Cordelia Cruises, India’s premium cruise line, is set to return to Chennai for its 5th cruising season in 2026, further strengthening the city’s position as one of India’s key cruise gateways.
The Cordelia Empress will make its first call in Chennai on 20th June 2026, with sailings scheduled through the end of August. The upcoming season will feature a diverse mix of domestic and international itineraries ranging from 2 to 10 nights, including sailings to Visakhapatnam, Puducherry, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Over the last few years, Chennai has steadily emerged as an important homeport for cruise tourism in India, offering travellers easier access to cruise holidays across both coastal and international destinations.
2026 Chennai Season Highlights
The 2026 season will include multiple itineraries departing from Chennai, including:
10-Night Southeast Asia Cruise (International)
Chennai – Phuket – Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur – Singapore
Departs: July 18
5-Night Sri Lanka Cruise (International)
Chennai – Hambantota – Trincomalee – Jaffna – Chennai
Departs: August 10, 17
3-Night Sri Lanka Cruise (International)
Chennai – Trincomalee – Chennai
Departs: August 7
Closer to Home: Domestic Itineraries from Chennai
5-Night Visakhapatnam & Puducherry Cruise
Chennai – Visakhapatnam – Puducherry – Chennai
Departs: June 22, 29, July 6, 13
2-Night Weekend Cruises
Chennai – At Sea – Chennai
Departs: June 20, 27, July 4, 11, Aug 15, 22
5-Night Grand Westbound Sailing
Chennai – Kochi – Mumbai
Departs: August 24
The deployment offers travellers a combination of short getaways, regional sailings, and longer international vacations, all from a single departure point.
Extended 13-Night Cruise to Southeast Asia
For travellers looking to plan a longer holiday, Cordelia Cruises also offers the option to combine two back-to-back sailings into a 13-night cruise from Visakhapatnam to Singapore.
The itinerary includes:
- 3-Night One-Way: Visakhapatnam – Puducherry – Chennai (July 15–18, 2026)
- 10-Night Southeast Asia Cruise: Chennai – Phuket – Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur – Singapore (July 18–28, 2026)
This extended routing allows travellers to begin their journey from Visakhapatnam and continue onward to Southeast Asia within a single, seamless cruise plan.
A Growing Preference for Cruise Holidays
Cruise vacations continue to see increasing interest among Indian travellers looking for well-planned, all-in-one holiday experiences.
By combining accommodation, dining, entertainment, and travel into one format, cruising offers a convenient option for families, couples, and groups travelling together.
“Chennai has become an important part of India’s cruise story and we are excited to return for our 5th season with a wider mix of itineraries and experiences for Indian travellers.
What makes this deployment particularly exciting is the variety it offers, from short coastal getaways to longer international sailings across Southeast Asia. We are also seeing growing interest from families and groups looking for holidays that are easy to plan and bring multiple experiences together within a single journey.
As cruise travel continues to grow in India, Chennai is steadily strengthening its position as a gateway for both domestic and international cruising,”
said Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO of Cordelia Cruises.
Ship Snapshot: Cordelia Empress
Onboard the Empress, every day feels like a new destination. With all-inclusive dining, serene spa treatments, Broadway-style entertainment, games for kids and grown-ups alike, and sea views that go on forever — you don’t have to plan every detail. You simply step on, and let the journey unfold.
- Length: 692 ft | Gross Tonnage: 48,563 tons
- Decks: 11
- Staterooms: 796 cabins across 5 categories
- Capacity: 1,592 guests (double occupancy); up to 1,950 guests (including triple and quadruple sharing)
Onboard Highlights
- 4 dining venues
- 9 bars & lounges
- Live entertainment & shows
- Rock climbing wall & gaming arcade
- Casino & retail outlets
- Ocean-view spa & wellness areas
