The first time many people learn how to decorate a cruise cabin door on a ship is when they are already on their first cruise. By then, you are at the mercy of the ship store, and they don't typically have a lot.
If the store does have decorations, you'll be paying a lot more for them than you could have if you had shopped ahead of time. After reading this, you'll be prepared to decorate your cruise cabin door!
I remember seeing some doors beautifully decorated on my first cruise and thinking (slaps head) why didn't I think of this?!
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Cruise Door Decorations
As I mentioned, it's not totally too late once you are on the ship. The cruise ship gift shops know you'll be searching for cruise door decorations so you'll probably find a few magnets to personalize your door, or maybe even a door hanger. But wouldn't it be fun to have something uniquely you?
I started a Pinterest Board showing more ideas for decorating your door on a cruise. Join the fun and please ask if you'd like to be added so you can pin your door photos! Before you move on, you might want to grab my free packing list printable just for cruises to help you get ready for your trip.
A few years ago I cruised to Cozumel on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas with 39 other bloggers, and fortunately, we planned ahead.
In fact, we had a contest for the best cruise door decorations, and because I had the most creative roommate ever, we won! You can scroll down after the 10 Ideas for cruise door decorations and see all the doors from that trip.
Holiday Cruise Door Decorations
This is a no-brainer, but if there is a holiday coming up, use those holiday decorations! My first cruise was in the middle of December. I saw the most adorable decorations with a Christmas theme.
You could have a big tree on paper and put your family names on the Christmas ornaments. For Valentines Day, you could do hearts. You get the idea. Here's one you might like: Cruise Ship Porthole Peel 'N Place
Special Event Decorations
Are you celebrating a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary? Let fellow cruisers know by announcing it on your door!
This one I found when I was cruising with Holland America on the Maasdam was great as they made sure not to use adhesive on the door. It looks like everything was attached to the railing and the door number sign.
Scrapbooking Door Decorations
Go to your favorite craft store and get scrapbooking decorations with a cruising theme. They will not have magnets, but you can buy a roll of magnet backing in a strip. Just cut pieces to fit each magnet. This is pretty inexpensive and looks great on the door!
Hometown Decorations
Where are you from? Show off your country or state flag!
Destination Decorations
Use your destination as a theme. Going to Mexico? How about sombreros? The Bahamas? Beach balls and umbrella drinks! Going on an arctic cruise? Look at this adorable Arctic Cruise Props Party Accessory. 
If you are going to several ports, grab something from each one and put it on your door while you're cruising. I saw one door on Facebook that had been decorated for a European cruise, and they had a cutout from all the places they saw while there. Very clever and easy!
Love your state? How about your state (or country) flag? Or something special from your neck of the woods?
Just don't spend too much as I did hear once that someone's decorations were stolen. I'm hoping it was a young kid who just didn't know any better.
Interactive Cruise Door Decorations
Place a magnetic whiteboard and pen on your door and ask a question.
- How many times have you cruised?
- What's your favorite port to visit on a cruise?
Believe it or not, people will answer! This one is a perfect size: Sparco Marker Board.
Hobby Decorations
What's your favorite hobby? Love movies? Grab some decorations of film reels and movie DVD boxes. Love to surf? Read? Get creative like this one!
Place a magnet on each side of the door draping string from one end to the other for a different way to display any of the above ideas, or even postcards you've bought along the way. Wouldn't that be fun?
Selfie Station for the Win
And my favorite idea (from my roommate!) which won us the prize for the best door: Create a Selfie Station! Put up a frame mat with decorations all around, the name of the cruise line, the ship, and the date, and invite other cruisers to take a selfie! How much fun is that? And what a great memento of their trip!
Don'ts for Decorating your Cruise Door
Please note: Do NOT use adhesives! Magnets are readily available and don't damage doors. And, of course, never use profanity on your door. The ship will probably take it down.
Wouldn't it be amazing to have a cruise door decorating contest for a family reunion or other event? You now have the know-how to organize it! Be sure to come back and share your own ideas in the comments, and pin your photos!
Cruise Door Decorations on Royal Caribbean
Now for our amazing doors from the Brandcation cruise on Liberty of the Seas! Enjoy!
We had very creative people in our group!
A pirate theme is always fun!
How creative can you get?
Wouldn't your family have fun coming up with ideas?
Sheeps Ahoy! Bwahahaha!
Love the ideas list!
Photos of your family or group is a fun idea!
And our winning door! We had a selfie station and magnets that said #SeasTheDay with the date and ship. Some of the magnets had a blank where you could fill in how you would #SeasTheDay.
We told people to take one for their door, and many did! My roomie Jen from Life with Levi was brilliant, and we had a blast sharing our magnets!
I hope you have some fun ideas to begin your search for cruise door decorations! I'd love for you to come back and share your ideas and photos! Send me an email and I'll post a few! I've had a few people share from Disney Cruises.
