Getting a pool chair on a cruise ship shouldn't feel like competing in the Hunger Games, but let's be honest — it often does. After sailing on 40+ cruises and watching the daily chair battles unfold, I've learned the strategies that actually work. No more circling the pool deck like a vulture or staring longingly at towel-saved chairs that haven't seen their "owners" since sunrise.
Your best bet for snagging prime pool real estate is arriving before 10 AM. I've tested this on everything from Carnival Panorama to Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, and it's consistently effective.
Here's your morning game plan:
The sun deck chairs fill up fastest, but honestly, you'll thank me later for grabbing shade. I learned this the hard way during a Caribbean sailing when I spent three hours looking like a lobster despite SPF 50.
Pro tip: On ships with multiple pool areas like Norwegian Breakaway, start at the quieter Spice H2O adult-only area on Deck 13 if you're 18+. It's often overlooked in the morning rush.
This is where experienced cruisers separate themselves from the pack. While 80% of passengers are off exploring Cozumel or Nassau, you'll have the pool deck practically to yourself.
I remember a Royal Caribbean sailing where we docked in Jamaica at 8 AM. By 10:30 AM, when the main pool area is usually a war zone, I counted only 12 people around the entire Deck 11 pool complex. You could literally pick any chair you wanted.
Best port day pool times:
Just remember to keep an eye on the all-aboard time. Missing the ship because you were too comfortable by the pool is an expensive mistake.
People start abandoning their pool chairs around 4 PM to shower and prepare for dinner. This creates a second window of opportunity that most passengers miss.
On Celebrity Edge, I've noticed the Resort Deck clears out significantly after 4:30 PM. Passengers head to their staterooms to get ready for the main dining room's early seating at 6 PM. This gives you prime sunset viewing from chairs that were impossible to find at lunch.
Why the late afternoon works:
Let me be crystal clear about chair saving — it doesn't work, and it makes you that passenger. Most cruise lines have policies against reserving chairs with towels or belongings.
Official policies I've confirmed:
I watched a family on Carnival Mardi Gras lose their "saved" prime chairs when they left for lunch at noon and came back at 2 PM. The deck crew had cleared their towels and new passengers had claimed the spots. The resulting argument wasn't pretty.
The golden rule: If you're not actively using the chair, you don't deserve to keep it.
Sometimes paying for guaranteed seating makes sense, especially on longer sailings or ships with limited pool space.
Royal Caribbean Casitas: $149-199 per day on ships like Allure of the Seas gets you a private cabana with two loungers, mini-fridge, fruit plate, and dedicated service. I've used these on busy holiday sailings — worth every penny when the alternative is standing around the pool.
Suite Perks: If you're in a suite on most cruise lines, you get access to dedicated sun deck areas. On Celebrity's suites, the Retreat Sundeck on Deck 12 is exclusively for suite guests.
Adult-Only Areas: These aren't free upgrades, but they're included in your cruise fare:
Stop fighting over the main pool when better options exist elsewhere on the ship. I've found comfortable seating in spots most passengers never explore.
Upper deck discoveries:
On Norwegian Gem, I discovered the perfect spot on Deck 13 near the sports complex. It had six loungers that stayed empty while passengers fought over main pool chairs three decks below.
After hundreds of pool days across dozens of ships, here's the truth: successful pool chair hunting comes down to being strategic rather than stubborn.
Your best chances ranked:
Don't waste your vacation standing around angry because someone else got "your" chair. The ocean view is the same whether you're sitting in the prime middle section or the perfectly good chairs near the bar.
Remember: you're on a cruise ship in the middle of paradise. If the worst thing that happens is you have to wait 20 minutes for a pool chair, you're having a pretty great vacation.
Want to share your own pool chair victories or disasters? Join the discussion in our Onboard Activities forum — we've all got stories from the deck chair wars!
The Golden Hour Strategy: Early Bird Gets the Lounge Chair
Your best bet for snagging prime pool real estate is arriving before 10 AM. I've tested this on everything from Carnival Panorama to Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, and it's consistently effective.
Here's your morning game plan:
- Hit Deck 12's Windjammer Marketplace on Royal Caribbean ships for a quick breakfast around 8:30 AM
- Grab your pool towels from the towel station
- Head straight to the pool deck by 9:15 AM
- Scout the shaded areas first — they'll be gold by noon
The sun deck chairs fill up fastest, but honestly, you'll thank me later for grabbing shade. I learned this the hard way during a Caribbean sailing when I spent three hours looking like a lobster despite SPF 50.
