The turning point for Japan's cruise industry came in 1989 with the launch of Fuji Maru. This 23,340-gt ship can carry up to 600 passengers in a level of luxury unparalleled by any previous Japanese vessel. The elegantly appointed Fuji Maru features such amenities as a sky lounge, salon, dining room, theatre, and swimming pool. As cruise vacations gained popularity among Japanese travellers, a sister ship, the Nippon Maru, joined the fleet the following year. These two advanced vessels offer the flexibility to meet the diversifying demands of the market.

Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Lines, Ltd. (MOPAS) and Nippon Charter Cruise, Ltd. meet a wide range of customer needs as a leader in the passenger cruise market. These cruise routes, which offer world-class levels of comfort, luxury, and safety, cover the globe - Japan coastal tours, Southeast Asia, Micronesia, the Americas, Oceania, and Australia. Cruise programs and schedules are also designed to meet many different customer desires and budgets. Based on leisure cruises that allow travellers to fully enjoy the pleasures of a sea voyage, MOPAS offers various cruises including the World Youth Program sponsored by the Japanese government. Nippon Charter Cruise offers friendship voyages sponsored by local governments, while its main business centres on chartered corporate cruises for incentive and training programs, as well as marketing anniversary cruises and so on to the public.

• Fuji Maru: 23,340 tons, 328 passengers
• Nippon Maru: 21,903 tons, 406 passengers