Japanese cruise newcomer Mitsui Ocean Cruises has appointed Cruise Traveller as its exclusive Australian representative, as demand for travel to Japan continues to soar.Part of the 140-year-old Japanese maritime company Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Mitsui Ocean Cruises made its debut last December with the launch of Mitsui Ocean Fuji, formerly known as Seabourn Odyssey. With space for just 458 guests, the all-suite vessel is now Japan’s most luxurious cruise ship, according to Cruise Traveller, “retailored to offer an authentic, unique and immersive Japanese experience.”In March, it was also confirmed that Seabourn Sojourn would join the Mitsui Ocean Cruises fleet in May 2026.Cruise Traveller Managing Director Joseph O’Sullivan described the new partnership as great news for Australian travellers. “Representing a brand as unique as Mitsui Ocean Cruises, which offers a completely bespoke way of discovering Japan, is extremely exciting for us at Cruise Traveller,” he said.“As the Australian leader in the luxury, small ship space, Cruise Traveller prides itself on offering Australians exceptional, value-for-money journeys that offer depth, discovery and enrichment, and Mitsui Ocean Voyages aligns perfectly with that philosophy.”Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.The collaboration, which follows Mitsui’s appointment of California-based Architects of Travel as US and Canada representives earlier this year, comes at a time when interest in Japan is surging among Australians. In 2024, almost one million Australians travelled to Japan – “a 50 per cent rise over the previous year.”“Mitsui Ocean Cruises are experts on Japan, and as experts in boutique cruising, we at Cruise Traveller relish the opportunity to build their brand here in Australia, offering travellers unique packages and working with our retail agent partners across the country,” O’Sullivan added.At the heart of the Mitsui Ocean Cruises experience is ‘Omotenashi’ – the Japanese art of “intuitive, meticulous and heartfelt” hospitality. Guests are treated to authentic cultural immersion both onboard and ashore, including a complimentary, half-day excursion through each port’s most renowned attractions.Onboard, the refurbished Mitsui Ocean Fuji boasts four fine dining restaurants, lounges, a theatre, wellness centre, two pools, four whirlpools and spacious open decks. Every stateroom is a suite with ocean views, and 90% of staterooms offer a private balcony.To celebrate the new partnership, Cruise Traveller has announced exclusive launch savings of more than 35 per cent on a selection of all-inclusive voyages aboard Mitsui Ocean Fuji departing from now until September 2025. Special fares start from $5,250 per person, twin-share – equivalent to A$750 per day – for a seven-night sailing from Yokohama to Nagoya on 2 September 2025 – a saving of $3,360 per person.
