Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Line, which is seeking to attract North American cruise passengers, will rebrand its cruise line from 'Mitsui OSK Passenger Line' to 'Mitsui Ocean Cruises.'
The company will also rename the 458-passenger Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui Ocean Fuji when its charter with Seabourn is completed next year. The company made a surprise acquisition of the Odyssey in March.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises plans to begin sailings on Lake Fuji in December 2024, and will sail a 100-day round-the-world cruise from Yokohama in April 2025.
Fujiho will be the second ship on the line, following Nippon Maru, which was built in 1990. The group plans to build two ships capable of carrying 600 passengers, which will be delivered around 2027.
The growing cruise brand is part of MOL’s efforts to diversify its shipping portfolio and offset volatility in the shipping sector, the company said. The company plans to further expand and focus its cruise business on domestic travelers and expand its international travel base.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises will offer high-quality Japanese “omotenashi” service and hospitality combined with Western hardware.
