• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Mitsui Ocean Cruises named Mitsui Ocean Sakura during a Sept. 16 ceremony in Yokohama ahead of Saturday's debut voyage.
This makes for a two-ship fleet, alongside Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which joined in December 2024. Sakura is the former Seabourn Sojourn and Fuji the former Seabourn Odyssey.
Together, the ships carry forward more than 140 years of Japanese seafaring heritage while introducing travelers to the country through authentic cuisine, culture, hospitality and access to both marquee and off-the-beaten path ports throughout Japan.
The naming festivities, including a bottle smash, were held at the Ocean Stage aboard Mitsui Ocean Sakura at the Yokohama Hammerhead cruise terminal.
Inaugural master Capt. Satoshi Ninomiya represented the crew and employees in officially naming the vessel with these words: "With this ship, we pledge to travel around beautiful Japan and the world for many years to come, connecting hearts and sailing safely."
Ninomiya also reflected on the company's long maritime history, including a lineage of passenger ships that have connected Japan with destinations around the world, including Argentina Maru and Brazil Maru, which linked 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 the most recently introduced Mitsui Ocean Fuji.
"Throughout our long history, what we have inherited is truly service from the heart," the captain added. "This spirit and tradition will be proudly passed on to Mitsui Ocean Sakura."
Few symbols are as closely associated with Japan as the sakura, or cherry blossom. The Sakura name also holds special significance in the company's history, having previously been carried by the passenger ships Sakura Maru and Shin Sakura Maru.
"Mitsui Ocean Sakura carries on the legacy of our cruise business while embarking on a new era," Mitsui Ocean Cruises President Tsunemichi Mukai said. "With thoughtful time spent onboard, the scenery and culture encountered in ports of call and the connections made along the way, we hope to provide special experiences that remain with our guests throughout their lives.
"We will continue moving forward as a Japanese cruise brand that shares beautiful Japanese cruising with the world. Together with Mitsui Ocean Fufi, we will do our utmost to make Mitsui Ocean Sakura a ship loved by many guests."
Before the inaugural cruise, the city of Yokohama will host a ceremony on board to celebrate the ship's launch, including a traditional plaque exchange between the ship and Yokohama Port.
The 32,477gt, 458-passenger Mitsui Ocean Sakura is an all-suite ship. Its size — 650 feet in length — enables access to a diverse range of ports throughout Japan, including smaller destinations and ports located within easy reach of city centers.
As a Japanese-flag ship, Sakura will initially focus on short- and medium-length domestic voyages. Twenty-nine cruises are scheduled in the first three months through December, including one- to three-night autumn scenic, Christmas and New Year cruises.
A total of 61 cruises have been announced through September 2027.
