Chair Hog Issue

[dfhnis]

This issue will never go away. I have never been on a cruise when i did not encounter a few flagrant offenders. Those that reserve chairs in 2 or 3 differen areas and very rarely use any of them. However ,ther are also many that feel that a chair cannot be reserved for any length of time for any reason. To this I disagree

On a typical sunny sea day I rise early and reserve 2 lounge chairs at pool side. When my wife joins me we go to the Buffet breakfast. When we return 20 -30 minutes later I expect my chair to be there. The same goes for lunch. inbetween we may take 2 or 3 10 minute dips in the pool or hot tub. Again , expect top return to my reserved chair Later in the afternoon we go the the casino or enter the shuffle board tournment and GLADLY SURRENDER OUR CHAIRS your comments please.

 

Don

[tbelian]

I have no problem with a 10 - 30 minute time period. It's the chairs that get 'reserved' but remain unoccupied for HOURS that I have a problem with.

[teedee]

Don - I don't think anyone here has a problem with someone leaving their chair to go get a bite to eat or use the hot tubs or pools. I know I don't. The problem is when you see a "saved" chair that sits empty for hours.

 

Terri

[CruisingChick]

My only issue with your post is you say "a few" chair hogs on each cruise? I usually see more than a few.

 

If you are only leaving your chair for 10 to 20 minutes then that's totally acceptable. I think the problem most people have is people reserve 10 chairs at a time and then don't even show up for hours. I've seen empty chairs with books, shoes, etc on them and NO ONE using them for over an hour.

 

Luckily I could care less about laying by the pool. If we get chairs fine, if not we find somewhere else to go lay down. Not really a big deal.

 

I do know people who get up at 6:00 AM to go up and "HOG" chairs and even slip the pool attendants some money to make sure their stuff doesn't disappear.

 

Anne Maria

[slomotion]

Just my comments . . .

 

On the dip in the pool or hot tub I think you're right on the mark. You are in the area, "using the pool" etc and the chair is in the area that you are proximate to.

 

The sticky part is that as I stand here by the pool, I see a gentleman come to the area, sit down, drape a towel over an adjacent chaise and start to read or look around or whatever. Looks good so far. Then I see a nice lady walk out and up to the gentlemen, she sits on that adjacent chair, and gives him a kiss on the cheek, they chat for a bit, and then both get up and walk out of the area. I wait for 10, 15, 20 minutes and there is no sign of them. Where did they go? When will they return? Did they "forget" to take the towels off of the chaises? Are they coming back? If so when? Did they go to breakfast, meet some friends, and then go off with them?

 

Chairs & lounges don't talk. Who knows . . what the story is?

[Andy]

I have no problem with a 10 - 30 minute time period. It's the chairs that get 'reserved' but remain unoccupied for HOURS that I have a problem with.

 

Hi Tbelian !

 

Totally agreed. I dont have ANY problems with people going to the pool, lunch etc... but 30 mins truly should be the maximum. How many times have we seen people tie up chairs for the entire day and use them little to nothing.

 

Quick (sad but true) story.... On my last Cruise on Summit, there was a couple, who set up THREE Sets of chairs each day.... 1 set on 1 side of the pool (in the sun), 1 set on the opposite side of the pool (in the sun), and 1 set underneath (to get out of the sun). This went on, while many others were looking for chairs. This truly annoyed me, and I thought it was totally inconsiderate. I did "happen" to tell people looking for chairs, that those chairs were never used, in case they wanted to do something about it. I did tell the pool butlers, but they never did anything about it.

 

On ONE occasion, one of the chair Hogs wanted to use the chairs they rarely used, only to see them being used by someone else. He went to the pool butler, and blew a fit, as if he OWNED the chairs !. Of course, he looked like a total fool, and everyone basically laughed at him. No, he didn't get the chairs back :)

[CruisingChick]

Maybe Celebrity should start charging to use the chairs by the pools. I mean the poor kids can't even get a basketball without handing over their Celebrity Sea Pass card for the entire time they use the basketball, maybe they should institute some kind of policy for just the chairs right by the pool. If it did away with the annoying, rude, impolite behavior of certain passengers I would be all for it.

 

Anne Maria

[flagger]

I feel that unless you are using the facilities in the immediate area, then you need to surrender the chair. This means getting in and out of the hottub or pool or running back and forth from the bathroom . If you get up to go eat, it is only fair that someone else get to take advantage of a chair by the pool. As you are eating, there is no reason to be saving a deck chair by the pool. Wait long enough after you come back and another chair will open up. You could be gone 15-20 minutes or you could be gone 30-35 minutes. You can get a drink by the pool no problem, but food is usually consumed at a table.

