VOYAGE ON WATER
ASUKA III NYK CRUISES SMC Design combines traditional elegance with a contemporary global sensibility to shape a new chapter in Japanese cruising. Words: Catherine Martin • Photography: Courtesy of SMC Design
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nce considered a niche for affluent travellers, cruising has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in Asia’s ever-evolving tourism
landscape. Driven by improved port infrastructure and a growing appetite for tailored experiences, the region generated 2.6 million passengers in 2024, a 13% increase on the previous year according to data from CLIA. While Mainland China is by far the top source market, Japan is scaling the ranks: passenger volume is up 440% from the 2022 slump, and this is forecast to grow further with the Japanese-owned and operated ships coming online. At the forefront of this growth is NYK Cruises, a subsidiary of global logistic enterprise NYK Line. Having launched its first passenger ship in 1991, followed by a second in 2006, the Yokohama-based operator has now taken delivery of Asuka III – its first newbuild in over three decades. Named to honour an ancient era of cultural transformation, the Asuka series represents an ambition to offer future-oriented sailing experiences that are rooted in authenticity. As demand has grown, NYK Cruises saw the need for an ever-more
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