- Asuka III Offers Premium Features and Expanded Itineraries
- 3. NYK Cruises Partners with Oriental Land Co. for New Disney-Themed Ship
- 4. OLC’s Wish-Class Cruise Ship to Begin Operations in 2029
NYK Cruises’ new luxury ship, Asuka III, is being built at Meyer Werft and is due to start service on July 20, 2025. The vessel will offer an improved cruising experience, featuring additional cabins, upgraded onboard facilities, and higher-class services than the previous one, Asuka II (previously Crystal Harmony), which has been in domestic operation since 1990, reports Seatrade Cruise.
Asuka III: Features and Destinations
The 230-meter-long Asuka III is built for luxury cruising with 385 balcony cabins, butler service, and six restaurants. The ship is fueled with LNG, showing NYK’s focus on sustainability. With a capacity to carry 740 passengers, it will have three-night or more cruises, with the initial round-trip cruise from Yokohama visiting Hakodate and Otaru in Hokkaido. Asuka III will also have itineraries with ports of call at Jeju, South Korea.
NYK Cruises Collaborates with Oriental Land Co.
Oriental Land Co. (OLC), owner and operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, revealed a collaboration with NYK Line and NYK Cruises earlier this month to assist in cruise operations for its inaugural ship, which will enter service in 2029.
OLC ordered a Wish-class cruise vessel of 4,000 passenger capacity from Meyer Werft to operate year-round in Japan with the Japanese flag. The vessel will be on a license basis operated by Disney for a Disney-themed cruise in Japan.
NYK to Handle Vessel Operation and Management
According to the agreement, NYK Group will have a central role in consulting, ship ownership, and operational management. The partnership will bring together OLC’s hospitality and entertainment expertise with NYK’s vast shipping and cruise operation experience. NYK will offer consultancy services and operate and deploy the new OLC vessel.
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Source: Seatrade Cruise
