Cochin Port Authority has confirmed 64 cruise ship calls for the 2026–27 season beginning in October, including 56 international vessel calls. The announcement comes as Kerala’s cruise tourism sector continues to recover from disruptions caused by the Red Sea crisis and the conflict in West Asia.
While the number of confirmed calls is encouraging, officials said most international visits will be by Cordelia Empress, which will operate from Kochi as its home port. The number of international cruise ships bringing tourists from western countries is expected to remain below 15.
Cruise tourism witnessed a sharp decline in 2025–26, with Cochin Port receiving only 29 cruise vessels, including just 13 international ships, compared to more than 50 international cruise calls in 2024–25.
Starting October 25, Cordelia Empress will launch regular international sailings from Kochi to Colombo and the Maldives. The cruise line will operate a five-night itinerary connecting Kochi, Male and Colombo, along with a two-night weekend cruise departing every Friday and returning on Sunday.
Cordelia Cruises said the redeployment of Empress to Kochi marks a significant milestone in expanding international cruise options for Indian travellers while strengthening Kochi’s position as a cruise hub. The turnaround operations are also expected to boost local tourism and passenger traffic, with reports indicating that additional cruise routes from Kochi may be introduced in the future.