NYK Cruises to Launch New Cruise Ship Asuka III on July 20

Thursday, February 20, 2025

On February 20, NYK Cruises announced that their large new cruise ship, “Asuka III,” currently under construction, will begin service on July 20. Once it is operational, the company will have a two-ship system, including both the “Asuka II” and “Asuka III,” combining for a total gross tonnage exceeding 100,000 tons and a passenger capacity of approximately 1,600, making it the largest operator of ocean-going cruise ships in Japan.

From July to October, 17 opening cruises are planned. The maiden voyage, departing from and arriving back in Yokohama, will be from July 20 to 26, visiting Hakodate and Otaru, with travel costs ranging from 984,000 yen to 4,786,000 yen. Reservations for each cruise will be accepted from April 3. According to NYK Cruises, Hakodate was chosen as the first port of call because it was the city with the most visits from previous ships “Asuka (first generation)” and “Asuka II.”

“Asuka III” boasts a gross tonnage of 52,200 tons, a length of 230 meters, a width of 29.8 meters, 13 decks, and a draft of 6.7 meters. The ship has 385 rooms with a passenger capacity of 744 and approximately 470 crew members. Registered in Yokohama, it surpasses “Asuka II,” currently the largest Japanese-registered passenger ship (gross tonnage 50,444 tons), making it the largest cruise ship registered in Japan.

The ship is being built by the Papenburg-based shipbuilding company, Meyer Werft, located in northern Germany. As the current “Asuka II” was refitted from the Crystal Cruises’ “Crystal Harmony,” this marks NYK Cruises’ first new ship introduction in about 34 years since the completion of the original “Asuka” on October 28, 1991.

There are three cabin classes: Penthouse, Suite, and Balcony. All cabin types feature a private balcony, a minibar with a kitchen sink, and a bathtub. A tablet device in each room allows for booking ship facilities and shore excursion tours.

▲Royal Penthouse

The Penthouse offers two types: two Royal Penthouse rooms (114.8 sqm) and four Grand Penthouse rooms (93 sqm), totaling six rooms. Both include a living and dining room, bedroom, ocean-view bathroom, and study. Both types are inclusive of butler service and all shore excursions and activities.

▲Captain’s Suite

The Suite class includes 82 rooms, comprised of four Captain’s Suites (87.1 sqm) located at the bow on each side, eight Panorama Suites (67.3 sqm) at the stern on each side, eight Asuka Suites (48.5 sqm), 54 Midship Suites (44.3 sqm), and eight Junior Suites (33 sqm). Among these, two Asuka Suites and two Midship Suites are designed to be universal, with varying room sizes.

Out of the 54 Midship Suites, 47 will feature interiors themed after Japan’s 47 prefectures. Each room will be assigned a prefecture and offer welcome sweets using the region’s local crafts and specialties.

▲Asuka Balcony

The Balcony class offers two types: 271 Asuka Balconies (22 sqm) and 26 Solo Balconies (19.4 sqm), totaling 297 rooms. Asuka Balconies have the most rooms among all types.

▲Kappo “Umihiko”

The ship features six restaurants: French “Noblesse,” Italian “Almare,” Japanese “Umihiko,” all-day dining “Four Seasons Dining Room,” buffet restaurant “Thems Garden,” and grill “Papenburg.” Other facilities include a pool, bar, cafe, lounge, terrace, grand bath with a view, fitness gym, theater, casino, and boutique, offering free Wi-Fi using SpaceX’s “Starlink” satellite communication service.

At a press conference held in Yokohama, Hiroyuki Endo, President of NYK Cruises, pointed out that Japan’s cruise market has room for growth compared to the global market. He expressed a desire to broaden the scope of potential customers by offering more travel options through a two-ship system, emphasizing, “With the launch of ‘Asuka III,’ we aim to vigorously promote further growth of the market.”

The “Asuka II” will focus on theme-based cruises allowing one to fully enjoy the seasonal attractions of Japan and the atmosphere of overseas destinations, from short overnight cruises to long cruises. Meanwhile, the “Asuka III” will primarily offer long cruises of three nights or more, providing a high degree of freedom to select a travel style from various options.