From June to August 2026, Cordelia Cruises will return to Chennai for its fifth cruising season, providing domestic and international routes in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India. The deployment, which comprises itineraries ranging from two-night weekend cruises to ten-night overseas excursions, further establishes Chennai as a major destination for cruise tourists.

With the announcement of Cordelia Cruises’ fifth cruising season in Chennai, the city is once again serving as a major gateway for cruise tourism in India. With the Cordelia Empress’s arrival on June 20, the 2026 season will begin and run until the end of August.

Itineraries for the deployment will range from two to ten nights and will visit several locations in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India, among other places. The decision is a reflection of the increasing popularity of cruise holidays among Indian tourists who are looking for all-inclusive vacation packages that include lodging, food, and entertainment.

Cordelia Cruises will sail a 10-night Southeast Asia itinerary with stops in Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore from 18 July 2026 as part of their Chennai season. Two five-night cruises to Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Jaffna will set sail from Sri Lanka on August 10 and 17, respectively, while a three-night voyage to Trincomalee will set sail from August 7.

Multiple departures in June and July will connect Chennai with Visakhapatnam and Puducherry on five-night itineraries for the domestic deployment. During the season, there will be two-night weekend cruises departing from Chennai, as well as a five-night westbound voyage that connects Chennai, Kochi, and Mumbai, which departs on 24 August.

By combining two consecutive sailings, Cordelia Cruises will also provide an alternative for a longer 13-night Southeast Asia cruise. After a three-night round-trip journey from Visakhapatnam to Chennai via Puducherry, the itinerary continues with a ten-night Southeast Asian excursion to Singapore. Cruise passengers leaving from Indian ports who are looking for extended foreign vacations are the target audience for the combined routing.

According to Cordelia Cruises President and CEO Jurgen Bailom, Chennai is now a significant player in the rise of cruise tourism in India. According to him, the variety of itineraries shows that Indian families and groups are increasingly interested in both shorter coastal cruises and lengthy international sailings.

As this market segment grows in India, he continued, Chennai is becoming an even more important hub for cruises both within and beyond the country.

Featuring 11 decks and 796 staterooms across several classifications, the Cordelia Empress will conduct the sailings. In order to provide an all-inclusive cruising experience, the ship has dining venues, entertainment lounges, gaming facilities, spa and wellness sections, retail outlets, and live performances. It can accommodate up to 1,950 guests.

Image Credit: Flamingo Travels