Few topics get cruise lovers as riled up as chair hogs. While some cruise lines have made minor efforts to curb the practice, a recently-resolved German court case could lead to big problems — and possibly solutions — if similar cases make their way onto the lido deck.

Why He Sued

As reported by the BBC, a German man claimed his family’s vacation at a Greek resort was negatively impacted by their inability to secure sun loungers due to other guests reserving them with towels and then disappearing for hours.

The unnamed man claimed in court documents that he and his family would arise as early as 6 a.m. yet find all the loungers reserved. And although there were signs prohibiting guests from using towels to reserve loungers, he said it was regularly ignored.

Ultimately, he received a portion of the amount he paid back. While the case was far more complicated than outlined here — involving not only the resort itself but a tour operator through whom he’d booked — it does raise points that will be familiar to most cruisers.

Can Cruise Lines Win This Battle?

While it would seem that chair hogs have existed since, if not the beginning of time, certainly the earliest days of cruising, some lines have made efforts to discourage offenders.

For example, several years ago Carnival put in place a plan — outlined here — they hoped might help solve the problem. Abandoned chairs are to receive stickers, as the website explains “indicating the time the sticker was placed and when personal items will be removed. If the chair remains unoccupied for 40 minutes, the contents are removed and held for the guest’s safekeeping.”

Similar programs have been implemented by other lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. However, there’s one major problem… and it only seems to be getting worse. As one Redditor put it when the topic was discussed in a Royal Caribbean thread, “If there is no enforcement, people will continue to do it.”

Smaller Staffs, Shuffled Priorities

Therein, of course, lies the rub. Because while cruise lines might have the best of intentions where these and other policies are concerned, it’s no secret that most are also operating on tighter budgets.

In many cases, crews are stretched thin… something cruisers have most definitely noticed. That being the case, one has to wonder just how much enforcement of chair-hog related issues will be moving forward? While it seems unlikely that a “chair hog lawsuit” like the one filed against the Greek resort would prove successful — or even make it into a courtroom — stranger things have happened… especially on the high seas.

Read Next: Should Carnival overturn their lifetime ban?

Two women who engaged in what’s been described as a slap-fest aboard the Carnival Spirit appeared in federal court this week. And while they were given an opportunity to, in essence, make the entire incident go away, they’ll still face a lifetime ban as well as the loss of their status in Carnival Cruise Line’s loyalty program.

How The Fight Started

The fact that both Tonya Nelson and Lisa Horace will lose their status with the line is somewhat ironic, given that their altercation involved a guest services line designated for those with Platinum or Diamond status.

According to various records, the dispute started when Nelson tried to alert Horace that she was in a line specifically meant for those who have achieved the highest level in Carnival’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) program.

Read More: Carnival issues important warning to loyalty club members

Things quickly escalated to the point that things became physical. Thanks to witness reports and surveillance footage confirming the incident — and the fact that it unfolded while the ship was in international waters as it headed back to Mobile, Alabama— Horace and Nelson wound up facing assault charges in federal court.

What Went Down In Court

According to reporting from Mobile’s local news outlets, both women apologized for being in court. The judge ultimately decided that if the two could avoid being arrested or coming into contact with one another for three weeks, the pending charges would be dismissed.

The women said they’d been banned from Carnival Cruise Line for life and lost their respective loyalty status. That said, Nelson’s lawyer, Buzz Jordan, told reporters he hoped that decision might be reversed. “Things happen sometimes on a crowded ship,” he said of his client’s behavior. “You know, we’ve got big crowds involved, so that’s how I think this happened.” 

Carnival Cruise Line has issued a statement cancelling reservations made by guests taking advantage of extremely low-priced rates published thanks to a glitch. But not everyone is happy about the company’s explanation or their response.

What Carnival Is Saying

In a note sent to an undisclosed number of passengers, Carnival explained that “following a planned IT maintenance project… some guests saw a random display of prices that were far below any reasonable promotional fare. The reservation you made was one of them.” 

As a result, the note continued, “We regret to inform you that we will not be able to honor your reservation request.” Instead, Carnival cancelled the reservations and issued refunds.

“As a gesture of our appreciation,” the note went on to say, “a non-transferable onboard credit of $100 per stateroom will be applied to your future booking if made by August 31, 2026.” 

‘Their Mistake Should Not Be Your Problem!’

Needless to say, reaction from across social media was quick and harsh. “They advertised a price and you made a purchase,” commented one person on Facebook. “Their mistake should not be your problem.” 

Unfortunately, this is not the first time a glitch has led to low prices which ultimately were not honored. For example, in January of 2020, Carnival Cruise Line’s website accidentally posted casino rates as if they were available to any booking passenger. Soon after, the mistake was discovered and booked cruisers had their sailings cancelled.

And in August of 2023, Carnival’s computer system accidentally began offering an incredibly discounted beverage package, those who jumped at the offer soon received notice that the line would not, in fact, be honoring the quoted price.

On the other hand, when Royal Caribbean’s system made a similar mistake — charing $18 per person per day for the drink package as opposed to the then-standard $55 — they ultimately honored the price. This came after significant public outcry which led to to them eat the loss rather than face mounting bad publicity.

Always Read Your Cruise Contract!

Of course, there’s a significant difference between a mistakenly-priced drink package and the cost of a full-blown cruise.

While many on social media believe the Carnival low price glitch should be honored, the cruise contract makes clear that is not likely to happen.

Specifically, the contract — found in its entirety here — reads as follows:

 In the event that a cruise fare listed, quoted or advertised through any website, Carnival sales person, travel agent or any other source is booked but is incorrect due to an electronic error, typographical error, human error or any other error causing the fare to be listed, quoted or advertised for an amount not intended by Carnival, Carnival reserves the right to correct the erroneous fare by requesting the Guest to pay the correct fare intended (and associated fees, expenses and taxes), or by canceling the cruise in exchange for a full refund, but in no event shall Carnival be obligated to honor any such booking resulting from the error.

Read Next: How Carnival cruisers can avoid losing their status

It’s safe to say that Carnival Cruise Line caused a bit of a stir last year upon announcing major changes to their loyalty program.

Now comes word that unless cruisers take one very important step, they’ll lose their status entirely.

How to Avoid Losing Your Status

As of September 1, Carnival will be retiring its much-loved Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program. At that time, the line will be switching to the new Carnival Rewards program.

The new system involves earning stars in order to boost one’s status. Unlike under the previous program, the earned status is no longer a permanent, protected level. Instead, it must be re-earned every two years.

While that has led to confusion among some longtime loyalists and anger among others, there seems to be no way to stop this in-motion train. (Carnival has made tweaks since the original announcement and may well make more in the months between now and September.)

Most assumed their loyalty status would automatically transfer to the new program. But as it turns out, it isn’t quite as simple as that.

“Due to privacy laws,” reads a warning from Carnival, “your current status progress and benefits from the VIFP Club program will carry over only by opting in and enrolling in Carnival Rewards prior to when the new program launches September 1, 2026.” 

The Biggest Change

Under the former VIFP Program, the easiest and most popular way to earn points was by simply booking a cruise. Points were earned for each day spent on a Carnival ship. The new Rewards program, however, has shifted to a money-spent system.

Not coincidentally, the line has been heavily promoting the Carnival World Mastercard to earn points and boost status.

And it’s worth noting that the line says those who already have the card will have their earned Fun Points balance converted to Carnival Rewards Points when the new program launches in September.

For complete information on everything related to the new program, head to CarnivalRewards.com.