By
Laura Hyde |
Mitsui Ocean Cruises has christened Mitsui Ocean Fuji in a traditional naming ceremony at Tokyo Bay port in Japan.
The ship was officially welcomed into the fleet by Senko Ikenobo, headmaster designate of Ikenobo Ikebana, the oldest and largest school of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.
Ikenobo was joined at the ceremony held in the ship’s Ocean Stage theatre by Tsunemichi Mukai, president and CEO of Mitsui Ocean Cruises, and Captain Kim Karlsson. All three wished the ship “fair winds and following seas” as Ikenobo smashed a bottle of sake against the ship to bring good fortune for all future guests and crew.
Senko Ikenobo, headmaster designate of Ikenobo Ikebana, with Tsunemichi Mukai, president and CEO of Mitsui Ocean Cruises, and Captain Kim Karlsso
“Senko Ikenobo is highly admired for her dedication and passion for meticulous ikebana artistry in Japan, making her the perfect choice to name Mitsui Ocean Fuji,” said Mukai. “With her well wishes for a prosperous life and happy and sustainable future, guests will enjoy beautiful encounters with Japan and an authentically and carefully crafted cruise experience blending our distinct Japanese culture with inspiring and unique ways to value time and space.”
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Mitsui Ocean Fuji’s sister ship Nippon Maru was in port to greet the ship and guests onboard both ships waved flags as the vessels exchanged three horn salutes, symbolising the Mitsui (three bars) motif in the cruise line’s brand mark.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises’ ship Nippon Maru exchanged three horn salutes with Mitsui Ocean Fuji
The 458-guest Mitsui Ocean Fuji will sail six inaugural cruises visiting Beppu, Shingu, Kochi, Takamatsu, Kagoshima and Jeju in Japan, as well as Busan in South Korea.
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