Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has confirmed that its subsidiary, MOL Cruises, Ltd., will introduce a new cruise vessel in late 2026 under the name MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA. The ship, formerly sailing as Seabourn Sojourn, will enter service under the Japanese flag and operate a range of itineraries primarily within domestic waters.
The company has appointed Satoshi Ninomiya, previously master of Nippon Maru, as one of the inaugural captains, while Katsutoshi Nakayama, who also served aboard Nippon Maru, will assume the role of executive chef. With a gross tonnage of approximately 32,000 and a length of under 200 meters, the vessel’s compact size will enable calls at both major urban ports and smaller destinations, including remote islands across Okinawa and Hokkaido. The program is expected to include one-night sailings as well as cruises dedicated to festivals, fireworks, music, and regional cuisine.
MOL Cruises indicated that the ship will continue the company’s tradition of Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi, developed on earlier vessels such as Nippon Maru. The new ship will emphasize regional engagement, distinctive cultural experiences, and dining that blends tradition with contemporary influences. Full details of MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA’s inaugural cruises are to be announced after winter 2025.
This development aligns with MOL Group’s BLUE ACTION 2035 management plan, which seeks to broaden the company’s portfolio beyond core shipping operations and establish cruise operations as a stable revenue stream less vulnerable to shipping market fluctuations. The vessel will join MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, which entered service in 2024, in strengthening MOL Cruises’ presence in Japan’s growing domestic cruise market.