Creative Door Décor for Your Cruise Cabin

Walking through the seemingly identical cabin corridors on a cruise ship can be confusing. It's easy to lose track of your room number (I often find myself disoriented for the first few days). A fun way to keep track of your cabin is by adding some decorations to your door.

If you've sailed with Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, or Carnival, you've probably noticed door decorations like magnets, signs, and small banners. It's a fantastic idea for your next cruise! Not only do decorations help you identify your room, but they also bring some flair to the hallway atmosphere.

Feeling inspired by your cruise ship neighbors? Before you start planning your hallway masterpiece, there are a few important things to consider. Continue reading to discover which cruise lines permit decorations, the best types to use, and where to find the most creative door decoration ideas.

Which cruise lines allow door decorations?

Not every cruise line permits door decorations. For those that do, here are the fundamental decorating guidelines you should know.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line allows door decorations as long as they are constructed from fire-retardant materials. Decorations must be placed solely on the cabin door and not on the surrounding hallway walls. You can use magnets or command strips for hanging, but tape and glue are prohibited. Additionally, string lights are not permitted.

I love using a themed door when cruising with Carnival. I often think about the upcoming holidays or the destination of the cruise. For instance, if we’re headed to Mexico, I might look for taco and margarita magnets to add a fun touch to my door and brighten up the hallway.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean allows guests to decorate their cabin doors, but make sure all decorations remain on the doors and do not extend to nearby walls. It's important that the door remains unharmed by the decorations. If you’re looking to spruce up your door on a Royal Caribbean cruise, simple magnets work best.

I search for decorations that match the vibrant party atmosphere of Royal Caribbean ships. Party banners that can be attached with magnets are always a crowd-pleaser. I also enjoy using fringe curtains, trimming them to fit my door for an added touch of sparkle and shine at my cabin entrance.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line allows passengers to decorate their doors, but using adhesive is prohibited. However, Disney is quite flexible regarding the types of decorations permitted. Decorative magnets or hanging signs with magnetic hooks are popular choices.

Unfortunately, Concierge rooms on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy feature wooden doors, which means magnets won't adhere. If you've booked one of these rooms, your decorating options will be somewhat limited.

Many decorations on Disney Cruise Line draw inspiration from the vast array of Disney characters and movies. In the past, I’ve spotted everything from The Muppets and "Star Wars" characters to Mickey Mouse and Pixar-themed decorations adorning doors.

A fun Disney trend is attaching a magnetic pin board to your door. Other cruisers can take one of your pins and leave a different one in its place. I’ve received some really unique pins from international parks this way. During holiday cruises, generous guests might even attach small gift bags to their doors for passersby to enjoy a festive treat.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises permits door decorations, and it's common to see them used for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Like other cruise lines, Princess Cruises forbids any decorations that could harm the door, so using adhesives to attach items is not allowed.

Princess embraces its connection to "The Love Boat," so you might find inspiration for decorations from the 1970s sitcom. Print pictures of the characters, the ship, and the logo, then laminate them and attach a magnet to each piece to get ready for your cruise.

Holland America

Holland America allows guests to decorate their doors without specific guidelines regarding the size or placement of decorations. However, the line requests that guests refrain from displaying any inappropriate items.

The ideal decorations for a Holland America cruise are themed around the cruising lifestyle, featuring magnets that showcase your favorite cocktail, trivia champion achievements, or any significant celebrations you plan to have on board.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises permits door decorations as long as they are appropriate for families. If I were set to sail with MSC, I would choose decorations that highlight any celebrations like birthdays or anniversaries, or perhaps some charming cruise magnets or banners.

Celebrity Cruises

Decorating cabin doors is less frequent on Celebrity Cruises compared to its sister line, Royal Caribbean, but the cruise line still welcomes decorations. It's important to remember that any decorations should not cause any damage to the door.

For a themed decoration on a Celebrity cruise, consider using martini magnets, which perfectly align with the brand's famous Martini Bar.

Which cruise lines prohibit door decorations?

