Serious Question-what's the attraction of pool side chairs that people "hog?"

[cruisegal415]

The Waterfront. That’s where I plan to spend my “de-stress and look at the ocean” time.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/norwegian-getaway-651/the-waterfront-119448/

 

 

 

Yes! This is what I’m talking about! https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/norwegian-getaway-651/the-waterfront-119448/the-waterfront--v6914195/

 

 

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[GA Dave]

Yes! This is what I’m talking about! https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/norwegian-getaway-651/the-waterfront-119448/the-waterfront--v6914195/

 

 

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Change of plans for me. Here is my new hangout as of this morning!!

https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/norwegian-getaway-651/the-haven-courtyard-119439/the-haven-courtyard--v6915018/

[PATRLR]

I think the poolside attraction for most of the people who park them selves poolside is: being near their kids in the pool, being near the action, and people watching.

 

When we were younger and travelling with a group, we often sat near the pool and actively participated in the activity by the pool.

 

Now we hunt for the shade which is harder to find and I would argue has some even worse chair hogs.

[njkate]

Ok maybe I shouldn’t have used the dreaded “hog” word in the title. What I was asking was, what is the attraction to chairs around a very tiny, crowded, noisy pool?

 

 

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Nope "hog" was the correct word, lol

So happy I am not a pool person, you could not pay me enough $$$$$ to enter a public pool, have no interest in people watching.

Only time I can see justification is if you have small kids that you need to keep a close eye on

[njkate]

Change of plans for me. Here is my new hangout as of this morning!!

https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/norwegian-getaway-651/the-haven-courtyard-119439/the-haven-courtyard--v6915018/

Oh now just rub it in GADave, rub it in LOL

[AshleyJax]

Ok maybe I shouldn’t have used the dreaded “hog” word in the title. What I was asking was, what is the attraction to chairs around a very tiny, crowded, noisy pool?

 

 

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What you consider noise others may view as fun and a good time to socialize. Some people enjoy being near the crowds since they like meeting new people and socializing. I like being near the pool as it affords me a good view of, and easy access to particiapte in, the poolside activities. Do I spend my whole day there? No, but if I can catch a good spot for an hour or so I'll take it. Also, when I was younger (early twenties) it was often were the young adult cruisers hung out so it was easy to meet people in my age group.

[cathi007]

I have read countless threads and posts about "chair hogs" that seem to describe the chairs that are near and around the (very small) pools on cruise ships. I honestly don't understand the attraction as most people have said they don't actually go in or use the pools. I can understand the desire to have a chair near the pool if you have children who are going in the pool that you need to keep an eye on. I'm referring to people who readily admit that they don't usually even go in the pool, but yet feel compelled to reserve or desire a chair near the pool. Don't misunderstand, we love sunbathing, but choose to do our sunbathing on beaches while in the ports. If people want to sunbathe while on the ship, it doesn't have to be done right around the pool, especially as most people have said they don't even go in the pool. If you sunbathe on a lounger where you can see the ocean, you can still go take a dip in the pool to cool off.

 

 

In my (admittedly limited) experience, chairs around the pool are often crowded; the pool area is usually noisy; and the view you get is of the mass number of people in the pool as opposed to a nice ocean view. What am I missing?

 

When DH and I cruise, we always look for those decks that have lounge chairs that are in view of the ocean, yet protected from the sun. We love to sit near the ocean, both to enjoy looking at the sea and also for the slight breeze that sometimes comes with those seats. Our frustration with the Allure and the Oasis (RCL ships) was that there were few (non-smoking) areas where you could find a chair that overlooked the ocean yet was protected from the sun. One of the things I'm looking forward to on the Getaway is the Waterfront, where I am hoping/assuming that there will be such areas.

 

I've read that there are often chairs on the decks above where the pool is on the Getaway that seem to be more available. I'm hoping we will find some nice, quiet, secluded spaces that have lounge chairs that are in the shade yet next to the railing so we can see the ocean as we cruise. No one has to worry that we will be hogging any chairs near the pool. But I would love to understand what is the attraction to those chairs, that make people get up super early to "reserve."

 

I agree 100% with what you said. As long as I can find a lounger near a bar, I will sit on any deck. I can't stand the crowded pool area either. With that being said, my cruise in Jan 2019 we will be sailing with my 3 y/o grandson and 14 month old grand daughter and my DD and her hubby, so we may want to find lounges near the water park, ugh that should be fun. At least it's a 14 nighter in Jan, so probably not crazy packed with kids, as they will be in school :)

[Gampy1967]

I like being up close when that 78yrd old in the thong bikini climbs out of the pool. :)

[cruisegal415]

Nope "hog" was the correct word, lol

So happy I am not a pool person, you could not pay me enough $$$$$ to enter a public pool, have no interest in people watching.

