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September 17, 2026

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES NAMES NEWEST SHIP MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA AHEAD OF SEPTEMBER 19 DEBUT VOYAGE

New 458-Guest Luxury Ship Carries Forward More Than 140 Years of Seafaring Heritage and Japanese "Omotenashi"

Press

September 10, 2025

Joe Maloney Appointed Head of Sales for MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES' North America General Sales Agent

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES announced Joe Maloney as head of sales for its North America general sales agent partner. Maloney brings 35+ years of travel industry experience, starting as a Tour Director for Tauck in the late 1980s before sales/marketing roles at The Travel Corporation, S...

Press

August 19, 2025

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Announces Name of New Cruise Ship - MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES unveiled the name of its second luxury vessel, MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA, debuting late 2026, with Captain Satoshi Ninomiya and Executive Chef Katsutoshi Nakayama (both veterans of Nippon Maru) appointed to lead it. The 32,477-ton, 458-guest, 229-suite ship will be...

Press

June 5, 2025

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Announces Retirement of Nippon Maru in May 2026

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES announced its 422-guest ship Nippon Maru will retire May 10, 2026 in Yokohama after 35 years of service. Launched in 1990, the vessel traveled approximately 2.88 million nautical miles across 2,000+ voyages, carrying over 600,000 passengers to 400+ ports, wit...

Press

March 3, 2025

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Acquires Second Luxury Cruise Ship

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. purchased a second luxury cruise ship from Seabourn (currently Seabourn Sojourn, 32,477 tons) to expand the fleet. It will be rebranded, refurbished, re-flagged Japanese, and enter service in late 2026, following the December 2024 launch of MITSUI OCEAN ...

Press

February 24, 2025

Praise of Delicious Cuisine Celebrates the Essence of Japan Onboard MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES detailed the culinary offerings aboard MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (458 guests, debuted December 2024), emphasizing locally sourced Japanese ingredients blended with international cuisine and omotenashi hospitality. Features collaboration with Chef Kiyomi Mikuni, pione...

Press

February 17, 2025

Japan-Based MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Launches First-Ever Sales in North America

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES, a Japanese cruise line with 140 years of heritage, entered the North American market for the first time, appointing Architects of Travel as General Sales Agent for the US and Canada. MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (458 guests, 32,477 tons, formerly Seabourn Odyssey) laun...

Press

December 6, 2024

Ikenobo Ikebana Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo Officially Names MITSUI OCEAN FUJI in Traditional Maritime Ceremony

MOL Cruises, Ltd. announced the official naming of MITSUI OCEAN FUJI at a Tokyo Bay ceremony. Senko Ikenobo, first woman appointed Headmaster Designate of the Ikenobo School, presided, joined by CEO Tsunemichi Mukai and Captain Kim Karlsson wishing the ship 'fair winds and follow...

Press

November 30, 2024

The New Luxury Cruise Ship MITSUI OCEAN FUJI Begins Maiden Season in Yokohama

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES announced the arrival of MITSUI OCEAN FUJI in Yokohama to launch its inaugural season, with official naming on December 7 in Tokyo Bay by Ikenobo ikebana Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo. The 458-guest all-suite ship features spacious suites with balconies/...

Press

November 10, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Partners with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism and Local Port and Tourism Boards to Deliver New and Innovative Shore Excursions Program

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES established partnerships with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT) and local port boards to develop enhanced shore excursions for NIPPON MARU and the newly debuting MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, leveraging Japan's 150 ports. Sae Ichikawa,...

Press

November 6, 2024

Time and Space to Rejuvenate and Restore on the Ocean is Revealed at the SPA & WELLNESS KODAMA Onboard the New MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MOL Cruises, Ltd. unveiled SPA & WELLNESS KODAMA aboard MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (launches December 1, 2024), drawing inspiration from Japan's forests with nature-based wellness practices. Signature treatments: Arashiyama Bamboo massage (warm oil-soaked bamboo shoots), Camellia Japonica...

Press

October 22, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Announces Culinary Partnership with Internationally Acclaimed Chef Kiyomi Mikuni Onboard New MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MOL Cruises, Ltd. announced an exclusive partnership with Chef Kiyomi Mikuni, Japan's master of Japanese-French fusion cuisine, for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (debuting December 1, 2024) — his first time cooking aboard a ship. Two venues: HOKUSAI FINE DINING features his five-course prix ...

Press

October 21, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Unveils Lively Entertainment Onboard MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MOL Cruises, Ltd. announced entertainment offerings for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (debuting December 1, 2024), combining contemporary performances with Japanese cultural experiences under 'FUNATABI - Beautiful Encounters with Japan.' The OCEAN STAGE hosts Broadway-style productions — 'La...

Press

October 2, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Announces MITSUI OCEAN FUJI Senior Officers

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES unveiled the leadership team for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, debuting December 1, 2024 in Yokohama, bringing over 140 years of combined maritime experience. Team: Captain Kim Roger Karlsson (35+ years, ex-Norwegian Cruise Line commander); Chief Engineer Diyan Shopov (...

Press

September 24, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Welcomes New Ship MITSUI OCEAN FUJI in Handover Ceremony with Seabourn Cruise Line

MOL Cruises, Ltd. officially took possession of MITSUI OCEAN FUJI during a handover ceremony aboard the Seabourn Odyssey at the Port of Yokohama on September 25, 2024. The 458-guest vessel, previously operated by Seabourn for 15 years, transitions to Japanese ownership. Outgoing ...

Press

September 1, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Celebrates 90-Day Countdown to Debut of MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MOL Cruises, Ltd. announced an enhanced shore excursions program for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (458 guests, debuting December 1, 2024), marking the 90-day countdown to launch. Exclusive tours were developed with regional experts and tourism boards emphasizing authentic cultural experienc...

Press

June 16, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Reveals Newly Branded Venues for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MOL Cruises, Ltd. unveiled the newly branded dining, entertainment, and wellness spaces for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (458 guests, debuting December 1, 2024 in Yokohama), reflecting the 'FUNATABI - beautiful encounters with Japan' concept. Dining venues: THE RESTAURANT FUJI (main dining)...

Press

May 19, 2024

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Announces Inaugural Cruises of New Ship MITSUI OCEAN FUJI

MOL Cruises, Ltd. unveiled debut itineraries for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, operating roundtrip sailings from Japanese ports (Tokyo, Yokohama) between December 1, 2024 and January 8, 2025 — six cruises of 5-12 days, including an 11-night New Year's voyage with special celebrations. Ports...