Asuka II: Japan's Flagship Luxury Cruise Ship, in Photos and Data
Asuka II is a Japanese-flagged luxury cruise ship operated by NYK Cruises (Yusen Cruises), with Yokohama as her home port. She has long been a symbol of cruising in Japan.
The Asuka cruise story began in 1991 with the original Asuka. Asuka II took over in 2006, and in 2025 a brand-new ship, Asuka III, joined her, so the line now runs two ships. Asuka II carries on the hospitality that started with the first ship.
This article uses official data and real photographs to give you the full picture of Asuka II.
Key facts
| Operator | NYK Cruises (Yusen Cruises Co., Ltd.) |
|---|---|
| Gross tonnage | 50,444 GT |
| Length / beam | 241 m / 29.6 m |
| Passenger capacity | 872 |
| Crew | approx. 490 |
| Cabins | 436 (all ocean view) |
| Flag / home port | Japan / Yokohama |
| In service as Asuka II | February 2006 (formerly Crystal Harmony, built 1990) |
The headline feature is that every one of the 436 cabins faces the sea. There are no windowless inside cabins. The crew-to-passenger ratio, about 490 crew for 872 guests, is what supports the attentive service. Every cabin also has a bathtub, which Japanese travelers tend to appreciate, and the space per guest and the crew ratio are said to be among the best in the cruise industry.
Cabin classes and sample fares
There are seven classes, from S to K. Fares vary by cruise; as a guide, here are the per-person prices (two sharing a cabin) for one example cruise.
| S: Royal Suite | ¥250,000 |
|---|---|
| A: Asuka Suite | ¥150,000 |
| C: Suite | ¥120,000 |
| D: Balcony | ¥80,000 |
| E: Balcony | ¥80,000 |
| F: Stateroom | ¥70,000 |
| K: Stateroom | ¥60,000 |
* Fares change a lot with the length of the cruise, the season and the cabin location. Please check the latest prices on the NYK Cruises website or with a travel agent.
Life on board
One of the best-known features is the panoramic bath, the Grand Spa. You soak in a large bath while looking out over the open sea, a rarity among cruise ships. There is also a sauna, and use is included in the cruise fare. A refit in January 2020 added an open-air bath here.
Food is another big draw. Meals range from French-style multi-course dinners to Japanese dishes, made to suit Japanese tastes. Menus change at every meal, and on longer cruises there are sometimes special dinners using ingredients from the ports of call. For the top cabin classes, the Royal Suite and the Asuka Suite, there is a premium restaurant, The Veil, where you can dine whenever you like.
The 2020 refit also brought paid Wi-Fi to all cabins and most public areas, and video on demand in the cabins. The hospitality stays traditional while the equipment is gradually updated.
Sample services
・Morning coffee service from 6:00
・Breakfast: a Japanese set menu or a buffet
・Shows and events in the Hollywood Theater
・Some cruises accept NYK shareholder discount tickets (not all programs qualify)
The Asuka cruise brand turns 35 in October 2026. For Asuka II, 23 cruises departing between December 2026 and April 2027 have been announced, including Christmas and New Year cruises, spring island cruises, and the "A-plus Cruise" departing from Naha, Okinawa. Please check NYK Cruises for the latest schedule.
A day on board (example)
On a port day, the morning goes something like this (based on a sample schedule in the official brochure).
| 06:00 | The day starts with morning coffee service |
|---|---|
| 07:00-09:00 | Breakfast: Japanese set menu or buffet |
| 08:00-08:30 | An onboard event such as a farewell bingo party (Hollywood Theater) |
| 09:00 | Arrive at the port; go ashore to sightsee |
On sea days, time passes slowly: the pool, the big bath, shows in the theater, and the view from the deck.
What kind of ship is she?
The numbers suggest a calm, unhurried ship. With about 490 crew for 872 passengers and every cabin facing the sea, the feel is closer to a quiet hotel than to a lively mega-ship. Most guests are Japanese, and onboard service is in Japanese.
Who she suits
She suits travelers who want to sail with Japanese-language service, who care about food and hospitality, and who want to start a voyage straight from a Japanese port such as Yokohama or Kobe. She is also an easy first choice for a luxury cruise.
Photo credits
・Asuka II - 01: Kabacchi, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
・Asuka II in Honolulu Harbor: Daniel Ramirez, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
・Asuka Plaza / Seahorse Pool: JKT-c, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Ship data and fares: NYK Cruises releases, Yusen Travel, Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (checked November 2026). Fares are examples only.
Refit and schedule sources: NYK Cruises announcement (May 2019), Asuka II brochure for December 2026 to April 2027, Hankyu Travel's Asuka II page.