Only time I can see justification is if you have small kids that you need to keep a close eye on

 

Exactly how I feel, just wondered if I was missing something!

[cruisegal415]

I like being up close when that 78yrd old in the thong bikini climbs out of the pool. :)

I can't wait till I'm 78 and I can let it all hang out and not care! lol

[cruisegal415]

What you consider noise others may view as fun and a good time to socialize. Some people enjoy being near the crowds since they like meeting new people and socializing. I like being near the pool as it affords me a good view of, and easy access to particiapte in, the poolside activities. Do I spend my whole day there? No, but if I can catch a good spot for an hour or so I'll take it. Also, when I was younger (early twenties) it was often were the young adult cruisers hung out so it was easy to meet people in my age group.

Excellent point and what I was looking for. I guess getting old and crochety (I'm not really that old but I guess I'm crochety now) I don't want to socialize and/or participate or watch poolside activities. But I'm not old enough to not remember how that could be fun! It's good to be reminded of that now and then. ;p

[cathi007]

Wish ships would have cubbies to store shoes and shirts, etc. I do not need a chair but a dry spot for my stuff while I am in the pool.

 

Yes that would solve so much, I don't get why they don't do that

[takeadip]

I have read countless threads and posts about "chair hogs" that seem to describe the chairs that are near and around the (very small) pools on cruise ships. I honestly don't understand the attraction as most people have said they don't actually go in or use the pools. I can understand the desire to have a chair near the pool if you have children who are going in the pool that you need to keep an eye on. I'm referring to people who readily admit that they don't usually even go in the pool, but yet feel compelled to reserve or desire a chair near the pool. Don't misunderstand, we love sunbathing, but choose to do our sunbathing on beaches while in the ports. If people want to sunbathe while on the ship, it doesn't have to be done right around the pool, especially as most people have said they don't even go in the pool. If you sunbathe on a lounger where you can see the ocean, you can still go take a dip in the pool to cool off.

 

 

In my (admittedly limited) experience, chairs around the pool are often crowded; the pool area is usually noisy; and the view you get is of the mass number of people in the pool as opposed to a nice ocean view. What am I missing?

 

When DH and I cruise, we always look for those decks that have lounge chairs that are in view of the ocean, yet protected from the sun. We love to sit near the ocean, both to enjoy looking at the sea and also for the slight breeze that sometimes comes with those seats. Our frustration with the Allure and the Oasis (RCL ships) was that there were few (non-smoking) areas where you could find a chair that overlooked the ocean yet was protected from the sun. One of the things I'm looking forward to on the Getaway is the Waterfront, where I am hoping/assuming that there will be such areas.

 

I've read that there are often chairs on the decks above where the pool is on the Getaway that seem to be more available. I'm hoping we will find some nice, quiet, secluded spaces that have lounge chairs that are in the shade yet next to the railing so we can see the ocean as we cruise. No one has to worry that we will be hogging any chairs near the pool. But I would love to understand what is the attraction to those chairs, that make people get up super early to "reserve."

 

NCL did a psychological study on the GEM last year.. they asked random people to stand in a line thAt went no where...the first person was facing the wall...and everyone lined up behind the person...well as time went by the line got longer and longer...NCL reps polled some people in line and said what are you in line for...and they didn't know...but still stood there cause of the crowd..whenever something is precieved as limited...like seating..you know..

[cathi007]

I like being up close when that 78yrd old in the thong bikini climbs out of the pool. :)

 

Lol, that happened during a family Thanksgiving cruise when my children were in their early teens. There were 18 of us on the ship and all the kids (7) were ages 13-18 and they were sitting in a hot tub. All of a sudden some 75 ish man comes into the hot tub wearing a thong. My DH, mother, sister and her hubby and her in-laws were sitting in lounge chairs dying. As soon as the guy got in the hot tub, one by one the kids filed out. It was the funniest thing ever , lol

[psac]

Lol, that happened during a family Thanksgiving cruise when my children were in their early teens. There were 18 of us on the ship and all the kids (7) were ages 13-18 and they were sitting in a hot tub. All of a sudden some 75 ish man comes into the hot tub wearing a thong. My DH, mother, sister and her hubby and her in-laws were sitting in lounge chairs dying. As soon as the guy got in the hot tub, one by one the kids filed out. It was the funniest thing ever , lol

 

So instead of the new 16 and older only on the Haven sun deck rule, they could’ve just hired that guy to walk around all day! :')

[Tutontow]

Don't misunderstand, we love sunbathing, but choose to do our sunbathing on beaches while in the ports. If people want to sunbathe while on the ship, it doesn't have to be done right around the pool, especially as most people have said they don't even go in the pool. If you sunbathe on a lounger where you can see the ocean, you can still go take a dip in the pool to cool off.

