NYK Cruises took delivery of the Asuka III Thursday, a new 740-guest cruise ship built by Meyer Werft that will offer cruises from various ports in Japan.
During its first season, the ship will call at over 30 destinations throughout the country, including Hakodate, Otaru, Takamatsu, Shingu, Muroran and Moji.
"The ship is one of the most energy-efficient cruise ships ever built and represents an important milestone on the way to reducing emissions and carbon intensity," said Meyer Werft.
"Many of the interior elements will only be brought on board in Yokohama, the ship's home port, but it is already apparent that it will be a wonderful ship for the Japanese public,” added Bernd Eikens, CEO of the Meyer Werft Group.
After the Asuka III was transferred some 40 kilometres down the Ems from the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg, it completed its technical and nautical sea trials in the North Sea on March 18 - under the supervision of Captain Wolfgang Thos, the shipyard's captain, and pilots on the high seas.