Asuka 2

MS Asuka II cruise ship is owned and operated by NYK Cruises - subsidiary of the Japanese container shipping line Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line). Ship's namesake (MS Asuka) is currently operated under charter by Phoenix Reisen under the name Amadea.

Besides Asuka 2, Japan-flagged cruise ships are also Pacific Venus (Venus Cruise Line) and Nippon Maru (MOL-Mitsui OSK Line).

History - construction and ownership

Asuka II was built in Japan and originally named "Crystal Harmony". The vessel was constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at the shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan, The cruise ship was ordered by and built for Crystal Cruises.

In 2006, Crystal Harmony ship was transferred from Crystal Cruises to the parent company Nippon Yusen Kaisha. The vessel began operations under its current name, "Asuka II". As of 2017, Asuka 2 is the largest cruise ship registered in Japan, followed by Pacific Venus.

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

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

Cruise itinerary program

NYK Line's Asuka II cruise itinerary program offers short Japan-based cruises leaving out of Yokohama and Kobe. Also offered is an annual World Cruise (round-trip from Yokohama Japan). The 102-day long itinerary visits ports in Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, other ports in China), also (via Suez Canal) in Europe (the Mediterranean, Azores Islands) and USA (New York, Florida, California, even Alaska). NYK Line's "World Cruise 2018" feature ports of call were Lisbon, Rome-Civitavecchia, Valencia, Gibraltar, Bilbao, Hamburg, Halifax (NS Canada) Saint John (Canada), Baltimore MD (USA).

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 from March 2018 (departure March 25) after suspending the service in 2016 because of a series of global terrorist attacks and a variety of other factors. The roundtrip world voyages depart from Yokohama and visit ports in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia. All of them take place on NYK Cruises flagship Asuka II - Japan's largest luxury liner. The ship has been docked due in part to terrorism concerns, but NYK Line decided to reopen it after being flooded by clients requests.

In 2019 (February) the ship had scheduled a 33-day Southeast Asian cruise to 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 2 and ending on July 14 (2020). The itinerary is roundtrip from Yokohama and visits ports in Southeast Asia, India, Red Sea (Suez Canal transit), Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Follows Transatlantic crossing to Iceland and USA East Coast (visiting NYC New York). Next destinations are the Caribbean, Panama Canal (transit), USA (visiting San Francisco CA and Hawaii), then back to Japan.

Cabins

Most Asuka II staterooms are outside. There are a total of 461 outside cabins, of which 260 feature private balconies. There are also 19 inside cabins. All cabins have TV & DVD player, Mini-refrigerator, safe, minibar, tea-making set, hairdryer. A full range of toiletries is provided.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

There are several dining venues on Asuka II. The non-smoking Four Seasons is an elegant dining room with 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, specialized in sushi and sashimi dishes. The 40-seat Prego is for occupants of Royal and Asuka suites. For casual meals, there are Lido Cafe and Lido Garden Grill. Additionally, The Bistro is a casual spot for pastries and coffees.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Asuka II has 8 passenger accessible decks, a pair of swimming pools, eight bars, a tea room, casino, theatre and fitness centre. The one-level Galaxy Lounge is the ship's show lounge, with a sloping floor. There is a good amount of open deck space onboard and despite her age, Asuka 2 is among the top rated luxury cruise vessels serving the Japanese market.