What You Need to Know About Cruise Door Decorations

Cruise vacations are not only about exploring new destinations and enjoying onboard activities, but they can also be about expressing your creativity through cruise door decorations.

In fact, cruise door decorating is an exciting way to showcase your personality and add a touch of uniqueness to the experience.

The best part is that almost every cruise line allows door decorating, with the exception of Norwegian Cruise Line, which banned door decorations back in 2019.

However, finding affordable and exclusive cruise door decorations can be a challenge.

In this article, we’ll provide some great ideas on finding (and making!) unique and affordable cruise door decorations to make your cabin stand out.

What kinds of materials are suitable for cruise door decorations?

Cruise door decorations are a fun way to add a personal touch to your cabin. But with limited space to pack and the need to adhere to cruise line policies, it can be challenging to find the perfect decorations.

It’s important to check your cruise line’s policy on door decorations. Some lines have strict guidelines on what is allowed, such as no adhesives that can damage the door or the surrounding frame.

Be sure to read and follow these guidelines to avoid any potential issues.

At the bottom of this article, we’ll link to each cruise line’s policy for door decorating.

When choosing decorations, consider lightweight and compact items that won’t take up too much space in your luggage. Most popular options include door banners, signs, and magnets that can easily be attached and removed.

You can also get creative with personalized items such as picture frames, monogrammed letters, or custom-designed decals.

One unique idea is to create a themed door decoration that matches the destination or occasion of your cruise.

For example, if you’re sailing to the Caribbean, you could decorate your door with tropical flowers or palm trees. If it’s a special occasion like a graduation, a birthday, or an anniversary, consider adding balloons, streamers, or a celebratory sign.

Door decorating is also popular for holidays, especially Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.

How can I customize cruise door decorations?

There are a variety of options to choose from. From DIY projects to personalized creations, the possibilities are endless.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

1. Personalized magnets

Creating personalized magnets is one of the easiest ways to customize your cruise door decorations. You can purchase blank magnets at craft stores and then use paint or stickers.

Alternatively, you could order custom ones online with your name or a special message.

2. Door hangers

Door hangers are a popular choice for cruise door decorations, and various options are available. You could create your own using foam board or paper or purchase pre-made hangers explicitly designed for cruise doors. You can then add your personal touches, such as your name or a message.

3. Streamers and banners

Another way to customize your cruise door decorations is by using streamers and banners. You could create your own using construction paper or fabric or purchase pre-made decorations designed to hang on your door. Again, you can add your personal touches to make it unique.

4. DIY projects

For those who enjoy crafting, there are a variety of DIY projects you can use to customize your cruise door decorations. Some popular options include creating your wreath using seashells or other beach-themed items or using paint and stencils to create a unique design on a wooden plaque.

The possibilities are endless, and you can tailor your project to fit your personal style and interests.

(Note: Be careful using command strips and glue against the metal door; cruise lines can charge you a $100 fee if you damage their property.)

Where can I find inspiration for cruise door decorations?

If you’re planning a cruise vacation, adding a personal touch to your stateroom door is a fun way to stand out and make your trip more memorable. Finding inspiration for cruise door decorations doesn’t have to be a challenge.

With a little creativity, you can come up with unique and affordable ideas that reflect your personality and style. Here are some tips and resources to help you get started:

1. Pinterest

Pinterest is an excellent source of inspiration for all kinds of DIY projects, including cruise door decorations. Simply search for “cruise door decorations” or similar keywords, and you’ll find many creative and colorful ideas to spark your imagination.

2. Etsy

If you’re not crafty, Etsy is a great place to find handmade and unique cruise door decorations. You can choose from a wide range of themes and styles, from funny and whimsical to elegant and sophisticated.

3. The Cruise Line Shop

If you’re sailing with Carnival, they offer a variety of cruise door decorations that you can purchase and have delivered to your stateroom. From signs to personalized banners, there are lots of options to choose from.

What materials do I need to create cruise door decorations?

If you’re heading on a cruise and want to add a personal touch to your stateroom door, you can use plenty of materials to create unique and affordable decorations.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Magnets

Many cruise doors are made of metal, perfect for sticking magnetic decorations on the door.

You can find a wide variety of magnets on websites like Etsy or Amazon, including fun shapes, quotes, and even personalized names.

2. Caution tape

Want to make your door stand out? Use caution tape to create eye-catching decorations. You can find caution tape in a variety of colors and patterns, and it’s easy to cut and shape to fit your door.

3. Funny quotes

If you want to add a touch of humor to your door, consider creating a sign with a funny quote or saying. You can use materials like foam board or card stock to create the sign and then decorate it with markers or stickers.

Disney fish extender

Disney Cruise Line has a unique tradition of fish extender door decorations, essentially hanging organizers attached to the fish-shaped metal holder outside each stateroom door. These decorations typically consist of small fabric pockets or pouches to exchange small gifts or trinkets with other cruisers.

The idea is to create a sense of community and camaraderie among passengers, and it’s a fun way to add some extra Disney magic to your cruise experience.

Disney-themed fish extenders are widely available online, or you can get creative and make personalized decorations to showcase your unique style and personality.

With creativity and imagination, there are endless possibilities when designing your cruise door decorations. Whether you use magnetic pieces, caution tape, or funny quotes, the goal is to make your stateroom door stand out and reflect your personality.

Cabin door etiquette

When decorating your cruise door, there are a few things to keep in mind, including your fellow cruisers. Remember that you are sharing the hallway with other guests, so being respectful is important.

Avoid decorations that are too large or noisy, as they may disturb others in the hallway. Also, do not hang anything on your balcony; it might blow off and fall to the ocean or on someone else’s balcony.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid decorations that may be offensive or inappropriate, such as those with explicit language or images.

Remember that you are representing yourself and your fellow passengers, so keeping it classy and tasteful is important.

On the other hand, funny and lighthearted decorations, such as puns or humorous phrases, are popular.

Additionally, caution signs or warnings can be a playful way to jazz up your cruise door, such as “Beware of Sunburns,” “Caution: Relaxation in Progress,” “Pirate Infestation,” or “Shark Attack Zone.”

Ultimately, the key to choosing appropriate cruise door decorations is to use your best judgment and keep it fun and tasteful. You can make your cruise door stand out while still being respectful of other passengers.

Safety with cruise cabin door decorations

When decorating your cruise door, fire safety is an important consideration. Carnival Cruise Line‘s door decorating policy specifies that all decorations must be flame retardant.

Aside from Carnival, NCL, and Virgin Voyages banning door decorations of any kind, there are no official requirements for cruise door decorations to be fireproof or made from fire-retardant materials. However, choosing materials less likely to ignite in a fire emergency is a good idea.

For safety reasons, if you plan on using paper or cardboard decorations, make sure they are not too close to light fixtures or electrical outlets. Most cruise lines prohibit string lights of any kind.

If you are unsure about the fire safety of your chosen decorations, it’s always a good idea to check with your cruise line or stateroom attendant to ensure they are safe and appropriate.

Safety should always be a top priority, even when adding personality to your cruise door.

Cruise ship door decorating policies

Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises all allow cruise door decorations. Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises do not.

Final Thoughts

Decorating your cruise door is a fun way to personalize your stateroom and add some personality to your cruise experience.

However, it’s important to be safe and mindful of your fellow passengers by avoiding offensive or inappropriate decor and choosing fire-safe materials.

With these tips and creativity, you can make your cruise door stand out while being tasteful and respectful.

Read More: All About Cruise Ducks

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