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

[amjdcm]

i do not let chair hogs get to me. i usually do not have trouble with chair hogs because i am most often one of the first people at the pool, and i do not hold a chair for my wife for any extended amount of time. if she tells me that she will not be using the pool, then i do not hold a chair for her. but if she tells me that she may come down, i will hold a chair for her as long as the pool deck is not full. once the pool deck starts to become full, then i will release my hold on the chair to allow others to use it. and if my wife arrives, we share my one chair.... but on those days that i arrive late at the pool this is how i handle it....

 

first i try to find a chair anywhere on the pool deck that does not have any items placed on the chair. however, if all the chairs have items placed on them i ask the people around the chair in question if they have seen the person who is using the chair. if the person who was using the chair has not been seen for some while by the people around the area, i sit on the edge of the chair and give it 15 minutes. if no one returns within 15 minutes, i give the items to the pool attendant and enjoy my day.

 

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.

 

if what makes you happy is not in the pool area, then you should give up control on the chair and let someone else enjoy the pool area.

[island lady]

My chair is always reserved for me at all times. I keep it reserved during the entire cruise. I may or may not leave my "stuff" on it, or not. But it is always there,....unless my DH decides to switch chairs and take mine...but then I just take his.

 

I really hate having to give it up at the end of the cruise, but the people that have reserved that cabin with the nice balcony will be wanting to take it over...go figure! :rolleyes:

 

The nerve of them making me get off the ship at the end of the week....sheezz... ;)

 

Cheers! :)

[Sally Forth]

My sister told me a great line that she's used with chair hogs at all-inclusives. She just looks up, sort of confused, pulls her sunglasses down her nose as if to see better, and says, "Oh, you're probably just mixed up about where you left your towel. They all look alike, you know. If you go ask the pool attendant, maybe he can help you." Then she looks back at her book and does not engage in conversation with the outraged chair hogs. I don't think I'd have the nerve to try that, but she says the people start to look mixed up and walk away.

 

Viv

[Albert Ross]

My sister told me a great line that she's used with chair hogs at all-inclusives. She just looks up, sort of confused, pulls her sunglasses down her nose as if to see better, and says, "Oh, you're probably just mixed up about where you left your towel. They all look alike, you know. If you go ask the pool attendant, maybe he can help you." Then she looks back at her book and does not engage in conversation with the outraged chair hogs. I don't think I'd have the nerve to try that, but she says the people start to look mixed up and walk away.

 

Viv

Wonderful!!! I'll remember this one!

Personally I give them an hour - that is enough time to eat, swim or attend bingo or salsa dance class......then their towels are removed and I make myself comfortable with the latest Harry Potter.....

[MrsPete]

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 think 15 minutes is about 14 minutes too long! Seriously, you can look at the chair and tell whether it's actually being used or not: If the towel's been sat up on, if there's a bag with a book and sunscreen nearby . . . then there's a pretty good chance someone's using the chair and has just left it for a quick dip in the poor or a trip to the bar. On the other hand, if it's a folded, clean towel or just a book lying there . . . no one's actually been USING that chair, and it's mine NOW, not 15 minutes later.

[Rich And Sylvia]

I'll be sure to limit my time in the pool to 14 minutes!:rolleyes:

[JanineM]

My sister told me a great line that she's used with chair hogs at all-inclusives. She just looks up, sort of confused, pulls her sunglasses down her nose as if to see better, and says, "Oh, you're probably just mixed up about where you left your towel. They all look alike, you know. If you go ask the pool attendant, maybe he can help you." Then she looks back at her book and does not engage in conversation with the outraged chair hogs. I don't think I'd have the nerve to try that, but she says the people start to look mixed up and walk away.

 

Viv

 

Love it! I will remember this one.

 

I'll give people half an hour or more usually. It's usually pretty obvious when someone is "using" the chair (they sit for awhile, then swim, then sit, then eat, etc.), and in that case I can see leaving their items there for an extended period.

 

On our last cruise there was a guy who had three chairs "reserved" - one in each different sun zone. He was pretty smart - used a ship issued towel and book from the library to hold each one. If someone took the book or towel he lost nothing.

