Sailing aboard Mitsui Ocean Fuji, I quickly learned that cruising in Japan isn’t just about the destinations — it’s about the art of grace. From the moment I stepped on deck, Japanese guests greeted me with smiles and bows, small gestures that spoke volumes about omotenashi, the country’s deep-rooted spirit of heartfelt hospitality.
One night, I watched kimono-clad guests and English-speaking travelers dance together under a canopy of stars. Another afternoon, I joined a workshop on setting a porcelain table — only to find one of the plates was more than 200 years old. Let’s just say my chopstick grip suddenly got a lot more careful.
The nine-night roundtrip from Yokohama called at Takamatsu, Shodoshima, Nagasaki and Kobe — plus Jeju, South Korea — a mix of familiar favorites and tucked-away ports. But more than the itinerary, what stood out was the immersive sense that I wasn’t simply visiting Japan. I was living its rhythm.
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
A Rising Star in Japan’s Cruise Scene
Japan has been one of 2025’s hottest luxury travel destinations, and Mitsui Ocean Cruises is riding that wave with confidence — and authenticity. The brand is built on 140 years of maritime heritage through MOL Cruises, long known for its cargo and passenger ships. Rebranded as Mitsui Ocean Cruises in 2023, the company now sails into the international luxury market with an unapologetically Japanese identity.
“The food, service, and culture make it a truly Japanese experience,” said Jeanie Rocco, a travel advisor with Cruise Travel Outlet in Salem, New Hampshire, who sailed with her clients on my same voyage.
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
The 458-passenger Mitsui Ocean Fuji, formerly Seabourn Odyssey, relaunched in late 2024 after a meticulous refresh. Expect redesigned interiors, new soft furnishings and reconfigured galleys to accommodate Japanese cuisine. The look is contemporary yet understated: a reflection of modern Japan itself.
In 2026, a sister ship, Mitsui Ocean Sakura (currently sailing as Seabourn Sojourn), will join the fleet, replacing the older Nippon Maru. While Ocean Fuji will handle international itineraries, Sakura will focus on Japanese domestic voyages.
North American GSA
(Photo by Susan J. Young)
Mitsui kicked off its North American sales earlier this year, and at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference, Luxury Travel Advisor interviewed the line’s top executives about their efforts to cultivate American and Canadian travelers.
A North American booking portal is in development, set to debut in early 2026. Until then, advisors can reach Mitsui’s U.S. sales team, led by Tony Kaufman, Joe Maloney and Albert Hartigan — all veterans of the cruise industry.
Rates, Inclusions, Technology
Fares typically start around $725 per person, per day for ocean-view suites and $850 for veranda suites, including drinks, Wi-Fi and a guided English-language shore excursion at each port.
Top-end suites include perks like specialty dining at Hokusai, named for the famed artist behind The Great Wave.
To assist U.S. and Canadian travel advisors, Mitsui is currently developing a North American booking reservations system and trade portal. Look for it to be up and running in early 2026. Until that point, advisors can request a quote via this Mitsui website page.
Japanese and English Guests
For now, Mitsui’s sailings skew heavily Japanese — about 70% of guests — though the line aims to eventually reach a 70/30 split with North American travelers. Most crew members are bilingual, and daily programs, announcements and menus are in both English and Japanese. There’s no kids club onboard (Japanese families typically vacation together), but a few child-friendly moments pop up — think poolside pizza-making sessions hosted by the F&B team.
Unlike most Western cruise lines, Mitsui’s voyages vary in length: domestic travelers often prefer two- or three-night getaways, while longer itineraries are tailored to international guests. My voyage was one of those — long enough to let jet lag fade into serenity.
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
Small groups who have a strong cultural interest are another good opportunity for advisors. At the same time, Mitsui clearly isn’t for English-speaking travelers who are seeking an “Americanized” cruising experience.
One big difference between Japanese and North American customers is that they typically opt for different voyage lengths. Americans typically have a much longer transit time to reach the ship. So, they desire to sail at least a week and often 10 days or even longer.
Mitsui plans to offer seasonal voyages for North Americans. So, look for itineraries sold in North America to span the spring cherry blossom/Golden Week timeframe, other festival times and summer/fall periods popular with long-haul travelers. Americans and Canadians will also have booking options for a few holiday cruises late in the year.
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
In contrast, Japanese guests tend to prefer shorter cruises, perhaps a two-, three- or four-night voyage. During my cruise, many Japanese guests boarded with me in Yokohama but, along the route, they disembarked earlier than I did, many at Nagasaki.
Plus, I noticed many more Japanese guests boarding in Kobe as well. So, just advise clients that their fellow Japanese guests may be embarking/debarking at different times and at different ports during the voyage.
Language Dynamics
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
Language-wise, I appreciated the robust English-speaking printed daily programs delivered to our suites; in turn, Japanese guests also had Japanese language daily programs. Right now, there is no app yet available for English speakers.
Official public announcements over the PA system were made in English and Japanese. Some other printed documents and menus were in both English and Japanese as well. Plus, the Captain’s Welcome Party in the ship’s theater was in both languages.
Shore excursion and destination briefings were presented at one time of the day in Japanese, and at another time for English speakers. The in-suite entertainment system had both English and Japanese options.
The ship’s deck plan brochure and portions of one guest survey in my suite were not yet fully translated into English, but Mitsui tells us this is all coming together over the next few months.
A big plus is that guest-facing crew members speak both English and Japanese. That as the case throughout public spaces and for suite services. Overall, the crew were excellent. In fact, I had not one, not two, not three but four different bilingual crew members serving my Penthouse suite including a butler, assistant butler and two suite stewards.
Inside the Penthouse Suite
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
My Penthouse Suite (#922) spanned 436 square feet, with a separate bedroom, walk-in closet, double-sink bathroom and a large veranda that begged for morning coffee and late-night reflection. The aesthetic leans minimalist, with Japanese amenities like slippers, yukata robes and bidet toilets (yes, with every imaginable setting).
Service was meticulous — four dedicated staff members handled everything from restocking my espresso pods to arranging specialty dining.
“The service is exceptional, and the Japanese seem to do everything out of the goodness of their hearts,” Rocco told me. “Everyone on the ship went above and beyond for the guests. They were very welcoming and could not do enough for you.
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
Scenic Views, Sipping and Savoring
Mitsui Ocean Fuji’s Observation Lounge quickly became my go-to spot: floor-to-ceiling views, gentle live music and a gin cart experience that doubles as theater (Yes, sweet potato gin exists — and it’s delicious.).
At Hokusai Fine Dining, a sommelier-led tasting introduced six standout wines, each paired with small plates. My favorite: a 2022 Guigal Condrieu Viognier with crab cakes and lemon aioli. The tasting mats were printed with the pairings — a clever touch I folded up and brought home as a souvenir.
Cultural programming runs throughout the voyage: tea ceremonies, pottery workshops, kimono fittings and Bon Odori folk dancing. There’s also a Spa and Wellness KODAMA complex with Japanese treatments, plus a modern gym for travelers who prefer Peloton to Pilates.
(Photo by Susan J. Young.)
Final Thoughts
As Mitsui grows its footprint beyond Japan, it’s carving out a space for travelers who want luxury with soul — where every bow, cup of tea and porcelain plate tells a story. For me, that’s what elevated the voyage beyond just a cruise. It felt like a living expression of funatabi — “beautiful encounters at sea.”
That’s exactly what I found aboard Mitsui Ocean Fuji.
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