cruise ship cabin decorations

Cruise Cabin Door Decorations: The Ultimate Guide for Cruisers

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A Guide to Cruise Ship Door Decorating

Are you going on a cruise and planning to decorate your cruise cabin door? Decorating your stateroom door is a great way to make sure you always find your cabin, and have a little fun along the way.

However, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you go out and buy any cruise door decorations.

In this post, we’ll go over the cruise line rules and policies for cabin door decorating, as well as some frequently asked questions. You’ll find some tips and great ideas for decorating your cruise cabin door, as well as photos from real cruisers which are included throughout this post.

Should You Decorate your Cruise Cabin Door?

As long as your cruise line allows it and you follow the rules, why not? Decorating your cabin door is a fun thing to do , especially if you’re going on a family cruise , group cruise or even if you want to celebrate a special occasion or anniversary.

Benefits to Decorating your Cruise Cabin Door

In my Life Well Cruised Facebook community , many people who decorate their cruise cabin doors, cited the benefits.

• It makes it easier to find your cabin, even if you’ve had too much “ drink package” .
• You can personalize your stateroom door, as they all really look the same
• It’s fun to participate and see many doors that are uniquely decorated, like looking at store windows
• It’s a great way to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries
• You can decorate for Christmas and other holidays
• It’s a focal point on a long hallway
• It’s a great activity for a group or family cruise (door decoration contest)
• It makes it feel even more like home

Can You Decorate Your Stateroom Door on All Cruise Lines?

Cruise cabin door decoration is quite popular on Carnival and Disney Cruise Line, however you’ll find people who enjoy decorating their cabin doors on many cruise lines including Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises .

The exception is Norwegian Cruise Line. In August 2019, Norwegian banned cruise cabin door decorations , citing safety concerns.

Guidelines for Cruise Ship Door Decorating

Here are the rules and guidelines to follow if you decide to decorate your cabin door.

Firstly, make sure that your decorations are not placed on the door frame, wall, railings or light fixtures. To avoid damaging your cabin door, use magnets or command strips. Tape, glue and other adhesives are forbidden.

For safety reasons, all decorations must be made of flame retardant materials. No string lights are allowed on the door or in the hallway.

Most cruise cabin doors, like the walls in your stateroom, are metal . This makes decorating with magnets a preferred way to adhere the decorations. Many cruisers even make their own personalized magnets at home from photos and pictures.

However, suites on some cruise ships may have wood doors. Make sure to check your cruise line website for their current cruise cabin decoration policy.

Cruise Line Door Decoration Official Policies:

Carnival Cruise Line stateroom decoration policy

Disney Cruise Line door decoration policy

Read next: 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks All Cruisers Need to Know

Cruise Cabin Door Decoration Ideas

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Life Well Cruised is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In addition to the cruise door decoration pictures included throughout the post, here are some of fun door decoration magnets that you can order, and in many cases, personalize for your cruise.

10 Fun Cruise Door Magnets and Banners

1.  drink package magnet decoration – personalized.

This magnet sign is a lot of fun, whether or not you’ve got the drink package . Of course, personalizing it with your family name makes a great photo!

Check on Amazon here:  CAUTION We got the drink package sign

2.  Carnival funnel personalized magnet decoration

A great buy or gift for any Carnival cruise fans , these magnets are also great as cabin door decorations.

Check on Amazon: Personalized Carnival funnel magnets (see details here)

3.  Royal Caribbean cabin door magnet

If you’re a Royal Caribbean fan, how cute are these personalized magnets ?

Check on Amazon:  Royal Caribbean magnet decoration (see info & reviews here)

4.  Disney inspired personalized door magnet sign

I love this Disney magnet door sign set, which can be personalized for the entire family.

Check on Amazon:  Personalized Disney door decoration (see awesome reviews here)

5.  Nautical cruise magnet – available for ALL cruise lines

This nautical magnet decoration is available for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America and most popular cruise lines. You can personalize with a family name, or even “Girl’s trip” or “Anniversary Cruise”.

