctive identity of Cordelia Sky, culminating in a larger-than-life depiction of the ship. The celebration also offered a glimpse into the company’s future, revealing Cordelia Sun, its third ship, scheduled to join the fleet in October 2027.
The evening brought together invited guests, business partners, members of the media and key stakeholders to witness a celebration that reflected both Cordelia’s journey so far and its ambitions for the future of cruising in India.
The arrival of Cordelia Sky marks a defining moment for the company as it transitions from operating a single ship to a two-ship fleet. With Cordelia Sky sailing from Mumbai and Cordelia Empress beginning operations from Kochi, Cordelia Cruises is expanding its presence across two important coastal gateways, increasing guest capacity and introducing more opportunities for Indian travellers to discover cruise holidays.
Commenting on the occasion, Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO, Cordelia Cruises, said:
“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 October 23, 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 October 25, 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 October 23, 2026, beginning the next chapter of Cordelia Cruises’ journey at sea.
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
