Carnival Cracks Down on Chair Savers

[Disneyfalcon]

Carnival is as fed up with deck chair savers as the rest of us are! Has anybody else watched a towel occupy a chair all day while your whole family squeezed on to one chair?

To be honest, Disney is hit or miss with their enforcement of the "no saving deck chairs" policy.

Carnival is now going to monitor the deck chairs more closely. If a chair has some personal items but seems to be unoccupied they are going to put a notification of the time on it. If it remains unoccupied for more than 40 minutes, they will remove the belongings and put them somewhere for safe keeping.

So what do you think? I like it! I wish they'd cut that 40 minutes in half actually!

 

[tracyandalex]

YAY!! Us late risers wish Disney would do this. We have had the hardest time finding chairs on sea days especially. When it's the whole family we are constantly going back and forth from the pool to the table. If it's just me and DH we don't usually bother with chairs until after we get out of the pool because we know we don't need them for our towels and lanyards to rest on.

 

[wiigirl]

Finally! I think its a good thing

 

[LizC]

Isn't it possible someone could be in the pool for 40 minutes?

Edit: I know very little about chair saving, and am not one of them. lol I am not a big pool person. Just curious, as I do enjoy cruises.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Isn't it possible someone could be in the pool for 40 minutes?

Edit: I know very little about chair saving, and am not one of them. lol I am not a big pool person. Just curious, as I do enjoy cruises.

It's definitely possible, but I think if you're going to be in the pool for that long, you should probably give up your chair to those that want to relax in the sun.

Just my opinion.

 

[angieandtrevor]

It is about darn time, there is nothing worst then having to get up at 6am while on vacation just to sit up by the pool so that you get a decent spot. John Heald (Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director) has been posting on his blog about it and I think everyone is very happy about this, it just makes sense to me. It annoys me when companies have rules but don't enforce them.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I have yet to grace any lounger on a ship with my bottom but if I did I'd like for a lounger to be available. Tracey & I have never been above shifting a long-time absent person's belongings when we know it's not acceptable to "hold" places for long periods. We don't feel bad. After all, how inconsiderate was the lounger hog who tried to hold their spot for that length of time when they had no intention of even being there?

On the flip side, let's not confuse this with places like Atlantis who tell everyone coming in and put up signs that state a towel on a lounger means it's not available so please respect that person's space. We got to Atlantis pretty early on our May trip and found a great little spot in the shade with 2 umbrellas, a couple little side tables, and 4 loungers. Wonderful little spot to set up camp. Well, when we were sitting at a regular eating area nearby we watched a guy eyeballing our little spot and started to try to move our stuff. My hubby ran over and let him know that wasn't cool. He fussed a little but the policy is the policy. He was told the same thing we were. He walked off but then we watched him move someone else's stuff and drag their chairs over to where he wanted them. So inconsiderate. A nice little family nearby watched the whole thing then asked us how early we'd gotten there to get such a primo spot. We chit-chatted a bit then offered them one of our umbrellas since they needed one. Helped 'em move it over and everything. A little bit of nice can go a long way. When we left we made sure they knew we were packing it up and could have our spot.

 

[ChuckElias]

I'm not a lounger person, but I wish they would enforce the "no saving seats" policy in the Walt Disney Theater!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I'm not a lounger person, but I wish they would enforce the "no saving seats" policy in the Walt Disney Theater!

That too!

 

[Phonedave]

It is a matter of use to me. If I have my stuff (towel, flip-flops, sunblock, etc) on a chair, and I go to use the bathroom, or even to get an ice cream cone, I don't see anything wrong with expecting that chair to be there when I get back.

Now, if I get on deck at 7:00 AM, put a towel on a chair, then go eat breakfast, then yes I do have a problem with that.

However, as Sweetpea said, in some places that is the policy. We just got back from Santals St Lucia (thanks Marie from KK ) and that was the policy there. Everyone would get up, go to the towl hut, get their towels, reserve their spot, and then head to breakfast. Some would even go so far as to put floats on their chairs, reserving both the chair AND the float. Nobody seemed to have a problem with it (maybe because there were a LOT of chair and floats for the number of people in the resort)

-dave

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It is a matter of use to me. If I have my stuff (towel, flip-flops, sunblock, etc) on a chair, and I go to use the bathroom, or even to get an ice cream cone, I don't see anything wrong with expecting that chair to be there when I get back.