6.  “Our First Cruise” door sign

If you’re a first time cruiser , this cruise cabin door sign is perfect. Like any of the other magnetic door decorations, it can be personalized.

Check on Amazon:  Our First Cruise Magnet Door Decoration

7. Birthday banner door decoration

Decorate your cabin and door for a birthday on a cruise!

Check on Amazon here: Cruise theme Happy Birthday Banner 

8.  Photo sticky frames – DIY door decorations

These removable adhesive frames are perfect for photos, pictures, collages and printed signs. They can also be used inside your cabin on the walls to keep your cruise itinerary or any other information.

9. Disney Fish Extender

If you’re going on a Disney cruise, then you’ve probably heard of the tradition of decorating your cabin door with a f ish extender for fish exchange extender gifts. You can also decorate your Disney fish extender with personalized items. This is a great family activity as well as a great roll call or group cruise activity. See details here .

Check on Amazon: Disney fish extender (see info & pricing on Amazon)

10. Cruise Ship Sign Plaque

“I have no cruise control… It’s like the cruises book themselves!”

If you’re a cruise addict, you’ll love this sign to decorate your cruise cabin door, or inside your cabin or even to use at home.

Check on Amazon: Cruise control sign (verify price on Amazon)

Read more:   50 Best Gifts for Cruisers (that are unique & practical)

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Regular price: $27 now just $17.

Cruise Cabin Door Decoration Tips (from real cruisers)

Traveling with magnets

If you have your magnet decorations in your luggage, cruisers suggest labeling the items in an envelope or bag with “magnets” written. As well, if you have your magnet decorations in your carry on bag at the airport, let the TSA agents know that you have magnets in your bag.

Cabin Door Decorating Contents

Group cruise.

If you’re planning a group cruise with family or friends, consider organizing a fun cruise cabin door decorating contest. As everyone to make their decorations different, and have a fun prize like a bottle of wine or champagne, a cruise t-shirt or even a $25 on-board credit ( OBC ).

If you use one comment element, like a group cruise logo magnet, it can also be a good way to identify those in your cruise.

Read more:   Cruise On Board Credits (OBC): How Can You Use Them?

Even if you’re not on a group cruise, if you’re part of a cruise roll call on Cruise Critic or Facebook and you have an active group, a cabin door decorating contest can be a lot of fun!

Leave Notes on Your Door

Some cruisers place a small whiteboard on their cabin door so that people can leave notes. Others may write a message or a joke that gives people a smile as they pass the cabin.

Decorate for the Holidays

Even if you’re not part of a group, if you’re cruising over Christmas or Halloween, you’ll find that many people decorate their cabin doors or even their cabin.

Even if you’re cruising over the New Year or Thanksgiving (or any other holiday), decorating can add to the cruise experience and travel memories!

•   How is Christmas Celebrated on a Cruise (what to expect)
• 15 Special Ways to Celebrate Christmas on a Cruise

What Should You NOT Do When Decorating Your Cruise Cabin Door

Sometimes people ask if anything is off limits when it comes to decorating your cabin door. Cruise lines that allow door decoration ask that you “keep it clean”. In other words, don’t include profanity or “adult” photos on your cabin door. This is especially true if you’re on a family cruise .

What about pineapples? You may ask

I find this mildly amusing, as I like pineapple decor. However, ever since I learned of what pineapples on a door can actually mean, I cannot look at pineapples in the same way.

While I could send you to google this, I may as well explain if you haven’t heard this yet.

Pineapples on a door mat or as a door decoration are supposed to signify hospitality and welcome. However, it has more significance for those that know…

Pineapples on a door is a code that “swingers” use to let others know about their “interests”. Upside down pineapples are said to mean the couple is actively looking for more than friendship.

So, on land, and on cruises, if you see pineapples on a door, it may mean more than you know. Of course, it may just be that they like pineapple decorations or that they have friends with a sense of humor ;-).

Read more: 25 Strange and Surprising Cruise Ship Facts

More Useful Items to Bring on a Cruise

Here are 8 cruise essentials that many cruisers bring on each and every cruise.