 

 

 

If anyone were to see my skin they would think long and hard about sunbathing.

 

I have lived in Florida for 60 years and in my late teens, early twenties it was a challenge to see who could get the darkest. I spent numerous hours at Clearwater, Cocoa Beach and Daytona. I got to the point where I would spend eight hours at the beach without any sunscreen or shade. Not to mention all of the hours of fishing.

 

All I can say is I am sure paying for it now. I can't leave my front door without wearing long sleeves.

[erdoran]

Here's the end to poolside hogging - "these spots reserved for parents/grandparents (etc) with children using the pool". Kinda like at the supermarket the pregnancy parking spots. Those are the people who NEED to be there!

[Toofarfromthesea]

Lol, that happened during a family Thanksgiving cruise when my children were in their early teens. There were 18 of us on the ship and all the kids (7) were ages 13-18 and they were sitting in a hot tub. All of a sudden some 75 ish man comes into the hot tub wearing a thong. My DH, mother, sister and her hubby and her in-laws were sitting in lounge chairs dying. As soon as the guy got in the hot tub, one by one the kids filed out. It was the funniest thing ever , lol

 

Wonderful. Like playing opera loudly to get kids to stop hanging around a store.;p

[anonmom]

Wish ships would have cubbies to store shoes and shirts, etc. I do not need a chair but a dry spot for my stuff while I am in the pool.

Right!?!

 

I have no desire to hog a chair just to 'win' or abuse my privileges or anything like that. I just want a nice dry place to put my towel and other things.

 

A wall of cubbies near the pool would solve so many problems for me *and* for the people who wish I hadn't piled all of my family's stuff on a chair that they really want to sit on.

 

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[GUT2407]

Plenty must love them.

 

You’ve got those that hog and those that get upset over hogs.

[davesgirl51]

Eughhhh, pee tank,

[kathy884]

These chairs are the ones you want if you have children who you are supervising at the pool. I have never had one and always had to put my things on the ground and sit on the ground for a break even though lots of chairs were empty - no people but with towels (people were saving the chairs). With children you want to watch them and never leave them unattended even for a minute when they are by water. Because of the chair problem I have always preferred land resorts where I have not had the chair issue while supervising the kids. It really put a damper on the whole cruise experience for me and a cruise would never have never been my pick for vacation due to this, although I joined cruises occasionally to vacation with extended family. All that said, I'm doing a cruise in January but with family ages 22 - 82. The chair hog problem really puts a damper on cruising for parents who do the right thing and supervise their children by water at all times.

[ClarkBHM]

Here's the end to poolside hogging - "these spots reserved for parents/grandparents (etc) with children using the pool". Kinda like at the supermarket the pregnancy parking spots. Those are the people who NEED to be there!

 

This. Related to the separate discussions about whether there should be lifeguards on cruise ships, one of the arguments against it is that parents should be responsible for their own children. If you make that argument, you should understand that parents need to be able to be close to the pool. If you don't want those chairs set aside for parents/grandparents watching their kids, then hire lifeguards.

 

Frankly, they should hire lifeguards anyway. Lifeguards aren't particularly expensive, and I would never want to see an innocent child's life extinguished because of the inattention of a parent. I'm happy to be in the pool with my kids, but not all parents feel the same way.

 

</soapbox mode>

[GA Dave]

Here's the end to poolside hogging - "these spots reserved for parents/grandparents (etc) with children using the pool". Kinda like at the supermarket the pregnancy parking spots. Those are the people who NEED to be there!

 

So, anyone not cruising with children will not be allowed to use the pool or the immediate area??? :confused:

That would be fine, if they had a true adult-only pool. But, from everything I have read in trip reports, even the “16 and older only” sundeck area in The Haven is being abused and the ship employees are not enforcing it. Personally, I never took my kids on a cruise. We took them to the theme parks, DC, NY, water parks, etc. I also made sure they never went in any hot tub, sauna, etc that was posted as adult only.

No offense, but the folks paying the bills need something to call their own, other than the casino.

JMHO.

[Two Wheels Only]

No offense, but the folks paying the bills need something to call their own, other than the casino.

JMHO.

Such as the Spa, VIBE/POSH, or Spice H2O.;)

 

 

However, I do disagree with the idea that spots should be reserved for people with kids. If parents are actually "watching" their children that are in the pool, the parents shouldn't be lounging.