Now, if I get on deck at 7:00 AM, put a towel on a chair, then go eat breakfast, then yes I do have a problem with that.

However, as Sweetpea said, in some places that is the policy. We just got back from Santals St Lucia (thanks Marie from KK ) and that was the policy there. Everyone would get up, go to the towl hut, get their towels, reserve their spot, and then head to breakfast. Some would even go so far as to put floats on their chairs, reserving both the chair AND the float. Nobody seemed to have a problem with it (maybe because there were a LOT of chair and floats for the number of people in the resort)

-dave

Absolutely.

How was Sandals??? Been eyeballin' them. I'm starting to think I've overcome my beach aversion... LOL

 

[Phonedave]

Absolutely.

How was Sandals??? Been eyeballin' them. I'm starting to think I've overcome my beach aversion... LOL

Sandals itself was awesome - it's like a cruise on land, but with open bar. St Lucia on the other hand - holy planes, trains, and automobiles. 11 hours total travel time via car -> plane -> helicopter -> car. Yeah, I know for some of the overseas people 11 hours is a short hop. What do you want, I am used to 3 hours to TX or Grand Cayman being a long flight.

If you need any info on Sandals Grande in St Lucia, let me know. Now that I have been there, I know what the various room categories mean and exactly how van, car, or helicopter transfers are handled.

When we visited the "Soon Come Back" desk (rebooking) the Sandals person told us, that if you plan on staying on the resort and not doing any sort of tours or sightseeing, then we should try Sandals White House in Jamacia. The resort is almost the same as the Grande, but a lot closer and is cheaper (as well as cheaper airfare). They just said you really do not want to leave the resort, especialy in the area the resort is located in.

-dave

 

[flynnibus]

I think the companies can do more to discourage the need for saving chairs. Most people just need a spot to plop their stuff down... Keys shoes etc.

They already do a decent job on towels but imagine if you didn't grab a towel when you went to the pools deck but when you got out of the pool...

What if there were convenient cubbies you didn't have to worry about your stuff walking away...

On the boat I doubt it's as much contention for the primo spots as its just about crowding in general. On the beach you want to claim your space.. Or get that shade etc

 

[GMRO]

Have only cruised on DCL so can't comment on the other cruise lines. BUT I can only imagine the stress and chaos chair saving creates, as explained above. Wife and I would never think to go to pool area early and reserve prime space and then drop and run off to breakfast or our morning deck walk. Guess some do.

Personally we've never had an issue with finding open seats. Usually we are in the adult area and up above on the upper deck. We are often surprised at how many OPEN unoccupied areas there are in certain areas of the ship. You can almost be alone if you look around! Nice! Maybe it’s the time of year we go? Hard to say... Either way we love it!

YES we have put our stuff on chairs and gone to pool for a while, maybe an hour or so and returned to our chairs. Again we are above and usually surrounded by other EMPTY chairs so I doubt anyone was annoyed with us.

I will say that I wish they would patrol the adult areas a little more. I understand on the first day when folks are walking around checking out the layout of the ship and sort of sight-seeing. But once the ship sets sail CM's should be a little stricter with young ‘ones hanging around the adult area. I'm sure in our pool area there were teenagers under 18 in the pool in the quiet cove area this past May on the DREAM when we cruised. Maybe a different KTTW card color to show under aged persons? Show your card for admittance to the area? Just like getting carded at a local bar. If you don't look 60 you get carded.

Just a thought...

 

[Crush Dude!]

Have only cruised on DCL so can't comment on the other cruise lines. BUT I can only imagine the stress and chaos chair saving creates, as explained above. Wife and I would never think to go to pool area early and reserve prime space and then drop and run off to breakfast or our morning deck walk. Guess some do.

Personally we've never had an issue with finding open seats. Usually we are in the adult area and up above on the upper deck. We are often surprised at how many OPEN unoccupied areas there are in certain areas of the ship. You can almost be alone if you look around! Nice! Maybe it’s the time of year we go? Hard to say... Either way we love it!

YES we have put our stuff on chairs and gone to pool for a while, maybe an hour or so and returned to our chairs. Again we are above and usually surrounded by other EMPTY chairs so I doubt anyone was annoyed with us.

