MOL to Launch New Cruise Brand, Mitsui Ocean Cruises

MOL to Launch New Cruise Brand, Mitsui Ocean Cruises

Seabourn Odyssey Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr photo account) 

MOL Group today announced the launch of a new cruise brand named Mitsui Ocean Cruises.

The Japanese shipowner also revealed that the name of its new cruise ship will be Mitsui Ocean Fuji.

Set to enter service for the new brand in December 2024, the 32,000-ton luxury vessel was acquired from Seabourn Cruise Line in March 2023.

According to a press release, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji will become MOL’s second passenger ship, sailing along the 1990-built Nippon Maru.

Onboard the new-to-the-company vessel, MOL said, passengers will be able to experience the combination of Japanese high quality “Omotenashi” service with a western-style luxury hardware.

Currently sailing as the Seabourn Odyssey, the all-suite vessel was originally designed to offer an international upscale cruising experience in regions such as the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Built in Italy by the Fincantieri shipyard, the 450-guest vessel first entered service in June 2009.

Mitsui Ocean Cruises also announced that the Mitsui Ocean Fuji will embark on an Around the World Cruise in April 2025.

Sailing roundtrip from Yokohama, the 100-day voyage will visit 24 yet-to-be-revealed ports of call around the globe.

As part of its new management plan named Blue Action 2035, the MOL Group plans to continues to invest in the cruise business as a way to offset commercial shipping volatilities.

Diversifying its portfolio, the Japanese company plans a “heavy focus” on the cruise industry, with the expansion of its travel businesses and the creation of an international customer’s base.

With plans to launch several new cruise ships in the future, the group will also focus on bringing foreign guests for cruises in Japan, while keeping an eye on expanding its domestic customer reach.

According to MOL, the cruise industry is a “stable and profitable” segment that “is not affected by the same market conditions” as other shipping areas.

 

MOL Plans Cruise Expansion, Newbuilds

MOL Plans Cruise Expansion, Newbuilds

Seabourn Odyssey photo credit for Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

With the purchase of the Seabourn Odyssey, MOL Group, which operates Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. in the domestic Japanese market, plans to operate two ships in 2024, it said in a press release. Sales terms were not disclosed.

The Seabourn Odyssey will be renamed and sail alongside the Nippon Maru, according to the company, which has hired a new Senior Executive Advisor in Anthony Kaufman, who has extensive knowledge and expertise in the cruise ship business, having held key positions with Carnival, Holland America Group and Princess Cruises, where he played a major role in the development of the inbound and outbound markets in Japan.

In a press statement, MOL Group said it “positions the cruise ship business as a new growth area,” and plans to build an additional two new 600-guest ships.

The Seabourn Odyssey will join the fleet in 2024 after a refurbishment, the company said. A new name for the ship will be announced this summer, along with other details.

“By increasing the number of cruise ships operated by MOPAS to two, they will be able to significantly increase the number of departures and arrivals in various parts of Japan and globally, and will be able to provide a wider variety of itineraries and experiences that meet our customer’s needs,” the company said in a statement.

In the near term, MOL will open a “Wellbeing & Lifestyle Business” brand as well as a new “Cruise Business Innovation Project Unit.”