how much time do you give a chair hog...here is my take....

[hawkfish]

Security did indeed come, told her she could not save seats, and definitely not in that number. They then requested that she leave the theatre.

 

All of the people around us who had witnessed this woman making a spectacle of herself, applauded as she left.

 

We enjoyed the show.

 

Hypo

 

 

Verrrrry nice!!!! :)

 

As a bonus, you probably 'ruined' her vacation, as well. She's probably been telling people about it ever since, most of whom are also rolling their eyes and wondering what her problem is.

[Mark_K]

I think if you are in the pool for an hour, you ARE being a chair hog. I think if you are not laying/sitting in your chair, you are not using it. I wish the ships had cubbies for those who just want to swim and not sun worship. I think there is no way to know if someone is leaving for the WJ for 20 minutes or 30 minutes. NO matter what, you are always gone longer than you think.

 

I think the only reason to leave your pool chair is to go potty and come back.

 

BTW, on FOS, the pool attendant was putting a fresh towel on each and every chair one sea day morning about 6:30. So they all looked occupied when people started showing up.

Given the fact that they do not have cubbies, or any other decent alternative, I would consider using a chair for your belongings while you are in the pool - for whatever length of time - to be perfectly acceptable.

[iheartbda]

Verrrrry nice!!!! :)

 

As a bonus, you probably 'ruined' her vacation, as well. She's probably been telling people about it ever since, most of whom are also rolling their eyes and wondering what her problem is.

 

She may be telling people but I'd be willing to guess she's not telling the WHOLE story. Probably just saying that some big guy came along and strong armed her out of a chair, had the nerve to call security and SHE got kicked out for doing nothing wrong. People have a way of distorting the facts to justify their misbehavior.

 

Also, for all those that leave their things on the chairs for an hour or longer, be forewarned. It looks like there are enough people out there who are going to take up residence so don't be surprised when you get back and it's newly occupied.

[hawkfish]

Given the fact that they do not have cubbies, or any other decent alternative, I would consider using a chair for your belongings while you are in the pool - for whatever length of time - to be perfectly acceptable.

 

 

Ditto - I don't usually stray that far from my belongings, but I have been known to hang out in the pool for over an hour. Don't know where else I would put my stuff, other than on a chair.

[um5xno1]

 

15 minutes is enough time for someone to return from a bathroom break or from running into the lido to get something to eat and return, or running down to the cabin. i do not feel that a person should be able to reserve a seat while they go to the casino, dining room, chase down their kids, photo gallery, gym, make dinner reservations, go to the art auction, wine tasting, martini tasting, excursion talk, roller blade, rock climb, ice skate, flow rider, or any area other than the pool area. there is food in the pool area and the lido area along with music and entertainment.

quote]

 

I know I am going to get blasted for this, but I disagree. 30 minutes is the standard on most ships, I feel I should be able to take a 20-30 minute swim, go to Windjammers for lunch, or be at the flow rider for up to 30 minutes without thinking someone has already moved my stuff after 15 minutes. It is totally absurd to think that a person can only leave for 15 minute intervals otherwise they forfeit their chair. Why can't I leave my chair for 15 minutes to make a dinner reservation? Honestly, tell me the harm in that!

My wife and I are on deck at 8am religiously, always have a great spot, never leave for more than 30 minutes at a time, and have never had a problem. I feel we are not doing anything wrong, and we have never had our stuff moved.

I know chair hogs can be a problem when people never return and I feel those people should be booted, but I also feel there is an air of apathy with people wanting to arrive at the pool later in the day on a sea day and expect prime real estate to still be available. There are some people who deserve having their stuff moved. I also believe there are people who use chair hogging as a vapid excuse for sleeping-in, and whining about being too far from the pool.

There are definitely two extremes, if we all fall in between them, there will be plenty of chairs and plenty of understanding. I say if 30 minutes is the rule, then after 30 minutes, bye-bye! I do not know why you are taking it upon yourself to cut the understood timeframe in half.

