Carnival Cruise Line addresses table hogging problem
On some Carnival cruises, table hogging on the Lido Deck can be almost as big of a problem as chair hogging - or cruise passengers' tendency to reserve lounge chairs by the pool for extended periods of time.
Carnival cruise passengers often complain that it can be hard to find a table to eat breakfast or lunch during peak times on the Lido Deck. This problem can sometimes be made worse during lunch hours on sea days when a number of tables may even be reserved by passengers who aren't enjoying a meal at all.
Although it may not be an issue on every cruise, Carnival is taking steps to offer a solution to the table hogging problem to help make sure tables are available for passengers to eat lunch at times when the buffet and popular Guy's Burger Joint are the busiest.
The cruise line is opening up other onboard gathering spaces to encourage cruisers to come together to hang out in areas beyond the busy Lido Deck.
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Carnival adds dedicated space for card players on longer cruises
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald explained the table hogging issue and Carnival's solution in an April 6 Facebook video for his more than 668,000 followers.
"On longer cruises, people want to play cards and occasionally, people write to me and say that they had trouble getting a table for lunch because people were playing cards," Heald said.
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Recognizing that card playing is a popular activity on longer cruises, especially during sea days, Carnival is opening up new spaces for passengers to play cards on other decks. The cruise line wants to free up more Lido Deck tables for those eating, but doesn't want to leave card players without a place to gather and have fun together during their sailings.
"We are very much on the ball with this and I know on these longer cruises - the Journeys cruises - that the hotel directors/entertainment directors are opening up a level of one of the dining rooms so that card players can have an area to meet that isn't going to impact food service," Heald shared.
Carnival asks card players not to use Lido Deck tables during busy times
Carnival welcomes card playing in public areas on board (as long as it doesn't involve gambling, which is only permitted in the onboard casino), but asks that passengers avoid playing on the Lido Deck during peak dining times.
"If you are watching this and you do play cards, which we love to see, please remember you cannot and should not use the Lido Deck tables during the busy hours of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Please don't do that," Heald said.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line addresses common Guy's Burger Joint complaint
Passengers who want to play cards during their cruise should check the onboard activity schedule to find out where crew have designated a space for card playing during their sailing.
"Check your FunTimes and there will be a place designated for you to be able to play cards," Heald said.
Card-playing cruisers will likely find these new areas are perfect spots to meet other passengers with similar interests and make friends on board their cruises.
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This story was originally published April 7, 2026 at 10:59 AM.