Is it harder to find a lounge chair since the Retreat Sundeck was introduced?

[themutis]

This is our first cruise since the Retreat Sundeck was introduced.  We are sailing on the summit.

 

In the past, we often found ourselves lounging on the top front deck.  It was always a quieter location, I could often find shade, and it seemed less crowded.  We are not in a suite this cruise, so I was wondering if the other areas seem more crowded and how hard it will be to find a lounge chair.

 

Just wondering how early we will need to be on deck to get a chair.

 

 

[marycruz]

3 hours ago, themutis said:

This is our first cruise since the Retreat Sundeck was introduced.  We are sailing on the summit.

 

In the past, we often found ourselves lounging on the top front deck.  It was always a quieter location, I could often find shade, and it seemed less crowded.  We are not in a suite this cruise, so I was wondering if the other areas seem more crowded and how hard it will be to find a lounge chair.

 

Just wondering how early we will need to be on deck to get a chair.

 

 

No worries based on our previous experience on Summit.   Hard to find shade up there and at times very windy.  We were just on in May and the most we saw up there were a handful of people.  

[Jim_Iain]

Certainly not in the Retreat.    My own observation both pre an post retreat I don't think there is any difference.    The forward area on M and S Class was only sparsely used pre-Revloluiton and Post Revolution I have never seen more than a hand full of people sunbathing (defiantly less than 20).

 

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

Have not seen it to be an issue.  3 or 4 lounges together- yes.  But depends on port vs sea days, how many on board, weather and lots of other variables.

[DaKahuna]

 Finding seats around the poll have always been an hit or miss event.  It depends on what location you prefer and whether or not there are a lot of others that are on the cruise that also favor the same locations.  Weather also plays a large part in availability of chairs, as do the "chair hogs." 
 

All I can say is that I do not think there is one good answer that will be found other than trial and error once you are aboard the ship. 

 

 

[Relaxinginthesun]

On our last cruise on Apex in March 2022 on sea days we were unable to get a chaise on the Retreat sundeck.  There are so many suites on E-class ships that the Retreat spaces are not large enough to accommodate everyone.  The odd thing was that the ship was only sailing at about 60% capacity, but all the suites had been sold.  This resulted in being able to get loungers right beside the pool anytime of the day.