India's cruise tourism market is being driven by a much younger demographic than global trends, according to Waterways Leisure Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Jurgen Bailom.&nbsp;Speaking to <a href="https://www.zeebiz.com/markets/ipo/news-waterways-leisure-ipo-ceo-jurgen-bailom-shares-roadmap-as-cordelia-cruise-operator-eyes-rapid-expansion-exclusive-interaction-with-anil-singhvi-397705#English">Zee Business </a>Managing Editor Anil Singhvi, Bailom said the average age of guests travelling on Cordelia Cruises is around 34 years, significantly lower than the global cruise industry average. "Crusing is affordable luxury," Bailom said, highlighting what he described as a major shift in consumer behaviour among younger Indian travellers.&nbsp;Waterways Leisure, the company behind Cordelia Cruises, has built its business around Indian consumers, tailoring its offerings to local tastes rather than replicating international cruise models.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/cordelia-cruises-eyes-rapid-expansion-plans-2-new-ships-ceo-jurgen-bailom-to-wion-1782129819551">Cordelia Cruises eyes rapid expansion, plans 2 new ships: CEO Jurgen Bailom to WION</a>&nbsp;According to Bailom, Indian food, Bollywood-themed entertainment, regional language support and family-oriented experiences have helped attract a younger customer base. The company also follows an all-inclusive pricing model, with most onboard services included in the ticket price.&nbsp;Bailom said India remains one of the world's most promising cruise markets despite being at a relatively early stage of development. He noted that cruising continues to be an underpenetrated segment even as rising incomes and changing travel preferences create new opportunities.Beyond leisure holidays, the company is also witnessing demand from weddings, corporate events and group travel segments, which Bailom identified as important growth drivers.&nbsp;Waterways Leisure is preparing to raise around Rs 585 crore through an initial public offering. Bailom said the proceeds would largely be used to support growth initiatives, including fleet expansion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-acquires-retired-uk-jaguar-aircraft-spare-parts-iaf-fleet-1782035324982">India secures nine decommissioned UK Jaguars to keep strike squadrons operational</a> The company has already made advance payments for two new ships and plans to utilise IPO proceeds towards future lease obligations and acquisition-related commitments.&nbsp;"All the money is for growth," Bailom said, adding that only a small portion of the funds would be used for general corporate purposes.

Cordelia Cruises CEO Jurgen Bailom states that India's cruise market attracts a younger demographic (average age 34) by offering "affordable luxury" with tailored Indian food, entertainment, and all-inclusive pricing.

India's cruise tourism market is being driven by a much younger demographic than global trends, according to Waterways Leisure Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Jurgen Bailom. Speaking to Zee Business Managing Editor Anil Singhvi, Bailom said the average age of guests travelling on Cordelia Cruises is around 34 years, significantly lower than the global cruise industry average. "Crusing is affordable luxury," Bailom said, highlighting what he described as a major shift in consumer behaviour among younger Indian travellers. Waterways Leisure, the company behind Cordelia Cruises, has built its business around Indian consumers, tailoring its offerings to local tastes rather than replicating international cruise models. Also read: Cordelia Cruises eyes rapid expansion, plans 2 new ships: CEO Jurgen Bailom to WION According to Bailom, Indian food, Bollywood-themed entertainment, regional language support and family-oriented experiences have helped attract a younger customer base. The company also follows an all-inclusive pricing model, with most onboard services included in the ticket price. Bailom said India remains one of the world's most promising cruise markets despite being at a relatively early stage of development. He noted that cruising continues to be an underpenetrated segment even as rising incomes and changing travel preferences create new opportunities. Beyond leisure holidays, the company is also witnessing demand from weddings, corporate events and group travel segments, which Bailom identified as important growth drivers. Waterways Leisure is preparing to raise around Rs 585 crore through an initial public offering. Bailom said the proceeds would largely be used to support growth initiatives, including fleet expansion. Also read: India secures nine decommissioned UK Jaguars to keep strike squadrons operational The company has already made advance payments for two new ships and plans to utilise IPO proceeds towards future lease obligations and acquisition-related commitments. "All the money is for growth," Bailom said, adding that only a small portion of the funds would be used for general corporate purposes.

