AquaDuck and CC- what to do with my bag (stuff)?

[Flossbolna]

The reason I would think there aren't cubbies provided for everyone to use is the sheer number that would be needed and the space required.
Say even if only 50% of cabins use them, on the magic class thats 437 cubbies or on the dream class thats 625 cubbies. Shmoo's picture illustrates how much space is taken by just 15 cubbies.
Where could all of that space be reclaimed from? The only place I can think of is the glass walls of the pool deck and I'm sure no one would want them covered up?
Personally I am of the opinion if you are not going to use your chair or lounger for 30 minutes or longer you should vacate it for someone else to use and find a new one when you are ready to sit down again from what is available.
They are shared chairs so no one is forfeiting their chair, as when they aren't using it is available for the next person to use. dcl ask no seat saving. They should not have to staff to enforce that, common decency should dictate that you follow that rule for your own benefit when you want a chair and for the person looking for one who sits in the chair you just vacated for a break of 30 minutes or more.

But what do you with your stuff if you hang out in the pool for more than 30 minutes?

 

[intricatejewel]

As someone's who's cruised multiple solo cruises, I've never had an issue leaving my stuff on a chair or lounger. That being said, I leave anything of value back in the room safe and keep any cash/cc's in a waterproof lanyard around my neck so I wouldn't be too heartbroken if some jerk made off with my stuff. I also stay close enough to keep an eye on my stuff, as well. Often times, nearby families will offer to keep an eye on your belongings if you find you need to step away to use the restroom or whatever. Err on the side of caution, but I think you'll be fine

 

[DLgal]

I did not say you should place them at the edge of the pool where they could get wet.
What I did say was "If you are watching your kids in the pool and want to sit at the edge there is no reason you cannot bring your and their belongings with you and not tie up a chair or chairs others could be enjoying."
Also
"you should place them on the deck floor in a corner, or take your belongings back to your cabin."
I DID say in a corner. And yes you are unnecessarily "using up" a chair someone else could be using.

As ridiculous as it is to you, it is also ridiculous to me for you to assume you own that chair or chairs?
"Well, I only use chairs while I am actively at the pool."
"use up" a chair." Chair or chairs.
You could easily put all of your belongings in a pile on the floor in the back section of loungers away from the water and they would be equally as safe as on any lounger on the pool deck.
Yes you wouldn't have YOUR lounger/s to come back to, but they would still be equally taken care of.

You could also use a bag that is waterproof if you're that concerned.

I did give a caveat of " I think 30 minutes is a reasonable and realistic time."
If you disagree with that, then I disagree with you.

Why do you assume I am using a lounger in the front? Actually, we often use ONE chair for our family's stuff, and it's usually up on the deck above the pool deck, way in the back. And we don't ever just lay out in the chairs...we are in the pool or Aquaduck with our kids. When we are done in the water, we leave. Geez. Lots of assumptions in your post.

 

[C6PT7]

But what do you with your stuff if you hang out in the pool for more than 30 minutes?

Put it in a bag in the corner on the floor or take it back to your cabin?

 

[C6PT7]

Why do you assume I am using a lounger in the front? Actually, we often use ONE chair for our family's stuff, and it's usually up on the deck above the pool deck, way in the back. And we don't ever just lay out in the chairs...we are in the pool or Aquaduck with our kids. When we are done in the water, we leave. Geez. Lots of assumptions in your post.

You've made your opinion clear on this as have I.
But remember, dcl say NO SEAT SAVING. That does include saving a seat for your families stuff.