Cruise Door Decorations from Disney Cruises
Isn't this one amazing? You can tell this was a family effort, which is what it's all about!
Another one that was definitely a family affair!
It doesn't have to be complicated. It's just about having fun!
These kids were proud of their door! I think it's awesome, too!
This one is fun for a Girls Getaway!
And if you love cruising, you have got to check out the posts about my trips!
We did the Disney Fantasy Cruise for my younger daughter's 18th birthday. We made incredible memories and if you have Disney-loving kids, I can't recommend it highly enough!
For our 25th anniversary, we took our girls with us on a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine. Yes, honestly, it is more for older people. There are better cruises for kids and teens. They did, however, find out there is a lot to do in the Black Forest besides eating cake, and they loved the food on the ship.
My husband and I took the Rhone Viking River Cruise on our own. We found really incredible excursions and it was a wonderful getaway for the two of us.
We also loved the very romantic Danube Cruise, especially spending one day in Budapest. What a magical city!
I wish my girls had been on Carnival with me because I think they would have enjoyed it. The excursions were definitely more their style. Carnival is perfect for a Girls Getaway! My sister and I had a blast!
A couple of years ago I flew out to Seattle for the Norwegian Bliss inaugural cruise to Victoria. The ship goes to Alaska for the full journey, but I've grown to love Victoria so much that I was thrilled! Maybe I'll get to Alaska in 2019. Do you know the best time to cruise to Alaska?
Last year the Norwegian Encore sailed for the first time, and I was thrilled to be on the inaugural cruise. This line has a magnificent cruise from New York to Bermuda.
Finally, my longest cruise to date was with Holland America on the Maasdam last year. I sailed with them for 20 days from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and back to Singapore for one more day of exploring before heading home. It was the trip of a lifetime!
More Cruise Ideas
And for a lot more ideas about cruising, check out my Cruising Pinterest Board. Check out this article for games to play on a cruise. It's great for large families or reunions.
Check out my Amazon storefront to see more of my favorite things! Thanks for visiting!
Most of the above cruises were in partnership with the cruise lines.
Jamie H
Door decorating was so much fun!
Kelly Stilwell
It was, Jamie! Meeting you was fun, too 🙂
TravellerMel
LOVE the ideas - might have to "borrow" for our upcoming Girl's Cruise. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kelly
Thanks for visiting, TravellerMel! Have fun!
Mike & Julie
Saw this and thought our boys would LOVE this! This is our first cruise coming up Nov 17th, Liberty of the Seas and, just found out there will be NO decoration through out the ship until the next week so that was upsetting being that I am the biggest Christmas guy around, dorkie yes but this is me. So, I think we might bring with us some fun, chessy multi colored lights for the cabin and maybe a tiny tree? Just some ideas for us to Kick Off Christmas Countdown! (??? right??? lol) Ideas are always welcome. Mike from Michigan!
Kelly
That's a great idea, Mike! Get your boys involved! Something interactive on your door is fun, too. Like a whiteboard where people can comment on your decorated door or simply wish you a Merry Christmas. We had a blast with our "selfie station" and you could make it "Christmasie!" Can't wait to see what you come up with! Please let me know, and thanks so much for visiting!
Jean
Do you know the size of the cabin doors on a RCL cruise? We cruise on Dec 14th and are planning to decorate three doors. Thanks Jean from Texas
Kelly Stilwell
I don't know the sizes, Jean, but I'm sure you can ask their customer service department. Happy cruising! Would love to see pics!
Alex Cantu
Check Pinterest, you'll find the door size.
Missi
So many great ideas!!!
@reesibits
Love how you captured so many doors in pics! Very creative #seastheday
Desiree Passantino
I'm going on a dancing cruise and would like to decorate our door. How much fun!
Kelly
How do you decorate if the door is wood not metal?
Alex Cantu
Command post strips.
Evelyn Hadwin
the doors are metal, so are the walls in your stateroom.
Rose
Like you said don't put anything on the door that you want to keep. I did have these cute magnets on my door and they were constantly missing. One night I was walking by another door far away and found one of my missing magnets. I know it wasn't theirs because it had my name on the back. On this cruise I was thinking about buying a cheap door banner from Oriental Trading and then adding some of my touches.
Kelly Stilwell
Love, love that idea, Rose! I haven't had my decorations taken, but it's not surprising, especially if there are a lot of kids on the cruise. I'd love to feature your door here, so send me a photo! kastilwell@gmail.com
sandra hill
I had the american flag stolen off my statue of liberty- the people across the hall then stuck it on their mail box. really, you didnt think i would see it there.
Kelly Stilwell
That's unbelievable, Sandra! Sorry that happened to you. Maybe it fell off and someone stuck it there? I hate to think someone would do that.
Linda W.
