According to Jurgen Bailom (President & CEO of Cordelia's parent company Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd), the India-based travel brand Cordelia Cruises is preparing to include important ports in Western Asia in its itinerary starting in June 2024.
Last month, Cordelia began international voyages from Chennai to Sri Lanka. In June 2024, they plan to expand their route to include the coasts of Oman, UAE, the entire Gulf region, Qatar, and Bahrain from Mumbai.
Cordelia Cruises is owned by Waterways Leisure Tourism (a subsidiary of the Dream Hotel Group)
In 2024, Cordelia will provide 3-, 4-, 5- and 7-night packages for voyages from Mumbai to West Asia, compared to the current 5-night package to Sri Lanka. The approximate cost of these packages will be between Indian rupee/INR 11-13000 (US$133-157) per person per day.
Jurgen Bailom stated that their decision to operate on international routes with Sri Lanka this year and West Asia in 2024 reflects their long-term vision and commitment to promoting India's maritime tourism industry.
Since its launch, Cordelia Cruises has experienced a growing number of Indian tourists via the Cordelia Empress ship/fka Empress of the Seas. Since September 2021, over 400,000 people have traveled with them, including 130,000 travelers on the West Coast circuit and 70,000 from the East Coast per year.
Mr. Bailom mentioned that global travel numbers have surpassed pre-COVID levels, and there is a positive outlook for tourism potential from India and Southeast Asia. Considering the growth potential, the company plans to acquire 2-3 vessels (larger than Cordelia Empress) in the near future. Each vessel is estimated to cost around ₹500 crore (US$60,521,350), which will be financed through internal accruals.
Regarding the possibility of their own cruise terminal, Mr. Bailom emphasized the need for proper infrastructure development and increased awareness.
Cordelia operates on the East Coast (Chennai-Sri Lanka) from July to September, and on the West Coast (Mumbai, Goa-Mormugao, Kochi-Cochin, and Lakshadweep/Bangaram Island) from October to June, taking into account the monsoon season.
India possesses the world's third-largest coastline, offering numerous opportunities for the cruise industry. In the future, Cordelia plans to add more Indian ports such as Kolkata, New Mangalore, Porbandar, Port Blair/South Andaman Island, and Diu Island, depending on the availability of infrastructure.
Their future plans involve a commitment to providing a consistent and exceptional cruising experience, with a focus on continuing operations in the years to come.