Earlier this month, AIDA announced its intention to build its next two ships in Japan. The press reports on this move almost universally mentioned that the shipyard that is to build these ships, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was the ship yard that built the Diamond Princess and the Sapphire Princess. However, before Mitsubishi built those ships, it built the Asuka II of NYK Cruises, which is part of the world’s largest shipping company, NYK.
The fact that Mitsubishi built Asuka II is a considerable feather in its cap. Asuka II is the highest-rated luxury cruise ship serving the Japanese market, which is quite discerning and demanding when it comes to luxury. Furthermore, Asuka II is over 20 years old now and yet it is still able to provide luxury service. That indicates that the ship was well-built as well as that it has been well-maintained.
Asuka II was formerly the Crystal Harmony of Crystal Cruises. In that incarnation, she garnered a reputation for providing a six-star luxury cruise experience. Despite this popularity, in 2006, NYK, which owns both NYK Cruises and Crystal Cruises decided to transfer the ship to NYK Cruises to replace the smaller Asuka.
Although NYK Cruises refurbished the ship for the Japanese market, much from her Crystal Harmony days was carried over. As a result, the ship is still very much a western-style cruise ship. Indeed, the only decidedly Japanese additions were the bath house and the traditional matted tea room. This underscores that standards of luxury have become international.
Beyondships’ profile of this fascinating ship is at
and the multi-page photo tour begins at http://www.beyondships.com/AsukaII-Tour-1.html
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