Asuka 2

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

Like her 2025-built fleetmate Asuka 3, Asuka II (IMO number 8806204) is currently Japan-flagged (MMSI 432545000) and registered in Yokohama, which also serves as her homeport.

In addition to NYK Cruises, other Japan-flagged cruise operators include MOL's Mitsui Ocean Cruises and its passenger fleet.

History - construction and ownership

Asuka II was built in Japan and originally named "Crystal Harmony". She was constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at the MHI shipyard in Nagasaki and ordered by NYK’s former subsidiary Crystal Cruises.

In 2006, Crystal Harmony was transferred from Crystal Cruises to the parent company NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) and began operating under the name Asuka II.

In 2015, NYK sold its premium cruise 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 Anchor Ship Partners (founded in 2010), a Japanese company specializing in ship management and investment. The sale price was not disclosed, and the transaction was scheduled to close in March 2019. Plans were also announced for an extensive drydock refurbishment of Asuka II and the construction of a new cruise ship—Asuka 3.

As of 2021, the NYK Group operated approximately 800 vessels and employed over 37,000 people worldwide. Its fleet included 361 bulk carriers, 119 RoRo ships/car carriers, 95 container ships, 71 LNG tankers, 65 oil tankers, 42 woodchip carriers, one cruise ship (Asuka II), and 42 other vessels. NYK's FY2019 sales totaled approximately EUR 12.9 billion. The company’s headquarters are in Tokyo, with regional offices in the UK (London), USA (New York City), China (Shanghai), and Singapore.

Asuka II undergoes annual drydocking (up to two weeks) in compliance with Japan’s flag-state regulations.

During Crystal Harmony’s maiden voyage in South America and the Caribbean, she experienced an engine room fire caused by water ingress and drifted for three days. Passengers were disembarked in Panama City, and the vessel was later towed to Curaçao for drydock repairs.

Decks and Cabins

Asuka II has a total of 436 staterooms, all of which are outside cabins. Of these, 260 feature private step-out balconies, while the remaining 176 are Oceanview cabins with windows.

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

The ship has 12 decks, of which 9 are accessible to passengers, with 4 decks housing cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Asuka II offers a variety of dining venues. The non-smoking Four Seasons Dining Room features a raised central section and spacious table arrangements. Dinner is served in two seatings with open seating (no assigned tables).

Specialty dining includes the Japanese Umihiko restaurant (sushi and sashimi, extra charge) and the 40-seat Prego restaurant, reserved for Royal and Asuka Suite guests.

Casual dining options include the Lido Café, Lido Garden, and Lido Grill. The Bistro is a relaxed venue for pastries and coffee.

The ship has 8 passenger decks, two swimming pools, one outdoor whirlpool/hot tub, eight bars and lounges, a Tea Room, two gaming areas (Casino and Mahjong Room), a Theater Lounge, a large wellness complex (Spa & Fitness), and an outdoor Sports Area.

The Galaxy Lounge is the main show lounge, located on a single level with a sloped floor for improved sightlines.

The Palm Court (a top-deck bar lounge) features a large LCD screen that displays maps and information related to the current cruise itinerary and ports of call.

A new Library/Reading Lounge, added during the ship's 2023 drydock refurbishment, provides a quiet retreat with an extensive book collection, Wi-Fi and Internet access for smart devices, as well as PC stations.

Asuka II features ample open deck space for relaxing and enjoying scenic sea and port views.

Despite her age, Asuka II is well maintained with regular drydock refurbishments and remains one of the highest-rated luxury cruise ships serving the Japanese source market.

In August 2024, Asuka Cruises launched a limited-edition label called "Asuka Cruise Beer"—an unfiltered and unheated American-style pale ale. Only 1,000 cans were made available for online purchase. Other Asuka-exclusive beverages include premium sakes, a white wine label, original craft gin, and Shochu liquor (made with sweet potatoes and aged for eight years in a clay pot).

Asuka II ship review (venues by deck)

The ship is equipped with nine passenger elevators/lifts (three each aft, midship, and forward), connecting all cabin decks as well as Plaza Deck (6) and Lido Deck (11). Sky Deck (12) is accessible only via the aft lifts.

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

On Main Deck (Deck 5), midship hosts the Lobby Hall (Reception Desk), Asuka Plaza (Atrium), and the Piano Bar. Aft is the Four Seasons Restaurant (Main Dining Room), while forward are crew accommodations.

Plaza Deck (Deck 6) serves as the main lounge deck and is home to the Cruise Sales Office (midship).

