By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Mitsui Ocean Fuji, a Japanese luxury cruise ship from Tokyo, arrived in Saipan Tuesday morning with 419 passengers and 346 crew before departing later for Guam.
The vessel was greeted at the Saipan seaport by local cultural dancers, along with Lt. Gov. David Mendiola, Warren Villagomez, chair of the Marianas Visitors Authority board, and Jamika Taijeron, MVA managing director. The officials met with Capt. Simon Daniel Westall, who oversees the Mitsui Ocean Fuji’s regional itinerary.
A 10-member CNMI delegation toured the ship, which features multiple decks with guest accommodations and leisure spaces. The vessel includes a mix of standard cabins and premium suites, several dining rooms and lounges, a theater, fitness facilities, and open-air observation areas designed for long-distance cruising.
The brief stopover is part of the ship’s ongoing Pacific route connecting Japan and Micronesia. Passengers went ashore for sightseeing and shopping before the Mitsui Ocean Fuji departed Saipan in the evening.
MVA officials said the visit reflects continued interest from Japan’s cruise sector as the CNMI works to rebuild and diversify its tourism base.
Another Japanese cruise ship, the Asuka III — NYK Cruises’ newest flagship — is scheduled to arrive in Saipan from Guam Wednesday morning. According to Pacific Development Inc. Managing Director Gordon Marciano, this will be the Asuka III’s inaugural visit to the island. The ship carries more than 700 passengers and 470 crew.
In a statement, Lt. Gov. Mendiola said:
“The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is honored to welcome the arrival of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji cruise ship, bringing more than 400 passengers and over 300 crew members to our islands.
“On behalf of Gov. David M. Apatang and the people of the CNMI, I extend a warm Håfa Adai and sincere welcome to all passengers and crew. We are grateful to the cruise line, port partners, and all stakeholders whose collaboration made this important port call possible.
“The CNMI Government thanks the passengers and crew of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji for choosing our islands and wishes everyone a safe journey back home.”
For her part, MVA’s Taijeron said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the MS Mitsui Ocean Fuji today and the MS Asuka III for its maiden visit tomorrow, bringing hundreds of visitors eager to experience the warmth, unique history, and beauty of our islands. Cruise arrivals play a small but vital role in supporting local businesses, cultural groups, and the overall health of our tourism economy. We encourage our community and partners to help us showcase the Marianas spirit — through welcome signs, cultural performances, storefront greetings, and the simple but Far From Ordinary kindness we’re known for. In doing so, we can easily make the Marianas one of the best port calls on these voyages.”
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
