10 Cruise Cabin Door Decoration Ideas That You’ll Find Easy

Want to make your cruise feel more personal without adding stress to your packing list? Decorating your cabin door is a simple, low-effort way to add fun and flair to your trip—especially if you’re cruising with kids. It helps your stateroom stand out in a hallway of identical doors, and it’s a cheerful touch that can make every day onboard feel more festive.

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, showing off your family’s personality, or just getting into the vacation spirit, these ten easy cruise door decoration ideas are perfect for busy travelers who want to make memories—not messes.

Before you start decorating, check your cruise line’s policy. For example, Norwegian and Princess prohibit door decorations entirely, while Carnival and Disney allow them with specific rules—like using only fire-retardant materials or magnets. (See our full list of 2025 policies below.)

Plan Ahead for a Personal Touch

Decorating your cabin door isn’t just a fun onboard activity—it can also be a great way to build excitement before your cruise even begins. Whether you’re crafting your own design or ordering something custom, a little planning goes a long way.

If you’re sailing with family, make it a group effort. Let everyone weigh in during dinner or a casual planning session—some of the best ideas come from kids!

And finally, don’t forget to double-check your cruise line’s policy to make sure your vision aligns with their rules (see the full policy guide below).

Once you’ve settled on your theme and gathered your supplies, it’s time for the fun part—bringing your cabin door to life! Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want your door to stand out in a sea of sameness, these easy ideas will help you make a splash (without overpacking your suitcase).

10 Fun Cruise Cabin Door Ideas

Your cabin door is more than just a room number—it’s a blank canvas. Think of it like your cruise profile picture: it says something about who you are, what you’re celebrating, or where you’re headed. Here are ten decoration ideas that are simple to pull off but still pack a punch.

1. Celebrate a Special Occasion

Cruising for a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or retirement? Let the whole hallway know you’re celebrating! A decorated door is a festive way to mark the occasion, spark friendly greetings from fellow passengers, and create memorable photo ops.

Birthday magnets, milestone banners, and custom signs are easy to find—and many can be personalized in advance. Want to keep things simple? A single bold magnet that says “It’s My Birthday!” or “Cruising into Retirement” does the trick.

Top Cabin Door Decorations for Birthdays

Anniversaries are also a popular reason to decorate, whether it’s your 1st or your 50th. Add some hearts, a message about the number of years you’ve been together, or even a timeline of your favorite trips. Bonus: you’ll probably get lots of congratulations from fellow cruisers! 

Top Cabin Door Anniversary Decorations

Here’s a fantastic example of a graduation-themed cruise cabin door that’s both personal and eye-catching. With graduation caps, school logos, tassels, and a bit of humor, this door celebrates multiple grads in style.

If you’re cruising to mark a major milestone, this kind of personalized design can make your voyage feel even more special—and spark plenty of compliments from fellow passengers.

2. Favorite Characters or Fandoms

Let your inner fan shine with a door that pays tribute to your favorite movie, show, book, or game. Whether you’re a Star Wars devotee, a Disney adult, or a Marvel megafan, a themed door is a fun way to personalize your space and connect with like-minded cruisers.

This style is especially popular on Disney cruises, where you’ll often see staterooms transformed into miniature tributes to beloved characters and franchises. But fandom-inspired doors show up across all cruise lines—as long as decorations are allowed.

You can keep it simple with a few recognizable icons, or go big with custom nameplates and magnetic cutouts like this clever “Starship Suite”:

3. Nautical Theme

It might seem obvious, but you can’t go wrong with a nautical theme on a cruise. Anchors, ship wheels, compasses, and ocean colors naturally complement the setting and instantly give your cabin door a cohesive, cruise-ready look.

These designs can be as simple or as detailed as you like—from bold anchor cutouts and ship logos to cute sea creatures and cartoon pirates for the kids. And if you’re sailing with a group, matching anchor magnets with names and sail dates are an easy way to coordinate without going overboard. 

4. Family or Group Themes

Cruising with a big family or a close-knit group? Turn your cabin door into a shared celebration of your crew! From inside jokes and nicknames to team logos or matching designs across multiple staterooms, group-themed decorations make it easy to spot each other—and get smiles from everyone who walks by.

