Barbados rolled out the red carpet last Tuesday as it welcomed the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, Japan’s most luxurious all-suite cruise ship, on its inaugural visit to the island. A traditional plaque exchange ceremony marked the special occasion, celebrating the vessel’s first-ever stop in Barbados.
As part of its grand world tour, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji made only two port calls in the Caribbean – one of them being the Port of Bridgetown, a testament to Barbados’ growing reputation as a premier cruise destination. While this visit was a one-time stop rather than part of the island’s regular cruise schedule, it underscored Barbados’ appeal to luxury travelers and highlighted the continued efforts of local tourism agencies to expand global partnerships.
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A Warm Welcome for a Prestigious Visitor
A distinguished delegation was on hand to greet Captain Kim Roger Karlsson, key hotel managers Keiichiro Kawano and Maarit Aartoaho, along with crew members and guests. Among those in attendance were:
- Ambassador of Japan to Barbados, Miyasaka Yusuke
- First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Barbados, M. Miura Shitau
- Chief Product Development Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Marsha Alleyne
- Divisional Manager of Business Development and Strategy at Barbados Port Inc., Jane Brome
- Managing Director of Platinum Port Agency, Kevyn Yearwood
Marsha Alleyne emphasized the importance of this visit, calling it a milestone for Barbados’ cruise sector.
“Even though this is a single stop on the Mitsui Ocean Fuji’s 2025 world tour, it demonstrates the significant strides we’ve made in strengthening relationships with new cruise partners. We continue to position Barbados as a sought-after destination for luxury travel,” she noted.
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Ambassador Miyasaka Yusuke expressed his delight at seeing Japanese travelers enjoying Barbados and extended an open invitation for more visitors from Japan to explore the island.
For Jane Brome, the moment was historic.
“This is the first time a Japanese luxury cruise ship has docked at the Bridgetown Port, and we are honored to host the Mitsui Ocean Fuji and its passengers. We’re thrilled to showcase the beauty and hospitality of Barbados to our Japanese visitors.”
A Floating Palace on a Grand Voyage
Launched in December 2024, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji is the second ultra-luxury cruise ship in the Mitsui Ocean Cruises fleet. Designed for discerning travelers, it offers seven categories of elegantly appointed suites and an exclusive cruising experience.
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With a 280-passenger contingent, the ship set sail in January 2025 for a global voyage celebrating its debut. After departing from Barbados, it continued to Curaçao, its only other Caribbean stop, before heading toward its final destinations.
This prestigious visit not only cements Barbados’ place on the map for elite cruise experiences but also opens doors for future collaborations with Japanese luxury travel brands.
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