Cordelia Cruises CEO Jurgen Bailom states that India's cruise market attracts a younger demographic (average age 34) by offering "affordable luxury" with tailored Indian food, entertainment, and all-inclusive pricing.

Cruising is 'affordable luxury' for young Indians, says Cordelia Cruises chief

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials reportedly seized drugs onboard the Cordelia cruise ship after conducting a raid&nbsp;at Mumbai port on October 2. A probe is ongoing into the incident.

Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO of Cordelia Cruises said the drugs was found in some of the passenger's luggage.

"These passengers were off-loaded by Cordelia immediately. The sailing of the cruise got delayed because of this," Bailom said.

Bailom added&nbsp;that Cordelia apologised to the families of the guests for the delay which resulted in the delay in entertainment events planned onboard the ship.

No staff or crew member was found to be involved and the ship was allowed to sail by authorities.&nbsp;

The cruise management and staff onboard provided help to the authorities as the raids were conducted by NCB officials.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials reportedly seized drugs onboard the Cordelia cruise ship after conducting a raid at Mumbai port on October 2. A probe is ongoing into the incident.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials reportedly seized drugs onboard the Cordelia cruise ship after conducting a raid at Mumbai port on October 2. A probe is ongoing into the incident. Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO of Cordelia Cruises said the drugs was found in some of the passenger's luggage. "These passengers were off-loaded by Cordelia immediately. The sailing of the cruise got delayed because of this," Bailom said. Bailom added that Cordelia apologised to the families of the guests for the delay which resulted in the delay in entertainment events planned onboard the ship. No staff or crew member was found to be involved and the ship was allowed to sail by authorities. The cruise management and staff onboard provided help to the authorities as the raids were conducted by NCB officials. (With inputs from Agencies)

Cordelia cruise company clarifies after drugs found onboard by NCB officials

A luxury cruise MV Empress, which is owned by Cordelia Cruises, reached the shores of Kochi on Wednesday (September 22) after embarking on its journey from Mumbai, marking a promising start to the revival of domestic pandemic-hit tourism in the southern Indian state of Kerala.&nbsp;

The liner became the first luxury cruise to anchor at the state-of-the-art terminal, after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, said a press release.&nbsp;

The department of Kerala tourism said, "The luxury liner M V Empress, with 1200 travellers on board, anchored at Cochin Port, Willingdon Island this morning."&nbsp;

An on-shore tour of Kochi was scheduled for the guests and the tour itinerary included Mattancherry, Fort Kochi and a backwater.&nbsp;

The Kerala Tourism Department accorded a warm welcome to the guests with martial Velakali dancers and women in traditional off-white dress greeting them.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pm-modi-in-usa-quad-unga-joe-biden-415080">UNGA: PM Modi arrives in US, busy days ahead</a>

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Cordelia cruises, the first cruise vessel to call at Cochin Port since the onset of pandemic, was given a traditional welcome by <a href="https://twitter.com/KeralaTourism?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KeralaTourism</a> at Sagarika, the new International Cruise Terminal at Cochin Port. <a href="https://twitter.com/shipmin_india?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@shipmin_india</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_ShipMin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_ShipMin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tourismgoi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tourismgoi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CordeliaCruises?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CordeliaCruises</a> <a href="https://t.co/m9T9QOXd00">pic.twitter.com/m9T9QOXd00</a>
— Cochin Port Trust (@cochin_port) <a href="https://twitter.com/cochin_port/status/1440565875359182860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The luxury liner M V Empress, with 1200 travellers on board, anchored at Cochin Port, Willingdon Island this morning. An on-shore tour of Kochi was scheduled for the guests. The tour itinerary included Mattancherry, Fort Kochi and a backwater <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cruise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cruise</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tourism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tourism</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeralaTourism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeralaTourism</a> <a href="https://t.co/rR2U69mGZq">pic.twitter.com/rR2U69mGZq</a>
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeralaTourism/status/1440655900021190663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas said the arrival of domestic tourists marks a promising start to the full-scale resumption of Kerala Tourism, overcoming the pandemic-induced crisis.

