jaceyar Posted January 25, 2016 #26 Share Posted January 25, 2016 We just didn't bother with sunbeds and enhanced our tans on the beaches. The sunbeds are far too close together anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bee-ess Posted January 25, 2016 #27 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) Why? It's enough time to pop to the loo. Are you one of those who think they can reserve a bed while they plod off for a leisurely lunch? In my book, bums reserve seats. How can you deduce from my posts that I am a chair hog, I have agreed with everyones comments. I meant that 15 mins is too short a time to set as a rule. I could be swimming for longer than that. My only other comment was to say that the ship should be policing this and not the passengers. I would politely ask that you get your facts straight in future before accusing me of being a chair hog. Edited January 25, 2016 by bee-ess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soobs Posted January 25, 2016 #28 Share Posted January 25, 2016 We were on the 5th December Britannia cruise and the sun bed issue is an issue on sea days!! We have cruised many times on other P & O ships and it was a bit of an issue but not as bad as this year. I saw arguments, pushing and shoving and heard some very colourful language in fact could have written a short book on the comings and goings I saw. The man that had 2 beds - never saw his partner but her bag, hat, own towel and other belongings were on the bed, he maintained that as the towel wasn't P & O's no one could touch it!! he spent more time sat at the bar!! Very nice man though. The man that bragged he had beds at the back of the ship as well as the front. The woman who turned up at 8.30 having a right go at her partner for in her words 'a waste of time waking you up to get these **** sunbeds' The couple who left the kids guarding the sunbeds (4 beds) while they were missing for 2 hours - don't even start thinking where they went!! The ones who get up really early grab all the tables and space the sunbeds out with them. I could go on and on, it didn't spoil my holiday and I am embarrassed to admit that I joined in on one of the sea days, I arrived at the Serenity pool at 06.55 to claim the last 2 sunbeds!! I am sure some people sleep out there!! I did stay there only nipping off for some breakfast for about 20 minutes when my partner got up. What really made me laugh on that day was they were all out facing the, sun beds spread out with tables, and the captain changed direction and they were in the shade!!! A lot of them just got up and wandered off leaving the towels on the beds - guess they had sunbeds elsewhere. Final note no problems with a seat in the theatre sometimes not the best of seats but still enjoyed the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecttr Posted January 25, 2016 #29 Share Posted January 25, 2016 The solution to this problem is simple, remove half the sun beds and replace with twice as many chairs ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammydo Posted January 26, 2016 #30 Share Posted January 26, 2016 We were on azura in the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas, and I thought the sunbed situation was so much better than it had been on previous years. There were regular announcements throughout the cruise reminding everyone not to hog sun beds, as this causes resentment, and if a sunbed has been left and not used for 30 minutes, items can be removed and taken away and they can be collected from ??? Can,t actually remember where from, but I did find it seemed much better than previous years. Also there were notices saying seats were not allowed to be reserved in the playhouse/theatre. Well at least they were trying to address the problem this year on azura. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankmc Posted January 26, 2016 Author #31 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Oh dear it sounds like it's pot luck who is on your cruise. I guess if one person does it day one, then three day two by the end of the cruise everyone does it because the want a bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshirephil Posted January 26, 2016 #32 Share Posted January 26, 2016 We just didn't bother with sunbeds and enhanced our tans on the beaches. The sunbeds are far too close together anyway. This doesn't work too well on sea days, which are usually the days when sunbed reservers strike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankmc Posted January 26, 2016 Author #33 Share Posted January 26, 2016 This doesn't work too well on sea days, which are usually the days when sunbed reservers strike And when you are the type of person who would like to Sunbathe. its all good and well saying "Don't bother sunbathing". I have 7 sea days on my cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 26, 2016 #34 Share Posted January 26, 2016 If you wish to arrive to take the sun whenever you wish, then book the Retreat. After all, it is your vacation, so just enjoy doing what you want, when you want. If that means you have to take control of the situation and pay, then simply pay, resulting in no further need to complain. Should you not wish to take the initiative and resolve, then continue complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysticalmother Posted January 26, 2016 #35 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Doesn't work Port Royal. Not all beds in the retreat are in the sun. Not all ships have a Retreat. Including Cunard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twopoint Posted January 26, 2016 #36 Share Posted January 26, 2016 The initiative can be taken by challenging the selfish who deliberately go against policy. Paying and hiding in the retreat is just leaving the problem for someone else. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 26, 2016 #37 Share Posted January 26, 2016 (edited) Doesn't work Port Royal. Not all beds in the retreat are in the sun. Not all ships have a Retreat. Including Cunard. You are correct, but when booking the Retreat early one is able to select the bed position, while on QE/QV it is called the Terrace. Edited January 26, 2016 by PORT ROYAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecttr Posted January 26, 2016 #38 Share Posted January 26, 2016 If you wish to arrive to take the sun whenever you wish, then book the Retreat. After all, it is your vacation, so just enjoy doing what you want, when you want. If that means you have to take control of the situation and pay, then simply pay, resulting in no further need to complain. Should you not wish to take the initiative and resolve, then continue complaining. IIRC booking the retreat does not guarantee you a sun bed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmine:-) Posted January 26, 2016 #39 Share Posted January 26, 2016 If you book the retreat are you assigned a particular sun bed for the duration of the cruise, or are they assigned each day when you turn up, or do you just help yourself on the day? