Every traveler seems to have a vacation tradition.
Some people always visit the local public market. Others hop on a sightseeing bus their first day to get their bearings. I always try to find a locally owned ice cream shop instead of a chain.
Cruise passengers are no different.
Since the late 1990s or so, many cruisers have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and other special occasions by decorating the outside of their stateroom door. But what started as a few magnets and homemade signs has evolved into something much, much bigger.
Through the years, decorating cabin doors kept getting more elaborate, with multiple magnets, banners and even complicated set ups where guests could exchange small gifts. (the latter began on Disney Cruises. A decorative fish is on the outside of each stateroom door and guests began hanging fabric organizers for these gifts. Guests called them “fish extenders.”)
Fast forward a few more years and some cabin doors have become actual projects, complete with battery-powered lights and sound, not to mention guests sometimes decorating the hallway walls—and occasionally even the ceiling.
@nicole_mccardle Cruise door decorations! #fypage #fyp #fypシ #viral #foryoupage #carnival #carnivalcruise #carnivalcruiseline #flamingo #door #doordecor ♬ More Passion, More Energy – WasteLand
Cruise lines say “calm down, sailor”
Apparently, cruise lines have gotten to the point where they’re saying “enough is enough” and several have now made specific rules about decorating stateroom doors:
Disney Cruise Line
Allowed, with restrictions.
- Magnets are encouraged (their doors are metal).
- No tape, glue, Command Strips, adhesives, or anything that damages the door.
- Decorations can’t block the room number, peephole, or emergency information.
- Nothing offensive or that extends into the hallway.
Carnival Cruise Line
Allowed.
- Magnets only.
- No adhesives or tape.
- No decorations on walls or corridor surfaces.
- Must not create a fire hazard or obstruct walkways.
Royal Caribbean
Allowed, but rules have become stricter.
- Magnetic decorations are generally fine.
- No tape, glue, nails, or adhesives.
- Decorations can’t interfere with safety features or emergency signage.
- Crew may remove anything they consider unsafe.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Allowed.
- Magnetic decorations only.
- No adhesives.
- Must not damage doors or block safety equipment.
MSC Cruises
Generally allowed.
- Magnets preferred.
- No adhesives or anything that could damage surfaces.
- Decorations may be removed if deemed unsafe.
Princess Cruises
Generally allowed.
- Magnetic decorations are OK.
- Adhesives prohibited.
- Decorations must not interfere with emergency equipment or signage.
Holland America Line
Generally allowed.
- Magnets only.
- No tape or glue.
- Subject to crew removal if they violate safety policies.
Celebrity Cruises
Generally allowed.
- Magnetic decorations.
- No adhesives.
- Nothing that creates a fire hazard or damages property.
Virgin Voyages
They rather you wouldn’t. As Virgin Voyages says on their FAQ, “We think our lady ships look fabulous as they are, and door decorations inevitably lead to unsightly damage.”
Why so strict?
A few reasons:
Safety
Paper decorations can catch fire. Lithium batteries used for lights and sound can self-combust. And, of course, you wouldn’t want decorations to block smoke detectors or sprinklers.
Guest comfort
You may find your “Margaritaville” song playing 24/7 endearing. Others will want to tear their ears out as they go by.
Theft
If you leave stuff on your door, others can take it.
Potential damage to ships
Tape and other adhesives can pull paint off the door, which means the damaged paint will need touch up work.
Aesthetics
And although Virgin Voyages won’t say it directly, they’re the closest – decorations look tacky. Or as a friend once said, “It looks like the entry to a Kindergarten classroom.” Of course, if you’re on a ship that caters to families, “tacky” and “Kindergarten classroom door” isn’t important. But on a ship like Virgin Voyages, which caters to adults and tries to maintain a “slightly sophisticated” vibe, walking down a sleek, modern hallway past doors covered in upside-down pineapples, blinking lights, and giant ‘VACATION 2026!’ signs is not the vibe the line is looking for.
So if decorating your cabin door is part of your cruising tradition, don’t assume the rules are the same from one cruise line to the next—or even from one sailing to another.
In most cases, a few magnets are still perfectly acceptable. But elaborate displays, battery-powered decorations, adhesives, and hallway takeovers are becoming much less welcome.
Like so many things in travel, a little consideration goes a long way. Decorating your door can still be a fun way to personalize your cruise—as long as it doesn’t create extra work for the crew or headaches for your fellow passengers.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
