Asuka II, a cruise ship owned and operated by NYK Cruises Co. Ltd., has been recognized as the 2018 Cruise Ship of the Year, marking the 27th straight year that Asuka II or its predecessor Asuka has been selected for this honor.
The readers of the Japanese magazine Cruise vote annually for their favorite ship and share their reasons, and this year Asuka II was selected as both the best Japanese-flagged ship and best overall ship. In fact, the Asuka cruise brand has received the Cruise Ship of the Year honor every year since the recognition was first presented in 1992.
Reasons mentioned by voters this year included, "Asuka II is a Japanese-flagged cruise ship that offers ‘omotenashi,’ i.e., traditional Japanese hospitality that emphasizes dedicated service and exquisite manners" and “Elegance is everywhere on board.” Many readers underscored the ship’s Japanese attributes and special ambience.