Whether you’re part of a reunion, traveling with a club, or just celebrating your sibling bond like this creative crew did, the key is to choose something meaningful that represents your group dynamic.

5. Destinations

If you and your family are frequent travelers, use your cruise cabin door as a logbook of destinations you have visited. Add small flags of countries you have been to, and you can even add a bucket list of places you plan to see in the future. 

6. Convey An Interest Or Hobby

An excellent way to meet people with the same interests is to provide clues about what you are interested in on your door. For example, families who enjoy bird watching or horseback riding may use decals of birds or horses. Sports fans may like to include logos of their favorite team. 

7. Go 3D

While all the decorations on your cruise cabin door must be made of flame-retardant materials, you can hang signs, small toys, or seasonal items like a wreath or tinsel on your door. Just ensure that it is well secured, looks neat, won’t fall off, blow around, and doesn’t cause obstruction in the passage.

8. Family Identification

Sometimes, the most helpful decorations are also the simplest. A clear, attractive sign with your family name or a shared group label can make a big difference—especially when you’re cruising with kids, older relatives, or anyone who might find themselves in a long hallway of look-alike doors.

These signs can include your last name, stateroom number, or even a cute vacation phrase like “Smith Family Cruise 2024.” Use a unique font, color scheme, or background image to help it stand out.!

While you can find plenty of family cruise signs on Amazon or Etsy, this is also an easy DIY project in Canva. Just choose a template you like, add your family name and cruise details, and print it out with magnetic backing or laminate it for durability.

9. Minimalist And Elegant 

Door decorating can be fun, but it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Many passengers enjoy the anonymity of being on a cruise and don’t want to attract any attention. 

At the same time, having a decal on your cruise cabin door is a good idea as it differentiates it from all the other identical doors. That makes it easier to find, and you are less likely to have other confused passengers trying the door while searching for their own cabins. 

There are loads of tried-and-tested simple cruise cabin décor designs available to order online that look elegant and stylish. An inexpensive peel-and-stick porthole may be all you need to make your cruise cabin door easy to locate without being showy. 

10. Seasonal Cruise Door Decorations

Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Halloween decorations are always on point during the relevant seasons. You may be cruising the seas in a tropical destination, but you can still have a gorgeous warm, decorated fireplace motif on your cabin door. 

Top Cruise Door Decorations for Holidays

Cruise Line Door Decoration Rules (2025 Guide)

Not every cruise line allows cabin door decorations—and for those that do, the rules have tightened in recent years. Some lines actively encourage creative displays, while others ban the practice entirely due to fire safety concerns. Here’s what you need to know about cruise cabin door decor policies in 2025:

Cruise Lines That Allow Door Decorations (with Rules)

Carnival Cruise Line
Decorations are permitted, but with strict safety guidelines. All materials must be certified fire-retardant, and only magnets or Command Strips may be used for mounting. No lights, adhesives, or over-the-door items are allowed, and decorations must stay flat on the door (not the frame or wall). Carnival sells pre-approved decoration kits onboard for worry-free fun.

Royal Caribbean
Door decorating is unofficially allowed across the fleet, provided everything is family-friendly, flat, and mounted with magnets. No adhesives or items that obstruct corridors. Although the official conduct policy discourages decorations, they are widely tolerated if tasteful and within bounds.

Disney Cruise Line
Decorating is a beloved tradition on Disney ships—but magnets are the only acceptable mounting method. Tape, glue, gel, and even removable adhesives are strictly prohibited. Over-the-door organizers are banned, and guests risk a $100 damage fee for violations. Concierge-level rooms on the Disney Dream and Fantasy have wooden doors, so magnets won’t stick—these rooms can’t be decorated externally.

MSC Cruises
MSC doesn’t publish formal rules, but decorating is quietly allowed. Stick to magnets, keep it modest and flat, and avoid adhesives. You likely won’t see many decorated doors, but tasteful signage or birthday magnets are usually fine.

