I am a chair hog

[PoppyandNana]

I admit it. I have capitulated, I have given in, I have surrendered, I am one of them now. My name is Dan, go ahead, take your best shot.

 

Just got home from a 10 day on the Equinox. A lovely cruise. The food was the best ever. The entertainment was suburb. Even the weather was fantastic the entire 10 days. One of our best.

 

Now, there was a large group of elderly folks from FL aboard. In fact, the demographics was clearly almost 100% in their 70's and 80's. The number of walkers, canes and power wheel chairs reminded me of HAL of years ago.

 

My wife and I walk every morning between 7 and 7:30am. By 8:00am 95% of every lounge chair on the pool deck and the deck above were "reserved". Most had just a library book and a towel. I watched one man set up six chairs by the pool and six under the portico. That's 12 chairs for one man and his family.

 

Later on that afternoon I saw this same guy talking to someone. He asked then man what time did he get up to save his chairs (5). The man replied, 7:45. My buddy said he got to the pool area at 7:00am to get his 12, with a manly boast in his voice.

 

Towels had all manner of identification, these clips clearly being the favorite. You don't need a book or flip flops, in fact you don't need anything other than the clips. Lay out your towel, put a clip on it and its yours baby.

 

So, the last day I went to the pool deck at 7:40 and put a towel and library book on a lounge chair right by the pool and went to breakfast. I initially felt great, exhilarated. I had joined the enemy. I had my own personal chair for the entire day. I could come and go as I pleased. I could take a two hour nap in the afternoon then saunter upstairs and leisurely stroll to my throne.

 

After breakfast, I went out to my chair removed my towel and book. I felt good. I felt exhilarated. My wife and I went upstairs to the deck above the pool at about 10:30 and found two nicely located lounge chairs. We enjoyed them until 2:00pm. We removed all our gear and went to lunch then to our cabin for a nap. At 3 we went back upstairs and quickly found two chairs.

 

The big problem on this particular sailing was the number of groups. Instead of man and wife reserving two chairs, you had one person reserving upwards of 10-12 for their "group".

 

The worst part of it? This large group had such a great time they all are coming back next year as are my wife and I. When I made our reservation at the Future Cruise Desk, there were only three cabins left in the category we wanted.

 

So, fellow chair hoggers sorry but I resign from our esteemed organization. You get out there at 7, I'll wait until I am ready to sit and enjoy, regardless of what time it is. I can enjoy my time in the sun much more knowing I was back on the other side.

 

PS. I noticed the pool attendants were doing a poor job or removing towels from chairs where there were only a pile of wadded up towels. That is a big part of the problem as lots of people are even reluctant to remove towels when that is all that is there. If the pool guys circulated are removed all the towels from the passengers that are too lazy to take the towels to the bin many more chairs would be available. Forget about enforcing the already existing 30 minute rule.

Edited January 31, 2017 by PoppyandNana

[Hydrokitty]

:D

I admit it. I have capitulated, I have given in, I have surrendered, I am one of them now. My name is Dan, go ahead, take your best shot.

 

Just got home from a 10 day on the Equinox. A lovely cruise. The food was the best ever. The entertainment was suburb. Even the weather was fantastic the entire 10 days. One of our best.

 

Now, there was a large group of elderly folks from FL aboard. In fact, the demographics was clearly almost 100% in their 70's and 80's. The number of walkers, canes and power wheel chairs reminded me of HAL of years ago.

 

My wife and I walk every morning between 7 and 7:30am. By 8:00am 95% of every lounge chair on the pool deck and the deck above were "reserved". Most had just a library book and a towel. I watched one man set up six chairs by the pool and six under the portico. That's 12 chairs for one man and his family.

 

Later on that afternoon I saw this same guy talking to someone. He asked then man what time did he get up to save his chairs (5). The man replied, 7:45. My buddy said he got to the pool area at 7:00am to get his 12, with a manly boast in his voice.

 

Towels had all manner of identification, these clips clearly being the favorite. You don't need a book or flip flops, in fact you don't need anything other than the clips. Lay out your towel, put a clip on it and its yours baby.

 

So, the last day I went to the pool deck at 7:40 and put a towel and library book on a lounge chair right by the pool and went to breakfast. I initially felt great, exhilarated. I had joined the enemy. I had my own personal chair for the entire day. I could come and go as I pleased. I could take a two hour nap in the afternoon then saunter upstairs and leisurely stroll to my throne.

 

After breakfast, I went out to my chair removed my towel and book. I felt good. I felt exhilarated. My wife and I went upstairs to the deck above the pool at about 10:30 and found two nicely located lounge chairs. We enjoyed them until 2:00pm. We removed all our gear and went to lunch then to our cabin for a nap. At 3 we went back upstairs and quickly found two chairs.

