If you’ve ever cruised with Carnival, you know how competitive pool deck loungers can be — especially on sunny sea days.
But one recent suggestion from a guest sparked a debate that Carnival Cruise Line has now firmly settled.
A passenger proposed that Carnival should allow guests to pay extra to reserve premium lounge chairs near the main pool.
The idea was simple: charge a daily fee, guarantee prime seating, and create an additional revenue stream for the cruise line.
However, Carnival has made it clear that this is not something they plan to introduce.
Guest Suggests Paid Lounger Reservations as a “Win-Win”
The suggestion came directly from a Carnival cruiser who shared their idea with Brand Ambassador John Heald on social media.
The guest explained that they would be willing to pay around $20 per day to reserve two poolside loungers in a preferred location.
They believed many other passengers would gladly pay for guaranteed seating, especially during busy sailings when finding a good spot can be frustrating.
Their proposed system included:
- Allowing reservations through the Carnival HUB app.
- Giving guests the option to book loungers one day in advance.
- Charging the fee directly to their onboard account.
From the guest’s perspective, this would eliminate early-morning chair hunting and reduce stress for passengers wanting a relaxing pool day.
Carnival Responds: No Plans to Charge for Pool Chairs
Carnival quickly shut down the idea.
John Heald clarified that the cruise line is not considering any paid reservation system for standard pool loungers.
He also emphasized that while guest feedback is always welcome, introducing fees for basic seating is not something Carnival wants to implement.
The cruise line prefers to keep pool deck loungers accessible to all passengers without requiring additional payment.
When Heald asked his followers for their opinions, thousands responded — and most did not support the idea.
Many cruisers felt charging for loungers would:
- Create unfair advantages for those willing to pay.
- Increase onboard tensions between passengers.
- Turn a shared public space into a paid privilege.
Others pointed out that “prime seating” is subjective, meaning guests might pay for spots that don’t meet their expectations.
Carnival’s Real Focus: Stopping Chair Hogging
Instead of charging for loungers, Carnival has focused on solving the real problem — chair hogging.
This refers to guests placing towels or personal items on loungers early in the day without actually using them, preventing others from accessing the seats.
Carnival introduced stricter enforcement measures to address this issue.
Carnival’s 40-Minute Rule Includes:
- Crew members monitor unused loungers.
- Personal items are removed if chairs remain unoccupied for over 40 minutes.
- Freed-up loungers become available for other guests.
Items that may be removed include:
- Towels
- Bags
- Books
- Clothing
- Personal belongings
This policy helps ensure loungers are shared fairly and used by guests who actually want to relax by the pool.
Premium Lounger Options Already Exist — But in Private Areas
While Carnival does not charge for standard pool loungers, guests who want exclusive seating do have other options.
Some cruise lines, including Carnival, offer premium relaxation areas for an additional fee.
These may include:
- Private cabanas.
- Adult-only retreat areas.
- Dedicated sun decks with upgraded seating.
For example, Carnival’s Excel-class ships feature Loft 19, an exclusive area with upgraded loungers and cabana rentals.
Other cruise lines offer similar experiences, such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s Vibe Beach Club or private cabana rentals on Royal Caribbean and Princess ships.
Best Strategy for Getting a Good Poolside Seat
For guests sailing on Carnival, the best way to secure a desirable lounger remains simple — arrive early.
Passengers who head to the pool deck earlier in the day typically have a wider selection of available seating, especially on popular sea days.
Thanks to Carnival’s enforcement against chair hogging, seats also become available throughout the day as unused loungers are cleared.
ShipboardCruiser Insight
Carnival’s decision reflects its commitment to keeping core onboard experiences accessible to everyone.
Charging for basic loungers could fundamentally change the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere cruise guests expect.
Instead, Carnival is focusing on fair access and enforcement — ensuring passengers can still enjoy the pool deck without turning loungers into another paid upgrade.