[tjljsc]

Okay, now I'm confused... I love to swim and have been known to hang out in the pool for well over an hour at a time. If I have my stuff and a towel on a chair while I'm swimming, am I a chair hog?

 

We usually lay out in the sun for a bit, swim for an hour or so, and then dry out in the sun for a while longer. I have never notice another option for where to place my things and have never even considered that others might think I'm a chair hog since I am in the pool area.

[rhsmd]

My sister told me a great line that she's used with chair hogs at all-inclusives. She just looks up, sort of confused, pulls her sunglasses down her nose as if to see better, and says, "Oh, you're probably just mixed up about where you left your towel. They all look alike, you know. If you go ask the pool attendant, maybe he can help you." Then she looks back at her book and does not engage in conversation with the outraged chair hogs. I don't think I'd have the nerve to try that, but she says the people start to look mixed up and walk away.

 

Viv

 

 

i love it!.

gunna use this next time.:D

[DC2OC]

My chair is always reserved for me at all times. I keep it reserved during the entire cruise. I may or may not leave my "stuff" on it, or not. But it is always there,....unless my DH decides to switch chairs and take mine...but then I just take his.

 

I really hate having to give it up at the end of the cruise, but the people that have reserved that cabin with the nice balcony will be wanting to take it over...go figure! :rolleyes:

 

The nerve of them making me get off the ship at the end of the week....sheezz... ;)

 

Cheers! :)

 

 

Know what you mean,we had to start taking 10 day and longer cruises...............................Frank

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

A man once called me a chair hog in the Windjammer buffet! Hubby had gone to fetch his dessert. A man came along and wanted to scoot Hubby's chair over to his table. I told him that my husband was getting dessert and would return soon. The man informed me I was a chair hog and that I wasn't allowed to save seats in the Windjammer.

 

I just thought was ridiculous. You can't get up and go get dessert?

 

Anyway, I think there does have to be some leeway. A person should be allowed to swim an hour or even longer without fear that his chair will be appropriated. Where is he supposed to put his stuff while he swims?

 

The thing I don't think is right is going off to eat or go to the room or to the spa and then return expecting that same chair to remain unoccupied all that time.

[Tucker in Texas]

Another thing to do if you feel a certain chair has been occupied by "empty" too long is to remove the stuff to a nearby table or empty chair. Then, if the person comes back, tell them that the people who just left the chair said they were through with it and you could have it. Another ploy that works is pretend you don't understand English but if you are reading in English, that "dog won't hunt." Maybe go a used book store and buy a book with an obviously foreign language cover and and put it on the book you are reading (lol).

 

Tucker in Texas

[sgttami]

On sea days we are at the pool early and we utilize our "spot". "IF" we do lunch in the Windjammer, we may be gone 20 minutes and leave our stuff on the chair. Nothing has ever been touched.

 

On one cruise, (not RCI) i was quite pi$$ed when two ladies were playing Scrabble on the table behind the pool and had saved their pool chairs next to ours for the day. They never sat in them..(we were there ALL day)..That's not right.

 

If there is just a towel on the chair and not personal belongings, I'd move the towel and take the chair. No problem!

[threeofus]

On our recent Liberty cruise I saw an EMPTY chair at the end of a row --on a sea day - and quickly put my bag down and was taking off my cover-up when two large men came over to tell me that that chair was their's even though nothing was on it and nobody was around it.

They said they had the whole section for their family and that chair was inlcuded. I tried to explain that it was vacant and they couldn't save chiars but they rudely told me they weren't interested in the rules and basically to leave.

 

I finally gave up - two against one.:eek: Two bullies I should say.

[iheartbda]

Oh, the things one learns on these boards. Looks like my husband and I have been going about things the wrong way. If we get up to go to lunch, we take our things with us to leave the chair for someone who is looking for one.

 

IMO I think an hour or more is too long for anyone to expect a chair not to be taken. On a busy sea day, I've seen people sitting on the deck on their towel while chairs were empty but for a towel.

[willysgrandma]

Okay, now I'm confused... I love to swim and have been known to hang out in the pool for well over an hour at a time. If I have my stuff and a towel on a chair while I'm swimming, am I a chair hog?

