Asuka Cruises is planning to soon order a second newbuild after introducing the Asuka III from Meyer Werft in mid-2025.

According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the new vessel is expected to replace the Asuka II, which was originally built for Crystal Cruises in 1990.

The Asian news source said that the NYK Line-backed cruise line could invest over 100 billion yen ($610 million) for the project.

Details of the new ship, including size and capacity, will be decided at a later date, as an order is not expected to be placed before April 2028. The building yard is also set to be chosen later, Nikkei added.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, NYK Line is also working with Oriental Land to develop a Disney-branded cruise operation in Japan.

Operating the Disney Tokyo Resort, Oriental Land is building a Wish-class ship after announcing a deal with Disney Cruise Line.

Under construction in Germany, the 140,000-ton vessel is slated for delivery by Meyer Werft in the fourth quarter of 2028.

NYK Line will provide business consulting services for the new company, in addition to acting as ship and operations manager.

Nikkei said that planning for Asuka’s next ship will likely begin after the Disney venture is in full swing, noting that the partnership will enter full effect in 2028.

Originally built for Crystal Cruises at the Mitsubishi Shipyard in Japan, the Asuka II has been in service for Asuka Cruises since 2006.

According to Nikkei, the engines and other components of the 940-passenger ship are considered outdated in 2026.

At 50,412 tons, the Asuka II replaced the original Asuka, a smaller cruise ship, built at the same shipyard a year later.

The 29,000-ton ship is currently in service for Phoenix Reisen, which acquired the ship after it was retired by NYK.