I’ve included Amazon links so you can click and verify pricing and reviews of all items.

Packing cubes  – They really just make packing and unpacking easier, and nothing will make you feel more organized for your cruise (or any type travel)

Reusable luggage tags – It’s a good idea to buy luggage tag holders before you cruise. You’ll simply slip the printed luggage tags (from your cruise line) into the durable plastic sleeves and attach them to each suitcase.

Magnet hooks  – Cruise cabin walls are metal. This is why  magnet hooks  are a top recommendation by avid cruisers to add extra hooks and storage to your stateroom.

Over the door organizer –  A cruiser favorite, you can fit a lot of items in the organizer, and hang it on the bathroom door or cabin wall. This is really helpful for families cruising with kids .

Hanging toiletry bag –  this toiletry bag is a huge space saver, as it can hang on bathroom door or even magnet hooks.

Large zippered nautical stripe beach bag –  an awesome beach bag that can hold 4 big towels and everything you need on shore excursions. I use it as a cruise carry-on bag as well.

Bonine (seasickness meds)  – Make sure to bring along your favorite non drowsy motion sickness medication. Personally, I find  Bonine  to be very effective without negative side effects (for my family).

Going on a cruise? Here are some articles to read next:

What I Wore on a 7 Day Caribbean Cruise (Cruise Outfits with Photos & Links)

How to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise: 10 Tips that Work

17 Cruise Cabin Essentials to Organize (& more)

What To Wear on a Cruise Vacation (dress codes & more)

50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon

15 First Things to Do on a Cruise Immediately After Boarding

Cruise Luggage Tags and Holders (info & tags)

Final Thoughts: Cruise Cabin Door Decorations – The Ultimate Guide for Cruisers

Decorating your cruise cabin door can be a lot of fun, and a great way to highlight a special occasion like a birthday, anniverasy or graduation. Many cruisers buy door decorations, however you can get creative and make your own as well.

Have you ever decorated your cabin door on a cruise? If not, is this something you’d like to do in the future? I would love to hear about your experience! Please share your tips in the comments below.

Happy cruising!

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We were on NCL in May 2022. We put a few decorations on our cabin door with magnets, and no one told us to take them down. Maybe NCL has changed it’s policy

That’s great. I’ve heard this anecdotally from a few cruisers. Thanks for sharing your experience Annie.

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Decorating Cruise Doors: A Complete Guide

Ideas & rules – everything you need to know about cruise ship door decorations.

If you’ve been on a cruise lately, you’ll likely have seen a variety of magnets, signs, or even full banners across stateroom doors. Cruise door decorations are a trend found on almost all family-friendly cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and of course Disney Cruises.

Why decorate your stateroom door + a few ideas

There are so many reasons people might choose to add a little personalization on their cabin door during a cruise vacation! Sometimes it’s as simple as quickly identifying which cabin is yours. Elaborate decorations might be used to celebrate a life event or holiday. 

These are a few common reasons people participate in door decorating on a cruise ship:

It helps you to recognize your room/cabin

With the size of ships now, the chances of getting lost in finding your stateroom are pretty good! People use cruise cabin door decorations to mark their cabin and quickly identify it. Then there are those who tend to indulge too much and after an evening of breaking even on the drink package, a door magnet or small decoration will help you know when you’ve arrived — at the right cabin!

Stateroom Door decorations To celebrate a special occasion

Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, retirement, or any other special occasion with a fun door decoration on your cruise cabin. Walk through the halls of most cruise ships and you’ll see people of all ages being announced on their door!  

Cruise Door Decorations to Celebrate a holiday

Christmas is a great time to take a cruise and an even better time to decorate your cabin door for the festive season! On a recent MSC Cruise on the MSC Meraviglia, we couldn’t believe the number of door decorations we saw with so many creative takes on the holidays! It was great fun!. 

But don’t limit the door decorating to Christmas, we’ve seen both large and small decor for Valentines Day, easter, and especially Halloween. 

