Ultimate chair hogs

[CMJFamily]

I know there are a bunch of posts on chair hogs but I think this takes the cake...

We got up early at 8:30, relatively speaking, and got three chairs by the pool, perfect to keep an eye on our seven year old. There were two chairs "saved" beside us (when we got our chairs, those chairs had a sandal and a towel on each one). We relaxed, read and ate (the usual, lol) for about 3 hours. People would come by and ask about the other chairs and I would mention the 30 min rule but they were reluctant to take them. Anyways, my son and husband went for a quick dip in the hotub (practically right in front of us) and at one point I walked over to give my son his hat. When I turned around, the chair hogs had finally shown up, took their 2 chairs AND moved all of our stuff onto one chair and took 2 of our chairs! I could not believe it, I was right there! We had planned on leaving in a little while so I didn't "reclaim" the chairs, just made a comment to them about showing up at least 3 hours after saving the chairs. The one guy then called me "rude"! Unbelievable! I could have made a big fuss but couldn't be bothered to say anymore to them.

 

I don't want to devote too much time to this and I wouldn't want to get confrontational but I also had an idea. Next time you see "chair hogging" (ha) in progress, take a picture of the saved chairs and make sure your photo has the date and time stamp set. Then if you do need to set their stuff aside (if they haven't shown up after 40 min or so), you have proof to show to them or security or whoever. What do you think, crazy idea?

[clinthi]

That is so rude. You handled it much better than most people would have. Kudos to you for keeping it classy.

[RBCL]

You did handle it well - if it were me, I would have walked up to them and dumped their stuff on one chair in front of their faces.

[gerbs11]

I totally agree with you!

 

We've had our share of chair hogs...

so much so, after waiting 45 min. I took the chair from someone. When he returned he claimed it back. I told him he was out of luck and ignored him.

 

He decided to persue the issue. At that point I called over security and they got rid of him. Jerk!

 

He obviously never passed kindergarten... share share share.

[kbmeow]

I would have gnu back claimed my chairs and then stayed just to spite them.

[Flatland]

You handled it more politely than me too. On our last cruise, there were 6 lounge chairs "reserved" for nearly 3 hours poolside with no one showing up. Myself, with one other guy nearby, we rolled up all of their stuff and handed it off to a deck attendant. We enjoyed the stage entrance with our new found friends when the chair hogs finally showed up an hour after our action. They asked us where their stuff was and I just said the staff took it because nobody was here. They stomped off griping about going to "...see the cruise director about this...." ;)

 

The attendant actually thanked us for pointing out they were no-shows.

[3onOurWay]

I like the photo idea and handing the stuff over to an attendant.

 

Keep it up or chair hogs will continue to rule…

[Koval]

I love the Camera date and time stamp idea.

Although I have never had this problem, in 12 days we will be on a cruise, and this time I do have an 8 year old, who will be wanting to be in that pool, so if the need be, I will be asking to set aside possessions if It means being closer to him, and Chair Hogs are no where to be found.

Great Idea!!!!

As for the nerve of them moving your things, ya, not gunna happen...That was totally rude on their part.

I am like that other poster...I would have tossed their stuff right back on them, and stayed the rest of the day. If trouble broke out, I think you would have had enough folks around you, to help tell the story to Security...

[maarten288]

You did handle it well - if it were me, I would have walked up to them and dumped their stuff on one chair in front of their faces.

 

And that would make you just as rude and childish as them.

[MrPete]

I would have moved the stuff myself, setting up an engaging confrontation. Some of my favorite enjoyment is watching this happen, especially on RCCL ships.

 

PS..was she platinum?

[CMJFamily]

I would have moved the stuff myself, setting up an engaging confrontation. Some of my favorite enjoyment is watching this happen, especially on RCCL ships.

 

PS..was she platinum? Funny!

 

If we had planned to stay longer, I probably would have taken further action and would not hesitate to do so in the future. We all have to stick up to these people!

[j603]

I actually prefer the tables and chairs on NCL and Disney that they have at the pool, the shaded ones, so I haven't run into the hogging as much. Does Carnival also have the tables and chairs in the shade?

[MrPete]

Yes they do.

 

That's something I wish RCCL had.

[golfadj]

I would not have been so nice.

[nbsjcruiser]

On our Valor cruise last March, the chair hogs were unbelievable. On the last sea day I literally could not get a chair anywhere in the sun. I don't care if i'm near the pool so this was a first for me. Shoes, books, towels were all used to reserve chairs. There was also a new one - someone printed up a sign and taped it to 2 chairs. It said something like "Bill and Shirely's reserved chairs" and it had a Carnival logo on it to make it look official. That was a new low in chair hoggery for me.