 

[tinkerone]

I can not be the only one who notices that the loungers closest to the pools are often (I didn't say always) left empty most of the day. it amazes me when I see how people are blind to the fact that others would like to use the chair you aren't using. I have seen lots and lots of people who gather at the pools edge and drink and talk most of the day leaving their stuff on the chairs because its 'their' chair. dh and I love satellite falls so it means nothing to me but I know it means a ton to those who truly are looking for the lounger in the sun. it seems to be a problem no one wants to recognize.

we just got back from a vacation in Jamaica and the seat saving was horrid. if you didn't get a chair by 7 then you were not getting one. this was told to us on the first day by one of the staff at the pools. the resort used a towel card system so if there was a towel on the chair then it belonged to someone. on the second day, and most days going forward, I started to toss towels to the side and took the chairs I wanted. I figured if they weren't there by ten then they didn't want the chair very badly. no one ever complained to me either. sorry, that was off topic.

 

[RedSox68]

Just leave your bag on a chair. No one will take it. Everyone else does this. Same as Castaway. Just don't bring anything expensive or hard to replace. Just bring essentials: sunscreen, goggles, sunglasses, etc. Find a good pair of swim shorts with a pocket and put your room key in there while you swim.

This is what we do -- we leave our bag on the chair with some towels, but we never leave our camera or money or any ID or room keys in it. We wear our room keys in a waterproof cases around our necks. (Tip, zip lock them in a snack size baggie then put them in the case. We have found sometimes these "waterproof" vessels leak).

 

[leidig32]

What bags did you get to wear around your neck? Thanks so much!!

This is what we do -- we leave our bag on the chair with some towels, but we never leave our camera or money or any ID or room keys in it. We wear our room keys in a waterproof cases around our necks. (Tip, zip lock them in a snack size baggie then put them in the case. We have found sometimes these "waterproof" vessels leak).

 

[RedSox68]

What bags did you get to wear around your neck? Thanks so much!!

They are plastic waterproof cases, not very big but big enough to hold your room key, an ID and some money (for stamps). They usually sell the on the ship or on the island, or you can buy them ahead of time on Amazon, etc. We even use them when we go down to the pools at hotels so we don't have to worry about our room key getting lost. Ours are all from Castaway Cay.

 

[hnthomps]

I was so annoyed by all the people who just left towels on the front row loungers for long periods. As a parent of small children, I needed to be close to the Mickey pool. I didn't want to be IN it...but usually had no choice and had to sit along the edge instead of in a deck chair as there were none available -- just chairs being used as lockers while people rode the Aquaduck. I agree that larger cubbies would greatly ease this problem.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was so annoyed by all the people who just left towels on the front row loungers for long periods. As a parent of small children, I needed to be close to the Mickey pool. I didn't want to be IN it...but usually had no choice and had to sit along the edge instead of in a deck chair as there were none available -- just chairs being used as lockers while people rode the Aquaduck. I agree that larger cubbies would greatly ease this problem.

Your party can use more than one cubbie, if necessary.

 

[RedSox68]

You've made your opinion clear on this as have I.
But remember, dcl say NO SEAT SAVING. That does include saving a seat for your families stuff.

Sorry -- that is not the meaning I get by "seat saving". Seat savers are the ones who come up on deck at 6 a.m. -- or right after breakfast -- and start throwing personal items on the chairs to save them for when they decide to show up -- sometimes hours later -- to even use the area. In other words, they are not physically anywhere near the pool, Aquaduck or chair. If you are using the pool or aquaduck, I think it is very reasonable to have a chair not only for your "stuff" while you are swimming, but for anyone in your family who may decide they want to sit for a while. If you are leaving the area with no intention of coming back for a while, then take your stuff with you. If you are in that direct area where that chair is, you have every right to claim one chair. This topic has been fought about and over discussed for years on these threads, and everyone will always have their opinion on why you aren't allowed to have a lousy chair while you are using the area. What purpose do these chairs serve by the pool but for people using the pool. If you want to sunbath, there are voluminous deck chairs elsewhere! Same discussions have been made about CC -- families save chairs for every member of the family, all day, and then never come back to them.

It's a two-way street. You should be allowed at least one chair while you and/or your kids and family are swimming (however long that is). I do not think that is unreasonable. But on the same note, if you actually leave the area for a while (to eat, etc.), then take your stuff and let someone else use the chair.

