Asuka 2

The 1990-built (as Crystal Harmony) cruise ship MS Asuka II is owned and operated by NYK Cruises Co Ltd (1989-founded) - a subsidiary of the Japanese container shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha/NYK Line (1885-founded). The ship's namesake (MS Asuka) is currently operated under charter by Phoenix Reisen under the name Amadea.

Like the 2025-built fleetmate Asuka 3, the Asuka 2 vessel (IMO number 8806204) is currently Japan-flagged (MMSI 432545000) and registered and homeported in Yokohama.

Besides NYK Cruises' fleet, Japan-flagged cruise companies/brands include MOL's Mitsui Ocean Cruises (passenger fleet).

History - construction and ownership

Asuka II was built in Japan and originally named "Crystal Harmony". The vessel was constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at MHI's shipyard in Nagasaki Japan, and was ordered by and built for NYK's former subsidiary Crystal Cruises.

In 2006, Crystal Harmony was transferred from Crystal Cruises to the parent company NYK-Nippon Yusen Kaisha, starting operations under its current name "Asuka II".

In 2015, NYK Line sold its premium travel brand "Crystal Cruises" to GHK (Genting Hong Kong).

In February 2019, 50% of NYK's Asuka Cruise company (Yusen Cruise Co Ltd) was sold to the Japanese company Anchor Ship Partners (2010-founded) specializing in ship management and investments. The sale price was not disclosed. The acquisition's closure was planned for March 2019. Also announced were plans for extensive drydock refurbishment of the Asuka 2 liner and the building of a new liner (Asuka 3).

As of 2021, NYK Group had ~800 vessels and 37000+ employees. NYK's fleet includes 361 bulk carriers, 119 RoRo ships/car carriers, 95 container ships, 71 LNG tankers, 65 oil tankers, 42 woodchip carriers, 1 cruise ship (Asuka II), plus 42 other vessels. NYK's sales in FY2019 amounted to ~EUR 12,9 billion. The NYK Group employs around 37,000 people worldwide. NYK's main headquarters are in Tokyo and has regional headquarters in the UK (London), USA (NYC), China (Shanghai) and Singapore.

Each year, the cruise ship spends up to 2-week in drydock as annual drydocking is required by Japan's flag-state laws.

During Crystal Harmony's Maiden Voyage in South American and Caribbean waters, the ship caught on fire (after water entered the engine room) and drifted for 3 days. All passengers were offloaded in Panama City, then the ship was towed to Curacao Island for drydock repairs.

Decks and Cabins

Of all Asuka II staterooms (436 total, all outside), 260 have private step-out balconies, and the remaining 176 accommodations are Oceanview (cabins with windows).

All passenger staterooms are fitted with a Queen-size double bed (convertible to twin beds), a wall-mounted TV (infotainment system, CD/DVD player/MP3 connection), refrigerated mini-bar, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), writing desk/mirrored vanity table with a chair, seating area (sofabed with a low table), tea-making set, hairdryer, en-suite bathroom (wall-hung toilet, LED mirror, single-sink vanity/washbasin, shower, full range of toiletries).

The boat has 12 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

There are several dining venues on Asuka II. The non-smoking Four Seasons Dining Room has a raised central section and a lot of space around each table. Dinner in the MDR is in two seatings. There are no set assignments.

Other dining options include the Japanese extra-charge Umihiko restaurant (sushi and sashimi dishes) and the 40-seat Prego (exclusive restaurant for Royal and Asuka suite passengers).

For casual meals, there are Lido Cafe, Lido Garden and Lido Grill.

Additionally, The Bistro is a casual spot for pastries and coffees.

Asuka II has 8 passenger-decks, two swimming pools, one outdoor Jacuzzi/whirlpool hot tub, 8 bars and lounges, a Tea Room, two gaming venues (Casino and Mahjong Room), a Theater Lounge, a spacious wellness complex (Spa & Fitness), an outdoor Sports Area.

The one-level/full-capacity Galaxy Lounge is the main show lounge, with a sloping floor.

The Palm Court (top-deck bar lounge) has a huge LCD TV displaying maps related to the current cruise itinerary as well as information on its ports of call.