I will say that I wish they would patrol the adult areas a little more. I understand on the first day when folks are walking around checking out the layout of the ship and sort of sight-seeing. But once the ship sets sail CM's should be a little stricter with young ‘ones hanging around the adult area. I'm sure in our pool area there were teenagers under 18 in the pool in the quiet cove area this past May on the DREAM when we cruised. Maybe a different KTTW card color to show under aged persons? Show your card for admittance to the area? Just like getting carded at a local bar. If you don't look 60 you get carded.

Just a thought...

Although it was not a problem on our cruise i agree about keeping the adult area confined to just adults! Love the peace and quiet

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Have only cruised on DCL so can't comment on the other cruise lines. BUT I can only imagine the stress and chaos chair saving creates, as explained above. Wife and I would never think to go to pool area early and reserve prime space and then drop and run off to breakfast or our morning deck walk. Guess some do.

Personally we've never had an issue with finding open seats. Usually we are in the adult area and up above on the upper deck. We are often surprised at how many OPEN unoccupied areas there are in certain areas of the ship. You can almost be alone if you look around! Nice! Maybe it’s the time of year we go? Hard to say... Either way we love it!

YES we have put our stuff on chairs and gone to pool for a while, maybe an hour or so and returned to our chairs. Again we are above and usually surrounded by other EMPTY chairs so I doubt anyone was annoyed with us.

I will say that I wish they would patrol the adult areas a little more. I understand on the first day when folks are walking around checking out the layout of the ship and sort of sight-seeing. But once the ship sets sail CM's should be a little stricter with young ‘ones hanging around the adult area. I'm sure in our pool area there were teenagers under 18 in the pool in the quiet cove area this past May on the DREAM when we cruised. Maybe a different KTTW card color to show under aged persons? Show your card for admittance to the area? Just like getting carded at a local bar. If you don't look 60 you get carded.

Just a thought...

The adult pools are monitored sometimes and sometimes not. I've seen kids asked to leave before, and I've seen other times when no one said anything.

The adult key to the world cards are different by the way. So all they have to do is ask to see them.

 

[GMRO]

The adult pools are monitored sometimes and sometimes not. I've seen kids asked to leave before, and I've seen other times when no one said anything.

The adult key to the world cards are different by the way. So all they have to do is ask to see them.

Didn't know the keys were different. KEWL! Since we don't have kids - we didn't know about the adult KTTW cards being different.

DISNEY, guess I shouldn't be surprised they already thought of that.

THANKS!

 

[RobnRachal]

We had no problems finding lounge chairs but we went a deck up from the pools. For hours we were all alone, except for our very attentive server. The kids spent most of the time on the Aquaduck and, of course, we took our turn on it too ;-)
I could see if you had younger children and wanted to be closer to the pool how that would be frustrating because it looked insane down there :-/

 

[GMRO]

We had no problems finding lounge chairs but we went a deck up from the pools. For hours we were all alone, except for our very attentive server. The kids spent most of the time on the Aquaduck and, of course, we took our turn on it too ;-)
I could see if you had younger children and wanted to be closer to the pool how that would be frustrating because it looked insane down there :-/

YUP! A few years ago on our first cruise - WONDER - we vacationed with our good friends who have a 6yr old girl. Least she was 6 back then.

We tried to stick it out in the center pool area where the large LED movie screen is. WOW, kids were like FLEAS ON FLEAS in the afternoon!! JUMPING AROUND and falling all over the place. Made me a nervous wreck just watching the kids fall on the slick floor/padding around the pool area as they almost hit their heads on the lounge chairs. Course they can't walk - they have to run. About 40 mins into VOLT the movie I said I gotta get outta here. Wife and I left them for the quite cove area. What a relief! Later in the cruise they dropped the daughter off at the club thingy and joined us in the adult areas. They understood we couldn't stick it out much longer in that BUSY area.

I was super glad to be in quiet cove area after that experience.

 

[wdwjmp239]

Carnival is as fed up with deck chair savers as the rest of us are! Has anybody else watched a towel occupy a chair all day while your whole family squeezed on to one chair?

To be honest, Disney is hit or miss with their enforcement of the "no saving deck chairs" policy.

Carnival is now going to monitor the deck chairs more closely. If a chair has some personal items but seems to be unoccupied they are going to put a notification of the time on it. If it remains unoccupied for more than 40 minutes, they will remove the belongings and put them somewhere for safe keeping.

So what do you think? I like it! I wish they'd cut that 40 minutes in half actually!

I like it! I'm not a big fan of chair savers. But, 40 mins is ample time to get up, take a dip in the pool, and get back to your chair.

Bon Voyage!