Public Areas & Facilities

Refined and graceful, the Sun-class ships Sun Princess and Sea Princess offer the choices attributed to larger Grand-class ships without sacrificing the smaller-ship atmosphere for which they're noted. The four-story atrium with a circular marble floor, stained-glass dome, and magnificent floating staircase are ideal settings for relaxation, people-watching, and making a grand entrance.

Onboard decor is a combination of neutrals and pastels, which is easy on the eyes after a sunny day ashore. The main public rooms are situated in a vertical arrangement on four lower decks and, with the exception of Promenade Deck, cabins are located forward and aft. In a nice design twist, the casino is somewhat isolated, and passengers aren't forced to use it as a passageway to reach dining rooms or the art deco main show lounge.

Restaurants

Sun-class ships have one dining room with two traditional assigned dinner seatings and one open-seating dining room for Personal Choice cruisers. Alternatives are the reservations-only Sterling Steakhouse specialty restaurant (a section of buffet that's dressed up for the evening and for which there's a charge) and the complimentary pizzeria.

What Works & What Doesn't

Horizon Court Lido buffet restaurants occupy one of the most prestigious spots on the ship -- far forward, with a true view of the horizon. There's nothing about the interior decor that'll knock your socks off -- some areas still have echoes of The Love Boat television series sets -- but the cool palette enhanced by marble accents showcases impressive original artwork and murals. This is a large ship, but not large enough to overcome the invasive nature of regularly scheduled art auctions. Why, oh why, do the auction displays have to intrude on the carefully selected artworks that are chosen to enhance the decor?

Accommodations

Layout: Princess Cruises' trademark is an abundance of staterooms with private balconies, yet even the least expensive inside categories have ample storage and a small sitting area with a chair and table. Suites have two TVs, a separate sitting area, dining-height table with chairs, walk-in closets, double-sink vanities, and a separate shower and whirlpool tub. Minisuites have a separate sitting area, two TVs, walk-in closet, and separate shower and whirlpool tub.

Amenities: Decorated in pastel colors, staterooms typically have mirrored accents, a personal safe, a refrigerator, a hair dryer, and bathrobes for use during the cruise. Bathrooms have shampoo, lotion, and bath gel.

Good to Know: Cabins that sleep third and fourth passengers aren't as numerous as on other Princess ships, and no staterooms have interconnecting interior doors. Adjacent cabins with balconies can be interconnected by unlocking doors in the balcony dividers. Nineteen staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility and range in size from 213 to 305 square feet, depending upon category.

Category	Size (square feet)
Suite	538-695
Minisuite	370-536
Ocean View Balcony/Deluxe	179 /173
Ocean View Standard	135-155
Interior	135-148
All dimensions include the square footage for balconies.

Favorites

Best Place to Escape the Crowds: You can always escape to the cozy, wood-panel reading room, where each oversize chair faces its own bay window.

Best Dessert: As on other Princess ships, the soufflés can't be beat. It doesn't matter what flavor is on the menu; they're all divine, but chocolate with a warm berry sauce is truly to die for.

Best Splurge: Treat yourself by day to specialty coffees and fresh pastries at the patisserie. In the evening, a flute of bubbly champagne and a caviar snack are indulgent pleasures at the wine and caviar bar.

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: For after-dinner drinks and a late-night rendezvous, the elegant Rendez-Vous Lounge gets our nod.

Best Value: There's no charge to dine at night in the pizzeria, which offers traditional Italian dishes in a trattoria-style setting.