Kochi: Cruise tourism, which had slumped during Covid, is now on the path to recovery. Over the last two financial years, the number of domestic travellers has increased. This year, the number of international and domestic tourists is expected to rise. However, the number of international luxury cruise ships has decreased.

To mark the start of the season, the first international cruise ship, World Odyssey, will arrive at the Kochi coast on Tuesday. The ship is part of the “Semester at Sea” programme and carries 700 students and 200 crew members. More ships are expected to follow. For the current financial year, the arrival of 30 cruise ships has been announced, of which 16 are domestic vessels. A total of nearly 50,000 tourists are expected to arrive via cruise ships. In comparison, 32 ships, including 21 international vessels, arrived last year.

The cruise season runs until the last week of May 2026. This season will see the arrival of 40 luxury ships.

In 2018–19, a total of 63,000 international tourists arrived in Kochi through 49 ships. In 2019–20, 68,000 visitors arrived through 46 ships. Subsequently, due to the Covid crisis, cruise services were cancelled. Domestic services resumed only after the pandemic.

In 2021–22, just nine domestic ships arrived. Although the arrival of international and domestic cruise vessels later increased, the Red Sea crisis and geopolitical tensions once again disrupted the sector. The ongoing crisis remains a setback for the industry, causing several cruise companies to withdraw.
 

YearShipsCruise Passengers
2025–263050,000 (Expected)
2024–253250,000
2023–244253,000
2022–233136,500

(Includes both domestic and international cruise vessels.)

Passengers arriving on luxury cruise ships spend less than 12 hours in the state. Most of them visit locations in Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts.

The arrival of cruise ships brings substantial revenue to the local economy. Cars and auto-rickshaws are the main modes of travel for tourists, and money circulation in the region increases significantly. Tourist numbers are expected to rise this season, said Prakash Iyer, chairman of the Cochin Port Users Forum.

The Cochin Port Authority is making all necessary arrangements to welcome the visitors. Officials stated that the current season is expected to be strong and that more ships are likely to call at Kochi in the coming months. The Muziris Biennale, beginning in December, will also boost tourism.