 

That being said, there ARE plenty of deck chairs around the ship with prime sun position, so you have to walk a few extra steps to get into the pool to cool off. It is extremely rare that I have seen someone in the same pool chair all day long (assumming in the correct sun position).

[Cruise Arizona]

I never used a pool chair the entire 11 days I was on the Mercury. (I was always at the Sky Bar). But obviously pool chairs are important or people wouldn't be so worried about them.

 

Why is a pool chair so important?

[FreesiaE]

I agree with the idea of charging for some chairs. Now, hear me out, not all chairs, but one could "reserve" a chair by getting some sort of sign to put on it that said "reserved" for the entire day. The rest (majority) of the chairs are open for use and a no "hogging" policy is strickly enforced. That way the chair hogs get their chairs, and the rest of us have a turn. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

[usha]

FreesiaE, what are homophones?:confused:

[debjac]

I disagree with Flagger - I love to sit by the pool - all day. I enjoy a quick dip in the pool, the pool band, and any activities held around the pool. I'm usually out there by 9 AM and don't leave until 4 PM. I vacate my chair for maybe 15-20 for drinks, pool dips but I do take 30-40 minutes for lunch inside. I don't feel I should have to "give up my chair" in hopes of getting another one after (this probably would never happen). I do let my "neighbors" know that I will be back shortly in case anyone asks and they have always been very responsive. I do agree there is a problem and in the morning if books, towels have remained untouched for an hour they should be removed and thrown out.

 

A possible solution?? A pool attendant to watch over things and if you occupy a chair and want to leave for a short time you would see the attendant for a "Will Return At..." clock sign :D

[Leela]

FreesiaE, what are homophones?:confused:

 

Two words that sound alike but are spelled differently. Like "there" and "their" or "read" and "reed" (or even "read" and "red" for that matter).

 

Mom & I were on Horizon in April and trying to get a decent pool chair on that trip was impossible. It was very very windy that week and so people who would usually lounge on the upper decks were all down in the protected pool area.

 

We have a way of dealing with this, though -- we have late seating dinner, so we usually have our "pool time" in the late afternoon when all the early seating people leave the pool to start getting ready.

 

When we were on Century last year we found a great area by the Library where basically no one sat out. We could always find a chair there. Unfortunately Horizon didn't have a set-up like that -- the promenade areas were just too narrow for them to have deck chairs out like on Century.

 

I like the idea of a "will be back by ____ " clock sign for a reserved chair. If the person doesn't come back, then they lose the chair and their shoes and books etc. can be held at a "lost and found" claim area on the pool deck. Seems simple enough -- those going to the rest room or to fetch a book from their cabin or pick up a snack at the buffet are covered, and those who reserve a chair just in case they feel like using it at some point during the day will lose the chairs they aren't actually using.

[flagger]

I vacate my chair for maybe 15-20 for drinks, pool dips but I do take 30-40 minutes for lunch inside. I don't feel I should have to "give up my chair" in hopes of getting another one after

 

I am just curious as to why you think you are entitled to save a chair while you eat lunch? Someone certainly could be using that chair during those 30-40 minutes. The rules around the pool are quite clear. No chair saving. End of story.

[Andym]

what are homophones

 

George Bernard Shaw

 

I take it you already know

of tough and bough and cough and dough.

Others may stumble, but not you,

On hiccough, thorough, laugh and through.

Well done! And now you wish, perhaps,

To learn of less familiar traps.

 

Beware of heard, a dreadful word

That looks like beard and sounds like bird.

And dead-it's said like bed, not bead.

For goodness sake, don't call it deed!

Watch out for meat and great and threat.

They rhyme with suite and straight and debt.

 

A moth is not a moth in mother,

Nor both in bother, broth in brother,

And here is not a match for there,

Nor dear and fear for pear and bear.

And then there's dose and rose and lose

Just look them up--and goose and choose.

And cork and work and card and ward.

And font and front and word and sword.

And do and go, then thwart and cart.

Come, come I've hardly made a start.

 

A dreadful language? Man alive,

I'd mastered it when I was five

[katiel53]

I guess my take on a chair hog covers two different things. If you go to lunch for 30-40 minutes, you are a chair hog. Others who have been looking for a chair could have used yours. Also, and I know I will be flamed for this one, why should you have use of the chair all day? Aren't there others that would like to use the chair too? All passengers are entitled to use of the chairs, so why should you have it for your use exclusively all day? I am only asking these questions as I personally don't sit out by the pool. I live in Florida, have a backyard pool so I leave the ship chairs for others to use. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but it just seem fair to me to have somone use the pool all day every sea day. That's JMHO.

