Demand for ocean cruises is quickly picking up in Japan. A younger set of vacationers is taking to the seas due to lower prices and shorter itineraries.
Yokohama-based NYK Cruises is witnessing huge demand for its 6- to 13-day trips to Nansei and Ogasawara Islands in autumn 2017 and beyond.
In addition, the company is resuming its 102-days 'round-the-world cruises from March 2018 after suspending the service in 2016 because of a series of global terrorist attacks and a variety of other factors. The sailings will depart from Yokohama and make visits in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia.
All of the voyages will take place on the NYK Cruises flagship, Asuka II. Being the largest luxury liner in Japan, Asuka 2 can carry up to 872 passengers.
The ship has been docked due in part to terrorism concerns, but the cruise line decided to reopen it after being flooded by requests from clients.
For the world cruise that kicks off in March 2018, prices start from 4.12 million yen (US$37,496) per person for interior stateroom.