Holland America Line (HAL)
Decorations are permitted, though rarely used. There are no official rules, but the expectation is tasteful, non-damaging decor, preferably attached with magnets. Avoid anything that could block the hallway or damage surfaces.

Celebrity Cruises
Door décor is technically discouraged in Celebrity’s code of conduct, but small magnetic decorations (like birthday signs) are often allowed. The key is to keep it minimal and elegant. Anything large or flashy may be removed by staff.

 Cruise Lines That Prohibit Door Decorations

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
NCL has a fleetwide ban on all cabin door decorations. Nothing—magnetic or otherwise—may be affixed to the door. The rule is actively enforced, and staff are instructed to remove décor upon discovery, even for special occasions.

Princess Cruises
As of 2023, Princess also bans all door decorations. While this wasn’t always the case, the current policy is that no items may be attached to cabin doors under any circumstances. Crew members will ask guests to remove even small or celebratory signs.

Practical Tips for Successful Door Decorations

Now that you have some creative ideas, here are practical tips to ensure your door decorations stay in place and comply with cruise line policies:

Use Strong Magnets

Most cruise cabin doors are metal, making magnets the ideal attachment method. Bring strong magnets that can hold your decorations securely, especially in busy corridors where people might brush against your door.

Test your magnets at home before your cruise. Hold your decorations up with the magnets you plan to use and give them a gentle shake. If they stay put, they’ll likely work well on the ship.

Consider Door Size

Standard cruise cabin doors are approximately 23 inches wide. Measure your decorations before packing to ensure they’ll fit properly. Wheelchair-accessible cabins may have slightly wider doors.

Pack Everything You Need

Bring all necessary supplies with you, including extra magnets, command strips (if allowed by your cruise line), and any tools you might need for adjustments. Ships have limited supplies available, and what they do have will be expensive.

Personalize Your Decorations

Adding names, cabin numbers, or other personalized elements to your decorations reduces the likelihood they’ll be removed or “borrowed” by other passengers. Generic decorations tend to disappear more frequently than personalized ones.

Keep It Flat and Secure

Avoid decorations that stick out from the door or could become loose in the corridor. Not only is this a safety hazard, but protruding elements are more likely to be damaged or removed by crew members.

Respect Your Neighbors

While decorating your door can be fun, remember that you’re in a shared space. Avoid decorations that make noise, use flashing lights, or could be considered offensive by other passengers.

Best-Selling Magnetic Cabin Door Decorations

Cruise Cabin Door Decorations FAQs

Do I Have To Decorate My Cruise Cabin Door? 

That’s a big “Nope!” Door decorating is completely optional. Many passengers prefer to keep their doors undecorated, and there’s no social pressure to participate. It’s simply a fun tradition that some cruisers enjoy.

What Is A Fish Extender? 

A Fish Extender is part of an unofficial gift-exchange program among Disney cruise passengers. Participants hang a fabric organizer with pockets from the fish-shaped hook outside their cabin door. Other participants in the exchange leave small gifts in these pockets throughout the cruise. This is organized through online forums before sailing and is not an official Disney activity

Fish extenders cannot be purchased on board; rather, you must pack one if you want to participate. They can be purchased at various sites online, or you can make your own before the cruise that fits with your door décor.

Are there any decorations that aren’t appropriate? 

Yes. Avoid decorations with profanity, offensive images, or inappropriate content. Also, be aware that some symbols may have meanings you’re not aware of. For example, pineapple decorations (particularly upside-down ones) have acquired a specific meaning among some cruisers that may not be family-friendly. Carnival specifically prohibits this symbol and will remove it if spotted.

What happens if my decorations violate the cruise line’s policy?

If your decorations violate policy, crew members will likely ask you to remove them or may remove them themselves. Some cruise lines may also charge a fee for damage to doors from improper attachments.

Closing Thoughts

Decorating your cruise cabin door can be a fun way to personalize your vacation experience and make your stateroom easier to find. Whether you choose a simple name sign or an elaborate themed display, the key is to follow your cruise line’s guidelines and use secure, appropriate attachment methods.

With these simple ideas and practical tips, you can create a memorable door display that adds a special touch to your family cruise without any hassle.

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Last update on 2025-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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