The two other "lifts' are of the panoramic type and provide ascent though the atrium, which is the central meeting place (a logical necessity on all of these new megaships).

Promenade deck -- Upon our first scanning of the deck plans, we issued a loud huzzah. There is a logical grouping of the entertainment, dancing and cocktail areas plus reading, writing and card rooms all on this one level, completely surrounded by a strolling deck accessible from all of those relaxing venues.

Of particular note is the absence of the casino as a bothersome block to the middle of this busy region.

Don't get the wrong idea; we are just as willing as any to take a turn at a blackjack table or a slot machine, but it is disturbing to both groups -- the gamblers as well as the people walking through the promenade deck -- for that necessarily noisy and hectic region to be placed as an impediment.

Princess chose to put the casino just aft of the top level of the atrium and out of the major traffic pattern. It looks logically placed and well designed.

Dining -- Two main passenger restaurants are situated where they should be: on lower deck levels and midship. Here is the place of least motion, effecting efficient service.

Princess also says that tables are dispersed over three dining levels with small seating sections in order to create a feeling of intimacy. We hope that the mentioned sectioning will serve to silence the reverberatory clangor so evident on many of the newer ships.

Outdoor venues -- Again we see good planning. All of the swimming, sunbathing, sauna, physical-fitness and jogging activities are spread over the three uppermost decks, with the buffet facility not on the same level as the swimming pool or saunas.

The designer showed good sense in providing a well-planned, alternative indoor or outdoor dining venue one deck above the body-immersion sector. There is a place for eating and a place for swimming, and we do not appreciate food residue floating in the swimming pool!

The well-designed children's activity rooms provide facilities for all ages and are grouped at the aft end of the Riviera deck with the smaller pool.

Self-service laundromats -- Fast disappearing from most of the newer ships, laundromats are not solely a matter of economy but also convenience.

Those of us who travel frequently learn to pack many light and quick-drying garments for daytime use, so as to avoid a lot of weight, and it is very handy to wash and dry a single load about mid-journey. We realize that it cuts into the ship income, but it makes for a happier traveler to have this facility available.

On Sun Princess, laundromats are available on six of the seven levels which contain passenger accommodations.

Grand Plaza

Without resorting to any hyperbole, and emphasizing that we have not seen this ship but have only toured it in an electronic perspective, let's take a look at the physical arrangements of the public areas on a leisurely, imaginary stroll up through the various levels of Sun Princess.

You will first board the vessel on the Plaza deck (deck 5), base for the lowest strata of the 4-deck-high Atrium. With some of the lower-price cabins of both outside and inside format, this deck also contains the Grand Plaza, site of the purser's office and, directly across, the patisserie.

The two panoramic elevators and six of the "all levels" elevators start from this level. Sweeping staircases also can take you from here up through to Dolphin deck (deck 8).

Directly aft of the Grand Plaza is the Marquis dining room.

On Emerald deck (deck 6), directly above the Marquis, is the Regency dining room from which you move forward to the second level of the Grand Atrium with its two large areas for shopping, on the port and starboard sides, titled Reflections and Latitudes. The balance of this level forward is devoted to cabins.

For many of the ladies, this probably will be the most popular area as the shops appear quite extensive.

Entertainment

Moving up to the Promenade deck (deck 7), we locate the major entertainment region of the vessel. At the aft end is the Vista Lounge, a multipurpose venue, well designed for dance-band programs but with the dance floor outfitted for raising to a higher level for many types of shows.

Next forward we find the card room and reading room to port side with the photo shop and gallery to starboard.

The next stop finds us at the lower level of another sweeping, 2-level atrium, with the Rendezvous wine and caviar bar to starboard and the Shooting Stars Disco to port.

You then pass to the third level of the Grand Atrium where there is another Atrium lounge with dance floor and pianist for that quiet, relaxing, predinner libation.

Next on our progression is the Windjammer, which, we suspect, will be a more upbeat and busy bar region with more seating and good group segmentation.

We then reach the Princess Theatre, main venue for the "big shows," with all of the newest electronic developments and a 36-foot proscenium stage for lavish show productions. By design, this looks to be a winner -- no posts to impede viewing, and well sloped without an abundance of short stair segments to navigate in the dark.

The whole of this level is surrounded by an open deck promenade for that evening moonlight stroll without venturing far from the inside activities.

Diversions

Fore and aft on the Dolphin deck (deck 8) are more staterooms, with the terminus of the Grand Atrium surrounded by Verdi's pizzeria. This is always a popular place on Princess ships and will doubtless be so on Sun Princess.

Just aft of Verdi's is the aforementioned Grand Casino. This gaming venue can also be entered directly by a spiral, marble staircase from the Reflections and Disco area on Dolphin deck directly below. The casino is extensive, with 150 "slots" and most of the popular table games.

Carib, Baja and Aloha decks (9, 10 & 11) are solely devoted to private cabins, minisuites and suites, with most of the outside accommodations on these levels including balconies.

With the exception of 45 inside and outside cabins at the forward end, Riviera deck (No. 12) is devoted to what should be considered fitness and fun. Sauna, spas, pools, gymnasium, health center, Riviera Bar and teens' and children's realms all cater to the sun and health aspect. Also on this level is the ice-cream-sundae bar -- hooray for calories!

Informal dining

The principal devotion on Lido deck (deck 13) is gustatory. Here is the more informal dining, for breakfast, lunch or a light dinner, with dual buffets port and starboard and ample seating either outdoors on the terrace or indoors in Horizon Court with its sweeping views over the bow.

It is of note that the Lido buffet is served from its own galley, which will preclude most of the tedious (and cooling) process of transporting prepared viands from kitchens deep in the ship.

The balance of this level is dedicated to the sunbathing and jogging fraternity. This is the uppermost level served by the nine elevators.

Sun Deck (deck 13) is divided into two segments, with the forward portion for a "splash pool" (which will be popular with the younger set) and loads of deck chairs. The aft portion is mostly within the confines of the "stack housing" and includes a paddle tennis court.

Choose a cruise

This narrative tour has been "bare bones" only and has not burdened you with any of the details that we could bring from an actual visit aboard.

We have attempted simply to give you a feel for the public room arrangements and how they can add to the pleasure by avoiding many of the annoyances that can be encountered on some of today's larger vessels.