Cordelia Cruises is set to return to Chennai for its fifth cruising season from June to August 2026, further strengthening the city’s growing position as an important cruise tourism hub in India. The upcoming season will feature a mix of domestic and international sailings across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, offering cruise options ranging from short weekend getaways to longer international holidays.

The 2026 season will begin on 20 June with the arrival of the Cordelia Empress in Chennai and will continue until the end of August. The deployment reflects the rising interest among Indian travellers in cruise vacations that combine accommodation, entertainment, dining, and travel into a single leisure experience.

One of the major highlights of the season is the 10-night Southeast Asia itinerary departing on 18 July. The sailing will cover destinations including Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, offering travellers an extended international cruise experience from an Indian port.

Cordelia Cruises will also operate international Sri Lanka sailings during the season. These include five-night cruises to Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Jaffna departing on 10 and 17 August, along with a three-night Trincomalee cruise departing on 7 August.

The domestic deployment from Chennai will include five-night itineraries connecting Chennai with Visakhapatnam and Puducherry across multiple departures in June and July. The cruise line will also continue its popular two-night weekend sailings from Chennai during the season. Additionally, a five-night westbound voyage connecting Chennai, Kochi, and Mumbai is scheduled to depart on 24 August.

For travellers looking for a longer international holiday, Cordelia Cruises will also introduce a combined 13-night Southeast Asia cruise experience. The itinerary combines a three-night one-way sailing from Visakhapatnam to Chennai via Puducherry with the 10-night Southeast Asia voyage to Singapore.

Speaking about the upcoming season, Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Cordelia Cruises, said Chennai has become an important part of India’s cruise tourism growth story. He added that the wider range of itineraries reflects the increasing demand among Indian families and group travellers for both short coastal cruises and longer international sailings. He further noted that Chennai continues to strengthen its role as a gateway for domestic and international cruise travel as the sector continues to grow in India.

The sailings will operate onboard the Cordelia Empress, which features 11 decks and 796 cabins across multiple categories. The ship can accommodate up to 1,950 guests and offers dining venues, entertainment lounges, gaming facilities, spa and wellness areas, retail outlets, and live performances as part of its all-inclusive cruise experience.