 

Katie

[cruising with marti]

I am just curious as to why you think you are entitled to save a chair while you eat lunch? Someone certainly could be using that chair during those 30-40 minutes. The rules around the pool are quite clear. No chair saving. End of story.

 

Boy this is a first, I am agreeing with Mr. Flagger:D

 

A number of you folks are talking about "reserving chairs by the pool" Of all of the cruises I have been on, I have yet to see a sign that says RESERVED for so and so. come on folks, there is no such thing as reserving a chair from 7am to 4pm, you are either in the chair or you are not. and believe me when I see a empty chair with no one hanging around it, I might very well take it.

 

But then again, as some else said, I prefer to be in the Sky bar:)

 

 

Phil

[slomotion]

Phil,

 

Here's the thing,

 

I walk into the Sky Bar and see this seat (unoccupied). I look around and it looks to me like a nice seat. I notice a crumpled napkin, and empty glass and ask the server to please clear the table and I sit down and order a drink.

 

The drink comes, and as I take the first sip, I then notice an incredibly good looking, tall, well dressed, suave, polished, sophisticated man walking out of the restroom checking his zipper (as we all do) and he walks over and says "did you know I was sitting there?" ;)

 

What do I do now?

 

 

(you know I'm kidding right?)

[judyfssw]

Okay, what about a handicapped person that can't wolf down a meal in 20 to 30 minutes? And, that same person doesn't usually get off of the ship at ports but stays at the pool which they enjoy. And, trying to find an easy chair for a handicapped person to be in (need one at the end) isn't usually available if you give it up.

Oops, I forgot, getting to the restroom and back may take 15 minutes and two people have to go to help.:confused:

Tell me the solution and I'll try to follow it.:cool:

[cruising with marti]

Phil,

 

Here's the thing,

 

I walk into the Sky Bar and see this seat (unoccupied). I look around and it looks to me like a nice seat. I notice a crumpled napkin, and empty glass and ask the server to please clear the table and I sit down and order a drink.

 

The drink comes, and as I take the first sip, I then notice an incredibly good looking, tall, well dressed, suave, polished, sophisticated man walking out of the restroom checking his zipper (as we all do) and he walks over and says "did you know I was sitting there?" ;)

 

What do I do now?

 

 

(you know I'm kidding right?)

 

 

 

hey, I always zip my fly before leaving the mens room(well almost always)

 

But if you were sitting in my "reserved seat" I woul just go and sit next to the good looking blonde on the other side of you:D

 

Phil

[catmommy]

Was on the Zenith earlier this month. There were several chairs on a upper deck with no one sitting in them for hours. I was sitting in my chair watching this. Finally a person comes up to the chairs and just as he is about to sit down a person farther down the row pops up and says "those chairs are for my kids."

 

Now I know they had not been there for over an hour. In my opinion that person was being a chair hog. The folks looking for a seat walked away.

 

I don't need to sit by the pool but on the Zenith it was hard even finding a chair on an upper deck.

 

When DH and I found chairs we sat in them. We took turns leaving the chairs for getting more suntan lotion and going to the bathroon. (And not even going back to the room for the bathroom but to the bathrooms outside the pool bar.)

 

When we were done, we we were "done" and got our towels so that other folks could have a seat.

 

Calm seas,

Caroline

[CaptainG]

If you're hungry eat. If you want to use the pool area go there. But don't tie up space in both areas. Why not get up a little earlier for breakfast and then go to the pool? What makes anyone think that they are so special that they deserve to have a chair waiting for them when others can't find a place to sit???

 

CaptainG

[ECCruise]

It is 3-4 hours. Just got off the Galaxy last week. On every sea day, by 9:30 AM, 100% of the chairs facing the pool (on main pool deck) were occupied. 90% by towels, books, bags, and 10% by humans (which in many cases were one person with 2-10 chairs). By noon, probably 70% of those chairs were occupied by people....but the problem is, that a minimum of 30% STILL were unoccupied by people nearly 3 hours later. Same books, same towels, nothing moved.

 

The funniest sight on a cruise ship is bleary eyed folks up on that deck at 7AM, furtively looking around as they try to make the chairs look "lived in"--fluffing up towels, putting books on the towels, moving chairs closer to the pool. I assume they then go back to bed because you wouldn't see them until hours later, bright eyed and ready for occupation.

