Most of Atlantic Deck is given over to the pleasures of ... food. Directly aft of the atrium is the first of two main dining rooms. The Four Seasons Restaurant seats 564 passengers and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on an open-seating basis. You basically report for dining duty at the Maitre d's desk at a time convenient to you and you are escorted to a table.

The Four Seasons Restaurant is BIG, spanning the full width of the ship, but the high ceiling, walls of windows and ingenious layout make it manageable. The walls are all done in glossy wood veneer, while carpeting and wooden-framed chairs are all bright red. This might sound garish, but the result is very, very pleasing and indeed the red tones add liveliness and even a touch of elegance.

Directly aft of the Four Seasons Restaurant is a staircase that leads up to deck 6. A small lobby serves as the somewhat hidden entrance to the Il Adagio Italian Restaurant. Sandwiched between the two large main dining rooms, this long and narrow 84-seat reservations-only dining venue has numerous tables for two at the window, while cozy banquette seating is available for parties of up to 4.

Done in a rich classical style, with Roman sculptures, inlaid carpets and heavy fabrics, the Il Adagio is the ship's intimate Italian eatery and charges a fee for dinner. I made a table reservation by phone from my cabin, and was accommodated courteously. When reporting at the Maitre d' desk at the entrance to Il Adagio later that evening, we were whisked to our table for four and had a look at the extensive menu filled to the brim with Italian delicacies. While our waiter was on the verge of being over-courteous, service was extremely slow, with the food being of good quality and beautifully presented.

All the way aft on deck 5 is the second of two main dining rooms. The Seven Seas Restaurant is reached by means of a two-deck high lobby and is similar to the Four Seasons in all but its decor. Done in blue and gold with beautiful chairs and lots of shiny wood veneer paneling, the Seven Seas has windows on three sides. Seating is at tables of 4 to 12, and you can enjoy a full open-seating breakfast, lunch or dinner here, with the odd Midnight Buffet thrown in on selected evenings. As this is one of the main dining rooms on board, food served here is included in the cruise fare. From what I've seen, menus are quite extensive, with food quality comparable to most other major cruise lines.