Sri Lanka Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
15 ships from 8 cruise lines
Sri Lanka cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 48 upcoming sailings on 15 ships from 8 cruise lines visiting Sri Lanka, calling at 4 places. Cruises can start in Colombo and end in Colombo. Of 48 upcoming sailings, 1 start in Sri Lanka and 2 end there. More Asia cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Sri Lanka cruise lines
See every Sri Lanka cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a compact, story-rich island that rewards travelers who want depth over crowds. Small luxury and expedition ships call at Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, Hambantota and occasionally Jaffna, while the interior offers Kandy, tea country, wildlife parks and ancient Buddhist cities. For the American traveler, it is an ideal milestone destination: manageable scale, warm hospitality, layered history and enough independence to avoid feeling herded.
Typical routes
- Indian Ocean & Arabian Sea - calls at Colombo, Galle and sometimes Hambantota on voyages between the Middle East, India, the Maldives and Africa.
- Bay of Bengal & Circumnavigation - calls at Colombo, Hambantota, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai on routes around Sri Lanka or between India and Southeast Asia.
Ports overview
Sri Lanka is an island rather than a river destination, so cruise calls happen at ocean ports. The main commercial cruise ports are Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, Hambantota and Kankesanthurai (for Jaffna). Most ships use Colombo as a turnaround or transit hub, while smaller expedition vessels add the northern and eastern ports.
Cruise season
October-April for the west and south coasts; May-September for the east coast; December-March for a full circumnavigation to avoid monsoon and cyclone risks.
Find your Sri Lanka sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Sri Lanka, earliest departure first.
23 Days One-Way from Kolkata to Colombo
Ends in Sri Lanka. Also visits India
Scenic Aura
26 Days One-Way from Singapore to Cape Town
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
Seven Seas Navigator
18 Days One-Way from Doha Qatar to Singapore
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India
Seven Seas Mariner
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27 Days One-Way from Doha Qatar to Benoa
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India
Seven Seas Mariner
17 Days One-Way from Port Louis to Colombo
Ends in Sri Lanka. Also visits Mauritius, France, Seychelles
ms Europa
96 Days One-Way from Auckland to Civitavecchia-Rome
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia
Oceania Vista
11 Days One-Way from Colombo to Singapore
Starts in Sri Lanka. Also visits Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore
ms Europa
62 Days One-Way from Barcelona to Tokyo
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Spain, Morocco, Portugal
Viking Neptune
43 Days One-Way from Sydney to Dubai
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Australia, Indonesia, Singapore
Oceania Vista
34 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Tokyo
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya
Viking Neptune
55 Days One-Way from Singapore to Civitavecchia-Rome
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
Oceania Vista
16 Days One-Way from Singapore to Dubai
Visits Sri Lanka. Also visits Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
Oceania Vista
Where Sri Lanka cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (1)
Colombo (32) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (1)
Colombo (32)
Ships by type: 14 ocean 1 river · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Sri Lanka cruise
Sri Lanka cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Sri Lanka cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Sri Lanka?
4 Sri Lanka places are visited by 15 ships from 8 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Sri Lanka cruise?
October-April for the west and south coasts; May-September for the east coast; December-March for a full circumnavigation to avoid monsoon and cyclone risks.
Sources and further reading
Background on Sri Lanka draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Sri Lanka
- CIA: The World Factbook - Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority: Official Travel Site
- Lonely Planet: Sri Lanka
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
- Sri Lanka Ports Authority: Ports of Sri Lanka
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 15, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!