A new Library/Reading Lounge (added during drydock refurbishment 2023) provides a quiet space for relaxation and has an extensive book selection, WIFi and Internet (for smart devices), as well as PC stations.

The ship has plenty of open deck space for relaxation and enjoying the port and sea views.

Despite her age, Asuka 2 is well maintained (regularly drydock refurbished) and among the top-rated luxury cruise ships serving the Japanese source market.

In August 2024, Asuka Cruises launched the limited-edition label "Asuka Cruise Beer" (unfiltered and unheated draft beer/American-style pale ale). The limited (1000 total available) cans were for online purchase only, in addition to Asuka-exclusive premium sakes, a white wine label, an original craft gin and Shochu liquor (made with sweet potatoes/8-year aged in a clay pot).

Asuka II ship review (venues by deck)

A total of 9x lifts/passenger elevators (3x aft, 3x midship, 3x forward) interconnect all cabin decks, as well as Plaza Deck (6) and Lido Deck (11). Sky Deck (12) is accessed only via the aft lifts.

Tender Deck (deck 4) houses the Infirmary/Medical Center as well as most crew facilities and venues (Mess Hall, bar lounge, dining room, crew/staff cabins).

Midship on Main Deck (deck 5) are the Lobby Hall (Reception Desk), Asuka Plaza (Atrium) and the Piano Bar. Aft is the Four Seasons Restaurant (Main Dining Room). Forward are located staff and crew cabins.

Plaza Deck (deck 6) is the lounge deck and also houses the Cruise Sales Office (midship).

• Aft/stern-facing is the Sports Area (open-air sundeck) with Table Tennis (2x ping-pong tables) and Golf Driving Range (2x golf swing practice cages).
• Club 2100 (aft bar lounge) has a large central stage/dance floor and plenty of comfortable seating (plush armchairs and cocktail tables).
• Mariner's Club is a premium bar lounge (with leather couches and armchairs, serving a selection of top-brand alcohol) adjacent to the Smoking Lounge (Cigar Room, which also houses an Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Crafts).
• Aft-portside there are lined three adjacent venues - Compass Room (meeting room), Card Room (with several 4-seat tables for playing cards and board games), and the Library (with a large collection of books and magazines).
• Midship are the ship's four boutique shops selling duty-free merchandise. Portside are the stores Le Bleu (perfumes, cosmetics, skincare and beauty products) and FLAP-FLAP (casual clothing, accessories, travel essentials). Starboard are the stores Pegasus (fashion clothes, bags, leather goods) and La Stella (jewelry, watches). La Stella also has a space dedicated to the Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Crafts.
• The Bistro is a patisserie/cafe for casual dining, with 4-seat glass tables and bar seats. Here are served a selection of sweets, pastries and specialty coffees/teas, sandwiches, salads.
• Monte Carlo Casino (served by Club Stars Bar) is adjacent to the Mahjong Salon (gaming room with eight 4-seat tables for playing). The Casino has a roulette table, as well as poker tables and plenty of slot machines.
• The fore-located Galaxy Lounge is the main show lounge with a large stage for grand-scale productions, including dance shows, musical concerts, theatrical pieces, magician and comedy acts, fashion displays.
• The midship Hollywood Theatre is a large Cinema with amphitheater seating and a large stage. The venue also hosts daily activities like media presentations, conferences, lectures, bingo and trivia games.

On deck 7 (Promenade), deck 8 (Horizon), deck 9 (Sea Breeze) and deck 10 (Asuka) are located passenger cabins and on each deck there is a Self-Service Laundry Room. On Deck 10 are all Suites (two categories - Asuka, and Royal/midship) as well as the bow-facing Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse (with adjacent Captain's Suite and officers' quarters).

Aft on Lido Deck (deck 11) there is an outdoor space for relaxation and smoking. However, smoking during meal times is forbidden. Lido Deck houses the Lido Cafe (portside/complimentary casual restaurant), Premiere Dining The Veil (starboard/ complimentary restaurant exclusive for guests staying in staterooms types S, W, and Ａ), Sushi Bar Umihiko (starboard/specialty restaurant), Lido Garden (indoor casual dining area) and Lido Grill (complimentary food bar serving the sundeck), Seahorse Pool (midship/outdoor swimming pool with a Jacuzzi/whirlpool and sunbathing area with loungers and deckchairs).