 

The big problem on this particular sailing was the number of groups. Instead of man and wife reserving two chairs, you had one person reserving upwards of 10-12 for their "group".

 

The worst part of it? This large group had such a great time they all are coming back next year as are my wife and I. When I made our reservation at the Future Cruise Desk, there were only three cabins left in the category we wanted.

 

So, fellow chair hoggers sorry but I resign from our esteemed organization. You get out there at 7, I'll wait until I am ready to sit and enjoy, regardless of what time it is. I can enjoy my time in the sun much more knowing I was back on the other side.

 

PS. I noticed the pool attendants were doing a poor job or removing towels from chairs where there were only a pile of wadded up towels. That is a big part of the problem as lots of people are even reluctant to remove towels when that is all that is there. If the pool guys circulated are removed all the towels from the passengers that are too lazy to take the towels to the bin many more chairs would be available. Forget about enforcing the already existing 30 minute rule.

 

:D:D I have solved the chair hog problem. I won't sail unless I have a balcony, preferably aft/sunset or "hump"....that way I sleep till 8 then go have a leisurely b-fast while all the rest of you are running around like mice in a panic trying to find chairs to "reserve" for the day. If it's sunny and warm I'll be on my balcony sunning in blessed peace and quiet...if it's rainy I'll be in the solarium reading in blessed peace and quiet (except for the occasional trivia contest or art auction). That's my best shot....don't take it personally :D....BUT the only solution is for the cruise staff to enforce the 30 minute rule and apparently they don't want to risk offending a good customer or causing an ugly scene, which in this "me first" day and age is a very real possibility.

[Amyracecar]

I have no big problem with people reserving loungers, IF they're spending a good percentage of the day using them.

 

I did get a bit frustrated on my recent cruise on Millie though, to see the double 'comfy' loungers (in the covered section) being reserved all day, every day with books, and hardly ever did I see someone actually using them. I came to the conclusion that the books had come on holiday on their own.

 

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[cjmayes51]

A number of years ago, on the Emerald Princess I had gotten up early to take some ship photos & about 7:15 AM I saw a woman doing the same thing- had towels & books to save 6 chairs around one of the pools. I went up & took some photos of her while she was hogging. She asked me why I was taking her picture & I told her it was going to post it on Cruise Critic when I returned and make her famous. I really wasn't but she didn't know that. An hour or so later I saw where her group, now about 3 were up on the upper deck out of the way. Not sure I scared her or what but I gather she had heard about CC!

 

Charlie

[mafig]

I've decided to book a cruise with a port intensive itinerary.

Especially one with ports I've been to before and have no intention of seeing again.

 

Then I stay on the ship!

 

I'll let you know if that works.:)

[RosieRoo]

I've decided to book a cruise with a port intensive itinerary.

Especially one with ports I've been to before and have no intention of seeing again.

 

Then I stay on the ship!

 

I'll let you know if that works.:)

 

This has been my strategy as of late, but more and more people are staying on the ships now. Fortunately we are not sun worshippers so we don't really sit around the pool. On our Eclipse cruise in January we would sit in the enclosed pool area and read for hours. I can't tell you how many chairs had towels, books, etc on them and no one ever sat in them the whole time we were there.

[shanebbb]

You're crackin' me up Leeds!

 

..I came to the conclusion that the books had come on holiday on their own..

 

Clever, I like it!

 

This topic really annoys me otherwise.

 

-Shane

[PoppyandNana]

This has been my strategy as of late, but more and more people are staying on the ships now. Fortunately we are not sun worshippers so we don't really sit around the pool. On our Eclipse cruise in January we would sit in the enclosed pool area and read for hours. I can't tell you how many chairs had towels, books, etc on them and no one ever sat in them the whole time we were there.

 

The ten day I referred to in my op was in the Caribbean. We have been to every port more than once. On port days we would go off to the local jewelry store, turn around and get back on the ship. We love the quiet hours by the pool when everyone is ashore. How many jewelry stores can possible exist on these islands?

 

We too had a balcony. Only problem was we had sun all afternoon going down but shade coming back. For the days we were sailing south it was marvelous to sit on the balcony. Fortunately, we were in CC so we had little foot stools on the balcony which was really nice.

[Pickels]

I have no big problem with people reserving loungers, IF they're spending a good percentage of the day using them.

 

I did get a bit frustrated on my recent cruise on Millie though, to see the double 'comfy' loungers (in the covered section) being reserved all day, every day with books, and hardly ever did I see someone actually using them. I came to the conclusion that the books had come on holiday on their own.

