It’s 7:15 a.m. The pool deck is quiet. The sun is rising. And every single lounge chair has already been claimed. Not by sunbathers, but by invisible warriors of the early dawn towel brigade—those sneaky cruise passengers who sprint out of their cabins, toss a towel or flip-flop on a lounger, and vanish for hours.
Welcome to one of cruising’s most infuriating traditions: chair hogging.
If you’ve ever wandered the upper decks of a cruise ship, coffee in hand, only to find a sea of empty-yet-“reserved” chairs glaring back at you, you know the rage. You feel the injustice. You curse the towel. And now, finally, the cruise lines are paying attention.
Royal Caribbean’s Warning: But Is It Enough?
Royal Caribbean does have a written policy. It’s even in bold on their website:
“Pool deck chairs are only available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved. If a pool chair is left unattended for more than 30 minutes… our crew will remove any belongings and place them in the lost and found.”
Sounds great in theory. But in practice? That policy has about the same bite as a wet pool noodle. Many cruisers say it’s rarely enforced, and the result is a daily Hunger Games-style battle for sun-soaked seating.
A recent photo posted online of a fully “reserved” pool deck sparked over 300 comments. Most supported one clear message: If there’s no butt in the seat, move the towel and claim the throne.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Finally Putting Towel Tyranny on Notice
While Royal Caribbean talks the talk, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) seems to be walking the walk—or at least starting to.
Cruisers recently reported that NCL is actually enforcing the 30-minute rule. On the Norwegian Escape, passengers noted that staff were monitoring the deck, marking chairs, and removing unattended belongings. Yes, you read that right—they actually followed through.
“I honestly didn’t think they had the commitment to do it,” one cruiser wrote on Reddit. “Glad they are trying to enforce the rules.”
Another added, “It was ridiculous on Encore in February. People would leave their items for 2–3 hours until they actually showed up.” But now? The vibe is shifting. And the chair hogs are sweating.
What Cruisers Really Think (Hint: It’s Not Subtle)
Reactions from the cruising community are practically unanimous—chair hogging is the cardinal sin of the seas.
- “It’s the only thing that gets me upset about cruising,” one person wrote.
- “They should hire a ‘deck justice’ crew member—someone with a sash and a clipboard,” joked another.
- “Signs don’t work. People ignore them like they ignore the muster drill,” one veteran cruiser noted. “But a person with authority? That changes the game.”
Why Do Chair Hogs Do It?
Let’s be honest: nobody needs a lounge chair at 6:30 a.m. But some cruisers fear that if they’re not up at the crack of dawn tossing towels like confetti, they’ll miss out on prime pool real estate. Others, well…they just like to claim stuff.
It’s the maritime version of someone putting a jacket on a treadmill at the gym, going to lunch, and coming back at 3 p.m.
What Cruise Lines Should Be Doing
Here are a few (somewhat serious, somewhat salty) suggestions for how cruise lines could solve the chair hog epidemic once and for all:
- Chair Hog Tags: Issue a tag with a timestamp when a passenger “reserves” a chair. At 31 minutes, that tag self-destructs (not really, but wouldn’t that be fun?).
- Hourly Patrols: Assign crew members to walk the deck and bust squatters.
- Public Shame Board: A live screen showing “Top Chair Hogs of the Day.” (Okay, that’s probably too much. But we’d totally watch it.)
- Chair Hog Tax: $25 towel fee for unclaimed seats. Proceeds go to the late risers’ margarita fund.
Why It Matters: Cruise Etiquette Isn’t Just About Manners
Sure, it seems petty to get worked up over a beach chair. But this issue touches a bigger nerve—basic cruise etiquette.
Cruising is all about shared spaces. Whether it’s buffets, elevators, or hot tubs, being polite and following the rules makes the trip better for everyone. Cutting in line, being rude to staff, blasting music on your balcony, and yes—chair hogging—turn paradise into passive-aggressive purgatory.
The Tide Might Be Turning
With Norwegian enforcing the rules and pressure mounting on other cruise lines, we might finally be witnessing a long-overdue sea change.
Could Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and others start taking stronger action too? Only time (and maybe a few bold towel removals) will tell.
But one thing is certain: if you’re spending thousands on a relaxing cruise, you should be able to soak up the sun without playing towel detective at 8 a.m.
Your Turn!
Have you ever had to deal with chair hogs on a cruise? Did you move the towel, stand your ground, or retreat in frustration? Share your pool deck war stories in the comments below—we’re ready with sunscreen and popcorn.
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