You can leave messages on your cabin door

Fun + Practical, use a decorative magnet wipe board and announce to your travel mates where you’ll be. Want even more fun and live on the edge a little? Leave a dry-erase marker tied to the board and see other passengers get creative with your message board. Be warned, this is risky! 🙂

Meet like-minded travelers

Do you love beer? Maybe you’re loyal to a cruise brand? Rainbow flags and pink triangles, anyone? Or… are pineapples your thing ??? (if you know you know). Cruise door decoration s are a good way to express yourself! 

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Cruise Ship Door Decoration Ideas

Cruise door magnets and banners.

The easiest way to add a little fun to your cruise cabin door is simply getting magnets you love. There are magnets for everything available on Amazon and Etsy, or even design your own and have them made! The ideas are endless. Additionally, this is the safest way to go when trying to adhere to cruise policies about flame-retardant materials. 

Other passengers go all out with banners and foil letters that can be adhered with command strips or even double-sided magnets. 

See a few great ideas on Pinterest for decorating your cabin door .

DIY & Personalized Cruise door decorations

Don’t feel like you’re stuck with what’s available in big box stores or online. If you’re creative, make your own door decorations! The most popular method is printing on magnetic material which is available at most craft stores or online. 

Avery Printable Magnet Sheets, 8.5" x 11", Inkjet Printer, 2 Packs, 10 White Magnetic Sheets Total (5814)

Where to buy cruise door decorations.

There are so many places to buy cruise cabin decorations including Amazon, Etsy, and specialty shops. But don’t feel like you’re limited to buying the ideal door decor, make your own! In fact, seeing the personalized nature of door decorations is what makes them special. 

Some of our favorite cruise door magnets from Amazon:

Don’t forget to check out Etsy for some great ideas on decorating your stateroom door for your next cruise!

Can You Decorate Your Stateroom Door on All Cruise Lines?

While some cruise lines encourage decorating and personalizing your cabin door, others have decided to rule the practice out. Norwegian Cruise Line & Virgin Voyages explicitly prohibit door decorations (though some people still do it). 

Cruise line rules about decorating cabin doors by each cruise line 

Some cruise lines promote door decorating fun and sell decorations to guests, however, there are some important rules to decorating your door! Here’s a list of rules for each cruise line.

Can you decorate a cabin or stateroom door on Disney Cruise Line?

Yes, you can! Decorating a stateroom door on a Disney Cruise is a great family activity as well as a great roll call or group cruise activity!

Disney Cruise Line door decoration rules

You may not affix items to your stateroom doors using tape or any adhesive, including removable gel adhesives or command strips.  Over-the-door hanging organizers are prohibited. Light bulb strings are not permitted. 

The recommended door decorations for Disney Cruises are magnetic only… but it’s important to know that not all doors are magnetic.  Concierge staterooms on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have wooden doors. 

Can you decorate a cabin door on Carnival Cruise Line?

Yes! you can decorate your stateroom door, but there are rules about what’s allowed and what’s not. 

Carnival cruise door decoration rules

Carnival cruise line has put out the most extensive rules about decorating your cabin door. Some people may feel like these rules are too restrictive, but the fact that Carnival actually embraces the concept as well as they do, it’s no surprise there are rules. 

Rules are updated on occasion and it’s good to read the Carnival website about  decorating your stateroom door and stateroom here .

This is what Carnival allows, and doesn’t allow for cruise door decorations: 

• All decorations must be fire retardant from the factory (not sprayed with fire retardant material after the fact). 
• Only decorations on the actual door, not in the hall or on the frames & walls. 
• Magnets and command strips only – no tape.
• Nothing is allowed on the balconies (which is no surprise)
• Nothing can be hung to restrict airflow or lights.

Most importantly – what I see violated sometimes, is the fact people hang string lights. This is a no-no. Not even battery-powered fairy lights are allowed.

When in doubt, Carnival Cruises sells door decorations directly, but here are a few tips on Carnival Cruise Line door decorations.

Can you decorate your cruise cabin door on Princess Cruises? 

