Kochi’s cruise season is recovering slowly, with the Cochin Port Authority confirming 64 port calls for the October 2026 season, including 56 international vessels. The numbers, however, tell a more cautious story. After hosting over 50 international cruise calls in 2024-25, the port received just 13 in 2025-26, as the Red Sea crisis and wider West Asia conflict disrupted western cruise routes through the region.
The outlook for 2026-27 remains constrained, with fewer than 15 of the confirmed international calls expected to bring tourists from Western countries. The bulk of the 56 international visits will be accounted for by Cordelia Empress conducting regular services to Colombo and the Maldives.
The local industry’s optimism rests largely on Cordelia Cruises’ decision to make Kochi the home port for Empress, an 11-deck, 210-metre vessel launching operations from October 25. Two itineraries have been announced: a five-night international cruise connecting Male and Colombo, departing every Sunday and returning Friday, and a two-night weekend cruise offering dining and entertainment at sea, departing Friday and returning Sunday.
As a turnaround port, Kochi stands to benefit from the steady flow of embarking and disembarking passengers the Empress will generate each week. Reports also suggest Cordelia may launch an additional cruise connecting Kochi in the coming months.
