The chair hog solution...(it'll never happen).

[Danno]

The solution is simple...larger pool areas, multiple pools, thus more chairs, thus more happy passengers!! Unfortunately pools do not drive revenue...keep dreaming Danno.

[CruisingChick]

While I would LOVE to have a prime nice seat by the pool on a gorgeous Sea Day it does not make or break my cruise. The only time I've ever had a good pool seat is when we traveled with another couple who got up early and went to the pool and saved us seats.

 

I don't think I really want to get up that early, even to throw a towel and a book, on a chair just so I have a "choice" spot.

 

Also pool attendants are suppose to removed items left unattended for more than a certain amount of time. Another "regulation" not enforced.

[charlielinda]

I posted the other day about what I would like to do with chair hogs -- mix all the stuff up but . . . in reality I don't lay by the pool. I guess I'm just odd.

 

I get my tan at the tanning salon before I cruise so I have that taken care of. I always find so many other things on the ship to do I never seem to have time. I'm not a fan of crowds so unless they make larger areas for Danno . . . I rather read in a quiet spot. On the Summit I love the Therapy Pool and espeically like it there in the late afternoon when it's virtually empty.

 

Thank goodness we're all different.

[thomasale]

In my opinion there are no good pool seats. There is way too much passing through by the pool to allow me to enjoy the seats. I go to the upper decks because I cannot enjoy the pools. I love my pool at home!!!

[Randyk47]

Since we moved to Texas and have our own pool in the backyard the alure/attraction of the ship's pool is not quite so strong so it's not a big issue. Seems to me just "outlaw" reserving places. You ain't there....short of being in the pool or other appropriate facilities.....then you ain't there. Of course, how to control that is a whole different problem.

[ParrotHead4Life]

Just pick it up and move it yourself...or turn it in to the staff!

[excitedofharpenden]

The solution is simple...larger pool areas, multiple pools, thus more chairs, thus more happy passengers!! Unfortunately pools do not drive revenue...keep dreaming Danno.

Unfortuantely larger/multiple pool areas mean larger ships. That doesn't fit with Horizon/Century Class so well. I personally loved Mercury and Galaxy's size. Not too big. I have to admit I have never been keen to sit by the pool anyway. Finding a quiet spot somewhere else (which I have always managed) is much more preferable.

 

Phil

[Danno]

My vision was same size ship with more pool space, perhaps the buffet area elsewhere than enlarge the pool deck...like I said, not likely.

[excitedofharpenden]

I hear you, Danno, but it would mean less pax to accomodate the extra space used for the buffet area and a corresponding increase in the prices.

 

Phil

[Kathleen P.]

The cruise pool thing is over rated. You are baking like sardines, one on top of the other...I do not appreciate smelling some elses cigarette smoke...watching people eat like slobs, slathering suntan oil on bodies that should not be in 2 piece suits (with and without tattos) and listen to other's arguements/conversations. There is no private space of your own, as I do not appreciate someone else's troll feet that close to my head or getting someone else's pool wetness on me....YUCK! I espically hate the overweight men in wet bathing suits.....it sticks to everything you just DON'T want to see...the hairy backs are another issue all together.....

 

There is a reason they are called chair "hogs"......as far as I am concerned.. They can have them I just can't look at all that.

 

Besides tanning = wrinkles. Get a spray on tan and have some fun "in"the ship instead of sharing your personal space with Bubba the Chair Hog and his bottle of Bud.

The sights you see around the cruise pool can give you nightmares for months.

I know I'll get flamed for this but its true...well IMHO anyway.

 

 

I think we should start a new club called the "Chair Snobs" - LOL

[cosaraquis1]

Sign me up as a charter member of your new club, I agree with you 100%, when your right your right.

[eileen & jay]

Kathleen P., Thank you for your humorous posting. At the end of a very busy day, it brought a much needed chuckle.:D

[catmand]

........................loved your post Kathleen , you did forget to mention the crying, screaming, running, jumping, splashing, peeing kids.

 

Always be a trade off. The Star had several pools, two of them were pretty large, so was the ship, and so were a number of the passengers who were using the pools (see Katleens post).

 

We no longer do the sun, nature is giving us enough wrinkles. The pool is a non issue for us. A word about spray on tans. Be sure to spread your fingers out and watch out for those runs, drips and errors :D

[Happy ks]

But I think Kathleen P. is right, except I don't pay that much attention to another persons girth to let it bother me much. Beside, I am no bathing beauty myself.

