In the latest bid to put a stop to the so-called "sunbed wars" that have gripped holiday hotspots and busy ship decks in recent years, a major cruise line has launched a strict new rule. P&O Cruises - which caters exclusively to British holidaymakers seeking both family-orientated and adults-only voyages to destinations including the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norwegian Fjords - has implemented a new regulation on several of its sunnier sailings.

A passenger posted an image this month of a P&O lounger featuring a fabric cover across the headrest bearing written instructions. The message stated: "Loungers get lonely. Please don't reserve. If left for more than 30 minutes, belongings will be moved to the lonely lounger pick up point." The post was included alongside the caption: "Is this move long overdue by [P&O] cruises or a bit over the top." Britons have endured significant ridicule over their tendency to claim sun loungers by placing a towel on the seat before returning to their accommodation, often during the early hours.

However, it appears this practice has transferred from coastal resorts or hotel pools to cruise liners over the years. The policy amendment has proved controversial among passengers, with numerous individuals declaring it had been a "long time coming".

One passenger wrote: "We had our 1st cruise in December there was a group of about 7 or 8 older women who did this all the time on sea days! They were fuming when their stuff was removed, it was hilarious, so entitled!"

"Long overdue. I often am looking for a lounger by the pool to have one to dry off after a swim and I can never get one in the sun to dry my swimsuit enough to get back to the cabin usually I just take any empty one and by the time they come back I'm usually dry," a second said, according to SurreyLive.

A third individual noted: "This was on Britannia in January and was enforced. The staff went round and put a sticker warning on after 30 minutes, then 30 minutes after that, if the sticker was still there, the towels were removed."

Other passengers, however, questioned whether implementing a 30-minute restriction on the loungers was reasonable. One guest stated: "I'm definitely the minority here but personally, I think 30 minutes is unreasonable. I am absolutely fine with an hour and think it is unfair for people to 'reserve' sunbeds and head off for hours...BUT, I also think it should be ok for families to go in the pool, maybe grab a drink and queue at the snack bar then head back to the sunbeds...this can take more than 30 minutes!"

This comes after a German tourist won a payout this month after he was unable to secure a sun lounger on his £6,000 all-inclusive holiday. The man was on holiday on the island of Kos, Greece, in 2024 with his family and said he spent 20 minutes each day trying to find a bed, even waking up at 6am. He sued his tour operator for not enforcing a ban on reserving beds, and judges in a district court in Hanover ruled in his favour.

The judges ruled that his family were entitled to a refund of €986.70 (£854), despite the tour operator having initially paid €350. It was decided that the tour operator should be obligated to ensure an organisational structure is in place to better ensure guests can obtain a bed.