Hosted for select members of the travel trade and the media, the premiere showcased the diverse offerings for accommodation, gastronomy, entertainment, and the various activities onboard the majestic Cordelia Sky.
Shreya Shimpi and Pallavi Sharma
India’s premium cruise brand Cordelia Cruises officially launched and welcomed its newest and largest luxury cruise ship, Cordelia Sky, to Mumbai, expanding the company’s fleet to two ships. The inaugural commercial sailing started on October 23, 2026. Following the original Cordelia Empress ship; formerly the Norwegian Sky, now the Cordelia Sky, joins as the second ship in the fleet, marking a significant milestone in the history of cruise tourism in India.
The scale of Cordelia Cruises’ expanded operations was visible in Mumbai on 23rd October, when Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Empress were both handled at the port on the same day. Across the two ships, nearly 6,000 guests embarked and disembarked. Cordelia Sky departed Mumbai on her inaugural guest sailing, while Cordelia Empress commenced her onward journey towards her new homeport in Kochi.
Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO, Cordelia Cruises, said, “Seeing Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Empress sailing together was a very special moment for all of us. Five years ago, we began with a vision to make cruising a holiday choice for more Indians. Today, we have two ships sailing from two homeports, giving our guests more destinations, more itineraries and more ways to experience a holiday at sea. Mumbai has been central to our journey from the beginning, and adding Kochi as a homeport allows us to take cruising closer to many more travellers across India.”
In an exclusive chat with BOTT, he said, “Cordelia Cruises is India’s only cruise line for Indians. Without the need for visas or passports, you can experience the joy of cruising just like anywhere else in the world. With delicious Indian cuisine, Bollywood-inspired shows, and a distinctly Indian touch, it’s the best choice for Indian cruise travellers.”
Ship Highlights
The spectacular ship is grander than anything that the Indian seas have seen. It measures 848 feet in length, has a beam of 123 feet, 12 decks, and a gross tonnage of 77,104
Itineraries
Cordelia Sky will offer a mix of short and longer itineraries from Mumbai, including 2- and 3-night weekend cruises, 4-night Lakshadweep cruises and 5-night itineraries combining destinations including Goa and Lakshadweep.
Accommodation
Cordelia Sky accommodates 2,280 guests at full occupancy across 1,002 staterooms, including 245 Mini Suites, 11 Penthouse Suites and four Chairman’s Suites.
Dining
There are eleven dining venues, and eleven bars and lounges featuring a curated range of Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies from Mughlai, South Indian, Maharashtrian specialities to sweets such as Gajar Halwa! There is an exclusive Jain dining space- a great option for Indian travellers. Speciality dining restaurants offer Sushi, coastal delicacies, as well as Asian and continental dishes along with handcrafted cocktails.
Activities
With live music, games, casinos, fitness centre, spa, five swimming pools, three Jacuzzis, an arcade, sun deck, pickle ball court and dedicated family and children areas, there is never a dull moment onboard. It is the perfect weekend getaway or a long tropical retreat, perfect for solo, multi-generational travellers, couples, as well as for the MICE and wedding segment. The Marquee Theatre personifies opulence and offers riveting entertainment shows such as ‘Tu Aashiqui Hai ’-a special Bollywood-inspired show.
Cordelia Cruises stands out as a brand aspiring to promote cruise culture in India with its elegant, luxurious ships and a touch of Indianness exemplifying ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, in the truest sense. It is thoughtfully tailored to the needs of Indian travellers. With the inauguration of Cordelia Sky, India’s cruise resolution got a massive upgrade, and she is a significant part of the vision to spotlight India on the World Cruise Map.
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