Cordelia Cruises Guide 2026: Ships, Itineraries, Prices and Tips

Cordelia Cruises is India’s home-grown cruise line, run by Mumbai-based Waterways Leisure Tourism. As of November 2026 it sails two ships: the new Cordelia Sky from Mumbai and Cordelia Empress from Kochi. Itineraries run from two to seven nights and cover Goa, Lakshadweep, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and launch fares start at roughly ₹10,000 to ₹30,000 per person.

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The line has changed a lot in the past year. A second ship has arrived, the Empress has a new homeport and a third ship is due in 2027. Below you’ll find the fleet, routes, prices, food, cabins and the practical rules first-timers often miss.

Cordelia Cruises at a Glance (November 2026)

The Cordelia Fleet: What Changed

For its first five years Cordelia ran a single ship, Cordelia Empress, which it bought from Royal Caribbean in late 2020. In 2025 the company agreed to take two ships from Norwegian Cruise Line on long-term leases, and the first of them arrived in 2026.

Cordelia Sky

Cordelia Sky entered service in 1999 as Norwegian Sky. She spent 27 years with Norwegian, four of them in Hawaii as Pride of Aloha. Cordelia took delivery in September 2026, refitted her in Turkey and ran her first guest cruise from Mumbai on 23 October 2026. She is now the largest cruise ship sailing under an Indian brand. Her 1,002 cabins break down as 429 interior, 313 ocean-view, 245 mini-suites, 11 penthouse suites and 4 chairman’s suites. Onboard you’ll find around 21 restaurants and bars, the Marquee Theatre for production shows, pickleball courts and a rooftop bar.

Cordelia Empress

The Empress is the line’s original and more intimate ship. For the 2026–27 season she has moved from Mumbai to Kochi. Together, the two ships give Cordelia about 1,798 cabins, which is roughly double its old capacity.

Coming next: Cordelia Sun

The former Norwegian Sun will become Cordelia Sun. Her first Cordelia cruise is planned for 1 November 2027, with two- to five-night trips to Agatti, Goa and Kochi. Dates can move, so treat 2027 plans as provisional until bookings open.

Cordelia Cruises Itinerary Options and Homeports

Cordelia’s routes are built around short holidays. Most sailings run two to five nights, so you can fit one into a long weekend.

From Mumbai (Cordelia Sky)

• 2-night weekend cruises that stay at sea and visit no port. They are popular for birthdays and first cruises.
• 2-night Mumbai to Goa (one way) and 3-night Mumbai–Goa–Mumbai round trips.
• 4-night Mumbai–Lakshadweep round trips.
• 5-night Mumbai–Goa–Lakshadweep round trips.
• 3-night Goa–Lakshadweep–Mumbai, boarding at Mormugao, Goa.

From Kochi (Cordelia Empress)

• 2-night weekend sailings.
• 3- and 4-night Lakshadweep cruises.
• A 5-night international loop from Kochi to Malé (Maldives) and Colombo (Sri Lanka), sailing since 25 October 2026.

From Chennai (from mid-2027)

Cordelia has announced 7-night Southeast Asia voyages on Cordelia Sky from Chennai, starting June 2027. Calls are planned at Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Singapore. The ship will reposition there via Kochi and Lakshadweep in June 2027.

Good to know about Lakshadweep: calls are usually at islands such as Kavaratti, Agatti or Minicoy. The islands are protected, so landing depends on permits and on the weather and sea at anchor. Treat shore time as a highlight that can change, not a guarantee.

Cordelia Cruise Price: What You’ll Really Pay

Cordelia prices its sailings dynamically, so fares change with demand, school holidays and festivals. The table shows advertised “from” fares for Cordelia Sky, as listed by a travel agency for the current season. Expect to pay more for ocean-view cabins and suites, and for peak dates such as Diwali, Christmas and New Year.

Cordelia’s own guidance puts package prices at around ₹20,000 per adult for short trips and more than ₹80,000 for longer or premium sailings. The international Maldives and Sri Lanka cruises from Kochi sit at the top of that range.

When you compare prices, always look at the final amount at checkout, not the headline fare. GST, port charges and service or gratuity charges may be added. Shore excursions, Wi-Fi, alcohol and speciality dining also add up, and a budget of several thousand rupees per person per day for extras is sensible. For more ways to cut the bill, see our insider guide to finding cheap cruises.

What’s Included on Cordelia Cruises

Your fare normally covers:

• Your cabin.
• Meals in the main restaurant and buffet.
• Tea, coffee and drinking water.
• Theatre shows and live music.
• Pool decks and the gym.
• The kids’ club.
• Most daytime activities.

Usually extra:

• Alcohol, soft drinks and mocktails. Cordelia sells drinks packages as well as single drinks.
• Speciality restaurants such as Chopstix (pan-Asian) and the Chef’s Table.
• Room service, which normally carries a delivery fee.
• Spa treatments, casino play, Wi-Fi and shore excursions.