 

I have never understood why anyone thinks the lounges close to the pool are "good" seats for many of the reasons she listed. We go up a flight, or better still, search out a completely different area to enjoy the sun. The last time we did try to roost next to the pool (my mistake) we had the Bickersons behind us with their 3 year old boy who wanted to play about 2 inches from my head. The dad finally left with the little one and I thought, finally some peace. Not to be, this woman (since we were in port) called someone on her cell and started her whiney, witchy (with a b) conversation with whomever. We promptly got up, she shot US a dirty look, we then found a quiet spot upstairs. Not to be, she started walking the deck we were on, with husband and child, so we had to hear them argue every time they passed. I'm so glad I have no friends or relatives like them.

 

Vacations should be the best times of your life, leave your worries behind, you can pick them up again when you get home.

[Lotsacruising]

This is why I always sail in at least a balcony cabin. I have my own private view of the beartiful ocean, my own seats, bathroom that is clean right near by. Room service at a phone call. What else could you ask for?:)

[winediva]

Do any of the ships offer an adults only pool? RCCL has this on some of their bigger ships. I usually hang out there. I generally like kids, but just prefer a quieter poolside experience. The "hey Mom! Lookatmelookatmelookatme! OKwatchthiswatchthis!" gets to me pretty quickly.

[Kathleen P.]

Did not mean to offend anyone by the overweight remark....Nobody's perfect. However some people do not realize their GIRTH and squish 5 lbs of bologna in a 2 pound bag.....that's what I have a hard time looking at - the YUCK factor. You can't help looking either because it's unbelieveable - Helloooooo got mirror!?! Nothing like seeing a large person in a 2 piece where the bottom part is so stretched out it looks like an eye patch. There are many tasteful bathing suits made for every shape and size.

 

If they only wore bathing suits that covered their body we would not have to see purple nips and other things we should not see. Just buy bathing attire that is made for your size not a supermodel's.

 

 

PS We were very happy to have a Sky Suite for the privacy too!

[Hilary]

I have to agree that I don't understand what all the fuss is about to sit next to the pool. Although I hate chair hogs on principle, I can honestly say I've only sat next to the pool one time and after 10 minutes moved to my "normal" spot up one deck. Not only is it cooler above the pool (due to the wind from the ship), but you don't have to smell the ciggy smoke nor listen to the people yelling at their kids in the pool.

[Danno]

Wow...I left this thread for a while...it morphed into a cruise pool fashion thread :eek: !! I just wanted a few more quiet areas, in the shade, near the pool...to read and snooze.

[deb18]

If people want to sit by the pool where the "action" is let them. I would rather not hear screaming people, whining kids. I do like to hear the band at times tho. there are plenty of other places on the ship to sun. besides, I really don't need melanoma. it is pretty ugly. I think that there should be timers on the chairs that need to be wound up every 1/2 hour. If left to run down then the lounger should spray itself down with water to clean everything off and have an available sign lite up. like a cab. once the sign is lit, anyone can take the lounger and if there are personal belongings it goes into the lost and found. just a thought. I think 1/2 hour is long enough to be away before a lounger is free for the taking. deb

[xander]

whether i sit by the pool or not depends on the mood i'm in - if i want peace and quiet i go elsewhere; if i want to enjoy the holiday mood - including the band - i grab a pool seat. but if the holiday mood gets too raucous; then i move....i have no desire to participate in pool games either.

 

As for adult only pool areas; P&O do this during their summer sailings. The aft pools are designated for families only, and the centre pool for adults. And this is enforced, but then they have a fantastic youth staff numbering over 25 people. P&O also have adult only ships. But you'd have to put up with us Brits.....and our food.....LOL

 

ian

[Kathleen P.]

The solution is simple...larger pool areas, multiple pools, thus more chairs, thus more happy passengers!! Unfortunately pools do not drive revenue...keep dreaming Danno.

 

 

How much larger do you think they should be....it is a ship, not a resort - space is limited. The pool areas do drive revenue...lots of drinks are sold.

 

Not everyone likes the cruise pool vibe for reasons mentioned. Even an adults only pool does not mean you will have peace and quite, as some adults are louder than children. If you are looking for quiet and shade...the pool area is not the place. Usually the back of the ship offers this environment, where there is an open area with tables, chairs and cover from the sun. you will not find many children, but you will find people reading, snoozing and just gazing at the ocean. It's a nice area.

 

The casinos drive revenue and they are small as well so there goes your theory!

 

If you are looking for space, shade, quiet then you should go to a caribbean resort, not a cruise where you have thousands of your "closest friends" jammed onto a small area. Resort pool and beach areas are large and plenty of chairs and private areas - including palm trees. Many offering services like sorbet, herbal infused cold towels, bar and lunch service and umberellas with cushy loungers and tablen spread across a wide beach.

 

There is always the option of a balcony cabin, where you have your own space and shade.

[Danno]

I'm not actually a big pool person...my openning comment grew from the fact that SO MANY people here have concerns about not being able to get a spot near the pool. I seldom have a problem because the vast majority of time I spend around the pool is when we are in port...the ship is empty and quiet. I relax and enjoy the solitude.