NYK’s Asuka Cruises is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Asuka II with a live photo essay and a special cruise to Southeast Asia.

Originally built for Crystal Cruises in 1995, the former Crystal Harmony was transferred to the Japan-based brand in late 2005.

at the time, the 940-guest ship replaced the original Asuka, which had entered service in 1991.

Asuka said in a press release that the special essay will be produced during the ship’s Asia Grand Cruise, which celebrates the vessel’s anniversary.

As the sailing progresses, the pictures are being updated periodically to an online platform, which is available here.

The company added that the essay offers a behind-the-scenes look at onboard activities, as well as a look at ports of call and onboard life.

Celebrating the ship’s two decades of service for Asuka, the Grand Asia Cruise will feature visits to destinations in the Far East and Southeast Asia.

The 35-night cruise sailed from the Japanese ports of Yokohama and Kobe on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16, respectively.

As part of the itinerary, the Asuka II is scheduled to sail to ports of call in Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, such as Keelung, Manila and Halong Bay.

Other destinations set to welcome the vessel include Boracay Island, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu and Ho Chi Minh City.

The cruise is also highlighted by overnight visits to Hong Kong and Leam Chabang, from where guests can visit Bangkok.

Built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, the Asuka II spent over ten years sailing as the Crystal Harmony before being transferred to Asuka Cruises. At the time, the 50,142-ton vessel was the largest cruise ship to fly the Japanese flag.

In related news, Asuka recently welcomed a second ship to its fleet, the Asuka III, which was built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.