Japan’s own luxury cruise line, Mitsui Ocean Cruises, will launch its second five-star ship, Mitsui Ocean Sakura, this September, and to celebrate, boutique cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller – the exclusive representative for Mitsui in Australia – is offering special fly-free packages for voyages around Japan in 2027.
Formerly Seabourn Sojourn, the spacious and elegant Mitsui Ocean Sakura will debut on September 19, 2026, as a sister ship to Mitsui’s first ship, Mitsui Ocean Fuji, formerly Seabourn Odyssey, which was launched in late 2024.
Both ships carry 458 guests and boast fine dining restaurants specialising in Japanese cuisine , plush lounges, a theatre, wellness centre, pools and jacuzzis and every stateroom is a suite with ocean views. Ninety per cent of staterooms on both Mitsui Ocean Sakura and Mitsui Ocean Fuji offer a private balcony.
Retailored from their esteemed Seabourn careers, both Sakura and Fuji offer guests an authentic, unique and immersive Japanese experience pillared by two, time-honoured Japanese philosophies – ‘funatabi’ – which is Mitsui’s commitment to immersing guests in Japanese heritage, nature, cuisine and tradition – and ‘omotenashi’ service- the revered Japanese art of intuitive, meticulous and heartfelt hospitality. Alongside Japanese guests and crew, guests enjoy truly authentic journeys to smaller, more remote and less-visited destinations brimming with ancient temples, exquisite gardens and romantic scenery.
“Nobody knows Japan like the country’s own Mitsui Ocean Cruises which offers a completely bespoke way of discovering the country’s ancient and modern wonders on unique journeys imbued with depth, discovery, enrichment and also value-for-money,” said Cruise Traveller Managing Director, Joe O’Sullivan.
“Unlike a typical cruise around Japan, a journey with Mitsui Ocean Cruises is a curated, cultural discovery experience, blending small-ship intimacy and personal service with meaningful encounters and authentic local insight, appealing not only to cruise travellers, but also to lovers of culture, history, cuisine, nature, and small-group exploration.”
To mark the debut of Mitsui Ocean Sakura, Cruise Traveller has released five new packages for April and September, 2027, offering voyages aboard either Mitsui Ocean Sakura or Mitsui Ocean Fuji, complete with free return flights to Tokyo from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney. The packages are from seven to 12 nights and start at A$8799 per person, twin-share, in a Veranda Suite.
Free flight offer
A Cruise Traveller package featuring the new Mitsui Ocean Sakura together with Japan’s stunning autumn colours begins on September 17, 2027, when guests board the ship for a nine-night journey, round-trip from Yokohama during Japan’s popular ‘Silver Week autumn holiday period. The journey offers a deeply enriching exploration of Japan’s coastline, travelling to culturally significant ports, ancient temples, timeless gardens and towns that bridge tradition with high-tech innovation. The itinerary circles Japan’s main island of Honshu and takes in the five smaller, picturesque ports – Senzaki, Tottori, Nanao, Kuji and Oarai – not usually visited by other cruise lines.
The nine-night cruise on Mitsui Ocean Sakura on September 17, 2027, is available from A$11,299 per person, twin-share, in a Veranda Suite including excursions in ports, selected onboard beverages and Wi-Fi. Book through Cruise Traveller by November 30, 2026, to receive free return flights to Tokyo from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
The free return flight offer also applies to four other sailings aboard sister ship, Mitsui Ocean Fuji, sailing in April and September, 2027.
Visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
