Seabourn Sojourn Ends Final Voyage Ahead of Mitsui Debut

Updated June 10, 2026

Mitsui Ocean Sakura, the former Seabourn Sojourn, has arrived in Japan and entered drydock in Nagasaki ahead of its Sept. 19, 2026 debut for Mitsui Ocean Cruises. The 2010-built, 32,346-ton ship reached Yokohama on May 30 after crossing the Pacific from Vancouver, where it completed its final cruise for Seabourn in mid-May.

The 450-passenger vessel is now being prepared for Mitsui's locally inspired product, which the company created to embody FUNATABI. Mitsui says the concept promotes "beautiful encounters with Japan," creating a "one-of-a-kind luxury experience that is authentically Japanese and unique to the cruise industry." The ship will also be adapted to reflect "the traditions and spirit" of MOL Group's past passenger ships.

Planned onboard offerings include Sushi Bar Shiosai, serving freshly prepared sushi, small dishes and sake. Sakura is also expected to be reflagged before entering service and introduce the Japanese flag.

The arrival in Japan follows a charter-back period after MOL Group's cruise brand acquired the 225-cabin vessel from Seabourn in March 2025. The ship continued operating published Seabourn voyages through the end of its world cruise, which finished in Vancouver on May 15.

Sojourn's last Seabourn cruise departed Long Beach in early 2026 and included 63 destinations in 14 countries. The itinerary crossed the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Japan and Alaska, with calls including Bora Bora and Suva and overnight stays in Hong Kong and Busan.

The ship's farewell season for Seabourn also included Northern Europe itineraries and a Canada and New England program before the world voyage. Sojourn's exit leaves Seabourn with a five-ship fleet: three traditional luxury ships and two smaller expedition vessels. Seabourn said the ship's next deployment is in a market "not competitive with Seabourn." Mark Tamis, Seabourn's president, said at the time of the sale that the remaining vessels provided the mix the brand wanted for different parts of the ultra-luxury market.

Sakura's first Mitsui season includes 29 cruises

Sakura's inaugural voyage is set for Sept. 19, 2026, a five-night roundtrip from Yokohama calling at Toba and Hidaka. The maiden season extends through late December and includes 29 cruises, Mitsui Ocean Cruises said. The program features multiple short cruises, with one- to three-night sailings to popular Japanese ports, along with special fall sailings and a Christmas cruise. Mitsui said the itineraries also include half-day shore excursions at multiple ports of call at no extra charge.

The initial Sakura season includes departures from Yokohama, Tokyo, Kobe, Hakata, Kanazawa, Niigata, Nagoya and Hiroshima. The deployment also features a nine-day New Year at Sea voyage in late December. That itinerary sails roundtrip from Kobe and includes Ishigaki and an overnight call at Keelung, Taiwan.

Mitsui fleet shifts after Nippon Maru retirement

After retiring Nippon Maru earlier this year, Mitsui Ocean Cruises currently has one ship in service, Mitsui Ocean Fuji, until Sakura enters service. Fuji, the former Seabourn Odyssey, entered service for the line in December 2024 and is a sister to Sakura.

Nippon Maru made its final Yokohama call on May 10 after a 36-year career. More than 7,000 people attended the Yokohama retirement event. Mitsui did not announce plans for the ship's future.

After Nippon Maru's withdrawal, Asuka II and Asuka III were identified as the only Japanese-flagged cruise ships in service. Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has set a goal of reaching 1 million domestic cruise passengers by 2030. The domestic market was 76,000 passengers in 2025, with another 167,000 Japanese passengers sailing internationally.

Mitsui Ocean's 2027 deployment uses Fuji and Sakura on 27 cruises for North American travelers from February through September 2027. The five- to 12-night cruises include Japanese ports the line named as less common for international operators, such as Nanao, Shodoshima, Tanegashima and Tottori.

"Our two-ship fleet gives us a unique position to sail exclusively around our island nation, while also offering longer voyages to nearby South Korea and beyond," said Tsunemichi Mukai, president of Mitsui Ocean Cruises.

For North American sales, Mitsui Ocean is offering up to $1,000 in onboard credit on 2027 cruises booked by Sept. 30, 2026.