[rsscaptain]

 

15 minutes is enough time for someone to return from a bathroom break or from running into the lido to get something to eat and return, or running down to the cabin. i do not feel that a person should be able to reserve a seat while they go to the casino, dining room, chase down their kids, photo gallery, gym, make dinner reservations, go to the art auction, wine tasting, martini tasting, excursion talk, roller blade, rock climb, ice skate, flow rider, or any area other than the pool area. there is food in the pool area and the lido area along with music and entertainment.

quote]

 

I know I am going to get blasted for this, but I disagree. 30 minutes is the standard on most ships, I feel I should be able to take a 20-30 minute swim, go to Windjammers for lunch, or be at the flow rider for up to 30 minutes without thinking someone has already moved my stuff after 15 minutes. It is totally absurd to think that a person can only leave for 15 minute intervals otherwise they forfeit their chair. Why can't I leave my chair for 15 minutes to make a dinner reservation? Honestly, tell me the harm in that!

 

My wife and I are on deck at 8am religiously, always have a great spot, never leave for more than 30 minutes at a time, and have never had a problem. I feel we are not doing anything wrong, and we have never had our stuff moved.

 

I know chair hogs can be a problem when people never return and I feel those people should be booted, but I also feel there is an air of apathy with people wanting to arrive at the pool later in the day on a sea day and expect prime real estate to still be available. There are some people who deserve having their stuff moved. I also believe there are people who use chair hogging as a vapid excuse for sleeping-in, and whining about being too far from the pool.

 

There are definitely two extremes, if we all fall in between them, there will be plenty of chairs and plenty of understanding. I say if 30 minutes is the rule, then after 30 minutes, bye-bye! I do not know why you are taking it upon yourself to cut the understood timeframe in half.

 

I have to agree that 30 min. would be the rule of thumb for me as well. I wouldn't remove someones stuff after only 15 minutes. I do take issue with you leaving to use the Flowrider or go to lunch. That is just selfish in nature. You should take your stuff with you, and relinquish your chair to someone who hasn't had it since 8 am. When you return then you should look for a chair again. Just my opinion, but that's how I feel.

[thesmiths]

We are a family of four with 2 children 11&10... we only look for 2 chairs, kids can and do sit on the end of the chair....

If I get up and am gone for 30 minutes and my stuff is moved, I am going to be pissed.....15 minutes I am going to blow a gasket.....

 

I personally am going to make a few signs up 8 1/2 x 11 slid into a plastic sleeve and post them on my chair.

(And will post pics when I return)

 

Something to the affect that

 

I am not a Chair Hog I am in the Pool.

 

I am getting Pizza be back Soon.

 

U toucha my stuff you be a swimmin home.

 

May even consider getting one of those clocks that say Will return at 12:00 o'clock.

 

My wife is disabled, can walk, but slowly and it takes twice the amount of time to get anywhere..our daughter has some health issues as well and requires meds every few hours...haven't had it happen yet, but if someone takes her chair....

Boy the tongue lashing they will receive.....

 

I may bring her handicap car window sticker and place it on the chair if it is this bad.....

 

Just rememeber there may be certain circumstances that you may not be able to get back asap and you can be quite embarrased when you steal a handicapped person chair....

 

This will be our first on RCCL....I am not getting that warm fuzzy feeling about enjoying a day up on deck....

I do hope this is overstated....

[CruiseAwayWithMe]

I don't even need a chair by the pool. I'll place my bag on the side of the pool. I don't really use a chair. But, I did see everyone leaving a towel on all the chairs. Only 4 chairs or so were opened. I saw people who were gone for 2 hours and never came back. But, I'd never move a towel. It's just not worth it. I don't even sit in the chair so I don't need it in the first place.

 

But, I understand everyone's frustration with the chair hogs. I was on Labadee, Haiti and there were rows of 10 chairs taken with towels on them. We found a row of 6 deck chairs and hoped they weren't all saved. Only used one that didn't have a towel on it. Worked out fine. :) When your on vacation, don't get worked up about chair hogs, it will likely cause an argument. Just enjoy yourself. :D But, chair hogs were alive on Liberty of the Seas last week. :eek:

[berwyn]

We are a family of four with 2 children 11&10... we only look for 2 chairs, kids can and do sit on the end of the chair....