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 26, 2016 #40 Share Posted January 26, 2016 If you book the retreat are you assigned a particular sun bed for the duration of the cruise, or are they assigned each day when you turn up, or do you just help yourself on the day? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk On embarkation, make your first action to visit to the Retreat and book the whole cruise. You will be allowed to select your choice of bed and position. A small gratuity will be accepted gratefully for Retreat Butler's assistance. ;) Sadly, it is first come first served, as one is unable to book online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmine:-) Posted January 27, 2016 #41 Share Posted January 27, 2016 On embarkation, make your first action to visit to the Retreat and book the whole cruise. You will be allowed to select your choice of bed and position. A small gratuity will be accepted gratefully for Retreat Butler's assistance. ;)Sadly, it is first come first served, as one is unable to book online. Thanks for the advice. Last year we had a boarding time of 4pm, hopefully we will be allocated an earlier one this year, so we get ourselves booked in. Do you know if book in the retreat area or down at the spa reception? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieC Posted January 27, 2016 #42 Share Posted January 27, 2016 On embarkation, make your first action to visit to the Retreat and book the whole cruise. You will be allowed to select your choice of bed and position. A small gratuity will be accepted gratefully for Retreat Butler's assistance. ;)Sadly, it is first come first served, as one is unable to book online. Assuming the ship actually moves occasionally, how do you decide upon your position? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieC Posted January 27, 2016 #43 Share Posted January 27, 2016 How can you deduce from my posts that I am a chair hog, I have agreed with everyones comments. I meant that 15 mins is too short a time to set as a rule. I could be swimming for longer than that. My only other comment was to say that the ship should be policing this and not the passengers. I would politely ask that you get your facts straight in future before accusing me of being a chair hog. I don't think I did, but apologies if that's how you read it.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 27, 2016 #44 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Thanks for the advice.Last year we had a boarding time of 4pm, hopefully we will be allocated an earlier one this year, so we get ourselves booked in. Do you know if book in the retreat area or down at the spa reception? In the Retreat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 27, 2016 #45 Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) In the Retreat Do not forget are served drinks throughout the day, then lunch etc , plus a excellent afternoon tea:) All very civilised Edited January 27, 2016 by PORT ROYAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bee-ess Posted January 27, 2016 #46 Share Posted January 27, 2016 I don't think I did, but apologies if that's how you read it.:) I am also sorry if I misunderstood your comment, it just read to me as though you thought I was advocating hogging chairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapphire4 Posted January 29, 2016 #47 Share Posted January 29, 2016 If you don't want to book The Retreat sunbeds for the whole duration of the cruise which can be really expensive you can go down in the morning and book a bed per day. From memory it was about £50 a day? It may be worth considering on a sea day but we found that when we were in a port we wanted to get off. It sounds like the cruises vary somewhat. During the Canaries cruise we saw lots more people wanting to sunbathe as opposed to the med cruise. We always found somewhere to find a sunbed on both cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 29, 2016 #48 Share Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) If you don't want to book The Retreat sunbeds for the whole duration of the cruise which can be really expensive you can go down in the morning and book a bed per day. From memory it was about £50 a day? It may be worth considering on a sea day but we found that when we were in a port we wanted to get off. It sounds like the cruises vary somewhat. During the Canaries cruise we saw lots more people wanting to sunbathe as opposed to the med cruise. We always found somewhere to find a sunbed on both cruises. Agreed, one can Q in the morning for a day pass, which is on a first come first served basis. Q will start about 07.00 with no guarantee of a place, or position of bed. So start the Q to be safe. With regard to the term "sunbeds", the Retreat has large padded comfortable loungers, the decks have the usual P&O offerings. You can actually leave your sunbed without concern of it being targeted by the anti-hog brigade. It is also has more personal space and a nice peaceful environment One pays for the total Retreat package, not just "beds". Edited January 29, 2016 by PORT ROYAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balf Posted January 29, 2016 #49 Share Posted January 29, 2016 If you don't want to book The Retreat sunbeds for the whole duration of the cruise which can be really expensive you can go down in the morning and book a bed per day. From memory it was about £50 a day? It may be worth considering on a sea day but we found that when we were in a port we wanted to get off. It sounds like the cruises vary somewhat. During the Canaries cruise we saw lots more people wanting to sunbathe as opposed to the med cruise. We always found somewhere to find a sunbed on both cruises. £50 for a day? Can this be true. I must have fallen asleep somewhere back in the mid 80's and woken up to one of the horrors of the 21'st century. David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankmc Posted January 29, 2016 Author #50 Share Posted January 29, 2016 I am going on a 13 night cruise. How much will the retreat be four a couple? I'm confused because all I can find the prices for 10-12 nights and 14 night but no mention of 13 lol Also 12 nights it's 300 for a couple but 14 is 400? Is that correct? extra £100 for just two days? Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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