I have been onboard a number of ships which are constructed with a central promenade area. As the name implies, passengers will frequently leave their cabins and walk back an forth on the promenade, visiting the shops, bars and eating facilities along this large central corridor.
The ship had different activities for each day of the cruise, and the promenade area was decorated to support the theme of the day, with banners, balloons or other decorations. Several times during the day, live music would be available on the promenade, as well as the shops moving some of their merchandise out onto the promenade for closer inspection by passengers (sales promotion, really).
In this photo you can see the windows of the interior cabins where each of those cabins have a view of the promenade area unlike the exterior cabins which have an ocean view.
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