Food on Board: Vegetarian and Jain Friendly

Cordelia’s food is a big draw for Indian families. On Cordelia Empress, the included venues are:

• Starlight Restaurant, a two-level dining room for sit-down meals.
• The Food Court, a buffet on Deck 10.
• The International Grill, a poolside spot for burgers and pizza that stays open late.
• The Cafe, for tea, coffee and light snacks.

Pure-vegetarian dishes are served throughout, and both the main restaurant and the buffet have dedicated Jain food sections. That is rare on international cruise lines. Menus mix North and South Indian dishes with Continental and Asian food. If you have a strict diet or an allergy, add it to your booking and remind the restaurant team on your first evening.

Cabin Types

Both ships offer four broad categories:

• Interior: no window, the cheapest option, and fine for a two-night weekend cruise when you’ll hardly be in the cabin.
• Ocean view: a window or porthole that brings in daylight. It’s often the best value on longer Lakshadweep trips.
• Mini-suite / balcony: Cordelia Sky has 245 mini-suites, many with private balconies, so balconies are easier to get than on the Empress.
• Suites: penthouse and chairman’s suites. These are larger and come with extra perks.

Not sure whether a balcony is worth paying for? Read our guide to balcony vs inside cabins. If you get seasick easily, a cabin low down and in the middle of the ship moves the least. Our best deck guide explains why.

How to Book a Cordelia Cruise

1. Book direct at cordeliacruises.com or through the app. You’ll see live cabin availability.
2. Or use a travel agent or OTA. Agents sometimes bundle flights, hotels or onboard credit.
3. Book early for festive dates. Diwali, Christmas, New Year and summer holidays fill first.
4. Complete web check-in a day or two before you sail. You’ll upload ID, fill in a health declaration and choose a terminal arrival slot.

Cordelia Cruise Review: Who It Suits, Pros and Cons

Cordelia is a good fit for first-time cruisers, multi-generation Indian families, groups of friends and couples who want a short break without flying abroad. It suits travellers less well if they expect the newest mega-ship features or Western-style quiet sea days. Both ships are older vessels that have been refurbished, and a busy, festive mood on board is part of the experience. If you are sailing with children, our guide to the best cruise lines for families gives you a wider comparison.

Pros

• You can board in India with no flights abroad and, on domestic routes, no visa or passport.
• The food suits Indian tastes, with real vegetarian and Jain options.
• Short 2–5 night trips fit around work and school.
• The entertainment includes Bollywood themes and Indian festival celebrations.
• Lakshadweep is hard to reach any other way.

Cons

• The ships are older, 1990s-era vessels, even after refits.
• Drinks, speciality dining and taxes can push the total well past the headline fare.
• Lakshadweep landings can be cancelled because of weather or permits.
• Weekend and holiday sailings can feel crowded.

Practical Tips Before You Sail

• Documents: every adult needs an original government photo ID, such as Aadhaar, a passport, a voter ID or a driving licence. Children need ID too. Screenshots are not accepted. For the Maldives, Sri Lanka or Southeast Asia, you need a passport with plenty of validity left, and you should check visa rules for each country.
• Alcohol: you can’t bring your own alcohol on board, including duty-free bottles, and security will confiscate it. Drinks are sold on board, and the drinking age is 21.
• Casino: the ships have a casino, but under Indian rules it generally opens only once the ship is in international waters. Don’t count on gaming during a short coastal hop.
• Monsoon: June to September brings rough seas off the west coast. Short cruises still run, but pack seasickness tablets.
• Arrive in your check-in window. Turning up early won’t get you on board sooner, and turning up late risks missing the ship.
• Pack light for the islands: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water shoes are useful for tender landings in Lakshadweep.

FAQs

Which company owns Cordelia Cruises?

Cordelia Cruises is the cruise brand of Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited, an Indian company based in Mumbai that was set up in November 2020.

How many ships does Cordelia Cruises have?

Two as of November 2026: Cordelia Sky, which sails from Mumbai, and Cordelia Empress, which sails from Kochi. A third ship, Cordelia Sun, is due to start sailing in November 2027.

What is the Cordelia cruise ticket price per person?

Short 2-night cruises start at roughly ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per person. Four- and five-night Lakshadweep trips usually start around ₹27,000 to ₹35,000. International sailings and suites cost considerably more. Taxes and charges may be added at checkout.

What are the cruise routes offered by Cordelia Cruises in India?

Current routes include Mumbai to Goa, Mumbai to Lakshadweep, weekend cruises from Mumbai and Kochi, and Lakshadweep cruises from Kochi. There are also international trips from Kochi to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia sailings from Chennai are planned from mid-2027.

Is food included on Cordelia Cruises?

Yes. Meals in the main restaurant and buffet are included, with vegetarian and Jain options. Alcohol, most soft drinks, speciality restaurants and room service cost extra.