 

[micknme]

Love my Kyss bag. Had a really cute pictue embroidered on it along with our last name. Great company to work with. No worries at all when it is chained to my chair.

 

[C6PT7]

Sorry -- that is not the meaning I get by "seat saving". Seat savers are the ones who come up on deck at 6 a.m. -- or right after breakfast -- and start throwing personal items on the chairs to save them for when they decide to show up -- sometimes hours later -- to even use the area. In other words, they are not physically anywhere near the pool, Aquaduck or chair. If you are using the pool or aquaduck, I think it is very reasonable to have a chair not only for your "stuff" while you are swimming, but for anyone in your family who may decide they want to sit for a while. If you are leaving the area with no intention of coming back for a while, then take your stuff with you. If you are in that direct area where that chair is, you have every right to claim one chair. This topic has been fought about and over discussed for years on these threads, and everyone will always have their opinion on why you aren't allowed to have a lousy chair while you are using the area. What purpose do these chairs serve by the pool but for people using the pool. If you want to sunbath, there are voluminous deck chairs elsewhere! Same discussions have been made about CC -- families save chairs for every member of the family, all day, and then never come back to them.

It's a two-way street. You should be allowed at least one chair while you and/or your kids and family are swimming (however long that is). I do not think that is unreasonable. But on the same note, if you actually leave the area for a while (to eat, etc.), then take your stuff and let someone else use the chair.

And therein lies the problem.
Without definition from the cruise line, it is open to interpretation by anyone. And while we agree about collecting your things when you go to the buffet for lunch, others do not, so those chairs go unoccupied and unused except for personal belongings storage.
As for the chairs by the pool, they could be used by someone watching their kids in the pool, they tend to be less breezy than those on the upper deck, some are in the shade so those that wish to read a book or snooze without getting sunburnt.
I personally think 30 minutes of being unoccupied is enough time to release that chair for others to use. Others may disagree, I'm sure many will.

 

[derekjd]

We use one of the Kyss bags and it is great...not just on the cruise. You can lock it and attach it to a chair etc.

 

[Mdcantu]

I would second the vote for the Kyss bag. A determined thief could break into it, but it does prevent someone from just reaching in and taking something quickly and with no effort. Its just a deterrent to a thief, but it might be enough if there are lots of other families around. We lock our kyss bag closed and to our beach chair frame, and leave as many of our valuable as possible back in our room safe. There is at least one thread on this board about a family who had their expensive camera (with all their vacation photos on it) taken off the beach chair at castaway Cay...) so unfortunately it does happen. Take reasonable precautions, then go have a fun cruise!

I will also put a vote in for the Kyss bag! I read about them on another cruise blog and was thrilled with it. I always felt comfortable going in the pool or wherever, knowing it was locked up. Now that we're not on the cruise (boo!), I use it as my gym bag. It was a great purchase!

 

[Imahikergirl]

Not to hijack the thread, but what size of Kyss bag do you guys think is best?

To the OP, we left our bags on our chairs at CC when we went snorkeling, but had our phones in life proof cases with us and nothing of real value was left there. If you're concerned about your KTTW card and ID, just pickup one of the little pelican style cases at the gift shop on board and keep it around your neck.

 

[Syreeta]

Thanks again! I think I will utilize the cubbies at the aquaduck and I purchased a waterproof case that goes around the neck for the phone and cards/cash I will have.

 

[fairytalelover]

Love my Kyss bag. Had a really cute pictue embroidered on it along with our last name. Great company to work with. No worries at all when it is chained to my chair.

Kyss bags get chained to the chair? How much are they?

 

[fairytalelover]

I would reccomend that you keep all of your stuff in your stateroom when you go to the AquaDuck. We dont really need anything by the pool except towels. And staterooms are only a few minutes away if you want to go back later to get something.