• Aft is the open-air Sports Area featuring two ping-pong tables and two golf swing practice cages.
• Club 2100, an aft-facing bar lounge, includes a central stage/dance floor and plush armchair seating with cocktail tables.
• Mariner's Club, a premium bar lounge with leather seating and top-shelf drinks, is adjacent to the Smoking Lounge (Cigar Room), which also hosts an Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Crafts.
• Aft-portside, three adjacent rooms include the Compass Room (meeting space), Card Room (with several 4-seat tables for board/card games), and the Library (featuring a broad selection of books and magazines).
• Midship are four boutique shops offering duty-free merchandise. Portside stores include Le Bleu (perfumes, cosmetics, skincare) and FLAP-FLAP (casual clothing, accessories, travel essentials). Starboard are Pegasus (fashion, bags, leather goods) and La Stella (jewelry, watches), which also features a section with Japanese Traditional Crafts.
• The Bistro serves as a patisserie/café with glass tables and bar seating, offering sweets, pastries, specialty teas/coffees, sandwiches, and salads.
• Monte Carlo Casino, served by Club Stars Bar, is adjacent to the Mahjong Salon (eight 4-seat tables). The Casino includes a roulette table, poker tables, and slot machines.
• Galaxy Lounge (forward) is the main show venue featuring a large stage for grand-scale performances such as musical concerts, dance shows, theatrical acts, comedy, magic shows, and fashion displays.
• Hollywood Theatre (midship) is a cinema with amphitheater seating, used for movies, media presentations, conferences, lectures, bingo, and trivia games.

Passenger cabins are located on Decks 7 (Promenade), 8 (Horizon), 9 (Sea Breeze), and 10 (Asuka), each with a Self-Service Laundry Room. Deck 10 also houses all suites (Asuka and Royal, midship), and the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse at the bow, along with the Captain’s Suite and officers' quarters.

Aft on Lido Deck (Deck 11) is an outdoor area for relaxing and smoking (note: smoking is prohibited during meal times). Lido Deck includes the Lido Café (portside, complimentary), Premiere Dining The Veil (starboard, complimentary, exclusive to suite guests), Sushi Bar Umihiko (starboard, specialty), Lido Garden (indoor casual dining), and Lido Grill (serving the sundeck). Midship is the Seahorse Pool with a Jacuzzi/whirlpool and sun loungers.

• Forward is the Palm Court—an indoor space with padded rattan furniture and panoramic port/starboard views.
• Within Palm Court are the Japanese-style Room YUSEN (portside, rentable for private events) and e-Square (starboard, office-style computer room with desks and a large TV), both featuring displays of Japanese Traditional Crafts.
• Vista Lounge (forward) is a bow-facing bar lounge with premium seating and 270-degree views through slanted panoramic windows.

All Lido Deck venues feature floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows for unobstructed views.

Aft on Sky Deck (Deck 12) is the wellness complex, which includes a Fitness Center and the Asuka Aveda Salon & Spa (offering hairdressing, barber services, and massage rooms). There are two Grand Spa areas (separate for men and women), each with adjacent open-air baths. All facilities have large windows for panoramic views.

The Sun Deck, located at the forward section of Sky Deck, offers sun loungers, deckchairs, and shaded areas. It is accessible only by stairs from Lido Deck. The midship area is open, overlooking the pool area below.

NYK Cruises Itineraries

NYK Line’s Asuka II cruise program includes short Japan-based voyages departing from Yokohama and Kobe. The company also operates an annual World Cruise roundtrip from Yokohama. The 102-day voyage in 2023 visited ports in Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, and others in China), Europe (via Suez Canal), the Mediterranean, Azores, and the USA (New York, Florida, California, and Alaska).

The 2018 World Cruise itinerary featured ports including Lisbon, Rome (Civitavecchia), Valencia, Gibraltar, Bilbao, Hamburg, Halifax (Canada), Saint John (Canada), and Baltimore (USA).

NYK Cruises reported high demand for 6- to 13-day cruises to the Nansei and Ogasawara Islands in fall 2017 and beyond. The company resumed its 102-day world cruises in March 2018 (departing March 25), after halting the program in 2016 due to global security concerns.

Asuka II's world cruises depart roundtrip from Yokohama and visit ports across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

In February 2019, the ship was scheduled for a 33-day Southeast Asia cruise with calls in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei.

A 103-day world cruise was planned in 2020, departing April 2 and ending July 14. This roundtrip from Yokohama included Southeast Asia, India, the Red Sea (Suez Canal), Europe (Mediterranean and Baltic), and a westbound Transatlantic crossing to Iceland and the US East Coast (New York), followed by visits to the Caribbean, Panama Canal (transit), and US ports including San Francisco and Hawaii, before returning to Japan.

The most recent World Cruise departed on March 31, 2025, from Yokohama. The 103-night itinerary included 18 destinations across 12 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe (Canary Islands, Mediterranean, France, England), the USA (New York, California, Hawaii), and the Pacific, featuring a Transatlantic crossing and full Panama Canal transit.

NYK Asuka Cruise Schedule 2023 (Itineraries/Ports/Prices)

Below are several sample itineraries from Asuka II’s 2023 schedule (August to November), with prices listed in Japanese Yen (JPY) per person, indicating the lowest and highest fare ranges.

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

Note: Cruise pricing is based on double occupancy and does not include airfare.

NYK Asuka Cruise Schedule 2024 (Itineraries/Ports/Prices)

Below are sample itineraries from Asuka II’s 2024 schedule (February to April), with prices per person in JPY (lowest to highest).

Note: Cruise pricing is based on double occupancy and does not include airfare.