 

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Question... is there's a difference from someone who puts their "stuff" on a bunch of chairs to reserve them for family/friends who may or may not show up for hours later. or, someone who reserves a couple of chairs and goes on an excursion to return later. Are those are chair hogs? You betcha! But, someone who reserves a couple of chairs but uses them all day long only to break for lunch, or a quick dip in the pool; would you classify them has chair hogs? :confused:

[PoppyandNana]

Question... is there's a difference from someone who puts their "stuff" on a bunch of chairs to reserve them for family/friends who may or may not show up for hours later. or, someone who reserves a couple of chairs and goes on an excursion to return later. Are those are chair hogs? You betcha! But, someone who reserves a couple of chairs but uses them all day long only to break for lunch, or a quick dip in the pool; would you classify them has chair hogs? :confused:

 

Absolutely not! Having a lounge chair give one a reasonable opportunity to jump in the pool, grab lunch, or whatever. A chair hog is someone who, like a dog, marks his territory, then comes back if and when it suits them.

[Bornbeau]

Although I do not agree with doing it I have had to do it on a sea day in order to get a chair for my wife and I. I will say that unlike some other people we do occupy the chair while we are there. We don't go off to the cabin for a couple hour snooze or go to the casino or bingo and leave our stuff on the chairs for hours on end. When we leave we take our stuff and make them available for others to use. We have been on 9 cruises and what we noticed is just as big problem is the fact that there are a lot of very lazy people that go on these cruises. By mid to late afternoon many people leave their chairs for the day but are to dam lazy to take there towels and put them in the containers for used towels. They just leave them on the chairs and like it is with the chair hogs, people think these chairs are occupied. Come on people show some respect and do not expect the pool guys to pick up your used towels.

[keithm]

I admit it. I have capitulated, I have given in, I have surrendered, I am one of them now. My name is Dan, go ahead, take your best shot.

 

Just got home from a 10 day on the Equinox. A lovely cruise. The food was the best ever. The entertainment was suburb. Even the weather was fantastic the entire 10 days. One of our best.

 

Now, there was a large group of elderly folks from FL aboard. In fact, the demographics was clearly almost 100% in their 70's and 80's. The number of walkers, canes and power wheel chairs reminded me of HAL of years ago.

 

My wife and I walk every morning between 7 and 7:30am. By 8:00am 95% of every lounge chair on the pool deck and the deck above were "reserved". Most had just a library book and a towel. I watched one man set up six chairs by the pool and six under the portico. That's 12 chairs for one man and his family.

 

Later on that afternoon I saw this same guy talking to someone. He asked then man what time did he get up to save his chairs (5). The man replied, 7:45. My buddy said he got to the pool area at 7:00am to get his 12, with a manly boast in his voice.

 

Towels had all manner of identification, these clips clearly being the favorite. You don't need a book or flip flops, in fact you don't need anything other than the clips. Lay out your towel, put a clip on it and its yours baby.

 

So, the last day I went to the pool deck at 7:40 and put a towel and library book on a lounge chair right by the pool and went to breakfast. I initially felt great, exhilarated. I had joined the enemy. I had my own personal chair for the entire day. I could come and go as I pleased. I could take a two hour nap in the afternoon then saunter upstairs and leisurely stroll to my throne.

 

After breakfast, I went out to my chair removed my towel and book. I felt good. I felt exhilarated. My wife and I went upstairs to the deck above the pool at about 10:30 and found two nicely located lounge chairs. We enjoyed them until 2:00pm. We removed all our gear and went to lunch then to our cabin for a nap. At 3 we went back upstairs and quickly found two chairs.

 

The big problem on this particular sailing was the number of groups. Instead of man and wife reserving two chairs, you had one person reserving upwards of 10-12 for their "group".

 

The worst part of it? This large group had such a great time they all are coming back next year as are my wife and I. When I made our reservation at the Future Cruise Desk, there were only three cabins left in the category we wanted.

 

So, fellow chair hoggers sorry but I resign from our esteemed organization. You get out there at 7, I'll wait until I am ready to sit and enjoy, regardless of what time it is. I can enjoy my time in the sun much more knowing I was back on the other side.

 

PS. I noticed the pool attendants were doing a poor job or removing towels from chairs where there were only a pile of wadded up towels. That is a big part of the problem as lots of people are even reluctant to remove towels when that is all that is there. If the pool guys circulated are removed all the towels from the passengers that are too lazy to take the towels to the bin many more chairs would be available. Forget about enforcing the already existing 30 minute rule.

The "clips" seem to be all the rage. As usual, I'll just remove them as necessary! Pool butler on the Eclipse seem more willing these days.