I'm going to check out Oriental Trading for decorations for our May cruise -- Star Wars for May the 4th and something for May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). And then there's Mother's Day. Oh, the possibilities abound.
AM
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE SIZE OF THE DOOR IS?
Alex Cantu
It's on Pinterest
Alex Cantu
Can you still decorate your room door in a Carnival Cruise?
Kelly
I didn't see anything that said you couldn't, Alex. I did see magnets in the store when I cruised with them just a few months ago. When in doubt, ask them. I wouldn't want to give you wrong information. Thanks for all the comments!
sandra hill
yes but you have to follow their rules, no tape or adhesives except command strips and magnets, it must be flame retardant. no lights even if battery lights, only decorate the door and not the walls. must not fall off the door and cause any problems.
Kelly Stilwell
Yes, thanks for adding this Sandra. You have to be careful to follow the rules.
Shaundell Horn
How do you get the frame to stay on the door if you didn't use tape? Also I love the selfie ideal! Plan on using that one! Gonna use a Bahama theme! So excited!
Shaundell Horn
Please email me at shaundellhorn1979@gmail.com I used the wrong email.
Kelly Stilwell
It's been a while, but I believe the frame was magnetic. When you go to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or similar, you can tell them what you are looking for. Even better, or on Amazon. so much easier to find exactly what you need, and I'm pretty sure I included some links. Enjoy and I want to see photos!! Would love to add them to this post!
Nell
Ooh thanks for that because I was going to inquire about the selfie station. Its my 40th bday so I want to decorate my door. Thanks for the ideas.
Kelly Stilwell
Happy 40th!! That would be so fun!! Email me your address so I can send you a little gift for your 40th. ???? Kastilwell@gmail.com
Candice Smalling
I’m going on my 1st cruise next year for my 25th anniversary and trying to think of a cute saying or something to have a selfie station and find a cute way to somehow ask people to tag us in their photos to share in our celebration
Kelly Stilwell
I love this! What a great idea! Maybe you could add a hashtag with your names on it? Ask people to use the hashtag and tag the ship. That would be so much fun! I would love to share, and add a photo of whatever you decide to do to this post! Please keep me posted. I celebrated 27 this year!
sandra hill
must use command strips or magnets. if t is a heavy thing you can put one of the big command hooks upside down on the inside of the door and run a string up oveer the door to the frame. also put command strips on the frame so it does not bounce when door open
Julie
I've taken 28 cruises & just returned from my latest back to back yesterday. I ALWAYS decorate my door, but ALWAYS have things stolen, ruined & broken. I use balloons to mark my door so we can easily find it down the long halls, but teenage boys run by & pop them over & over. I made crafty flip flops for each member of my family members, but they got stolen. I've used tape-on decorations but they get ripped. I don't dare put nice magnets up anymore, as they are expensive & easy to grab & run. Please help me find a way to decorate without attracting the CREEPS who ruin my fun! The doors used to hold magnets, but now they don't only the edge around the door is metal. Tape is a must! Any suggestions? How about easily removable paint? Marker? Stickers? Thanks.
Kelly Stilwell
This makes me so sad, Julie! I don't know a way around the stealing, but I'm going to see what I can find out about what we can use besides tape. Grrr. Why do people have to ruin the fun?
Kat
You could always put one of those little fake cameras just above door with a note somewhere saying your being watched or smile were watching u lol
Shawn Delaney
What cruise line is it that the doors aren't metal?
Kelly Stilwell
I'm not sure Shawn. Sorry!
Eyvonne
Don't understand the flame retardant decoration? What no paper products or poster board?
Kelly Stilwell
Where did you see that, Eyvonee? Perhaps ask someone on the particular ship you are sailing.
Kathy Storer
We're traveling with a group from our church and I would love to have magnets for everyone's cabin door but all that I've found are small and expensive. We have 8 cabins and I'd like to have one for everyone in the cabin so that's several! Do you know of an inexpensive place I could order some or even make my own? I think I'd rather have a magnetic sheet vs. magnetic strips. Thanks so much! I really love all of your ideas!
Kelly Stilwell
So fun, Kathy! I would think you could make them with a magnetic sheet and cut them. Maybe I can help. What are you thinking for the design? Does your group have a name? Let me know! Michael's and other craft stores will get you thinking if you go in and browse. I'm excited to see what you come up with!
Janell
Hi Kelly. I tried hobby lobby for the frame. Is that white background poster paper??? I only found actual magnetic frames for pictures. Nothing like this white background you gals had.
Kelly Stilwell
Hi Janell! I’m not sure which one you’re referring to. The selfie station? That’s a cardboard mat- like the ones you put inside a photo frame. We bought a package of magnet stripping to put it on the door. It comes in a roll. Does that answer your question? Please let me know! Sounds like you have a plan and I want to see it!! ????