The former Nippon Maru seems to be heading to the Alang shipbreaking yard after being retired by Mitsui Ocean Cruises earlier this year.

According to AIS information, the 1990-built vessel is currently heading to India’s Bhavnagar region, where a ship scrapping facility is located.

Before leaving the Far East, the ship ditched its Japanese flag and was renamed Mary. Sailing under the Comoros flag, the vessel is expected to arrive in India on June 17, 2026.

The former Nippon Maru is then expected to be dismantled, with building materials, fixtures and furniture being removed for recycling or repurposing.

If the operation is confirmed, the 22,000-ton vessel will become the first cruise ship to be sold for scrap in 2026.

Cruise Industry News data shows that only four vessels were sold for scrapping in 2025, including two former Celestyal Cruises vessels.

Retired after spending over 35 years in service for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the Nippon Maru ended its final voyage on May 10, 2026.

Set to be replaced by the Mitsui Ocean Sakura, the ship completed over 2,000 cruises during its career, carrying more than 600,000 guests and visiting 400 ports.

To mark the vessel’s final cruise, a ceremony was held at the Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal in Yokohama, Japan.

Mitsui Ocean Cruises will now focus on the operation of two larger and more modern vessels, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji and the Mitsui Ocean Sakura.

Acquired from Carnival Corporation, the 450-passenger sister ships were originally built for luxury cruising under the Seabourn brand.

While the Fuji is already in service in Japan, the Sakura was recently delivered to its new owner and is now being prepared for its debut.

The 2010-built vessel is scheduled to enter service in late