[Pavovsky]

Do people think that the all inclusive packages mean that the punters will stay on board rather than getting off the ship, visiting towns, beaches etc?

[Lsimon]

Do people think that the all inclusive packages mean that the punters will stay on board rather than getting off the ship, visiting towns, beaches etc?

 

OK, I give up. Punter?

[Scotico]

You mean those items on the loungers are not free gifts for the cruisers?

 

We just remove the items from the loungers and give them to the pool attendant. Inform them I found some items for the lost and found. If the owner comes back to the chair then I will just tell them nothing was on the chair and to check with the attendant. If you lay your stuff down on the chair and jump in the pool or get a drink then that is fine. If you are going back to your room, exiting the ship or eating breakfast or lunch then the chair is up for grabs.

[Pavovsky]

OK, I give up. Punter?

 

 

 

In this context I meant the fellow passengers. Although the word is also used to describe gamblers and user of prostitutes.

[4774Papa]

My dermatologist warns me about exposure to the sun without massive layers of sunblock. Therefore, DW and I are not huge pool people. Still, every cruise we might spend a little time in a lounger after lathering up with sunblock.

 

Reading a book is better in the shade, so we use our balcony for that. Sometimes it is hard to find a lounger, but if we can't find one, not a problem. We like using the hot tubs in the solarium more than the pool.

[Cruizen Susan]

 

Now, there was a large group of elderly folks from FL aboard. In fact, the demographics was clearly almost 100% in their 70's and 80's. The number of walkers, canes and power wheel chairs reminded me of HAL of years ago.

 

 

I totally enjoyed reading your post! Especially the part above that I quoted. We too were on a recent sailing, but on the Eclipse in December out of Miami. Never again! Such a rude bunch of elderly folks, 90% of whom were retired transplants to Florida, who were entitled to own the place, including lounge chairs and everything else.

 

Geesh!! Thank god for the balcony, because I refuse to get join in on the chair hog game or do any strategies with very rude people.

 

Again, loved your post :)

[shanebbb]

We are booked on the Silhouette for December. Now I'm concerned about the age group. The itinerary is awesome but I don't fancy a boatload of cranky, senior, chair hogs!

 

 

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[YoHoHo]

We are booked on the Silhouette for December. Now I'm concerned about the age group. The itinerary is awesome but I don't fancy a boatload of cranky, senior, chair hogs!

I don't fancy whiny, younger, chair hogs as well as the older type.

[janetz]

We are out by the pool around 8 to spend the morning.

If a chair is not occupied for 1/2 hour-45 minutes, I ask the pool staff to remove the belongings. If they do not I will and hand the staff the belongings.

So if you come out early, reserve chairs and go back to bed. I am sorry. ;)

[cb at sea]

It's really not hard to ask the folks who ARE sitting in loungers nearby if anyone is actually USING the "hogged" chairs. Heck, if I'm sitting there, surrounded by towel covered chairs and no one has been in them....I will tell folks who are "searching" that these loungers haven't been used......

[willcruiseanythyme]

This topic is already making my blood pressure rise! I learned after my first 2 cruises that I had to be up no later than 7:30 am to acquire a lounge chair by the pool!! I could not believe all the chair hogs everywhere but no actual person sitting in said chairs! The difference was, I actually stayed in my chair!! Yep, me and 2 others were sitting in our chairs while 67 others were being hogged!! I stayed until lunch time and gave up my chair because I was done in the sun for the day. What blows my mind still till this day though is at 12:00 when I was leaving....39 of those chairs STILL hadn't been claimed! Ok. Done venting. Still holding out hope that one day people will stop being chair hogs.....

 

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[griffy116]

I like the one where there are two loungers, each with a towel and ONE FLIP FLOP. I just find another lounger. Being right next to the pool is not a deal breaker.

[Lady Chew]

Although I do not agree with doing it I have had to do it on a sea day in order to get a chair for my wife and I. I will say that unlike some other people we do occupy the chair while we are there. We don't go off to the cabin for a couple hour snooze or go to the casino or bingo and leave our stuff on the chairs for hours on end. When we leave we take our stuff and make them available for others to use. We have been on 9 cruises and what we noticed is just as big problem is the fact that there are a lot of very lazy people that go on these cruises. By mid to late afternoon many people leave their chairs for the day but are to dam lazy to take there towels and put them in the containers for used towels. They just leave them on the chairs and like it is with the chair hogs, people think these chairs are occupied. Come on people show some respect and do not expect the pool guys to pick up your used towels.

 

Commenting on the bolded sentences ABOVE ... when I'm looking for a lounge, and the only thing(s) on it is a rumpled towel or two, I assume the chair is available and move the towels myself.