P&O Cruises has introduced new warning covers on some of its sun loungers as the long-running battle over reserving poolside beds continues to frustrate holidaymakers.
The cruise line has not announced a brand-new policy, but passengers sailing on recent warm-weather itineraries have noticed new fabric covers placed across loungers reminding guests not to leave them unattended for extended periods.
The move comes shortly after a German tourist successfully won compensation after complaining he was unable to secure a sun lounger during a family holiday in Greece.
According to BBC News, the traveller told a court in Hanover that he spent around 20 minutes every day searching for a free lounger during his 2024 holiday, including getting up at 6am in an attempt to secure a spot for his family.
He later sued his tour operator for failing to properly enforce rules preventing guests from reserving loungers. Judges ruled in his favour and awarded the family a refund worth €986.70, on top of an earlier €350 compensation payment already issued by the operator.
The court concluded that holiday companies should have adequate organisational measures in place to help ensure guests have fair access to sun loungers.
New Lounger Covers Spotted On P&O Ships
Passengers on P&O Cruises sailings have recently shared images online showing loungers fitted with branded covers carrying a warning message aimed at discouraging towel reserving.
The message reads: “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.”
One guest who shared the image online asked whether the move was “long overdue” or “a bit over the top”.
P&O Cruises has long operated rules discouraging guests from reserving loungers for extended periods, but the new covers appear to be a more visible reminder of those expectations onboard.
The cruise line, which mainly sails from Southampton to destinations including the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norwegian Fjords, regularly faces the same pool deck frustrations seen at resorts across Europe during peak holiday periods.
Passengers commenting online were largely supportive of the enforcement efforts, particularly on busy sea days when finding a free lounger can become difficult.
One cruiser 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!”
Another passenger added: “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.”
A guest sailing aboard P&O Cruises’ ship Britannia earlier this year also claimed the rules were actively enforced by crew members.
“This was on Britannia in January and was enforced,” they wrote. “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.”
Some Guests Question The 30-Minute Rule
While many passengers welcomed tougher action against reserving loungers, others questioned whether a 30-minute limit is realistic for families spending the day around the pool deck.
One guest argued that grabbing lunch, visiting the pool and queueing for drinks could easily take longer than half an hour.
“I think 30 minutes is unreasonable,” they wrote. “I am absolutely fine with an hour and think it is unfair for people to reserve sunbeds and head off for hours, but it should be ok for families to go in the pool, maybe grab a drink and queue at the snack bar.”
Another passenger suggested a one-hour allowance would be fairer, particularly for couples or families wanting to eat together without losing their loungers.
Debates around reserving sun loungers have become increasingly common on cruise ships in recent years, especially on Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries where pool decks are busiest during sea days.
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