Princess is not necessarily the first cruise line that would come to mind to embrace creative door decor as the clientele trends older and there are fewer children (normally). There are no rules against decorating your cabin door on a Princess Cruise, but following the general guidelines of no adhesives and using items that are fire-rated will keep you from getting in trouble with the cruise line. 

Generally speaking, most passengers on Princess Cruises, should they do a door decoration, it’s usually a simple magnet to help identify a cabin or a small magnetic celebration door sign. I’ve yet to see elaborate door decor on a Princess ship the way you might on a Disney ship. 

Can you decorate your door on Royal Caribbean?

Following basically the same guidelines set out by Carnival, RCCL allows door decorations as long as they’re not hazardous or stuck to the door with tape or adhesives. 

Norwegian Cruise Line door decoration rules

Stateroom stewards have been instructed to remove all decorations and place them inside the room. A real bummer, right?

The reality is, while NCL published a policy against cruise decorations in 2019, there are still plenty of people who put magnets on their doors and they go ‘unnoticed’. Much more than magnets, however, will likely get the decorations removed. Just know that it’s officially against NCL rules to decorate a door, but it seems that the cabin stewards have some discretion. 

The below photo was from a Norwegian ship. So while they have rules, how they are applied or adhered to will vary. Just be prepared to have your treasures removed since it’s the official policy on NCL.

Can you decorate your cabin door on Virgin Voyages?

If you ask around about door decorating on Virgin Voyages , you’ll find that most people don’t participate and some travel agents have even said it’s against Virgin policy (we can’t find it in writing, though we’ve tried to confirm). On a couple of Virgin Voyages cruises, we saw only 2 doors that had anything on them and they were simple magnets. If in doubt, contact Virgin directly, just know it’s not a common practice with this cruise brand. 

Do you decorate your cabin door?

Let us know what you think of cruise cabin door decorations.

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

By: Author Tyler Bowman

Posted on Last updated: October 14, 2023

Categories ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Are you a busy parent who wants to make your family cruise extra special without adding more stress to your plate? Look no further than your cabin door! Decorating your cruise cabin door is a fun and easy way to add a personal touch to your stateroom and make your vacation even more memorable. And with our ten easy and hassle-free cruise cabin door decoration ideas, you don’t have to be a crafting expert to make your door stand out.

From simple magnetic signs to colorful banners, these ideas will help you add a touch of pizzazz and personality to your door without taking up too much of your time. Plus, it’s a great way to help your tired kids find their way back to your room after a long day of exploring the ship. (The same is true for disoriented adults!)

Before you start decorating, it’s important to note that not all cruise lines permit cabin door décor, so be sure to check with your cruise line before you start. So, let’s get started on making your cabin door the talk of the ship!

Cruise Cabin Door Decoration Ideas

Whether you create your own unique door design or personalize a template, decorating your cruise cabin door lets other guests know something about you. Special occasions can feel even more special if they are shared. You may also want to include something about where you come from or your destination.

If you are cruising as a family, planning your door decorations can be an exciting pre-cruise activity. Make it a dinner-table-boardroom-type discussion where everyone can offer some input – some of the best ideas are often the simplest!

Things to decide: 

• Theme – do you want to focus on the season, a family event, the family members, or the destination? You may want to let your fellow passengers know information about which countries you have visited, how many previous cruises you have been on, or some details about yourself or your hometown.
• Overall look and feel – do you want the effect to look glam and modern, vintage, classic, chic, or trendy? Maybe it just needs to feel homey and welcoming. 
• Color scheme – This is especially important for full-cabin door designs where too many bright colors on a busy design can look overwhelming. 
• Do you want to include some type of communication system ? An erasable message board is a great idea for groups or families that split up during the day for activities. (Find other ideas for communicating on a cruise .)
• Do you want to use one large door covering, or would you prefer a group of small decorations you can add to during the cruise? 
• Do you want the door décor to be specific to the current cruise, or will it be used again on future cruises? 
• Are there any specific symbols, signs, or messages you need to include on your cabin door decorations? 

This post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission to this website (at no additional cost to you). Visit our  Disclosures Page  for more information.

