Cordelia Sky and the New Art of a Holiday at Sea
With its newest ship, Cordelia Cruises expands the possibilities of cruising from India, combining leisure, entertainment and destination-led itineraries.
By Rachna Virdi
Imagine starting your morning with an ocean-view workout, a game of pickleball on deck, an afternoon by the pool and an evening of live entertainment. At sea, a day can unfold at its own pace, with the view outside changing along the way.
This is the experience Cordelia Sky brings to the Indian cruise market. The newest addition to the Cordelia Cruises fleet, the ship sets sail with a mix of sport, wellness, dining, entertainment and open-air spaces, offering travellers different ways to spend their time onboard.
At 258 metres long and 77,104 gross tonnes, Cordelia Sky accommodates 2,004 guests at double occupancy across 1,002 staterooms. The accommodation ranges from 429 Interior and 313 Ocean View staterooms to 245 Mini Suites, 11 Penthouse Suites and four Chairman’s Suites. While the Mini Suites offer additional space and private balconies, the top-tier suites come with more expansive layouts and enhanced services. The Chairman’s Suites feature separate living, dining and bedroom areas, private balconies with hot tubs, and dedicated butler and concierge services.
A Holiday That Moves at Your Pace
One of the defining aspects of a cruise holiday is the freedom to do as much or as little as you like. On Cordelia Sky, the range of onboard facilities allows families, couples and groups of friends to follow different rhythms without having to compromise on time together.
For those who prefer an active day, there is sports, a fitness centre and gaming spaces. Those looking to slow down can choose between two swimming pools, five hot tubs and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of open deck space. The spa offers treatments, steam and sauna facilities, along with salon services, and the dedicated areas cater to children and teenagers.
Dining and entertainment form another part of the Sky experience. The 11 bars and lounges on the ship offer settings for everything from a quiet drink and conversation to music-led evenings and late-night gatherings. The dining venues span regional Indian flavours, international favourites, buffet meals and poolside options, with pure vegetarian and Jain meals available across venues.
Entertainment is big across the ship, from live music and games to performances and activities. At its centre is the 930-seat Marquee Theatre which hosts a flagship production show Tu Ashiqui Hai and alongside other productions and variety acts such as Full-On Bollywood and Burlesque.
Building India’s Cruise Holiday Culture
The arrival of Cordelia Sky marks a new phase in the company’s expansion and its effort to make cruising a more familiar holiday choice for Indian travellers.
“When we started Cordelia Cruises five years ago, we set out to make cruising a holiday choice for more Indians. Welcoming our second ship is a significant milestone in that journey,” says Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO, Cordelia Cruises. The expansion comes with a wider range of itineraries, giving travellers more flexibility in how long they spend at sea and where they sail.
From Mumbai, options include two-night weekend cruises, three-night Goa weekend sailings, four-night Lakshadweep cruises and five-night Goa and Lakshadweep itineraries. For those looking beyond domestic waters, Cordelia Sky also plans seven-night Southeast Asia sailings from Chennai, connecting India with destinations such as Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and a corresponding Singapore-to-Chennai itinerary is also being planned.
With Cordelia Sky adding capacity and itinerary choices, the next phase of India’s cruise market will depend on how successfully the experience translates into a regular holiday choice.
For now, the appeal lies in having more ways to explore, unwind and spend time together, with the sea as a constant backdrop.