 

Anyhow, this Galaxy cruise was by far the worst we've ever seen for chair hogging.

[Tuna]

Okay, what about a handicapped person that can't wolf down a meal in 20 to 30 minutes? And, that same person doesn't usually get off of the ship at ports but stays at the pool which they enjoy. And, trying to find an easy chair for a handicapped person to be in (need one at the end) isn't usually available if you give it up.

Oops, I forgot, getting to the restroom and back may take 15 minutes and two people have to go to help.:confused:

Tell me the solution and I'll try to follow it.:cool:

 

Don't they already have a chair they can roll anywhere? Why do they need another one?

[rjg41]

We were recently on a 14 day Infinity cruise from South America. On several days I captured the chair hogging in pictures. Note that the date and time are on each photo. You will also note some people even had names and chair assignments.

 

SEE PHOTOS: http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=376087831&ran=7470

 

I wrote the letter below to Celebrity and sent the phots. I got a nothing response. The ONLY way this problem is going to be dealt with is for everyone to write Celebrity and demand a solution. See my letter below for what worked on a Navigatior of the Seas cruise we took.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Dan Hanrahan, President

Celebrity Cruise Lines

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132

 

Dear Mr. Hanrahan:

 

I recently wrote Jack Williams (copy attached) concerning the problem on of people saving chairs in the pool area on Celebrity ships. We did hear from a member of the Celebrity staff. I have some further comments and in view of Mr. Williams departure, I thought I should address them to you.

 

Before I get to that, we on the February 27 sailing of Infinity out of Valparaiso and we had a wonderful time. The service was outstanding and the staff did a wonderful job. Celebrity continues to be our cruise line of choice.

 

While on Infinity I noted that “Celebrity Today” contained the following:

 

"We would like to request that guests do not reserve deck chairs.

 

These are on a first come, first serve basis so as to not inconvenience fellow guests. If you leave and anticipate returning in a short while leave you belongings on or near the chair. However, if your time away from the chair exceeds a reasonable time, for your protection, the Pool Attendant will gather your belongings and store them, for you, in a safe place until such time as your return."

 

This item in “Celebrity Today” had little or no effect and the Pool Attendants did little to control the problem. Further, what does “reasonable time” mean? Lack of a meaningful policy and pro active enforcement, the only people who will follow the policy are those like my wife and I support who the concept “….to not inconvenience fellow guests.”

Lack of enforcement also encourages others to save chairs so they can get one during the day. The attached pictures speak volumes as to the magnitude of the problem.

 

You will note that some of the pictures show that “saved” chairs have not been occupied and are still “saved”, with the same items on them, more than an hour from when the first picture was taken. During the day saving continued and finding open chairs was difficult.

 

I draw special attention to picture #19, taken at 7:43am. You will note little pieces of paper on them. Each piece of paper had the name of the person that the chair was being saved for. Now note pictures # 22 and #23 taken at 9:03am showing the chairs still not occupied. After the second pictures were taken, I brought the saved chairs and papers with names to a Pool Attendant’s attention and pointed out that the chairs have been vacant for over an hour. He looked and without saying a word walked away. A half an hour later the chairs were still vacant and the Pool Attendant had done nothing. You’ll note the dictionary as the “personal item” on the chair. Who reads a dictionary? People brag on Cruise Critic how they go out and buy cheap used paperbacks at garage sales to use as the personal item on a chair so if they lose them, no big deal.

 

In picture #1, #4, and #7 you’ll note the chairs saved on the far side of the pool. These chairs were saved and occupied by the same group of people every single day of the cruise. Another group did the same thing on the opposite side of the pool. We also noted a couple that saved two chairs in the sun and two chairs in the shade all day, and moved back and forth between them.

 

As noted in my letter to Mr. Williams, we were on Navigator of the Seas in March, 2004. The Pool Attendants on the cruise were very pro active. They would be on deck about 7am. If any chairs had been saved before they arrived they removed the items. As people showed to save chairs the attendants politely said, “Sorry, you cannot do that”. If they missed someone leaving items they promptly removed them. During the day they kept an eye on things and removed items left unattended after about 30 minutes. The process was very effective and despite the fact we had a full ship, chairs were always available. It was great.

 

We have two cruises already booked on Celebrity for next year. We hope that you will tighten your policy and enforce it.

 

Thank you for considering this matter.

 

Sincerely,