Mitsui Ocean Cruises Expands with Acquisition of Second Seabourn Ship

Japan’s Mitsui Ocean Cruises recently acquired a second luxury cruise ship from Carnival Corporation’s Seabourn Cruise Line, signaling its expansion in the domestic cruise market. The Seabourn Sojourn, with a gross tonnage of 32,477, was delivered to MOL on February 28 and will be chartered back to Seabourn to complete its itineraries until May 15, 2026. Following a scheduled world cruise, the ship will undergo refurbishment and be positioned for short to medium-length cruises in the Japanese market, with details on its name and refurbishment to be announced later.

Mitsui Ocean Cruises launched its new cruise line in December 2024 with the acquisition of the former Seabourn Odyssey, now renamed Mitsui Ocean Fiji. The company expressed satisfaction with the guest response to the ship and onboard experience, stating that the vessel is well-suited to expand its cruise business. The sister ships, built in Italy by T. Marriott in 2009 and 2010, offer luxury accommodations for 458 passengers each and measure 649 feet in length with 229 passenger suites.

In a strategic move, Carnival Corporation sold the second ship to focus on larger brands and new mega-ships, while Seabourn downsizes after delivering its second cruise ship to MOL. Mitsui Ocean Cruises plans to operate the second ship with Japanese as the official language, allowing it to access various ports including those in the Seto Inland Sea and remote islands in Okinawa and Hokkaido. The company aims to leverage its experience with the sister ship to provide enhanced services when the new vessel enters service in late 2026.

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