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  "description": "The Summer in Japan Sale covers 11 sailings from June through September 2026 aboard the 458-guest Mitsui Ocean Fuji, with shore experiences included in most ports. ",
  "path": "/mitsui-ocean-names-kelly-predmesky-north-america-sales-lead/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-05T22:02:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.cruisenews.io",
  "textContent": "Mitsui Ocean Cruises has appointed Kelly Predmesky head of sales for its general sales agent partner in North America, giving her responsibility for trade sales strategy and travel advisor partnerships in the region. The appointment, announced May 29, pairs her with Albert Hartigan, who leads partner marketing for North America.\n\nThe hire adds a dedicated sales lead as the Japan-based brand builds distribution for North American travelers, a channel it began serving directly in 2025. Predmesky has current products to take to advisors. They include a 2026 summer promotion and new 2027 itineraries centered on Japan.\n\nAnthony Kaufman, head of commercial strategies at Mitsui Ocean Cruises, said Predmesky brings “deep industry relationships” and understands the luxury advisor community. Her appointment supports the line’s effort to introduce North American guests to “a truly unique way to experience Japan,” he said.\n\nPredmesky said she is joining the company “at such a pivotal moment for the brand.” She said the product gives advisors a way to sell Japan “aboard a Japanese cruise line alongside local guests.”\n\nPredmesky most recently served as director of key and national accounts for Swan Hellenic, where her remit included Virtuoso partnerships and North American account growth. Earlier, she held leadership roles at Celestyal Cruises and was part of that brand’s first North American sales team, working on its regional launch, territory sales and key account partnerships.\n\n## Current products for North American advisors\n\nMitsui Ocean introduced its Summer in Japan Sale in May for 11 sailings from June through September 2026. The offer includes $1,000 in onboard credit per suite, or $500 per guest based on double occupancy, along with a 15 percent travel advisor commission.\n\nThe summer cruises depart June 3 through Sept. 19 aboard the 458-guest, all-suite Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which entered Mitsui service in December 2024 after sailing as Seabourn Odyssey. The itineraries are built around seasonal festivals and fireworks, with shore experiences included in most ports and English-speaking guides.\n\nA July 27 Tokyo culinary program with four-time James Beard Award winner Andrew Zimmern is among the season’s promoted features, with pre-cruise market tours and dining experiences tied to the sailing. The summer program includes departures from Kobe, Yokohama and Tokyo, with calls in Japan as well as South Korea ports including Busan, Jeju and Yeosu.\n\n## Two-ship program builds into 2027\n\nFor 2027, Mitsui Ocean has opened 27 additional sailings to North American travelers from February through September, ranging from five to 12 nights on Mitsui Ocean Fuji and Mitsui Ocean Sakura. The program includes seasonal themes tied to snow festivals, cherry blossoms, summer fireworks and autumn harvests, with selected itineraries extending to South Korea and beyond.\n\n“Our two-ship fleet gives us a unique position to sail exclusively around our island nation, while also offering longer voyages to nearby South Korea and beyond,” said Tsunemichi Mukai, president of Mitsui Ocean Cruises.\n\nPorts named in the 2027 release include Nanao, Shodoshima, Tanegashima and Tottori, which Mitsui Ocean described as less common calls for international cruise lines. Example voyages include a six-night Spring Gardens of Japan & Korea cruise from Kobe to Yokohama on Mitsui Ocean Fuji in April 2027 and a six-night Sapporo Snow Festival sailing roundtrip from Yokohama on Mitsui Ocean Sakura in February 2027.\n\nMitsui Ocean Sakura is scheduled to enter service Sept. 19, 2026 as a Japanese-flagged, 458-guest ship. The 2027 early booking offer, worth up to $1,000 in onboard credit, runs through Sept. 30, 2026.",
  "title": "Mitsui Ocean Names Kelly Predmesky North America Sales Lead",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-06T00:02:58.589Z"
}