• Germany edition
Society
Photo: DPA

Beach towel wardens police cruise ships

Published: 2 Aug 12 07:01 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120802-44111.html

The idea of Germans getting up at dawn to claim sun loungers with their towels may be a cliché, but one cruise ship company has appointed wardens to police how long such loungers have been reserved but unused.

After decades of other people moaning, German-owned AIDA cruise ships have eagle-eyed wardens patrolling the decks. They put stickers on any towel that has been left to block a sun bed, local paper the Express reported on Wednesday.

Any towels still left without their owners 30 minutes later are removed. While the wardens do not leave parking tickets, a returning lounger hoarder will find a stern note telling them what has happened.

The system has been so successful in curbing part-time sunbathers who leave a towel on a lounger all day to stop others from using it, that it is being tried out on a cruise ship run by American holiday firm Carnival Cruises.

If it works, all cruise passengers travelling with the company will be introduced to the strict sun bathing etiquette, although they will have a slightly longer, 40-minute, grace period.

AIDA spokeswoman Kathrin Heitmann told the Express that so far they had received mostly positive feedback about the “beach towel wardens”.

The Local/jcw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

10:11 August 2, 2012 by Floriansamsel
It's not just a German cliché. In May (not even high season), I spent a week on Gran Canaria. The hotel was full of British people (95 %) and some of them did it all the same.

Now, we even need wardens to stop this very unpolite behaviour. How about just throwing these towels into the pool and not handing out new ones for 1 or 2 days?
10:33 August 2, 2012 by zeddriver
@Floriansamsel

It is a rude practice. And is not mutually exclusive to the Germans.

Went to Gran Canaria in June. While not a sun bather my self. I couldn't help but wonder why there were so many lounge chairs with towels trying to get a tan.

Maybe they should have a parking timer like we have to carry in our autos. And attach it to the chair.

Can you imagine what would happen if one was in queue for concert tickets. Then left a note saying they had decided to go for lunch and a massage I'll be back in 2 hours to reclaim my spot at the front of the queue.
15:33 August 2, 2012 by Herr Rentz
I'm not sure why anyone would want to spend time on a lounge in the sun on a cruise ship. You can do that at home.
15:49 August 2, 2012 by coffeelover
@zeddriver; too funny! How about doing the same at the DMV! People would laugh and leave the note for all other people to laugh at. @Herr Rentz; Agree, but I think the reason is to ogle the good-looking bathing suits more than to tan. I have seen the same tactic used at waterparks here in the U.S., people try to hog lounge chairs at the wave pool.
01:59 August 3, 2012 by zeddriver
@coffeelover

Ogle the swimsuits.

At Gran Canaria Island you'd be hard pressed to find someone wearing a suit. Instead you generally will find the place filled with 50 and older fat Germans & Brits. Most of them will be out all day every day turning a deep crimson red. Not to sure what the point of doing that is. As for me. I don't have a perfect body. So I cover it the heck up. Hike to the sand dunes and fly one of my stunt kites after putting on SPF lotion.
12:48 August 4, 2012 by Herr Rentz
UFO's aboard!

Unidentified Frying Objects
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Germany's collective blame phobia

The Germans have a particular phobia – they live in constant fear of being blamed for something. A commentary by Der Tagesspiegel's Malte Lehming. READ () »

Photo: DPA

First bison born in wild 'for centuries'

A wild bison has been born in Germany for the first time in centuries. The lead female of a herd released from captivity in April gave birth to the calf on May 5th, it was revealed on Tuesday. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Conservatives demand East German symbol ban

Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) called on Tuesday for symbols associated with the totalitarian socialist regime of former East Germany to be banned, in the same way that it is illegal to display Nazi memorabilia. READ () »

Photo: DPA

States to toughen laws on drunken cycling

German state interior ministers are hashing out a plan to lower the amount of alcohol cyclists can legally consume before getting on their bikes. The measures come as figures show one in 10 bike accidents are the result of drunk riders. READ () »

Photo: DPA

The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek dies at 74

Ray Manzarek, co-founder of legendary 1960s rock band The Doors and creator of their signature organ sound, died on Monday in Germany after a long battle with cancer, his manager said. He was 74. READ () »

Photo: Nike/DPA

England fans decry 'German' football jersey

The new jersey for England’s national football team has sparked the ire of English fans for looking too much like the kit archrivals Germany wore when they won the World Cup in 1974. READ () »

My German Career
Photo: Graham Appleby

'My friends call me travelling x-ray salesman'

In the latest installment of My German Career, The Local spoke with New Zealander physicist Graham Appleby about Hamburg's high intensity x-ray beams and life in Germany's scientific community. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Germany seeks 'visible' Kosovo-Serbia progress

Germany has called for "visible" progress in implementing a landmark deal between Serbia and Kosovo before securing Berlin's backing for Belgrade's bid to join the European Union. READ () »

More Society
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
20,000 Goths gather in Leipzig
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Harmless pink fun or a bad influence on young girls? A life-size Barbie dream house attraction opened in Berlin to protests including a topless woman burning a doll in effigy.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act. Our German of the Week is Tina K., who, after her brother was beaten to death, has been campaigning for an end to street violence in Berlin.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local List: Ten German words with double meanings
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Conflict is part of the fabric of Berlin, but the city's "Peacemaker" soothes things over. Jessica Ware tracked him down for a chat.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
It might be politically toxic, but it's time to hit the brakes on Germany's reckless driving culture, argues The Local's Ben Knight.
Photo: M&S
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Move over Berlin: why London is Germany's new fashion capital
Photo: Private
OPINION »
For this edition of My German Career, former US military man turned armed guard Keith Alban talks about leaving home in search of a better quality of life.
Photo: Katie Needs
SOCIETY »
Offseason, Germany's largest island Rügen might not top many peoples' list of dream holidays. But as The Local discovered, its quiet beauty makes it worth a trip to escape city bustle.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Confused about the hundreds of euros missing from your pay packet? Don't panic - the latest in The Local's JobTalk series looks at German social security payments.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Is that your Handy ringing? This week's Local List takes a look at 12 misused English words in German.
Photo: A Peoples' Picture
LIFESTYLE »
An American is stirring up creative spontaneity in Dresden by leaving disposable cameras around for strangers' use, before collecting them and displaying the results online.
Photo: Private
LIFESTYLE »
After it was revealed that Angela Merkel had a Polish grandfather, Matthew Luxmoore set out to find where she could connect to her roots in Berlin's sizable Polish community.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Why isn't everyone wearing Lederhosen? It's easy for foreigners to stereotype Germany, but this week's Local List is dedicated to debunking common myths.
Photo: Private
OPINION »
The last time Si Liberman saw Berlin, he was thousands of feet in the air on a US bombing raid over Nazi Germany. Nearly seven decades later, he returned to the city.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
What are the hidden rules of etiquette foreigners need to watch out for while doing business in Germany? The Local's JobTalk series has tips for keeping on the right side of your colleagues.
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
All of The Local's 'Germans of the Week' so far
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
Every town and city from The Local's My Germany series
Furniture Leasing Corporation
SPONSORED ARTICLE
The furniture-free way to relocate to Germany
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Top five reasons to enrol on an Executive MBA



Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

858 jobs available
644 new jobs this week
167 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.