You've probably seen the glossy renders. The Sphere—that massive glass dome—looks incredible in the brochures. But when you actually start digging into the Sun Princess deck plans, things get a little more complicated. This isn't just another ship; it’s the first of the Sphere Class for Princess Cruises, weighing in at a massive 175,500 tons. If you’re used to the older Grand Class or even the Discovery Princess, this layout is going to trip you up. It’s different. Like, really different.
I’ve spent hours pouring over these layouts. Honestly, some of the design choices are brilliant, while others are... well, they’re a choice. If you don't want to end up walking three miles a day just to get a cup of coffee, you need to understand how these 21 decks actually flow.
The Heart of the Ship: Decks 7, 8, and 9
Forget the traditional "Piazza" you know. On the Sun Princess, the Piazza is a three-story architectural feat centered on Decks 7, 8, and 9. It’s circular. It’s open. It’s full of light. But here is the kicker: the way the traffic flows around it can be a bit of a maze if you aren't paying attention to the deck plans.
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Deck 7 is basically where you’ll live. You’ve got the lower level of the Piazza, the Signature Lounge (if you're in that category), and a bunch of the specialty dining spots. One thing most people miss on the Sun Princess deck plans is the placement of the Crown Grill. It’s tucked away near the back, right next to the Reserve Collection Restaurant. If you’re staying forward, that’s a long trek.
Then there's Deck 8. This is the "Action Deck." You’ll find the middle level of the Piazza, the Princess Live! venue, and some of the best bar concepts they’ve ever done, like Spellbound by Magic Castle. Pro tip: the entrance to Spellbound is intentionally discreet. Look at the plan near the mid-ship elevators; it's that tiny, unlabeled-looking space that actually leads to one of the coolest experiences on the water.
Where to Sleep (And Where to Avoid)
Choosing a cabin on this ship is a high-stakes game. The Sun Princess introduced the "Cabana Mini-Suites," and they are polarizing. If you look at the deck plans for Deck 9, you’ll see these rooms have a private "cabana" space between the room and the actual balcony. It sounds luxury, right? It is, but here’s the trade-off: people on the deck above can sometimes see right into your "private" outdoor space.
If privacy is your thing, you might want to stick to the standard balconies on Decks 10 through 14.
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Speaking of Decks 10-14, these are almost entirely residential. This is good. You want "sandwich decks"—rooms above you, rooms below you. It’s the golden rule of cruising for a reason. If you pick a room on Deck 9, you’re right above the noise of Deck 8’s bars and lounges. If you pick Deck 16, you’ve got the scraping of deck chairs from the Lido deck above you at 6:00 AM.
- Deck 15: This is the "hidden" sanctuary. It’s mostly cabins, but it’s the buffer zone.
- Deck 17: This is the Lido. Pools, buffet (The Eatery), and the Sun Deck.
- Deck 18: More pools, including the glass-enclosed Dome.
The Dome is a massive talking point. On the Sun Princess deck plans, it’s located way up forward. During the day, it's a pool. At night, it turns into a stage for Cirque Éloize. It’s stunning, but if you’re a light sleeper and your cabin is on Deck 16 forward, you might hear the bass from the late-night shows. Just something to keep in mind.
The "Eatery" vs. The Buffet
Princess finally ditched the "Horizon Court" name. It’s now "The Eatery" on Deck 17. The layout here is a massive improvement. Instead of one long line where people get trapped behind someone struggling with a salad tong, it’s broken into stations.
If you look at the aft (back) of Deck 17 on the plan, you’ll see an outdoor seating area. Use it. Most people grab their food and hover near the indoor tables. If you walk all the way through, you get the best views on the ship.
Navigating the Heights: Decks 19, 20, and 21
This is where Princess got adventurous. They added "Park19," which is basically an outdoor activity zone. On the highest levels of the Sun Princess deck plans, you’ll find the Sea Breeze Rollglider. It’s an overhead track where you’re harnessed in and "fly" over the ship.
There’s also a ropes course and a tilt-out glass wall called "The Lookout."
Wait, here's a detail people forget. Deck 21 is tiny. It’s basically just the top of the Slide and the Rollglider start point. If you’re looking for a quiet place to tan, do not go here. It’s noisy, windy, and full of kids (or adults) screaming as they zip around. Instead, look at the Sanctuary on Deck 18. It’s the adult-only retreat, and on Sun Princess, it’s been expanded significantly. It costs extra, but for some, the silence is worth every penny.
The Elevator Situation
We have to talk about it. The elevators on Sun Princess are "smart" elevators. You pick your floor on a touch screen before you get in. There are no buttons inside the car.
This means the "elevator lobbies" on the deck plans are busier than usual because people are standing around waiting for a specific car (A, B, C, etc.). If you have mobility issues, try to book a cabin near the mid-ship elevator bank. The ship is over 1,100 feet long. If you're at the very front and your dinner is at the very back (The Horizons Dining Room spans Decks 6, 7, and 8 at the aft), you're looking at a serious hike.
The Cove and The Signature Collection
Princess is leaning hard into the "ship within a ship" concept. If you’re looking at the Sun Princess deck plans and see sections colored differently, pay attention.
The Signature Collection (mostly Decks 15-17) gets you access to the Signature Restaurant, Lounge, and Sun Deck.
The Reserve Collection (the old Club Class) has its own dining room on Deck 7.
The layout for these is actually quite clever. They aren't walled off like the MSC Yacht Club or NCL Haven, so the ship still feels inclusive, but the perks are there. The Signature Sun Deck is particularly well-placed on Deck 18, offering a bit of a fortress-of-solitude vibe right in the middle of the action.
Actionable Steps for Your Booking
Don't just look at a PDF of the deck plans and pick a room that looks "close to the middle." Use these specific strategies to ensure you actually enjoy the layout of this massive vessel.
- Check the Vertical Alignment: Always look at what is directly above and below your specific cabin number. Avoid being under the gym (Deck 18 mid-forward) or under the galley (kitchen) areas on Deck 9.
- The "Secret" Stairs: There are smaller staircases not always highlighted in the main marketing materials. Use them between Decks 7, 8, and 9 to avoid the elevator crowds during dinner rushes.
- The Wake View Strategy: If you love the view of the ship's trail, look at the aft-facing premium balconies on Decks 10 through 14. These are some of the most sought-after spots on the Sun Princess deck plans because the balconies are significantly deeper than the side-facing ones.
- Laundry Day: Princess still offers self-service laundromats, which is a lifesaver. On Sun Princess, these are scattered across several decks (like Deck 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15). Locate the one closest to your cabin on the plan so you aren't lugging a basket across the entire ship.
- The Piazza Shortcut: If Deck 7 is too crowded to get from front to back, drop down to Deck 6. It’s mostly the lower level of the dining room and the theater, but the corridors are often much quieter during the day.
The Sun Princess is a beast. It’s beautiful, it’s high-tech, and it’s a bit of a departure from the traditional Princess brand. Getting to know the deck plans before you step on board isn't just about being prepared; it's about making sure your vacation feels like a vacation and not a navigation exercise. Study the mid-ship transitions especially, as that's where the "Sphere" architecture changes the rules of how you move between the public spaces and your stateroom.