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.

Antara Cruises has announced the launch of its new 2 Nights / 3 Days private all-inclusive itinerary, “The Silent River Escape,” aboard its elegant Antara Catamarans. The experience offers guests an intimate journey through Bhitarkanika in Odisha, one of India’s most scenic yet lesser-explored destinations.

Operating on the Gupti – Dhamra – Kanika Island – Gupti route, the itinerary has been designed as a luxury floating retreat with a strong focus on privacy and personalised hospitality. Each catamaran features only two suites and is supported by a dedicated five-member crew, ensuring an exclusive and comfortable onboard experience. The vessel can accommodate up to six guests, making it ideal for private getaways, celebrations, and family holidays. With four catamarans available, the experience can also host up to 24 guests travelling together for larger group vacations.

Even though the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary remains closed for the season, the itinerary offers travellers an opportunity to experience the region’s rich ecology, waterways, local culture, and spiritual heritage beyond its famous crocodile habitat. The journey highlights the untouched beauty of Odisha’s mangrove landscape while offering a slower and more immersive travel experience.

The voyage begins at Gupti with lunch served onboard before sailing towards Dhamra. Guests can spend the evening relaxing on the sundeck while enjoying high tea, dinner, and peaceful river views. On the second day, the itinerary includes a visit to the Dhamra Temple for Puja and Darshan, followed by time near the harbour before continuing towards Kanika Island, where the catamaran anchors amidst serene natural surroundings. The final day concludes with a relaxed return to Gupti along with breakfast onboard.

The Antara Catamarans are designed to offer refined comfort with fully air-conditioned interiors, spacious decks, lounge-cum-dining spaces, and thoughtfully curated amenities. Dining remains one of the key highlights of the experience, featuring welcome drinks, fresh fruits, customised cuisine, and menus inspired by local Odia flavours, Indian classics, and international dishes. Vegan meal options are also available based on guest preferences.

Guests onboard can also enjoy table d’hôte meals, tea and coffee service, wildlife talks, cooking sessions, books, board games, curated shore excursions, and included entry admissions throughout the journey.

The private yacht experience is available for up to four guests, with arrangements for up to six guests available at an additional charge. Through “The Silent River Escape,” Antara Cruises aims to offer travellers a peaceful and elevated way to explore Odisha’s sacred river landscapes in complete privacy and comfort.

Karnataka is further strengthening its position as one of India’s leading alco-beverage manufacturing and innovation hubs, with the state government signalling strong support for sustainability, domestic manufacturing, and expansion of brewery ecosystems beyond Bengaluru.

The focus came into discussion during an industry conclave held in Bengaluru, attended by the Hon'ble Excise Minister, Joint Excise Commissioner, brewers, distillers, sustainability experts, technology providers, and key industry stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, Excise Minister, R B Timmapur highlighted the state's recent efforts towards improving ease of doing business and building a stronger alco-bev ecosystem.

"Over the last one year, Karnataka has undertaken a series of progressive excise and regulatory reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business for breweries, distilleries, and alco-bev manufacturers. We are moving towards a more transparent, technology-enabled, and industry-friendly ecosystem through simplified label approvals, streamlined declared price and MRP updation systems, digital compliance mechanisms, annual licence renewal reforms, and operational rationalisation measures," the Minister said.

He further added, "The Government is committed to providing long-term policy stability and regulatory visibility for the industry till 2030. Stable and forward-looking policy frameworks are essential to attract investments, scale manufacturing ecosystems, strengthen domestic production capabilities, and position Karnataka as a leading destination for brewing innovation and alco-bev manufacturing."

The Minister also highlighted the sector’s economic impact, noting that Karnataka generates nearly ₹40,000 crore annually through excise revenue, reinforcing the alco-bev industry's importance to the state economy.

"Karnataka today generates nearly ₹40,000 crore annually through excise revenue, underlining the alco-bev sector's importance to the state economy and industrial ecosystem. At the same time, our objective is not merely revenue generation, but building a balanced ecosystem that benefits consumers, industry, farmers, manufacturers, and local communities through sustainable and inclusive growth," he added.

Industry participants at the conclave observed that Karnataka has emerged as a preferred destination for breweries, premium spirits manufacturing, and craft beer innovation due to its strong infrastructure, skilled workforce, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and progressive policy support.

Speaking at the event, Shri Shivkumar Eashwaran, Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Chairman - Canadian Crystalline Water India Limited and Consul General (Hon.) of the Republic of Armenia in South India, stressed the growing importance of sustainability in the sector.

"Water conservation, wastewater recycling, energy efficiency, and circular economy practices must become integral to brewing and distillation operations. Karnataka has the opportunity to emerge as a globally benchmarked sustainable brewing ecosystem," he said.

He also highlighted the need for inclusive growth across the value chain, especially for farmers and rural communities.

"Karnataka today has one of the strongest economies in India, and as the alco-bev sector grows, the benefits of this growth must reach every stakeholder across the value chain. We should not leave our farmers behind in this journey. Raw materials required for breweries, including barley, grains, fruits, and other agricultural produce, should increasingly be sourced from our own farmers, thereby strengthening local supply chains and rural livelihoods," he said.

The conclave further highlighted opportunities for Karnataka’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to emerge as manufacturing hubs for brewing equipment and allied technologies. Industry representatives also called for stronger partnerships between government, academia, and manufacturers to drive research, innovation, engineering, automation, and skill development.

The event also recognised excellence in India’s craft brewing segment. American Brew Works received the Best Brewer Award, while Kling Brewery and Oasis were honoured with the Best Beer Line-Up Awards.

Industry experts noted that India’s craft beer and premium spirits market is entering a new phase of growth, with Indian brands increasingly gaining global attention and export opportunities. The conclave concluded with a call for stronger collaboration across government, industry, sustainability experts, and technology providers to build a globally competitive and environmentally responsible alco-bev ecosystem.