Asuka II sailing a second season of domestic cruises around JapanAsuka II sailing a second season of domestic cruises around Japan

The programme — carrying Japanese passengers, features mainly one-, two- and three-day cruises with a few weeklong itineraries — started from homeport Yokohama on March 26 and continues through to mid-July with the last sailing finishing at Kobe on July 16.

Kanazawa welcomed Asuka II at its new cruise terminal on April 2, and the ship returned last Saturday.  The three storey terminal was completed last year.

Sea of Japan cruise

The ship is currently on a Sea of Japan cruise which left Kanazawa on Monday and finishes tomorrow in Hakodate.

1990-built Asuka II resumed domestic sailings around Japan — calling only at Japanese ports — on November 2, 2020, featuring 30 cruises through to January 4 this year.

NYK signed a contract for a 51,950gt vessel carrying up to 744 passengers and 470 crew with Meyer Werft last month — the first contract for a cruise newbuild in over a year.