Cordelia Cruises Gives Sneak Peek at Former NCL Ship in Dry Dock: Cordelia Sky

For fans of the classic NCL ship Norwegian Sky, it was a bittersweet goodbye to see the 27-year-old ship leaving the fleet.

The old adage, “They don’t make ’em like this anymore,” I think applies here

Now, that classic vessel has a new cruise line, a new name, and is getting a new facelift.

Earlier this month, the ship was officially handed over to her new owners, Cordelia Cruises (a premier cruise line based in Mumbai, India).

Renamed Cordelia Sky, she is currently sitting in a Turkish shipyard undergoing a huge drydock overhaul.

Cordelia Cruises recently shared some interesting behind-the-scenes footage and photos of the work, giving ship nerds and former Norwegian Sky cruisers a look at what it actually takes to transform a 77,000-gross-ton vessel.

In the video, the cruise line breaks down what’s required to lift a cruise ship entirely out of the water at Besiktas Shipyard in Yalova, Turkey.

While crews are handling routine hull cleaning and propeller maintenance, the rest of the ship is getting a makeover to match the new brand.

Cordelia Sky is getting a complete cosmetic tranformation. On the outside, her hull and funnel are being repainted with Cordelia Cruises’ signature colors and logo. On the inside, the spaces that NCL cruisers knew so well are being updated and reimagined for her new home market in India.

When she emerges from dry dock, the 2,000-passenger ship will feature 11 dining venues, 11 bars and lounges, and five main entertainment areas.

Her 1,000 staterooms are also getting attention, highlighted by the Chairman’s Suite, which features a private balcony complete with its own whirlpool.

Work on the transformation has been going around the clock since mid-September as her debut is coming up next month.

Cordelia Sky is scheduled to launch her maiden season on October 23, 2026, offering short two- to five-night cruises from Mumbai to Goa and Lakshadweep. Starting in June 2027, she will move to longer seven-night Southeast Asia sailings between Chennai and Singapore, with calls in Malaysia and Thailand.

And this transformation is just step one for Cordelia. The company will also take over Norwegian Sun in 2027 to become Cordelia Sun, joining both Cordelia Sky and Cordelia Empress.

You can check out sailings on Cordelia Sky at the cruise line’s website here.