Princess Cruises revealed on Thursday that its first Sphere-class ship, Sun Princess, will feature a three-deck activity zone called Park19. It will be located on decks 19, 20 and 21.
The space will have nine activities for guests of all ages. Princess president John Padgett said guests have been asking for more activities for families. He called Park19 a space that will "bring together multigenerational families in a location with spectacular views and fun outdoor activities."
Park19 will have the first Rollglider at sea. Called the Sea Breeze, the ride is a 60- to 90-second experience that uses an overhead track. Guests are seated and harnessed for a ride that doesn't go fast -- up to 11 mph. Princess said the Sea Breeze is ADA accessible.
The other Park19 spaces are:
• Coastal Climb: A climbing structure where guests ascend from decks 19 to 20 through a series of obstacles. Once at the top, guests can take in the views before sliding back down to the bottom.
• The Lookout: At the top of the Coastal Climb, guests make their way to an open-air observation deck to take in 360-degree views from the highest point available to guests on Sun Princess.
• The Net: Harnessed above deck 19, guests are challenged to trek across unstable bridges, walk a Z-shaped balance beam and climb cargo nets.
A rendering of the Lookout and Splash Zone areas on Sun Princess. Photo Credit: Princess Cruises
• Infinite Horizon: Leaning tilt walls cantilevered over the side of the ship enable guests to peer out from deck 19 and look down to deck nine and beyond.
• Hammock area: Another first for Princess, hammocks enable Park19 visitors to take a break.
• Splash Zone: A whimsical splash area with pop jets and a water sculpture.
• Recreational court: A place for ping pong, shuffleboard, Xponential Fitness classes and morning meditation. A rotation of sports and wellness options will be offered.
• Jogging track: Princess said 6.7 times around the track equals one mile.
Additional family-centric offerings onboard Sun Princess will be found in the youth and teen centers located on decks six and seven.
• Firefly Park: For the youngest Princess guests ages six months to seven years. This family center will be a place to play together or drop kids off for a program of art projects, theme parties and group games. After-hours group babysitting will be available from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for $5 per hour for kids ages 3 to 12.
A rendering of the Neon Grove area for tweens. Photo Credit: Princess Cruises
• Neon Grove (tweens) and The Underground (teens): The spaces will feature colorful sofas and chairs for lounging, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch gaming consoles, plus air hockey, foosball, and Skee-Ball. Program activities include ship scavenger hunts, movie nights, friendly competitions and dance parties.
The Princess Sun's maiden cruise departs Barcelona on Feb. 8, 2024. The ship will spend its inaugural season sailing the Mediterranean.