Will Cruise Lines Start Charging for Pool Chairs? What’s Real and What’s Just Rumor

Before you cruise, you pay for the cabin, the food, the shows… and (in your head) a pool chair with your name on it.

Then sea day hits, you walk onto the lido deck, and every lounger is “taken” by a towel that’s been sunbathing since 7 a.m. It’s enough to make anyone think, “Fine. Just let me pay and end this.”

That’s why the recent chatter about cruise lines charging for pool chairs took off so fast, especially after a passenger suggested it to Carnival’s Brand Ambassador.

So what’s actually going on? Is any cruise line about to slap a price tag on regular loungers, or is this just social media running wild? Let’s separate the real policies from the rumor mill, and talk about what actually works when you want a seat (bonus points if you’re after shade and a quieter corner).

Where the “Paid Pool Chairs” Rumor Came From

If you’ve cruised even once, you know the scene: it’s a sea day, the sun is out, and the pool deck looks like a towel convention. Every lounger is “taken”… by flip-flops, a paperback, and maybe a lonely hat.

So when people started whispering online that cruise lines might charge for pool chairs, it didn’t sound impossible. Cruising has added plenty of paid extras over the years, and “I can’t find a chair” is a complaint that never dies.

The latest swirl focused on Carnival, after a passenger floated the idea of paying to reserve prime loungers. The rumor machine did what it does best and turned “one guest asked” into “Carnival is about to charge everybody.”

What Carnival Has Actually Said So Far

Carnival has not announced a fee to use standard pool chairs.

What did happen was a public back-and-forth on Facebook with Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald. A guest suggested a paid reservation option for “prime” loungers, and Heald shut it down. He said loungers should stay free and first come, first served.

He also pointed out that Carnival already tries to manage the worst of chair hogging by removing items left on “saved” chairs after a time limit (he referenced 40 minutes). That system isn’t perfect, but it’s a lot closer to what most cruisers expect: deck space is part of what you already paid for.

The Real Reason Cruise Lines Care About “Chair Hogs”

The chair problem isn’t really about chairs. It’s about timing.

On sea days, everyone wants the same few things at the same time: sun, shade, a view, and quick access to the pool (or bar). Now add limited deck space, plus the “I’ll just save this for later” habit, and the math stops working fast.

What really sets people off is how it looks. A whole row of loungers looks full, yet you can count the number of people using them on one hand.

Chair hogging is such a common gripe that it even made the “things cruisers want banned” list in the Mad About Cruises community.

How Chair Rules Work on Other Cruise Lines

Most mainstream lines run the pool deck on the same basic idea: first come, first served, no saving chairs for long stretches, and crew can remove items from unattended loungers.

Royal Caribbean says pool chairs can’t be reserved and notes that if a chair is left unattended for more than 30 minutes, crew will remove belongings and take them to lost and found. 

MSC’s FAQ says sunbeds are free of charge, can’t be reserved, and asks guests not to occupy deck chairs with personal items during long absences (more than 30 minutes).

The big takeaway: the “rule” usually exists. The hard part is enforcement. On some sailings, crew are on it. On others, it can feel like the towel-and-flip-flop “claim system” runs the show until mid-afternoon.

Here’s the short version (time limits can vary by ship and sailing, and enforcement can be hit or miss):

Cruise line	Can you reserve regular loungers?	Time guideline you’ll see mentioned	What the crew may do
Carnival	No paid reservations announced	About 40 minutes	Remove items left on “saved” chairs after the limit
Royal Caribbean	No	30 minutes	Remove belongings and take them to lost and found
MSC Cruises	No	30 minutes	Asks guests not to leave items during long absences; towels left out may be charged if not returned

Would a Pay-Per-Lounger Model Even Work at Sea?

Online, “charge for chairs” sounds like a clean fix. On a ship, it gets messy fast.

First, you’d have to decide what counts as a “prime” chair. Front row? Shade? Near the pool? Away from the pool? Everyone’s idea of perfect is different.

