NYK Cruises Co. Ltd. has announced the schedule for the WORLD CRUISE 2018 aboard Asuka II. This will be the 22nd world cruise (1) to have been offered by Asuka II or its predecessor Asuka since 1996.
The 2018 voyage will be a 102-day cruise departing from Yokohama, Japan, on March 25, 2018, crossing the northern hemisphere, and making stops in or sailing through Asia, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean, Europe, the Atlantic, North America, the Panama Canal, and the Pacific. The cruise will include a private tour of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and guests will also have the option of a private tour of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. In Lisbon, Portugal, a tour option will include a private dinner at the Hieronymites Monastery. (2)
Passenger ship Asuka II - Image courtesy of:
Eight ports will be first-time stops for Asuka II: Civitavecchia, Italy; Valencia, Spain; Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory; Bilbao, Spain; Hamburg, Germany; Halifax, Canada; Saint John, Canada; and Baltimore, U.S.
Last year, NYK marked the 25th year of service by the Asuka cruise brand. The NYK Group will continue its efforts to provide high quality cruise products that meet the passions of its customers.
(1) The 22 world cruises include two cruises to South America and the Antarctic.
(2) The cruise fare does not include the shore excursions to the Sistine Chapel and Hieronymites Monastery. The number of guests for those events will be limited.
Asuka II
Gross Tonnage: 50,142 GT
Sea speed: 21 KT
Passengers: 872
Crew: 470
Cabins: 436 (All oceanview cabins)
Source: NYK