Tag Archives: Japanese cruise

Mitsui Ocean Cruises to Retire Nippon Maru in 2026

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Mitsui Ocean Cruises to Retire Nippon Maru in 2026

Mitsui Ocean Cruises announced the upcoming retirement of the cruise line’s 422-guest Nippon Maru.

The cruise ship will officially retire from the fleet on May 10, 2026, in Yokohama.

The ship first entered service in 1990 and has since traveled 2,877,642 nautical miles – approximately 133 times around the earth – sailing over 2,000 cruises, hosting more than 600,000 guests, and visiting over 400 ports in and out of Japan, the company said.

“With full hearts and deep gratitude, we bid a bittersweet farewell to Nippon Maru, which has served us well for over 35 years,” said Tsunemichi Mukai, president of Mitsui Ocean Cruises.

“Though a difficult decision, it is time to retire her for operational and economic reasons. We’re excited to carry on her legacy of fine hospitality aboard our new luxury ships, Mitsui Ocean Fuji and our recently announced second ship, where many of our cherished crew will continue to serve.”

The retirement of the Nippon Maru will make way for the company’s second recently acquired ship, the current Seabourn Sojourn, which joins the fleet in late 2026.

Nippon Maru Career Highlights:

  • Many longer voyages: a 62-day Hawaii, Caribbean and Alaska cruise in 1995, and a 48-day Mauritius Precious Cruise – Paradise FUNATABI Around the Indian Ocean in 2022.
  • Nine World Cruises.
  • Offered various theme cruises, including “Platinum Entertainment Cruise,” and “Oasis Nippon Maru Cruise,” uniquely created especially for women.
  • Created the now standard “Fly & Cruise Hokkaido,” attracting a wider range of guests.
  • The ship was utilized for many years by the Cabinet for the “Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth, and “Ship for World Youth” projects recognized by youth all over the world.
  • The cuisine incorporates local ingredients from ports of call and seasonal dishes, ensuring a fresh and regionally inspired dining experience, meticulously presented. The chef’s take on the traditional Japanese techniques, also incorporates many of the delicacies that became favorites, like the ship’s famous roast beef.

The legacy of Nippon Marui and her contribution to the Japanese cruise industry will be honored during her final season with several cruises and events, featuring special commemorative gifts and menus.

Guests on quarantined Diamond Princess allowed disembarking

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Guests on quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess will be allowed to disembark to stay in a shoreside facility.

Princess Cruises said Japanese health officials are planning voluntary disembarkation with the most medically vulnerable guests given priority.

The update came as another 44 cases of the virus were confirmed on Diamond Princess to bring the total up to 218.

A Princess Cruises spokesperson said: ”Princess Cruises has been informed that over the next several days, Japanese health officials are planning voluntary disembarkation of guests to complete their quarantine period at a shoreside facility.

“From the information available it is our understanding that this will be a phased approach, with the most medically vulnerable guests in the first phase, including older adults with pre-existing health conditions.

“According to officials, guests in the first group will be tested for the 2019 novel coronavirus. If the test is positive, they will be transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and isolation. If the test is negative, they will be given the option to leave the ship and be transported to a quarantine housing facility.

“These are the details provided by health officials about the temporary facilities:

• The housing facility includes individual rooms and individual bathrooms

• There are no clinics at these facilities. Prescription medication will be provided, but medical care will require transport to a hospital or clinic.

• The food available will not accommodate dietary preferences but will accommodate certain medical conditions.  The meals provided will be Japanese bento-style boxes. No Western meals will be available.

“Princess Cruises confirmed that all guests on Diamond Princess remain welcome to stay onboard through to the end of the quarantine period.

“Princess Cruises also confirms the announcement, from Japan health officials, of 44 new positive cases of Coronavirus onboard Diamond Princess.”

In a letter sent to the ship’s crew, Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz said the line was “deeply grateful” and “incredibly proud” of staff on Diamond Princess.

She revealed that crew would receive two months paid leave for “much needed rest” once they had left the quarantined ship.

“We will also handle your flights to return home and your job will be protected to return for another contract,” she added.

Princess to offer land packages with Japan cruises

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Princess Cruises said it will offer pre- and post-cruise land tours for 2016 Japan cruises on the Diamond Princess.

When Princess launched cruises from Japanese homeports in 2013, they were designed for Japanese travelers, but they have proved popular with North Americans.

The new multi-day land packages explore the departure cities Kyoto and Tokyo. The Kyoto tours will include sightseeing at Nijo Castle, the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), and popular Japanese gardens, Princess said. In Tokyo, there will be city tours as well as visits to Mt. Fuji, Togendai and Lake Ashi.

The 2016 season will again run from April through October and feature four- to 20-day cruises, including circumnavigations of Japan, two new ports of call on the island of Kyushu, along with visits to Korea, Taiwan and Russia.

Although the cruises have found an international audience, Diamond Princess remains customized for Japanese guests. The ship features a traditional Izumi Japanese bath, a restaurant with made-to-order sushi and a large selection of sake, a traditional Japanese breakfast omelet, noodle stations and unique Japanese entertainment offerings such as “rakugo” storytelling performances and origami classes.

Sales for the 2016 Japan cruises open April 16.