Pro tip: On ships with multiple pool areas like Norwegian Breakaway, start at the quieter Spice H2O adult-only area on Deck 13 if you're 18+. It's often overlooked in the morning rush.
Port Day Paradise: Your Secret Weapon
This is where experienced cruisers separate themselves from the pack. While 80% of passengers are off exploring Cozumel or Nassau, you'll have the pool deck practically to yourself.
I remember a Royal Caribbean sailing where we docked in Jamaica at 8 AM. By 10:30 AM, when the main pool area is usually a war zone, I counted only 12 people around the entire Deck 11 pool complex. You could literally pick any chair you wanted.
Best port day pool times:
- 10 AM to 2 PM — peak shore excursion hours
- Caribbean ports work best for this strategy
- Sea days are your enemy for easy chair access
Just remember to keep an eye on the all-aboard time. Missing the ship because you were too comfortable by the pool is an expensive mistake.
The Afternoon Shift: 4 PM and Beyond
People start abandoning their pool chairs around 4 PM to shower and prepare for dinner. This creates a second window of opportunity that most passengers miss.
On Celebrity Edge, I've noticed the Resort Deck clears out significantly after 4:30 PM. Passengers head to their staterooms to get ready for the main dining room's early seating at 6 PM. This gives you prime sunset viewing from chairs that were impossible to find at lunch.
Why the late afternoon works:
- Kids get tired and cranky, families retreat indoors
- Adults start thinking about evening activities
- The harsh midday sun becomes manageable
- You can watch the sunset from your claimed spot
What NOT to Do: The Towel Wars
Let me be crystal clear about chair saving — it doesn't work, and it makes you that passenger. Most cruise lines have policies against reserving chairs with towels or belongings.
Official policies I've confirmed:
- Carnival: Items removed after 40 minutes of absence
- Royal Caribbean: 30-minute rule on most ships
- Norwegian: Crew will clear unattended items
- Princess: No saving allowed, period
I watched a family on Carnival Mardi Gras lose their "saved" prime chairs when they left for lunch at noon and came back at 2 PM. The deck crew had cleared their towels and new passengers had claimed the spots. The resulting argument wasn't pretty.
The golden rule: If you're not actively using the chair, you don't deserve to keep it.
Premium Options: When You Want to Guarantee Success
Sometimes paying for guaranteed seating makes sense, especially on longer sailings or ships with limited pool space.
Royal Caribbean Casitas: $149-199 per day on ships like Allure of the Seas gets you a private cabana with two loungers, mini-fridge, fruit plate, and dedicated service. I've used these on busy holiday sailings — worth every penny when the alternative is standing around the pool.
Suite Perks: If you're in a suite on most cruise lines, you get access to dedicated sun deck areas. On Celebrity's suites, the Retreat Sundeck on Deck 12 is exclusively for suite guests.
Adult-Only Areas: These aren't free upgrades, but they're included in your cruise fare:
- Virgin Voyages: The Dock on Deck 15 (entire ship is adults-only)
- Norwegian: Spice H2O on most ships
- MSC: MSC Yacht Club area for suite guests
- Disney: Quiet Cove Pool (Disney ships only)
Alternative Pool Zones: Hidden Gems
Stop fighting over the main pool when better options exist elsewhere on the ship. I've found comfortable seating in spots most passengers never explore.
Upper deck discoveries:
- Deck 15 on Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships has a quieter pool area
- The aft pool on Princess ships is usually less crowded than the main Lido pool
- Sports deck areas often have loungers near the basketball courts
On Norwegian Gem, I discovered the perfect spot on Deck 13 near the sports complex. It had six loungers that stayed empty while passengers fought over main pool chairs three decks below.
The Real Solution: Timing and Flexibility
After hundreds of pool days across dozens of ships, here's the truth: successful pool chair hunting comes down to being strategic rather than stubborn.
Your best chances ranked:
- Port days between 10 AM and 2 PM
- Early morning before 10 AM on any day
- Late afternoon after 4 PM
- Adult-only areas if you qualify
- Alternative deck areas during peak times
Don't waste your vacation standing around angry because someone else got "your" chair. The ocean view is the same whether you're sitting in the prime middle section or the perfectly good chairs near the bar.
Remember: you're on a cruise ship in the middle of paradise. If the worst thing that happens is you have to wait 20 minutes for a pool chair, you're having a pretty great vacation.
Want to share your own pool chair victories or disasters? Join the discussion in our Onboard Activities forum — we've all got stories from the deck chair wars!