If I get up and am gone for 30 minutes and my stuff is moved, I am going to be pissed.....15 minutes I am going to blow a gasket.....

 

I personally am going to make a few signs up 8 1/2 x 11 slid into a plastic sleeve and post them on my chair.

(And will post pics when I return)

 

Something to the affect that

 

I am not a Chair Hog I am in the Pool.

 

I am getting Pizza be back Soon.

 

U toucha my stuff you be a swimmin home.

 

May even consider getting one of those clocks that say Will return at 12:00 o'clock.

 

My wife is disabled, can walk, but slowly and it takes twice the amount of time to get anywhere..our daughter has some health issues as well and requires meds every few hours...haven't had it happen yet, but if someone takes her chair....

Boy the tongue lashing they will receive.....

 

I may bring her handicap car window sticker and place it on the chair if it is this bad.....

 

Just rememeber there may be certain circumstances that you may not be able to get back asap and you can be quite embarrased when you steal a handicapped person chair....

 

This will be our first on RCCL....I am not getting that warm fuzzy feeling about enjoying a day up on deck....

I do hope this is overstated....

 

Maybe you could advise the pool attendant of your needs.

[TravelerThom]

I recall years ago in Europe having a cardboard clock to place on the car dashboard in time-limited parking areas. You had to post the time you left on the clock [by moving the cardboard hands], and you were subject to a ticket if you were not within your time [15 minutes, half hour, two hours or whatever the posted interval was, and you could also get a ticket for trying to cheat and "post-dating" your clock]. If the cruise line defined a specified time, these clocks [which would probably be plastic now and must cost all of four cents] would certainly remove a MAJOR irritant from the pool deck. I might suggest a time interval of 30 minutes, and yes if you are in the pool you are allowed to get out and reset the time. It would be immediately obvious who had timed out and no longer had rights to the chair. If we used a system to get rid of the chair hogs there would be no trouble finding a new chair if you left for an hour for lunch or whatever. The current system feeds on itself, for people feel that they have to save their chair when they go to lunch, because they might not get one when they get back.

[thesmiths]

Maybe you could advise the pool attendant of your needs.

 

We have and we do, thank you!

But the attendant will not always be there just for me...

 

It is what it is....will it ruin our vaca...absolutely not......

[KC_fn]

I think 15 minutes is about 14 minutes too long!

 

I agree! There is no shortage of deck chairs (on Mariner of the Seas anyway). There'll be chairs available when you want them -- no need to hog. Just move them to where you want them, when you want them, and call it good. If you can't put them exactly at the 50-yard line of the main pool, remember, you are sailing the high seas on a beautiful ship -- are there really any BAD places to sit? ;)

[dsan]

I understand what you are saying about being handicapped as I also have a disability but I dont think that gives me special rights to save seats. Its like a handicap parking spot. When I leave to go out and come back if it is taken oh well that is the chance I take by leaving. Everyone says about their chairs, correct me if I am wrong but don't they belong to the cruise lines and they are just there for all of ours uses. If I leave for a period of time and somone uses the chair that I use, oh well there are others.May not be the one where I like to sit so its called compromise.

[FitzLA]

We always book balcony, so we don't use the chairs by the pool. However the main theatre is another story. On a previous RCCL cruise, we were going to the headliner show and there were two women, in the front rows of the balcony that were trying to save thirty seats. We just plopped down in the middle of the chairs and one of the women went ballistic, started swearing at me and screaming at the top of her lungs. I politely told her that she was not allowed to save chairs, and that I, (6 ft 2 and 300lbs) would be more than glad to help her find some seats on the main floor. I then ignored her, she continued to scream at me and make a general scene. I finally called over a bar waiter and said "This woman has a complaint".

 

She then lit into the poor bar waiter, and tried to insist that all 30 seats were hers. The bar waiter was looking at me, with a sort of grin and rolled his eyes. He told her to calm down and that he would get security to take care of the problem. She then sat down with a big grin, and told me that I better move my sorry A** as security was coming. I ignored her.

 

Security did indeed come, told her she could not save seats, and definitely not in that number. They then requested that she leave the theatre.

