MOL Cruise’s cruise ship Nippon Maru made her final call at Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal on May 10 after completing her last voyage. As this famous ship, which has led Japan’s cruise culture for about 35 years, retired from service, many fans gathered on the terminal’s rooftop plaza to bid her farewell.
The current Nippon Maru, the third vessel to bear the name, was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe Shipyard and entered service in September 1990. She measures 166.6 meters in length and 24 meters in beam, with a gross tonnage of 22,472 tons. After two refurbishments in 2010 and 2020, she came to feature 190 guest cabins and a maximum capacity of 422 passengers. According to MOL Cruise, over the 34 and a half years through March 2025 (data beyond that has not been disclosed), she operated more than 2,000 cruises, carrying a total of around 600,000 passengers. She called at over 400 ports in Japan and overseas, and her total sailing distance of 5,332,383.964 kilometers is equivalent to about 133 trips around the Earth.
The final voyage, a three-day cruise titled “Final Cruise II,” departed Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal at 5:00 p.m. on May 8, sailed as far as the waters off Niijima in the Izu Islands, and returned to berth at Pier A of the same terminal at 9:00 a.m. on the 10th. Upon arrival, she exchanged long whistle blasts in farewell with the MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, which was moored at Pier B.
▲ Captain Koichi Uchida of Nippon Maru
Captain Koichi Uchida of Nippon Maru, who took the stage at the arrival ceremony, said, “Since the announcement of Nippon Maru’s retirement, many people at our homeports and ports of call have warmly called out to us with words like ‘thank you,’ ‘goodbye,’ and ‘welcome back.’ Nippon Maru will continue sailing on in the hearts of people all across Japan.” He went on to say, “Every experience I have had aboard Nippon Maru is a treasure. Well done, Nippon Maru. I will never forget you, Nippon Maru. Thank you,” paying tribute to the ship’s many years of service.
▲ Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which entered service on December 1, 2024
In October 2023, MOL Cruise launched a new cruise brand, “MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES.” As the brand’s first ship, Mitsui Ocean Fujientered service in December 2024, and since then the company has operated with a two-ship fleet together with Nippon Maru. After Nippon Maru’s retirement, the company will temporarily operate with a single ship, but on September 19 the second vessel, MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA, will enter service, restoring the two-ship system.
According to MOL Cruise, Nippon Maru is scheduled to be sold following her retirement.
▲ Captain Uchida of Nippon Maru, Chief Engineer Shoichi Hioki (center), and General Manager Tsuyoshi Fukumoto (right) receiving bouquets from students of Yokohama Municipal Minato Junior High School
▲ General Manager Fukumoto raising the bouquet
▲ Captain Uchida presenting a commemorative plaque to Yasuhiro Shinbo, Director General of the Port and Harbor Bureau, City of Yokohama
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