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

Inaugural December 1 Cruise Kicks Off New Shore Excursions Program, Created in Partnership with Local Experts and Tourism Boards

[September 2, 2024, Tokyo, Japan] – MOL Cruises, Ltd. [Tsunemichi Mukai – President]: MOL Cruises, Ltd., which operates under the brand name MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES, today announced the program of shore excursions to bring guests to exciting destinations with MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, marking the 90-day countdown to the ship’s December 1 debut.

The 458-guest, 32,477-ton MITSUI OCEAN FUJI embodies “FUNATABI – beautiful encounters with Japan.” As part of the overall cruise experience for the inaugural season, a new shore excursions program  only available to MITSUI OCEAN FUJI guests, offers authentic local tours rooted in nature, traditional culture and the delicate cuisine, including:

JAPAN
Beppu	Stroll through the beautiful streets of Beppu with a local expert, exploring traditional sweet shops and hot springs. Guests immerse themselves in the rich history and charm that only a renowned hot spring town can offer.
Hiroshima	Experience a tasting of Japanese sake at the sake brewery where the sake served at the G7 Hiroshima Summit is brewed, accompanied by lectures from renowned experts. Enjoy the delicate pairing with a refined lunch, allowing guests to appreciate the full allure of Hiroshima through all your senses.
Kagoshima	Visit the Chin Jukan Kiln, a historic Satsuma porcelain kiln that has been in existence since the 16th century and observe the production process of Satsuma pottery. Indulge in a special experience in the adjoining cafe, where Korean cuisine is served on exquisite Satsuma ware.
Kochi	Visit a workshop that has been crafting the traditional family crest "Furafu (Flags)" for over 400 years. Witness the craftsmanship of artisans and experience a moving connection to this timeless art.
Nagasaki	Enjoy a luxurious lunch of the local cuisine “Shippoku” at a historic restaurant.  Then an exclusive visit to Geisha’s training room and witness traditional Geisha performances.
Shingu	Join a historian guide to visit the renowned Kumano Hongu Taisha, walking along the mystical Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Experience the profound history and culture that awaits in this unique spiritual journey.
Shimonoseki	Explore the historic castle town of Chofu. At Chofu Museum of History, walk through the special exhibition with the museum director as guide. This tour provides a deep understanding of the region's rich history and cultural heritage.
Matsuyama	Participate in a mandarin orange picking experience in the beautiful, terraced fields of Mukainada, alongside a fourth-generation farmer. Enjoy a memorable moment surrounded by the natural beauty and local agricultural traditions.
KOREA
Busan	Take a guided stroll through the Gamcheon Culture Village, adorned with colorful murals.  Enjoy a blend of art and history by local artists.
Jeju Island	Enjoy a graceful Taekwondo performance set to the traditional Korean folk song "Arirang." Experience the cultural richness and charm of Korea during this special moment.

Sae Ichikawa, Destination Experience General Manager, remarked: “As we celebrate the 90-day countdown to the official launch of our new luxury ship, we’re incredibly proud of our enhanced shore excursions program created in partnership with local experts and tourism boards. We are truly excited to offer unforgettable experiences through the unique tours that only MITSUI OCEAN FUJI can offer. We hope that these tours will allow guests to deeply experience the culture and history of each region and foster warm connections and new relationships with people met along the way.” 

Booked guests will receive a shore excursions brochures and application form by mail. You can make your reservations through our Cruise Desk.  Once onboard, guests can visit the MITSUI OCEAN SQUARE Front Desk to book based on availability.

MITSUI OCEAN FUJI DEBUT CRUISES

These shore excursions are open to guests sailing roundtrip from Tokyo, Yokohama and other main ports from December 1, 2024 - January 8, 2025:

• December 1-7, 2024 (7 days): Yokohama – Beppu – Busan – Shimonoseki - Tokyo

• December 8-13, 2024 (6 days): Yokohama – Shingu – Kochi – Busan - Yokohama

• December 14-18, 2024 (5 days): Nagoya – Busan – Takamatsu - Nagoya

• December 19-23, 2024 (5 days): Kobe – Busan – Matsuyama - Kobe

• December 23-29, 2024 (7 days): Kobe – Hakata – Busan – Kagoshima - Yokohama

• December 29, 2024 – January 8, 2025 (11 days): Yokohama – Jeju – Busan – Nagasaki – Beppu – Hiroshima - Yokohama

A MITSUI OCEAN FUJI video tour can be viewed here:  https://youtu.be/1IGQZUYXbYU 

More exciting news about MITSUI OCEAN FUJI will be forthcoming.

For additional information on MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES, visit https://mol-cruises.jp/en.

About MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES:

Rooted in Japanese heritage, nature and traditions, from the blue sea, MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES connects people with the wonders of nature and Japanese culture to enrich people’s lives and secure a happier and more sustainable future. MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES is the brand of the MOL Cruises, Ltd, the most experienced cruise line in Japan and is part of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. Ltd. (MOL) group of companies. It operates the cruise ship NIPPON MARU and will begin operating its second luxury cruise ship, MITSUI OCEAN FUJI (currently SEABOURN ODYSSEY), in December 2024.

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES and the blue circle with the whimsical “three bars” design are service marks of MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES.

Contact Information:

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES

Public Relations

Karen Candy

karen.candy@molgroup.com

+1 661-644-3999