With a rainbow overhead, the Asuka II makes its way to the Port of Saipan on Monday, March 4. Hundreds of passengers and crew are onboard.
THE Asuka II cruise ship pulled into the Port of Saipan on Monday, March 4, spending the morning and afternoon on island.
The Asuka II was in the Saipan Lagoon at around 6:30 a.m. The Marianas Visitors Authority said the ship had 710 passengers and 500 crew members. They were scheduled to leave the island around 5 p.m. Monday.
According to the website of its parent company, NYK Cruises, Asuka II visited the Marianas as part of the “Eversummer Islands of Guam and Saipan Cruise.” The ship departed Yokohama, Japan on Feb. 28, arrived at Guam on March 3, and will end its cruise in Yokohama on March 8.
At the arrival of the ship on Saipan, local artist vendors and cultural performers were on hand to greet the passengers and crew.
MVA Community Projects Coordinator Jack Aranda said cruise ships that visit the island benefit the local tourism industry.
“At times like this I encourage other members of the community to come out and welcome these tourists. They do bring in some money and that’s very good for our economy,” he added.
Aranda said the passengers were scheduled for a scenic island tour, with other tours also available.
Asuka II is the fourth cruise ship to visit the CNMI in 2024. The MS Artania called on Saipan on Feb. 26, the MS Zuiderdam arrived on Feb. 20, and the MS Bellissima was here on Jan. 4.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who was at the port to welcome the Asuka II, said he has been communicating with cruise ship agents on behalf of the CNMI.
He said another cruise ship may visit the CNMI in April.
“I talked to the agents to make sure that they continue to include us in their plans and so far, they’ve been very encouraged by the response from the community,” he said. “That’s what it takes — make them feel welcome. We just have to treat our visitors right….”
Aranda said the goal is to make the cruise ship’s visits an annual event.
“For…vendors that want to participate, we encourage you guys to come into MVA, become a member,” he said. “As soon as you become a member you are one of the first people who are invited to join in welcoming a cruise ship. And as a member you can also join several other events such as Taste of the Marianas and Christmas in the Marianas. The vendors here [at the port], they’re all MVA members or part of the [Department of Community and Cultural Affairs] team.”
