Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto today, MOL Group announced that the company.
MOL Cruises, Ltd. President and CEO Tsunemichi Mukai has named its new cruise ship, scheduled to enter service in late 2026, the MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA. Satoshi Ninomiya, who previously commanded the Nippon Maru, will serve as one of the captains for the ship’s debut season. Katsutoshi Nakayama, who also has experience aboard the Nippon Maru, will be an executive chef.
The MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA will enter service as a Japanese-flagged ship in late 2026, offering a wide range of itineraries
centred on short- to medium-term cruises departing from and arriving at various ports in Japan. Taking advantage of its
compact size, with a gross tonnage of approximately 32,000 tons and a length of less than 200 meters, the new cruise ship
can call at ports in various regions, from remote islands in Okinawa and Hokkaido, which were popular destinations for the
“Fly&Cruise” series on the Nippon Maru, to ports located within walking distance of urban areas. The company also plans to
offer one-night cruises, which have gained wide popularity among guests, as well as cruises themed on festivals, fireworks,
music and food.
While preserving the “Omotenashi” cultivated through previous cruise ships operated by MOL Cruises, including the Nippon
Maru, the connections with ports of call and people throughout Japan, one-of-a kind experiences in each region, and meals
that carry on tradition while inspiring passion, the new cruise ship will offer guests a new kind of cruise experience with our
sense of Japanese beauty unique to MOL Cruises.
The details of MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA inaugural cruises will be announced, and sales will start after the winter of 2025. For more information, please refer to the MOL Cruises website.