10 Fun Cruise Cabin Door Ideas

Your cabin door is your own to decorate and communicate with other cruise guests as much as your want. It is like the screensaver on your phone, or the profile pic on your FB account – it conveys a message about the residents of that stateroom. 

Let’s explore some fun and unique ways to decorate your cruise cabin door that will stand out and bring a smile to fellow passengers.

1. Go Retro

Popular cruise door retro themes include posters and pics featuring scenes from the iconic ‘Love Boat’ series. Retro pics from magazine covers can be customized and made into door magnets – be sure to personalize your design to ensure that it stays in place, as these can be pretty popular.

2. Make A Grand Statement Or Announcement

Door decorations can be great opportunities to celebrate or recognize a birthday — particularly those BIG milestone birthdays.

Top Cabin Door Decorations for Birthdays

Or, they can feature other announcements that you want to share with the world. A giant ‘Jennifer, will you marry me?’ banner covering your door when your partner returns from a day at the pool would be a unique and memorable way to propose and get noticed! 

Other big event cruise door announcements can include: 

• Just Married!
• Wedding Anniversary Cruise
• New Graduate

Top Cabin Door Anniversary Decorations

3. Have A Favorite Movie Or Book Theme

Using a theme from a favorite book or a famous line from a movie is a great way to meet new people and make friends. A short motivational motto or words from a favorite book can be interesting. Imagine a cruise door themed to Dr. Seuss’s ‘ Oh the places you’ll go!’ .

4. Nautical Theme

Yes, we know this has been done a million times, but there are new ways to jazz up an old theme. Your cruising vacation is special family time, so if you want a pirate, mermaid, or sailor theme on your door, go right ahead. Kids love keeping things simple, and the cabin door should also have special significance for them. 

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. 

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. Practical Cruise Door Decorations

If you are part of a team or tour group or have extended family cruising with you, you may like to include an erasable whiteboard as part of your cruise door décor. It’s a great way to communicate while you are in informal holiday mode!

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

Practical Considerations When Decorating A Cruise Cabin Door

The first and most essential step to decorating a cruise cabin door is to figure out the best way to attach your décor. Cruise liners that do permit door decorations all have strict rules in place. These include: 

• You may not damage, stain, or mark the door
• No adhesive tape or sticky putty should be used
• The materials used may not be a safety hazard
• Potential fire hazards like string lights may not be used
• The decorations must only be on the door, not the surrounding walls or doorframe
• Decorations must never include profanity or be offensive

In addition, if you are planning a large banner or poster, you need to know the size of the cabin doors. Door size can vary slightly between liners, but the width of a regular cruise cabin door is usually around 23 inches. It is slightly wider for wheelchair-accessible rooms. 

Another valuable tip is never to put anything sentimental or irreplaceable on your cruise cabin door. Unfortunately, some cute generic items or cruise magnets may get removed. 

An excellent way to prevent your cabin door décor finding new owners is to personalize everything as much as possible. It is far less likely that a banner that says ‘Happy Birthday, Susan’ will vanish than one that simply says ‘Happy Birthday.’

How To Attach Cruise Cabin Door Decorations

Since you cannot damage your cabin door, it is essential to carefully plan how to attach your decorations securely to the door so it doesn’t fall off and look untidy. The two most commonly used methods are: 

• Magnets – Cruise cabins doors are most often metal. So magnets can be a perfect option.
• Command hooks or strip s allow you to decorate neatly and securely and are easy to remove without leaving a trace. Just remember to bring a pack along on the trip! (Make sure that your cruise line allows command strips. Here’s an example of an approved policy from Carnival .)

Best-Selling Magnetic Cabin Door Decorations

• 【Funny Cabin Identifier】Our cruise must haves for carnival kit including 27 pieces of cruise door decorations magnetic, it can help you to personalize your cabins and make them easily identifiable…

• Unique Cabin Identifier: Use it as a cruise cabin door decoration so you can easily find your stateroom. A very good navigational tool when going back to your stateroom especial in the evening.