Then there’s the awkward part: policing it. Are crew members really going to spend all day checking wristbands and arguing about whether someone stood up for five minutes to grab a drink?

Add in the guest mood factor. Pool chairs are one of those things people feel should be included, like the buffet and the shows. A straight fee for basic loungers would tick off a lot of cruisers in a hurry.

The Part People Mix Up: Free Chairs vs Paid “Upgrades”

Here’s where the rumor gets fuel.

Standard loungers on the main deck are usually included, but cruise ships also sell upgrades that look like “paid seating,” such as:

• cabanas and daybeds in certain areas
• adults-only clubs with a pass (often calmer, with better lounge availability)
• suite-only sun decks (depending on the ship and category)

MSC even charges for rented seating and cabanas on some private island beach areas, which adds to the confusion when people share photos online.

So yes, paid lounging exists in cruise life. It’s just not the same thing as charging everyone for regular pool chairs.

How to Actually Get a Chair Without Being “That Person”

If your plan is “walk up at noon on a sea day and score two loungers in shade,” I’m not saying it can’t happen… I’m saying you might also win bingo on the first call.

Here’s what works on most ships, without turning you into a towel bandit.

Go Early, Then Use the Chair

You don’t have to be out there at sunrise, but “before the late breakfast crowd” is the sweet spot. If you grab a chair, actually sit in it. If you’re heading off for an hour, free it up.

Ways to Find Shade

Shaded loungers get claimed first, and ships don’t have endless shade.

A few places that often have quieter, cooler seating:

• the side decks (often with loungers facing the ocean)
• higher decks above the main pool, where the music is quieter
• the aft area near a secondary pool (if your ship has one)
• the adults-only area (when your ship has it and it’s open)

If you want shade, keep an eye on the sun’s path. A chair that’s shaded at 9 a.m. can be full sun by 10:30 a.m.

Use Port Days Like a Cheat Code

Port days can be magic on the ship. Pools are calmer, and loungers open up.

If you’re on the fence about an excursion, consider staying onboard for one port and treating it like a pool day. I’ve done it, and it’s one of the least stressful “sea day” feelings you can get.

If you want great ideas for what to do onboard when everyone else is ashore, this is worth a look: 8 Reasons to Skip the Port and Stay Onboard Instead.

Pick a “Better Than Poolside” Spot

Not everyone wants the party pool. Some people want quiet, shade, and the ability to read without getting splashed every two minutes.

My favorite move is to choose a spot that’s:

• a little removed from the main pool
• close enough to a bar or café to refill without a hike
• near railings for breeze and a view

You still get the deck vibe, just with less noise.

When Chairs Look “Saved,” Use the No-Drama Playbook

If you run into a lounger that’s been “claimed” by a towel but nobody’s around, try this:

1. Check the posted rule (many ships spell out a time limit for unattended chairs).
2. Look for signs it’s actively being used (wet towel, a fresh drink, someone clearly nearby).
3. Give it a reasonable window, then flag a deck attendant and let them handle removals.

The key: don’t touch valuables and don’t turn it into a confrontation. You’ll protect your peace and avoid becoming the headline of someone’s pool-deck Facebook rant.

Suggested read: 7 Ways to Beat the Poolside Chair Hogs on Your Next Cruise

The Takeaway: What’s Real, What’s Rumor, What I’d Watch Next

As of now, there’s no announcement that Carnival (or the other big lines) is about to charge everyone for regular pool chairs.

What you will see is more pressure on chair hogging. The rules already exist on many lines. The real change cruisers notice is when crew enforce them more consistently, especially on busy sea days.

If anything shifts, it’s more likely to look like clearer signage, timed notices, or staff doing more frequent “chair checks,” not a pay-to-sit fee for the basic loungers.

Would you pay to reserve a lounger if cruise lines offered it — or should pool chairs always stay first-come, first-served? And what’s your go-to strategy for finding a good (preferably shady) spot on sea days?

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