By
Alex Smith |
Mitsui Ocean Cruises has released details of its new vessel, Mitsui Ocean Sakura, which is scheduled to enter service in September 2026. The ship will launch with 29 short itineraries between September and December, ranging from one to three nights.
The inaugural programme includes autumn foliage sailings, Christmas-themed cruises and regional itineraries. Several voyages will offer complimentary half-day shore excursions at selected destinations.
Onboard facilities will include a main dining room, Restaurant Sakura, serving alternating Japanese and Western multi-course dinners, and a buffet venue, Terrace Restaurant Yae, featuring regional ingredients and a live cooking station. A speciality restaurant, Sushi Bar Shiosai, will operate as both a sushi counter and evening bar, while the Umi Bar on Deck 10 will provide panoramic sea views and light refreshments throughout the day.
The ship’s leisure areas will feature an open-air Grand Pool with two whirlpools, a new footbath area, and a Poolside Terrace & Bar offering casual meals and smoothies made with seasonal ingredients.
All accommodation on the Mitsui Ocean Sakura will be suite category and ocean-facing, with private verandas in around 90 per cent of cabins. Measuring under 200 metres in length, the vessel is designed to access smaller ports and island destinations.
Mitsui Ocean Sakura follows the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which entered service in December 2024, and will replace Nippon Maru after its planned retirement in May 2026.