 

All of the people around us who had witnessed this woman making a spectacle of herself, applauded as she left.

 

We enjoyed the show.

 

Hypo

 

That pretty much rocks. :D

 

I think if you are in the pool for an hour, you ARE being a chair hog. I think if you are not laying/sitting in your chair, you are not using it. I wish the ships had cubbies for those who just want to swim and not sun worship. I think there is no way to know if someone is leaving for the WJ for 20 minutes or 30 minutes. NO matter what, you are always gone longer than you think.

 

I think the only reason to leave your pool chair is to go potty and come back.

 

BTW, on FOS, the pool attendant was putting a fresh towel on each and every chair one sea day morning about 6:30. So they all looked occupied when people started showing up.

 

I think you are totally wrong. If you are in the pool, you are using your chair. I may spend hours at the pool. And if I want to get in the pool for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, why should I give up my chair. I am using it and will be using it once I am out of my pool. I also think that if you want to run to the winjammer and bring food back to your chair, that is ok. But to go and eat there, I would always give up my chair. And if I was only planning on swimming, I would just put my stuff beside the pool and swim. But when getting some sun, it's my chair. And if I want to swim for an hour, then so be it.

[madforcruising]

I know this is kinda OT but I hate the chair hogs in the Windjammer and I´m talking about them as chair hogs although they sit in the chair all day.

I´m talking about those people sitting there all day for playing cards or other games. Unfortunately I´ve never seen a rule against this or someone telling those people to leave. I don´t have a problem when they are doing this in off peak times, but at i.e. at noon when the WJ is packed and people are looking around for empty seats with their trays in hand, I think it´s rude to occupy tables for playing cards.

Sorry for going OT but this always drives me crazy.

[MBeamTX]

I know this is kinda OT but I hate the chair hogs in the Windjammer and I´m talking about them as chair hogs although they sit in the chair all day.

I´m talking about those people sitting there all day for playing cards or other games. Unfortunately I´ve never seen a rule against this or someone telling those people to leave. I don´t have a problem when they are doing this in off peak times, but at i.e. at noon when the WJ is packed and people are looking around for empty seats with their trays in hand, I think it´s rude to occupy tables for playing cards.

Sorry for going OT but this always drives me crazy.

 

I would agree with that. It seems to especially happen in Alaska, where everyone wants to see the view and stay warm. So they bring knitting, playing cards, whatever, and stay for hours.

 

This whole thread makes me so glad that we book balconies. I'm never in the market for a chair at the pool, unless I'm swimming, and then I only need it to put my stuff down. If there's no chair, then I'll put my towel and cover-up on the ledge around the pool. Once I'm done swimming, I'm outta there. :cool:

 

Happy cruising,

Susan

[superjerryw]

My favorite part of cruising is disquising myself as a pool attendant and taking super glue and gluing all items left on chairs to the chairs. Can you imagine the confusion? So much fun watching this show, better than any onboard entertainment.

Don"t think this is any worse than not following rules.;)

 

It's better to glue the items to the floor near the chair so you free up the chair and still get to see the show......:eek:

[superjerryw]

We always book balcony, so we don't use the chairs by the pool. However the main theatre is another story. On a previous RCCL cruise, we were going to the headliner show and there were two women, in the front rows of the balcony that were trying to save thirty seats. We just plopped down in the middle of the chairs and one of the women went ballistic, started swearing at me and screaming at the top of her lungs. I politely told her that she was not allowed to save chairs, and that I, (6 ft 2 and 300lbs) would be more than glad to help her find some seats on the main floor. I then ignored her, she continued to scream at me and make a general scene. I finally called over a bar waiter and said "This woman has a complaint".

 

She then lit into the poor bar waiter, and tried to insist that all 30 seats were hers. The bar waiter was looking at me, with a sort of grin and rolled his eyes. He told her to calm down and that he would get security to take care of the problem. She then sat down with a big grin, and told me that I better move my sorry A** as security was coming. I ignored her.

 

Security did indeed come, told her she could not save seats, and definitely not in that number. They then requested that she leave the theatre.

 

All of the people around us who had witnessed this woman making a spectacle of herself, applauded as she left.

 

We enjoyed the show.