• Forward is the Palm Court - an indoor relaxation space with comfortable seating (padded rattan furniture/round tables with armchairs) and scenic views (portside and starboard).
• Part of the Palm Court are the Japanese-style Room YUSEN (portside, can be rented for private meetings and celebrations) and e-Square (starboard/office-type computer room with desks and a large TV), both with a space dedicated to the Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Crafts.
• The fore-located Vista Lounge is a bow-facing bar lounge with premium seating and 270-degree views from large slanted windows.

All venues on Lido Deck are with floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows providing unobstructed panoramic views.

Aft on Sky Deck (deck 12) is the wellness complex (gym & spa) which consists of Fitness Center, Asuka Aveda Salon & Spa (studio for hairdressing and barber services, treatment rooms for massages), two Grand Spa facilities (one for men, and one for women) with two adjacent Open‐air Baths (one for men, one for women). All facilities are with large windows for unobstructed top-deck views.

Sky Deck's forward section is occupied by the Sun Deck (sunbathing area with loungers, deckchairs, and shaded seating) accessible only via stairs from Lido Deck below. The midship area is open-floor providing views of the swimming pool below.

NYC Cruises Itineraries

NYK Line's Asuka II cruise itinerary program offers short Japan-based voyages leaving out of homeports Yokohama and Kobe. An annual World Cruise (roundtrip from Yokohama) is also offered. The 102-day-long itinerary in 2023 visited ports in Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, other ports in China), also (via Suez Canal) in Europe (the Mediterranean, Azores Islands) and USA (NYC New York, Florida, California, even Alaska).

NYK Line's "World Cruise 2018" feature call ports were Lisbon, Rome-Civitavecchia, Valencia, Gibraltar, Bilbao, Hamburg, Halifax (NS Canada) Saint John (NB Canada), Baltimore (MD USA).

The Yokohama-based NYK Cruises witnessed huge demand for its 6- to 13-day trips to Nansei and Ogasawara Islands in autumn 2017 and beyond. In addition, the company resumed its 102-day 'round-the-world cruises in March 2018 (departure March 25th) after suspending the service in 2016 because of a series of global terrorist attacks and a variety of other factors.

NYK's roundtrip world voyages depart from Yokohama and visit ports in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia.

In 2019 (February) the ship had scheduled a 33-day Southeast Asian itinerary to ports in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

NYK Cruises planned for Asuka 2 a 103-day World Cruise in 2020, with a scheduled departure on April 2nd and ending on July 14th (2020). The Yokohama roundtrip had scheduled visits to ports in Southeast Asia, India, Red Sea (Suez Canal transit), and Europe (Mediterranean and Baltic). Followed a westbound Transatlantic crossing from Europe to Iceland and USA East Coast (visiting NYC New York). Followed destinations in the Caribbean, Panama Canal (transit), USA (San Francisco CA and Hawaii), then back to Japan.

The ship's last World Cruise was in 2025 (leaving roundtrip from Yokohama on March 31st). The 103-night itinerary, grouped 18 destinations (in 12 countries) in Asia, Africa, Europe (Canary Islands, Mediterranean, France and England), the USA (New York, California, Hawaii), and the Pacific Ocean, featuring a Transatlantic crossing and a full Panama Canal transit.

NYK Asuka cruise schedule 2023 (itineraries/ports/prices)

Next are listed several exemplary itineraries part of Asuke II's schedule for 2023 (August to November) with prices (lowest and highest) per person in JPY (Japanese Yen).

Note: JPY 150,000 is ~USD 1,000 (JPY 1 million is ~USD 6,700).

Note: Cruise pricing was based on double occupancy and without flights.

NYK Asuka cruise schedule 2024 (itineraries/ports/prices)

Next are listed several exemplary itineraries from Asuka II's schedule 2024 (February to April) with prices (lowest and highest) per person in JPY (Japanese Yen).

Note: Cruise pricing was based on double occupancy and without flights.