Norwegian Cruise Line Sends Two Of Its Oldest Cruise Ships To India

Norwegian Cruise Line is sending its two oldest ships, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun to India’s Cordelia Cruises under a long-term charter agreement.

The company is modernising its fleet and gives Cordelia the option to purchase the vessels later.

Norwegian Sky will join Cordelia Cruises in 2026, followed by Norwegian Sun in 2027. With the arrival of the ships, Cordelia aims to expand operations, offer longer trips, and reach new destinations.

The ships are part of the Sun-class and were once considered modern additions when they launched Norwegian Sky in 1999 and Norwegian Sun in 2001.

The Sky, a 77,104 gross ton vessel, was originally ordered by Costa Cruises but ended up with Norwegian after the German shipyard building it faced financial issues.

Norwegian completed the ship at Lloyd Werft. The Sun, which is slightly larger at 78,309 gross tons, was built as a sister ship and launched two years later.

A third ship in the series was planned but never built.

Both ships have room for about 2,000 passengers and were designed before Norwegian introduced its “Freestyle Cruising” concept, which promotes open dining and multiple restaurant options.

Although they were later adapted to the new style, the ships didn’t have space for all the modern features seen on newer vessels.

Cordelia Cruises announced the addition, stating that the expansion will not only boost capacity but also bring a new meaning to cruising in India.

The company aims to make cruise vacations more immersive, accessible, and tailored to Indian travellers. The Sky will start sailing from Mumbai in August 2026, while the itineraries for the Sun are yet to be revealed.

Cordelia plans to retain the ship’s signature hull designs, the stylised sun on the Sun and tropical flowers on the Sky, but both vessels are expected to be upgraded to match Cordelia’s branding and passenger expectations.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), the parent company, is also chartering two more vessels from its luxury brands.

The Seven Seas Navigator from Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the Insignia from Oceania Cruises will join Crescent Seas, a new residential cruise line, in 2026 and 2027.

These ships will undergo major refurbishments before setting sail.

Harry Sommer, President and CEO of NCLH, described the decision as a “disciplined approach to fleet optimisation.”

He said that moving these ships to new markets outside the company’s core business allows them to create value for shareholders while focusing on building a modern fleet.

Currently, NCLH has 12 new ships on order through 2036 across its three brands: 7 for Norwegian Cruise Line, 3 for Oceania Cruises, and 2 for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

This includes a new 200,000+ gross ton class for Norwegian Cruise Line, with the Norwegian Aqua already launched and Norwegian Luna set to debut in April 2026.

References: cruisehive, cruisecritic

Source: Maritime Shipping News