MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES Welcomes MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA to the Fleet
by Dori Saltzman
MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA. Photo: MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES
MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES welcome its second ship – the MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA – to its fleet during a traditional naming ceremony in Yokohama on Sept. 16.
The arrival of the 458-guest vessel (the former Seabourn Sojourn) marks a major milestone for the cruise company, expanding the Japan-based luxury cruise line to a two-ship fleet alongside MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, which debuted in December 2024. Together, the ships carry forward more than 140 years of Japanese seafaring heritage, while introducing visitors to the country through authentic cuisine and Japanese-based service culture.
Held at the Ocean Stage onboard MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA, the naming ceremony honored the people behind the ship, with the entire crew collectively serving as namers.
“With this ship, we pledge to travel around beautiful Japan and the world for many years to come, connecting hearts and sailing safely,” said ship Captain Satoshi Ninomiya during the ceremony. In keeping with maritime tradition, the ceremony included the bottle breaking to wish MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA safe voyages and good fortune for the many guests and crew who will sail aboard the ship in the years ahead.
Captain Ninomiya also reflected on the company’s long maritime history, including a lineage of passenger ships that has included Argentina Maru and the Brazil Maru, which connected Japan and South America, the first Nippon Maru and Sakura Maru-Shin Sakura Maru during Japan’s high-growth period, and since the Heisei era, Fuji Maru and Nippon Maru, and most recently introduced MITSUI OCEAN FUJI.
“Throughout our long history, what we have inherited is truly service from the heart,” he added. “This spirit and tradition will be proudly passed on to MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA.”
The ship’s name comes from the cherry blossom (Sakura in Japanese), a celebrated symbol in Japanese culture. The Sakura name also holds special significance in the company’s maritime history, having previously been carried by the passenger ships Sakura Maru and Shin Sakura Maru.
MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA departs for its debut voyage on Sept. 19. As a Japanese-registered ship, it will initially focus on short- and medium-length domestic voyages.
