Asuka 3

The 2025-built Asuka 3 cruise ship is currently under construction at Meyer Werft's yard in Papenburg Germany. Curiously, when the shipbuilding order was signed (March 2021), the vessel (yard/hull number 721) was announced under the name "NYK Yokohama".

Like the 1990-built fleetmate Asuka 2, the Asuka 3 vessel (IMO number 9936355) will be Japan-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered and homeported in Yokohama.

Asuka III is currently scheduled for delivery on April 10, 2025.

NYC Cruises' order with Meyer Werft for Asuka III includes a second/optional vessel (of the same design) which could be launched/delivered in 2026.

History - construction and ownership

MS Asuka III is owned and operated by NYK Cruises Co Ltd (1989-founded) - a subsidiary of the Japanese of the Japanese container shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha/NYK Line (1885-founded). The ship's namesake (MS Asuka) is currently chartered by Phoenix Reisen under the name Amadea.

NYK Cruises signed with Meyer Werft GmbH & Co KG the shipbuilding order on March 31, 2021. Curiously, this made the ship (then named NYK YOKOHAMA) the first newbuild cruiser ordered since the beginning of the COVID crisis. This was also the Papenburg shipyard's/Meyer Werft company's first order (in its 226-year history) in which all contract documents and design plans were created and negotiated online/via video conferences.

As of 2021, NYK Group had ~800 vessels and 37000+ employees. NYK's fleet includes 361 bulk carriers, 119 RoRo ships/car carriers, 95 container ships, 71 LNG tankers, 65 oil tankers, 42 woodchip carriers, 1 cruise ship (Asuka II), plus 42 other vessels. NYK's sales in FY2019 amounted to ~EUR 12,9 billion. The NYK Group employs around 37,000 people worldwide. NYK's main headquarters are in Tokyo and has regional headquarters in the UK (London), USA (NYC), China (Shanghai) and Singapore.

Decks and Cabins

What is officially known so far is that Asuka III has a total of 385 staterooms (passenger accommodations) and a max capacity 744 passengers in addition to the 470 crew/staff.

The ship will provide standard for the cruise industry passenger cabin amenities like a hotel-type bed (Queen-size double bed convertible to twins), a wall-mounted TV (infotainment system, CD/DVD player/MP3 connection), refrigerated mini-bar, mirrored wardrobe (with shelves and hangers), electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), writing desk/mirrored vanity table with a chair, seating area (sofabed with a low table), tea-making facility, hairdryer, en-suite bathroom (wall-hung toilet, LED mirror, single-sink vanity, shower cubicle, toiletries).

Suite category accommodations will have whirlpool bathtubs.

The boat has 11 passenger-accessible decks, of which 7 with cabins.

The ship's total passenger deck space is ~1500 m2 (16146 ft2).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Traditionally for a medium-sized Japanese ship, Asuka 3 will have a full-capacity Restaurant (Main Dining Room), Theater/Main Show Lounge, Casino/Gaming Lounge & Bar, a Tea Room, Reading Lounge/Library, Lido Deck (two swimming pools, two outdoor Jacuzzies/Whirlpools, Lido Buffet Restaurant), top-deck Sundeck and Panoramic Lounge (bow-facing), wellness complex (Spa & Gym), full-size outdoor Sports Course (for playing football/basketball/volleyball).

It is expected the ship to have at least one dining venue (like Umihiko Restaurant/sushi and sashimi dishes), an exclusive restaurant (for suite passengers) as well as casual dining venues like Lido Cafe, Lido Garden Grill, and The Bistro (patisserie/specialty coffee bar).

The Atrium's central piece is the 3-floor/deck-high lacquer mural. The ship will carry an expansive collection of Japanese crafts and artworks on display in public areas and venues. The traditional art pieces include works by Hiroshi Senju (Nihonga painter known for his large waterfall paintings), Murose Kazumi (an Urushi artist/aka Japanese lacquerware) and Noriko Tamura (contemporary painter).

More details on venues and onboard amenities are expected to be gradually revealed in 2024.

NYK Cruises Itineraries

NYK Line's Asuka III cruise itinerary program will be mainly Japan-based (roundtrips leaving out of homeports Yokohama and Kobe).

It is expected the ship to offer an annual World Cruise (at least 3-months-long roundtrip from Yokohama) to ports in Asia, Europe, North America (USA and Canada), and probably Australia.

More details on the itineraries as well as the ship's Maiden Voyage's date are expected sometime in 2024.