A Cordelia cruise from Chennai costs roughly ₹22,000 to ₹40,000 per person for a 2-night sailing and about ₹37,000 to ₹63,000 per person for a 5-night trip to Sri Lanka or Vizag and Puducherry, sharing an interior cabin (approx., as of October 2026).
Chennai is a seasonal homeport: Cordelia Empress sails from here only in the middle of the year, roughly June to August, so if you want a Chennai cruise in 2027, now is the time to watch for fares, not to pack.
When does Cordelia sail from Chennai?
Cordelia Cruises moves its ship to the east coast during the south-west monsoon, when the Mumbai–Goa route is rough. The 2026 season was its fifth in Chennai. According to Travel Trade Journal, the ship’s first Chennai call was on 20 June 2026 and sailings ran through the end of August.
For 2027, cruise schedule site CruiseTimetables already lists Cordelia Empress sailings from Chennai in June 2027, including 2-night “Chennai Cruise” (sea-day) departures, 2-night Chennai–Visakhapatnam runs, 3-night Puducherry cruises and 5-night Vizag and Puducherry round trips [CHECK against cordeliacruises.com before publishing]. Cruise Industry News has also reported that the newer Cordelia Sky, which started sailing from Mumbai on 28 September 2026, is planned to run 7-night Chennai–Singapore cruises in July and August 2027.
So, in short: no regular Cordelia sailings leave Chennai between roughly October and May. If you are in Chennai and want a cruise this winter, you would need to fly to Mumbai or Kochi.
Cordelia cruise routes from Chennai
These are the itineraries Cordelia has run from Chennai in recent seasons. Not every route runs every year, so treat this as a menu, not a timetable.
| Route | Nights | Ports | Approx. starting price per person* |
| Chennai – at sea – Chennai | 2 | None (sea day only) | ₹25,000 – ₹38,000 |
| Chennai – Visakhapatnam (one-way) | 2 | Vizag | ₹22,000 – ₹26,000 |
| Chennai – Jaffna – Chennai | 2 | Jaffna (Sri Lanka) | ₹25,000 onwards |
| Chennai – Trincomalee – Chennai | 3 | Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) | ₹37,000 onwards |
| Chennai – Visakhapatnam – Puducherry – Chennai | 5 | Vizag, Puducherry | ₹37,000 onwards |
| Chennai – Hambantota – Trincomalee – Jaffna – Chennai | 5 | Three Sri Lankan ports | ₹52,000 onwards |
| Chennai – Kochi – Mumbai (one-way) | 5 | Kochi, Mumbai | ₹52,000 onwards |
| Chennai – Phuket – Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur – Singapore | 10 | Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore |
*Starting fares for an interior cabin on twin sharing, taken from TravelBudgetly’s package pages and listings on Thrillophilia (approx., as of October 2026). Fares change by date and how full the ship is.
The 2-night sea-day cruise is the one most first-timers book. You board in the evening, spend a full day at sea, and are back in Chennai the next-but-one morning. TravelBudgetly’s Chennai – High Seas – Chennai package starts at ₹29,100, and the one-way Chennai – High Seas – Visakhapatnam package starts at ₹25,300 (approx., as of October 2026).
What does the fare include, and what it doesn’t?
Cordelia sells cruise fares with meals at the main restaurants and food court, your cabin, and access to the pool, gym, theatre shows, kids’ areas and most onboard entertainment. Our own Chennai packages list dinner on day 1, all three meals on day 2 and breakfast on day 3 for a 2-night sailing.
Budget separately for these:
GST and port or service charges
Check whether the price you see is inclusive. Many listings show base fares, and the final amount at checkout can be noticeably higher.
Drinks:
Alcohol, mocktails and premium beverages are extra unless you buy a beverage package.
Wi-Fi:
Paid. Thrillophilia’s Chennai listings note that Wi-Fi costs extra.
Shore excursions:
Optional and paid on Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia routes.
Casino, spa, specialty dining and shopping
Getting to the port:
Taxi or auto to Chennai Port is on you.
A realistic rule of thumb: add 15–25% to the starting fare for taxes, a couple of drinks and one paid activity. A couple who sees “₹29,100 per person” should plan for roughly ₹65,000–₹75,000 in total for a 2-night sailing.
Where do you board in Chennai?
Chennai sailings leave from Chennai Port. Booking listings give the meeting point as Island Grounds, Flag Staff Road, near the Port Trust Officers’ Quarters (PIN 600009). Reach at least an hour before the reporting time printed on your boarding pass; web check-in is done online before you travel.
Documents you need
Domestic sailings (sea day, Vizag, Puducherry):
Your boarding pass and an original government photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID.
Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia sailings:
A passport valid for at least six months and any visa or electronic travel authorisation the destination requires. Sri Lanka has been offering free ETAs to Indian passport holders under a scheme announced in 2026
Infants:
A birth certificate for domestic cruises; a passport for international ones.
Is a Chennai cruise worth it on a budget?
For a first cruise, the 2-night sea day is the cheapest way to see if you like ship life, and the per-night cost (food, stay and entertainment together) compares well with a beach resort in Mahabalipuram or Puducherry over a long weekend. The 5-night Sri Lanka loop is better value per night than the 3-night trip, because you get three ports for roughly ₹15,000 more.
It is a poorer fit if you get seasick easily. The Chennai season sits in the south-west monsoon months, and the Bay of Bengal can be choppy. Book a cabin on a lower deck, in the middle of the ship, and carry motion-sickness tablets.
If your dates don’t line up with the Chennai season, Cordelia’s west-coast route is the alternative. See our Mumbai – High Seas – Goa package or browse all TravelBudgetly packages.
How to book a Cordelia cruise from Chennai?
Check the schedule
Chennai departures for the coming season usually open for booking well before June.
Pick your route and cabin
Interior cabins are cheapest; ocean-view costs more but helps if you are prone to seasickness.
Compare the final price, not the starting fares
Ask for the total with GST and charges for your exact date.
Book through Cordelia or an agent
TravelBudgetly can quote and book Chennai sailings; send us your dates through the package page.
Do web check-in
Always carry original ID or passport on sailing day.
FAQs
What is the price of a Cordelia cruise from Chennai per person?
A 2-night cruise from Chennai starts at about ₹22,000–₹38,000 per person on twin sharing, depending on route and date. Five-night Sri Lanka sailings start around ₹52,000 per person (approx., as of October 2026). Taxes, drinks and excursions are extra.
Does Cordelia sail from Chennai in December?
No. Cordelia Empress is based in Chennai only during the mid-year season, roughly June to August. In winter, the ship sails from Mumbai and other west-coast ports.
Do I need a passport for the Chennai to Sri Lanka cruise?
Yes. Any sailing that calls at Hambantota, Trincomalee, Jaffna or Colombo needs a valid Indian passport and Sri Lanka’s travel authorisation . Domestic routes need only an original government ID.
Is food included on a Cordelia cruise?
Main meals at the included restaurants and food court are part of the fare. Alcohol, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and shore excursions cost extra.
