It’s your first day on a cruise ship. You enjoy your breakfast with a nice cup of coffee. Then, you decide it’s time to sun.
So, you grab a towel and go looking for a lounger. But there are no free spots in sight.
Instead, all chairs are “claimed” with an unfurled towel, a paperback book, or a lone flip-flop.
Is it ever okay to hog loungers? Is there anyone on board that can stop this behavior? That’s what this post is all about.
Defining Chair Hogs: How Early Is Too Early?
On some cruises, you won’t get a spot by the pool if you’re not out by 8:30 or 9 a.m.
Why? Some folks get up at 6 or 7 a.m. to reserve a chair. Then, they go back to bed, have breakfast, head to the gym, or sit elsewhere until they feel like returning to the reserved lounger. I’ve been on deck running at 5:30 in the morning and have already seen deck chairs claimed.
But that does mean hogging chairs is okay as long as you do it after 9 a.m.? No, not really.
It’s not about when you reserve the chair but how long it’s left unattended.
Leaving a lounger unattended for 10 minutes is fine. We all need to hit the bathroom or grab a drink. However, reserving a spot for hours before you need to use it is problematic.
Do You Have to Call the “Chair Hog Police”?
Believe it or not, many lines do have policies against hogging chairs. You might find a sign in the deck area warning that attendants can clear a lounger if left unattended for an hour or so.
| Some cruises have an even shorter “reservation” period. Leave your stuff for 40 minutes, and the crew can remove your belongings (and hold them for safekeeping) to free the chair for other guests. |
That said, these policies are hard to enforce. Crew members want to avoid confrontations, and guests don’t know (or care) about the policies.
I mean, who’s going to sit and wait for 40–60 minutes to see which lounger remains unoccupied? No one has time for that, especially not someone who wants to make the most of their vacation.
Carnival Cruise Line was the first to do this in 2012, and it has since been enforced. They even took a firmer stance on deck chair hogs in 2022.
Should Cruise Ships Have Stricter Enforcement?
It would be best if you tried the anti-hogging policies. Flag down an attendant and see if they know which loungers have been left unattended long enough.
A few guests report that this tactic has worked for them, but many frustrated guests want stricter enforcement.
Maybe attaching timers or smart key slots to chairs? A weight sensor, perhaps?
Some people even suggest rentable loungers. If someone wants to hog six chairs all day, let them pay for it by the hour. Of course, this backfires on ALL guests. So, it might not be a perfect tactic.
What Else Can You Do?
Suppose the anti-hogging policies aren’t strictly enforced, or you’re not confrontational.
Here are some workarounds to try instead:
Avoid the Pool
A poolside chair is a hogger’s go-to. So, let them have it and look for a free spot elsewhere. The pool can be too loud anyway.
Wait out the Hogs
Lounger hogs tend to pack their stuff and leave around 3 or 4 p.m. You could reschedule your day and save yourself the trouble.
Get up Early Tomorrow
You know the saying… If you can’t beat them, don’t join them! Instead, try getting up early to snag a spot without resorting to hogging. Use that quiet time to enjoy a peaceful sunrise or grab a prime seat near the action. But remember, the key is to use the lounger, not just leave a towel there.
By respecting others’ space, you can still enjoy your day without contributing to the chair-hogging problem.
