Asuka II profile

NYK CRUISES


ASUKA II
​PROFILE

SUMMARY

   Asuka II began life as the Crystal Harmony of  
Crystal Cruises.  During her Crystal days, she received
rave reviews and was rated as a six-star luxury ship.

      In 2006, the ship was transferred to NYK Cruises, a subsidiary of NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha), in order to
replace the Asuka.  NYK explained at the time:

       “The decision to replace the Asuka took into account
a desire to increase guest capacity in response to an over-
demand for places on the Asuka, particularly during
summer. In the summer season, the Asuka, which has a
capacity of 592 guests, is often fully occupied, meaning
many potential customers miss out on the cruises they
desire. Replacing the ship with the Crystal Harmony will
increase guest capacity. . . .”

      “The new cruise ship will also improve customer
service. Crystal Harmony will be remodelled to meet the
needs of the Japanese market. . . .  [T]he Asuka II will be a
luxury cruise ship meeting Japanese specifications."

      Indeed, Asuka II, as Crystal Harmony is now called,
has been rated not only as the best cruise ship serving the
Japanese market but also has been called one of the best
resort destinations in Japan.

      As NYK promised, several modifications were made
to the ship to make her more attractive to the Japanese
market.  Among these were the addition of a Japanese-
style bath house, a traditional Japanese tea room, and a
Japanese specialty restaurant.

      Still, the ship retains much of her former Western-
style luxury.  She has the features that one would expect on
an upscale small-sized cruise ship.

ESSENTIAL STATISTICS

THE BASICS

CLASS:                       Crystal Harmony
BUILDER:                  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
ENTERED SERVICE:  July 1990 as Crystal Harmony;
                                       May 2006 as Asuka II
LINE:                           NYK Cruises

SIZE

TONNAGE:                    50.142 g.r.t.
LENGTH:                        791 feet.
BEAM:                            98 feet.
DRAFT:                           25 feet.

SPEED:                          23 knots (maximum)                         
PROPULSION:             2 propellor shafts
BOW THRUSTERS:     2                               
POWER PLANT:          diesel electric

PEOPLE

CAPACITY:                 800 passengers (double occuancy),
                                      1,010 total.
CREW:                            440

DECK PLANS
(courtesy of NYK Cruises)

.

Profile and review - NYK Cruises - Asuka II