P&O Cruises passengers divided by new 'divisive' sun lounger rule on ship
A P&O Cruises passenger has shared a notice spotted on sun loungers aboard one of the company's ships, sparking debate among passengers
P&O Cruises has introduced a fresh sun lounger policy aboard its ships, sparking a divided response amongst passengers. P&O is a quintessentially British cruise line operator, catering exclusively to Brits seeking both family-friendly and adult-only voyages.
The company predominantly departs from Southampton, sailing to much-loved destinations including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Norwegian Fjords. However, on some of its sunnier sailings, the firm has introduced a new regulation for those wishing to make use of the ship's sun loungers.
One passenger shared a photograph of a P&O lounger featuring a fabric cover on the headrest bearing a printed message.
The text read: "Loungers get lonely. Please don't reserve. If left for more than 30 minutes, belongings will be moved to the lonely lounger pick up point."
The poster added the caption: "Is this move long overdue by PandO cruises or a bit over the top."
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Brits have long been ribbed for their tendency to reserve sun loungers at the crack of dawn by draping a towel over the seat before heading back to their cabin.
It appears, however, that this habit has gradually migrated from the seaside or hotel pool to cruise ships. The new policy has proved divisive among passengers, with many declaring it "a long time coming".
One person said: "We had our 1st cruise in December there was a group of about 7 or 8 older women who did this all the time on sea days! They were fuming when their stuff was removed, it was hilarious, so entitled!"
A second said: "Long overdue. I often am looking for a lounger by the pool to have one to dry off after a swim and I can never get one in the sun to dry my swimsuit enough to get back to the cabin usually I just take any empty one and by the time they come back I'm usually dry."
A third person added: "This was on Britannia in January and was enforced. The staff went round and put a sticker warning on after 30 minutes, then 30 minutes after that, if the sticker was still there, the towels were removed."
A third said: "It's a brilliant idea. What bemuses me is people leaving one empty sun lounger between them and other people. They do it in the theatre too. It means other couples have to sit apart - my husband prefers it that way as I can't talk to him!"
Others, however, were unconvinced that a 30-minute rule was entirely reasonable or fair.
One person said: "I'm definitely the minority here but personally, I think 30 minutes is unreasonable. I am absolutely fine with an hour and think it is unfair for people to 'reserve' sunbeds and head off for hours...BUT, I also think it should be ok for families to go in the pool, maybe grab a drink and queue at the snack bar then head back to the sunbeds...this can take more than 30 minutes!"
A second said: "An hour would be better, only so people could go grab lunch/food together. My husband and I would be happy taking it in turns if it meant we got a bed though." A third user commented: "If your nipping in for lunch maybe half hour is a bit mean."