Norwegian Cruise Line

If you're planning to cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, you'll need to skip the door decorations, as they are not permitted on any of their ships. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of both guests and crew, as many decorations can pose a fire risk.

Virgin Voyages

As per the Virgin Voyages cabin FAQ, "Our lady ships are stunning as they are, and door decorations can lead to unsightly damage." Therefore, no door decorations are allowed on any ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet.

What are the best types of cruise door decorations?

To comply with most cruise lines' door decoration policies, opt for decorations that are either magnetic or can be hung using magnetic hooks. Ensure none of the decorations leave residue on the door. The ideal decorations are lightweight, easy to pack, and won't obstruct your room steward as they enter your cabin.

What types of cruise door decorations should you avoid bringing?

Avoid bringing string lights, crepe paper, garlands, and large decorations. Any cruise door decorations that might hinder your room steward or fellow guests should also be left at home. Do not include decorations that are too large to fit on the door or require attachment to hallway panels, as most cruise lines only permit decorations on the cabin door itself.

What should you consider when packing decorations?

When selecting your cruise door decorations, keep space in mind. I prefer using flat magnets that easily fit in my suitcase while still looking fabulous on my cabin door. If you're flying to your cruise departure city, you'll want to consider both size and weight. Avoid heavy decorations that could weigh down your luggage. For instance, while large wooden signs or pinboards secured with magnets might look adorable on your door, they can also add extra weight to your suitcase.

To ensure you can decorate your cabin door right after boarding, pack your decorations in your carry-on luggage.

Where can you discover inspiration for cruise door decorations?

For decoration inspiration, Pinterest is an excellent starting point. You'll discover a plethora of ideas for door decorations on the platform. You can narrow your search by entering the name of your cruise line. For instance, if you're taking a Carnival cruise, try searching "cruise door decorations carnival cruise line" for tailored ideas.

I also enjoy browsing Etsy for ideas since I can view and purchase decorations immediately. Numerous Etsy shops offer cruise door decorations, so make sure to order early to ensure they arrive in time for your trip. Additionally, check reviews before placing an order, as some shops provide higher-quality items than others.

You can also find suitable door decorations at party supply stores, dollar stores, or the Target Dollar Spot. If you're shopping locally, look for fun cruise decorations with a tropical theme, especially in the spring and summer.

Do cruise lines offer decorations for sale on board or online?

Certain cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line, provide door and cabin decorations for purchase both online before your cruise and on board once you embark. If you're planning to buy decorations online or on the ship, ensure you have enough space in your suitcase to take them home, as the decoration packages may include souvenir pillowcases, towels, picture frames, and easier-to-pack magnets.

Is decorating your door mandatory on a cruise?

No cruise line mandates that you decorate your door, but participating in the decoration fun can enhance your overall cruise experience, particularly on certain lines. If you're cruising with Disney Cruise Line or Carnival Cruise Line, you'll notice many cabin doors adorned with decorations. Disney door decorations can vary widely, from large magnets featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse to smaller items that reflect a family's personality or themed decor for holiday cruises, birthdays, or anniversaries.

For Carnival cruise door decorations, the choices typically embrace a lively party atmosphere on board. You'll see many doors decorated with cocktail glass magnets and cheerful signs announcing celebrations or vacation vibes.

Begin your search for cruise door decorations

If you're still looking for ideas on where to shop for cruise door decorations, we're highlighting some of our favorite all-line options available on Amazon.

• Twenty-piece set of cruise door magnets
• Five-piece set of cruise door magnets
• Twenty-seven-piece cruise door decoration set
• Four-piece cruise door decoration set
• Seven humorous cruise ship magnets
• Thirteen tropical drink-themed cruise door decorations

In conclusion

Decorating your cruise cabin door can be a delightful way to embrace the cruising spirit while also helping you locate your cabin in a long hallway. Even if you choose not to adorn your own door, take a moment during your cruise to stroll through the cabin corridors and admire your fellow cruisers' decorations. The creativity on display is sure to lift your spirits.