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&nbsp;"This trend is set to gain pace in the coming days. Kerala is a safe and secure place for the lock-down weary vacationers to come as we have put in place an efficient and meticulous bio-bubble model to create protective layers of inoculated service providers to receive and host tourists," Minister said.

“Cordelia Cruises is grateful for the kind and warm reception extended to us by Kerala Tourism. Together, we hope to bring new dawn on the travel and hospitality industry in India and do hope the world takes notice and travels to our Subcontinent to experience our offerings which are, both, international quality and have a local soul," the company said in a release.&nbsp;

"With promising collaborations such as these, we will bring a new way of touring breathtaking locales along with enjoying fresh flavours of entertainment for our guests. We are tirelessly curating a plethora of experiences for the same," the release further said.

A luxury cruise MV Empress, which is owned by Cordelia Cruises, reached the shores of Kochi on Wednesday (September 22) after embarking on its journey from Mumbai, marking a promising start to the revival of domestic pandemic-hit tourism in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

A luxury cruise MV Empress, which is owned by Cordelia Cruises, reached the shores of Kochi on Wednesday (September 22) after embarking on its journey from Mumbai, marking a promising start to the revival of domestic pandemic-hit tourism in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The liner became the first luxury cruise to anchor at the state-of-the-art terminal, after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, said a press release. The department of Kerala tourism said, "The luxury liner M V Empress, with 1200 travellers on board, anchored at Cochin Port, Willingdon Island this morning." An on-shore tour of Kochi was scheduled for the guests and the tour itinerary included Mattancherry, Fort Kochi and a backwater. The Kerala Tourism Department accorded a warm welcome to the guests with martial Velakali dancers and women in traditional off-white dress greeting them. IN PICS | UNGA: PM Modi arrives in US, busy days ahead Cordelia cruises, the first cruise vessel to call at Cochin Port since the onset of pandemic, was given a traditional welcome by @KeralaTourism at Sagarika, the new International Cruise Terminal at Cochin Port. @shipmin_india @PIB_ShipMin @tourismgoi @CordeliaCruises pic.twitter.com/m9T9QOXd00 — Cochin Port Trust (@cochin_port) September 22, 2021 × The luxury liner M V Empress, with 1200 travellers on board, anchored at Cochin Port, Willingdon Island this morning. An on-shore tour of Kochi was scheduled for the guests. The tour itinerary included Mattancherry, Fort Kochi and a backwater #cruise. #Tourism #KeralaTourism pic.twitter.com/rR2U69mGZq — Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) September 22, 2021 × Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas said the arrival of domestic tourists marks a promising start to the full-scale resumption of Kerala Tourism, overcoming the pandemic-induced crisis. "This trend is set to gain pace in the coming days. Kerala is a safe and secure place for the lock-down weary vacationers to come as we have put in place an efficient and meticulous bio-bubble model to create protective layers of inoculated service providers to receive and host tourists," Minister said. “Cordelia Cruises is grateful for the kind and warm reception extended to us by Kerala Tourism. Together, we hope to bring new dawn on the travel and hospitality industry in India and do hope the world takes notice and travels to our Subcontinent to experience our offerings which are, both, international quality and have a local soul," the company said in a release. "With promising collaborations such as these, we will bring a new way of touring breathtaking locales along with enjoying fresh flavours of entertainment for our guests. We are tirelessly curating a plethora of experiences for the same," the release further said.

Luxury cruise liner MV Empress arrives in Kochi, gives a boost to pandemic-hit tourism in Kerala