 

Hypo

 

Bravo. We had the exact same thing happen and I did the exact same thing you did. My wife and I just sat ourselves right down. The woman saving the seats started yelling at us and I told her where she could go. She left and neither she nor any members of her party ever materialized.

[mitchrock]

15 minutes seems reasonable to me. Chairs are a hot commodity.

[madforcruising]

Actually I think 15 minutes is a bit short, I think 30 inutes is much more reasonable.

 

I don´t have a problem with pool chairs at all as I think in all my cruises I have sat in one less than 5 times.

 

However if I would be out there all day I would most likely take dips in the pool for longer than 15 minutes.

[AAAMom]

15 minutes seems reasonable to me. Chairs are a hot commodity.

 

I've gone to get a drink at the bar and have waited longer than 15 minutes. Honestly, I have no problem with the 15, 20 or 60 minute vacancies. I have the problem with the 8am reserve the chair and never show. Or the family/group that reserves an entire area and there are only two of them sitting there.

[dc-snoopy]

My solution is simple. I rarely use the pool chairs, but when I do, I come out and look around for an unused chair that is reserved by a folded or at least dry towel. I will place the items on the ground in a safe position so that they aren't dripped on. If someone returns within a reasonable time (I usually use 30 minutes) and they say I am in their chair, I'll apologize and leave to find another one. If it is longer, then I'll point at the sign that says no reserving chairs or direct them to the attendant to explain. One exemption. If the passenger was handicapped, it wouldn't matter how long the time was, I would give up the chair. Having been a caregiver in the past, I know the difficulties people with disabilities face and I am grateful enough to be an able-bodied person, that I would gladly move to allow the chair to the person with a disability. To me, that's like giving up my subway seat.

 

Lounge chairs are a valuable commodity and should be shared by all those who want to use them...and to actually use them. If you want to hold your chair and you are going anywhere, you should come back within 30 minutes. IMHO, if you don't, you are hogging the chair. If you want to swim for 60 minutes, then you should move your belongings somewhere (like one of the lunch tables out on the deck) since those chairs are not as sought after. When you get out of the pool, you get to look for another unoccupied chair, just like anyone else who has been away from the chairs for over 30 minutes. To me, holding a chair for 60 minutes even if you are in the pool is selfish.

I don't agree you need that chair to hold your belongings and don't believe that you have any more right to that than any other passenger.

[iheartbda]

I know this is kinda OT but I hate the chair hogs in the Windjammer and I´m talking about them as chair hogs although they sit in the chair all day.

I´m talking about those people sitting there all day for playing cards or other games. Unfortunately I´ve never seen a rule against this or someone telling those people to leave. I don´t have a problem when they are doing this in off peak times, but at i.e. at noon when the WJ is packed and people are looking around for empty seats with their trays in hand, I think it´s rude to occupy tables for playing cards.

Sorry for going OT but this always drives me crazy.

 

Yes, and have seen people sitting there reading or worse yet, doing nothing, not even empty plates in front of them. Just sitting there, seemingly entertained by watching people looking for a seat.

[cruise182]

If you are going in the pool for an hour GIVE UP YOUR CHAIR!

When I grab a seat at the pool it is only for a little bit. Hour tops.

So when you are bobbing up and down in the sweat soup pool, I could be utilizing your chair. Should I bring a inflatable raft and mark a spot in the pool if I go get something to eat?

Sorry folks, 15 minutes tops. Even that I think is to much. Other then a bladder break, I cant see any reason for the seat not to be utilized.

[libertybelle41]

This whole thread makes me so glad that we book balconies. I'm never in the market for a chair at the pool, unless I'm swimming, and then I only need it to put my stuff down. If there's no chair, then I'll put my towel and cover-up on the ledge around the pool. Once I'm done swimming, I'm outta there. :cool:

 

Happy cruising,

Susan

 

 

 

Same w/me!

 

While we vacationed at the Atlantis (Bahamas) we noticed that the "pool crew" would notice a family/couple etc...trying to find a chair or two near one of the pools and they would actually remove towels off chairs to accommodate them. It looked like their primary job was to seek out chair hogs and help others when in need.