Asuka III: Japan's New Premium Flagship Leaves the Meyer Werft
The NYK Asuka III left the Meyer Werft in Papenburg in April 2025 and is making its crossing to Yokohama. Japan's first premium ship in decades.
31. March 2026
The Asuka III was completed in April 2025 and has left the Meyer Werft in Papenburg. The ship is NYK Cruises' first completely new premium ship in over 30 years — joining the older Asuka II (1990) in the Japanese premium cruise market.
Ship data
At 52,400 GT and carrying 740 guests, the Asuka III is slightly smaller than the Asuka II (50,142 GT, 872 guests), but considerably more modern. The concept: consistently Japanese-elegant, with a kaiseki restaurant, sushi bar, an onsen-style wellness area and tatami lounges.
First voyage
After the delivery voyage from Papenburg across the North Sea, the official entry into service in Yokohama is planned for June 2025. The first voyages run from Yokohama on seven-day Japan island-hopping routes.