For many of us, cruising remains a distant dream reserved for a fortunate few who can afford to fly overseas to destinations like Singapore, Barcelona, Venice, Miami and Seattle which are hubs for embarking on a cruise vacation. Not any more! Cruising is now closer than you think thanks to Cordelia Cruises, India’s first premier cruise line that launched its year-round operations in India from September 2021 from its dual home port in Mumbai and Chennai. Cordelia has given us the opportunity to explore India differently where we can experience the charms of Lakshadweep, the party paradise Goa, historical Kochi and the jewels of the East Coast, Puducherry and Mahabalipuram.

It brings you the opportunity to not only see your country through a different lens, thereby giving a whole another twist to domestic travel, but also the experience of staying at a premium floating hotel at sea with all the amenities and facilities. This blog takes you through the crown jewel of the cruiseline – the vessel Empress and everything it has to offer.

The Ship – the Empress is a majestic vessel accommodating up to 1840 guests in 796 cabins. While extreme precision has been deployed in every aspect of making your experience here as world class as possible, the soul of this ship remains Indian. Keeping in line with the elevated health risks owing to the pandemic, health protocols are meticulously maintained, with every surface sanitized and disinfected prior to sailing (and on regular intervals thereafter) as well as insistence on social distancing and masking.

The Accommodations: What excites most people about cruising is the kind of cabins or staterooms they’ll occupy which becomes their home for the rest of the holiday. There is a heady sort of feeling to experience the wind blowing through your hair from the balcony of a cabin overlooking the ocean, or to witness the horizon changing colours every hour.

On the Empress, staterooms have been divided into five categories – the Interior Stateroom, Ocean View Stateroom, Mini Suite, Suite and the grandest – the Chairman’s Suite. Irrespective of the categorizations, the soul behind the design of each stateroom is to ensure ultimate comfort for all guests coupled with top-notch service. The Chariman’s Suite, Mini Suite and Suite come with their own private balconies overlooking the ocean at different decks. Many of the staterooms are designed with options of interconnectivity so if you are travelling with a large family, the Empress will ensure you’re all together throughout the journey.

Onboard Dining:  If there is one gospel truth everyone in our country would agree to, it is that the road to every Indian’s heart undoubtedly goes through our stomachs. And the chefs at The Empress aren’t strangers to this fact too; for they’ve managed to bring together cuisines from all over the globe for the Indian traveler. With an all-day dining court along with two specialty restaurants, the culinary fest here also caters to the requirements of those who prefer Pure Vegetarian or Jain food. Where else could you find piping hot samosas or tandoori naans in the middle of the ocean but here? The All-day dining station is replete with the best of Desi food stations such with buffets at Essence of India, Far Eastern Kadhai, Sugar & Spice, The International Grill, Hot Clay Tandoor, Kettle & Bun, Jain Haven, Vegetarian Bang Street Food and The Café.  Another charming spot is the two-level dining area with an old-world retro air at the Starlight, while the Chef’s table is for those looking to experience premium dining. As for those wanting to unwind, the sundowner Pool Bar, elegant Coonexions Bar and posh Chairman’s Club provide an avenue for every occasion.

Entertainment: Whether you want to break into the energetic Bhangra, watch an enthralling tribute to Tollywood or relive the charm of Bollywood Romance, entertainment on the Empress promises to be, for the lack of a better word, thoroughly riveting. There’s a thriving DJ night somewhere on the ship every night (not to mention hip live music gigs) as well as special acts for those who prefer to lighten their evenings with a stand-up comedy Act. One of the most awaited acts on the ship is the Burlesque Bollywood -  a terrific combination of the best of Bollywood tempered with western dance. Razzmatazz tips its hats to the magnanimous South Indian film industry and its effervescent mega-stars, whether it be thailaiva Rajnikant or the Baahubali himself, Prabhas. Another unique way to spend your evenings on the Empress is at the Dive-in theatre on the top deck or let yourself be put under the spell at India’s Magic Star with the grand illusionist Tejas Malode.

The Journey: The Empress clearly lives up to its name. Like a true queen, it’s sails are set to prowl through the Indian Ocean and give us the best of global cruising on our own shores. Below is a list of upcoming notable journeys of the Empress till September after which the ship moves back to Mumbai to offer 2,3 and 5 night cruises to Goa, Kochi and Lakshadweep:

(*Note: Listed Cabin Prices state the minimum charges for inside cabins, which are subject to alteration at the discretion of the cruise line and personal preference of the passengers.)

The Empress from Cordelia Cruises, have brought home (quite literally) the joys of cruising, albeit in an Indianized way. Passengers can choose to spend their trip dancing away, enjoying at the concerts or simply lounging and pampering themselves. The ship is also perfect for those wanting to host an intimate gathering for friends and family, hosting the perfect big-fat Indian wedding or hosting corporate events. Adults here can try their luck at the onboard casino, watch movies on the big screen under the stars and experience the glitz and glamour of the breath-taking Broadway & Burlesque shows at Marquee Theatre, and children can marvel at the multiple entertainment excursions.

Cordelia Cruises have introduced exciting offers and discounts for early bird bookings, so do not miss this chance to make your journey as beautiful as the destination!