While you can't always rely on good weather during a cruise, you can always rely on one thing - chair hoggers. You can almost guarantee that after a leisurely breakfast, you'll be greeted by rows of towel-lined sun loungers without a person in sight, thanks to passengers who got up at the crack of dawn to make their claim. 

Luckily, two cruise experts have shared how to deal with chair hoggers so that you can always find a spot to relax as well. Writing on Cruise Critic operated by Tripadvisor, experts Erica Silverstein and Katherine Alex Beaven shared one golden rule when it comes to claiming back the chair. They claimed that if the chair has been empty for longer than half an hour, it's okay to start removing their towels.  

If, like many, you wouldn't feel comfortable doing so, they recommended asking a crew member to do it for you to avoid any awkwardness.  

They wrote: "See a chair with belongings on it but no people? Ask neighbouring sunbathers if someone has been using a chair. If no one's been seen, the stuff likely belongs to a chair hog; you're OK to move the items if they haven't been there for a half-hour."

However, just like hotels, many cruise ships charge for lost towels, so if you move other people's belongings from sun loungers, make sure to keep a close eye on them so they don't get fined.  

The experts also revealed that the upper decks are the best places to look because they often have more free space than by the pools, making them quieter and more relaxing. If you do venture up, just keep in mind that shade can be hard to come by.

You can also leave your towel at home because cruise ships provide beach towels and towels for passengers during their trips. They are usually provided in-cabin or somewhere by the pool, which can also be taken off the ship at port.