Cruise Passengers Applaud as NCL Enforces Chair Hogging Rule
A cruise can be a fantastic vacation and a great way to relax – but what about when some guests’ behavior makes it harder and harder for other travelers to find their best way to relax?
While every frequent cruiser will have their own pet peeves about other passengers, one behavior stands out above all others as inconsiderate – chair hogging.
Fortunately, Norwegian Cruise Line crew members have recently been noticed taking firm steps to curtail such behavior.
A so-called “chair hog” is a guest who stakes their claim for a prime piece of poolside real estate but then abandons that space for hours, expecting their makeshift “reservation” – often a towel, book, piece of fruit, or other simple item – to keep their spot safe indefinitely.
These top spots are often comfy loungers with the perfect ratio of sun-to-shade throughout the day. The best lounge chairs are typically positioned close enough to the pool or hot tub for easy access but far enough from busy walkways to still be quiet and relaxing.
It can be infuriating for a cruise traveler to want to enjoy some time in the sun only to be thwarted by a long line of such reserved chairs. Furthermore, it isn’t uncommon for some guests to set alarms and get up early to pick out their spot, even though they may not use it until much later in the day.
Now, Norwegian Cruise Line is enforcing their policy against hogging chairs, and crew members are removing towels and personal effects so other guests can take advantage of the prime seats.
Guests who have recently sailed aboard Norwegian Escape from PortMiami reported such enforcement. Crew members began marking reserved chairs with stickers at approximately 10 a.m.
If the chairs were not occupied an hour later, the crew members began removing items so other guests could take advantage of the space.
It can be challenging for guests who want to use poolside chairs to find available seats, and with how volatile personalities can be, it may not be wise to remove items and risk a confrontation.
Most cruise guests are understanding of short absences from prime seating – to visit the restroom, take a dip in the pool, grab a drink, whip down a waterslide, etc. Lengthy absences, however, must be curtailed so other guests have the chance to use the chairs as well.
These issues are not confined to Norwegian Cruise Line. Carnival Cruise Line has a similar policy in place, and so does Royal Caribbean.
Is There Another Solution?
Some guests have begun suggesting the possibility of a dedicated chair booking system with deck chairs numbered to ensure compliance with reservation rules.
Guests could “book” a chair for a certain period of time, but then be required to vacate it when that time is up – even if they only just arrived a few minutes earlier.
Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Ships by Size – Biggest to Smallest
Some cruise lines do offer more luxurious seating, such as on-deck casitas or cabanas, for reservations – and hefty fees.
Depending on the cruise line, the sailing region, whether it is a sea day or a port day, and any other included services, the fee could be several hundred dollars for a full-day reservation.
These reservations are often out of the budget of many cruise guests, and there are only a few available onboard any individual ship.
Until a new, more effective system may be devised, cruise guests will need to be vigilant about using deck space and permitting others an equal chance to enjoy the sun.
Aboard Norwegian cruise ships, choosing staterooms inside the exclusive Haven or at least opting for a private balcony can ensure a guest at least some deck space to enjoy without pressure from chair hogs.
Cruise Passengers Applaud as NCL Enforces Chair Hogging Rule