 

We usually lay out in the sun for a bit, swim for an hour or so, and then dry out in the sun for a while longer. I have never notice another option for where to place my things and have never even considered that others might think I'm a chair hog since I am in the pool area.

 

If you are using the pool, I don't consider that being a chair hog. And if you are right there and see someone eyeing your chair - just go and sit your wet behind on the towel so they can see it's your chair.

 

I consider a chair hog smeone who drops their stuff and isn't at the pool at all.

[MBeamTX]

A man once called me a chair hog in the Windjammer buffet! Hubby had gone to fetch his dessert. A man came along and wanted to scoot Hubby's chair over to his table. I told him that my husband was getting dessert and would return soon. The man informed me I was a chair hog and that I wasn't allowed to save seats in the Windjammer.

 

I just thought was ridiculous. You can't get up and go get dessert?

 

 

That's just ridiculous. By his logic, though, you'd have been free to grab the chair back as soon as he went to the buffet to get a fork or something. ;)

[amjdcm]

Okay, now I'm confused... I love to swim and have been known to hang out in the pool for well over an hour at a time. If I have my stuff and a towel on a chair while I'm swimming, am I a chair hog?

 

We usually lay out in the sun for a bit, swim for an hour or so, and then dry out in the sun for a while longer. I have never notice another option for where to place my things and have never even considered that others might think I'm a chair hog since I am in the pool area.

one thing is to be around your belongings while in the pool and the other is to be completely away from the pool deck. in my opinion you are not a chair hog. you are using the pool and all of the amenities it provides. if someone was to approach your chair, you can kindly approach them and let your presence be known. i sometimes go for a dip or use the hot tub, but i always have a eye on my belongings. my posting was more for those who leave the pool deck altogether and expect their belongings to be their hours later.

[andyjo0930]

I agree with the poster who said that they spend an hour or so in the pool. We do the same thing. My husband and I will go down and only get one chair for the both of us. We then go swimming and are usually in the pool most of the time. WHen we decide to go to the lunch, we give up our chair. We may never actually "sit" in that chair, but our stuff is on it while we our using the pool. Call us chair hogs if you want, but we are entitled to use that chair while in the pool the same as the next. I like to be able to see my stuff and I don't want it on the floor where people can trip on it or under another person's chair so they can drip water on it.

[AAAMom]

On our recent Liberty cruise I saw an EMPTY chair at the end of a row --on a sea day - and quickly put my bag down and was taking off my cover-up when two large men came over to tell me that that chair was their's even though nothing was on it and nobody was around it.

They said they had the whole section for their family and that chair was inlcuded. I tried to explain that it was vacant and they couldn't save chiars but they rudely told me they weren't interested in the rules and basically to leave.

 

I finally gave up - two against one.:eek: Two bullies I should say.

 

This is when I find the attendant and have him/her deal with them. That is so rude and obnoxious! :eek:

[Hypo]

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

[tampagal61]

I consider a chair hog smeone who drops their stuff and isn't at the pool at all.

 

Exactly. At many resorts I've been at, (my first cruise is coming up soon), people show up at day break to put towels down, then go have breakfast, and who knows what else, then show up hours later.

 

When one is enjoying the pool, great. If you are taking off for a dip, bathroom visit, quick run to your cabin, or grabbing something quick to eat with the idea of getting straight back to the pool, then fine. Certainly if there is anything that requires more than an 1/2 to 1 hour away from your chair, or a change from your suit, then take your belongings and towel and give others a chance.

[derftegel]

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.;)

[berwyn]

Saw this at cruise diva.

Do Not Be a Chaise Hog—Every morning an invisible cadre of passengers piles towels and personal belongings on chaise loungers by the pool to "save" them for later. This is extremely selfish behavior. If you aren't using a lounger, it should be available for others.

Do Not Save Seats—Go ahead and set aside a seat for a spouse or traveling companion who is joining you. But do not be thoughtless and try to "save" entire rows of seats in the show lounge or complete tables in the casual dining area. Again, make room for others.

[flagger]

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.