 

When we went on the Destiny in November I was well prepared. I was going to take any chair I wanted. For some reason there was plenty of chairs to be had everywhere. On our upcoming Liberty cruise I will get a chair in the sun no problem. If the hogs are out like they were on the Valor, I'll just remove their book or shoe, throw it in the garbage and make myself at home. And yeah, I know, this makes me as bad as them but tough luck for them. Fight fire with fire.

[cmjb4ever]

On our last cruise, my husband and I had "secured" two chairs together. I was in one sitting and reading while he looked over the deck and roamed around the ship, his book placed on his chair. While I was sitting there, people were trying to move his book from his chair and got aggravated when I said it was my husband's chair. I don't consider this chair hogging because I was sitting there. Am I wrong on this?

[Tbay-eh]

On our last cruise, my husband and I had "secured" two chairs together. I was in one sitting and reading while he looked over the deck and roamed around the ship, his book placed on his chair. While I was sitting there, people were trying to move his book from his chair and got aggravated when I said it was my husband's chair. I don't consider this chair hogging because I was sitting there. Am I wrong on this?

 

If he is gone for over an hour roaming, sightseeing, playing in the casino, napping then yes that is hogging. I have seen people save chairs for friends/spouses/kids for over 2 hours and that is not fair. I wouldn't care if the Queen of England was sitting there saving the seat. But if he is looking over the side of the ship, gone to get drinks, food or chatting with someone he met on the ship and will be back within 1/2 hour or so I would have no problem. From what you say, if people were trying to take the chair then they must have been watching and saw that he was gone for more than half and hour then YES it would be fair game and open for someone to take. My kids asked me to save them chairs one time - I did for a while but gave them up when they did not show up after half an hour - if they couldn't haul their sorry butts out of bed that was their problem.

[kirban67]

I hope i dont have to deal with the hogging of chairs on our 1st cruise,but im pretty sure i will...dont like confrontation but i will.I will abide by the 30 min rule so will everyone else in my book. I think alot of people dont want confrontation so most wont say nothing and people know this so they think they can make the rules.Little off topic...the hot tubs are for adults only correct?if they are and im in there and kids come they got to go!! and im sure the parents will get mad at me but so what!

[halos]

Carnival needs to handle this issue. RCI and Celebrity can and DO handle it so it's not impossible.

On our last cruise we had 2 chairs 'hogged' next to us for nearly 5 freaking hours before I dumped their stuff on the ground.

[MrPete]

For those worried about confrontation, and need a chair......

 

Move their stuff, then moive their chair.

 

They'll never know.

[SANDYJABS]

On our Dream cruise last June, we woke up at 6:30a.m. (ridiculous) on sea days to claim our chairs, as did some of our fellow CC'rs from roll call and another nice couple who were always at the pool early reading. The prime location is under the umbrellas. On one day there was ONE umbrella left that from behind looked to be available but as I walked around the front of the chairs there were two home made pillows made from bright tropical print attached to the lounger at the top with their names sewn on the pillows saying "Bob's Chair" and "Cathy's Chair" :eek: :eek: I could not believe this! Everyday those pillows were stratigically placed on those two chairs. Cathy and Bob didn't show up to the pool until around 8:30 - I soooo wanted to take their custom made pillows and turn them in but I didn't.

[cmjb4ever]

If he is gone for over an hour roaming, sightseeing, playing in the casino, napping then yes that is hogging. I have seen people save chairs for friends/spouses/kids for over 2 hours and that is not fair. I wouldn't care if the Queen of England was sitting there saving the seat. But if he is looking over the side of the ship, gone to get drinks, food or chatting with someone he met on the ship and will be back within 1/2 hour or so I would have no problem. From what you say, if people were trying to take the chair then they must have been watching and saw that he was gone for more than half and hour then YES it would be fair game and open for someone to take. My kids asked me to save them chairs one time - I did for a while but gave them up when they did not show up after half an hour - if they couldn't haul their sorry butts out of bed that was their problem.

 

Thanks! I agree with you completely. He was just stretching his legs and watching us pull away from port. He would sit down for a bit, then get up for a bit. This is why I did not believe it was "chair hogging." It was extremely crowded on deck and that is probably why others were looking for the chair. We only end up keeping the chairs for a few hours while we use them anyway. Then we free them up for others to use.

[mandyc3383]

And that would make you just as rude and childish as them.

 

 

That's not being rude. That's returning their belongings they clearly misplaced.

[kvosu1]

I'm shocked nobody's slammed you for allowing a 7 year old in the hot tub!

[cruiser135]

Your post reminds me of a couple I saw on the Legend last june, we would take our children up to the pool at 7am to let them swim before it got crowded. Every morning there were 2 chairs stacked on one another with a sign on them that said broken. Then at about 9 or 10am a couple would come up get the chairs put the sign in their bag and open their books. My fiance and I found it funny that 2 adults would go to the effort to make a sign, laminate it and attach a clip to hold it to the chairs just so they could save some chairs. We called it chair hogs thinking out of the box.