Cordelia Cruises is reportedly planning to add two new ships to its fleet by 2026.

Offering domestic cruising in India, the brand is owned  Waterways Leisure Tourism and was launched with the former Empress of the Seas.

According to a report in The Hindu, the decision to expand the fleet is driven by the success of the 1,607-guest Empress, which was acquired from Royal Caribbean International in late 2020.

“My ship is 100 percent full. That’s why we are purchasing a second vessel. We are getting bookings from Indians as well as from international tourists,” said Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Waterways Leisure Tourism.

Plans call for the second ship being added to the fleet in early to mid-2025, with a third arriving sometime in 2026, he told the local newspaper.

The fleet expansion will enable Cordelia to pursue international expansion, with deployment extending to additional parts of the Asia-Pacific region, Bailom noted.

Although he did not provide further details about the new ships, he stated that Cordelia is currently finalizing a delivery timeline.

“Everything is in the pipeline. The new ships are delayed because of the closure of the Red Sea and the Suez Canal for cruise vessels,” explained Bailom.

Once the details are confirmed, the company will release specific deployment programs that will include new international routes, he added.

While the Empress will continue to operate domestic itineraries in India, the second vessel is expected to offer cruises between Dubai and Mumbai.

The third ship will offer longer cruises, with plans for open-jaw sailings between India and Australia lasting approximately 30 days.

“The vessel will leave from Mumbai to Chennai enroute to Goa and Kochi. Later, it will touch the ports in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Sydney,” said Bailom.

Despite its length, the voyages will be affordable compared to the cost of air tickets and hotel accommodation, he noted.