After 27 years sailing for NCL, Norwegian Sky leaves the fleet later this year for new horizons. The 2,000-passenger ship is one of two older vessels joining India’s largest cruise operator, Cordelia Cruises.
This follows Cordelia taking over the former Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas, which was first announced during COIVD-19.
Final season in Europe under NCL flag
Norwegian Sky is on a transatlantic crossing ahead of a final season sailing in northern Europe and the Mediterranean. After calls in the Azores, Portugal and Spain, the ship arrives in Le Havre, France. It will spend the summer sailing in Northern Europe, the British Isles, and then the Mediterranean.
Starting next week, Norwegian Sky will visit ports in France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany during its farewell season. From mid-May, it positions to Southampton for longer cruises around the British Isles.
Norwegian Sky will then reposition for a short season in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Its final departure under the NCL flag is from Piraeus September 9, transiting the Suez Canal to Dubai. After this 21-night cruise, the ship is handed over to Cordelia Cruises.
The transfer to Cordelia is part of an initial long-term charter agreement for two Norwegian ships announced a year ago.
Norwegian Sun is also scheduled to join Cordelia in November 2027.
The two NCL ships will be renamed Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Sun respectively. Sky is expected to undergo a refurbishment before embarking on its first India cruises in September 2026.
Cordelia Sky to sail to Southeast Asia next year
The cruise line announced details of itineraries for Cordelia Sky last year. The ship will debut on a five-night cruise to Goa and Lakshadweep from Mumbai.
From July 2027, the company plans to deploy Sky on Southeast Asia itineraries with week-long sailings from Chennai to Singapore.
“These itineraries are designed not only for Indian travelers, but also for international guests,” said Cordelia CEO Jurgen Bailom. “The intent is continuity, not disruption. The Sky allows us to operate these high-demand routes at a larger scale, with greater capacity and more balcony cabins.”
By late 2027, the addition of these two NCL ships will triple Cordelia’s fleet size.