• Sufficient Number: you will receive 5 pieces of cruise ship magnets, abundant to satisfy your application, exchange and replacement needs, allowing you to arrange them in different parts of the cruise…

• Package Includes: unleash your creativity and make your cruise trip more memorable with our 27 pieces of cruise door magnets; This package includes 8 large refrigerator magnets and 19 smaller ones,…

• Funny Tropical Hawaii Themed Decor: there are 5 pieces of the tropical magnets, one is rectangular shape, designed with a funny sentence, [Don’t Mind Us We’re in CRUISE MODE], and the other four are…

Do I Have To Decorate My Cruise Cabin Door? 

Cabin door decorating is a fun, voluntary activity. If you don’t want to decorate your door and want to relax, unwind and not attract any attention during your cruise, there is no pressure to put anything on your door. 

Some tour groups may arrange a door decorating competition as an additional activity to look forward to during the cruise. However, it is always optional; if you don’t decorate your door, you won’t be alone. 

Some cruise lines do not encourage door decoration. Norwegian Cruise Lines have banned door decorating, citing it as a safety hazard. However, most cruise lines allow door decorating to a more or less extent. Royal Caribbean allows door decorating, but it should remain simple and elegant, while on Disney and Carnival cruises, you can show off your creativity. 

What Is A Fish Extender? 

You may come across the term ‘Fish Extender,’ especially if you are on a Disney Cruise. Essentially, it’s a gift-exchange program among Disney cruise passengers . This is not an official event sponsored by the cruise line, but it is one that is well-established and operates through internet message groups .

A practice that has evolved is that passengers leave small gifts or tokens for each other on the fish-shaped hook outside each cabin door. 

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.

What Is The Deal With Pineapples On Cruise Cabin Doors? 

While pineapples are often associated with tropical islands and a relaxed beachy lifestyle, they have taken on an entirely different meaning on some cruises. An upside-down pineapple on a cabin door may indicate that the cabin occupants are swingers. 

While there is nothing wrong with including pineapples as part of an overall large design, family cruisers may be better off if they ensure that individual pineapple motifs on their cabin door cannot be flipped over as a prank by mischievous fellow passengers. 

Closing Thoughts

Decorating your cabin door on a cruise can be a great way to stand out and make it easy to know which room belongs to you at a glance. Plus, planning and creating your door decor in advance can be a fun pre-cruise project. Just remember to check with your cruise line first to see the rules regarding door decorations.

Tyler Bowman

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Creative Cruise Door Decorations & Ideas: A Complete Guide

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Are you embarking on a cruise adventure soon? Amp up the excitement by adding a personal touch to your stateroom door!

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or a proud graduation moment, cruise door decorations are a fantastic way to celebrate these milestones at sea. It’s not just about making your door look fabulous—it’s about creating memories that stick long after the cruise has docked back home.

Table of Contents

Why Decorate Your Cruise Cabin Door?

Walking around the cruise ship, you’ll find many passengers who have taken the time to decorate their stateroom doors.

There are many reasons to decorate your cabin door, not the least of which makes it easier to find your room.

1. Show Your Personality

Your cruise stateroom door is the perfect canvas to express who you are. Think of it as the front porch of your temporary sea home.

You have a vast ocean to explore, but your door is your personal stamp.

Show off your interests , whether you’re a fan of tropical paradises, a Disney enthusiast, or love nautical themes. Your door decoration can be a fantastic icebreaker and give others a peek into your world.

2. Easy to Identify Your Room

Cruise ships are so big that it’s common for passengers to get lost on board. Even the most experienced cruisers can have difficulty locating their cabin door in the long corridor of identical staterooms.

A unique door decoration makes spotting your room a breeze . Apart from being practical for you, it’s also beneficial for others in your group. You won’t be that person awkwardly trying their key card on multiple doors before finding their own.

3. Start Conversations with Other Passengers

One popular door decoration is a magnetic whiteboard .

Attaching a magnetic whiteboard to your stateroom door is a great way to leave messages for other passengers. You can write words of wisdom, inspirational quotes , or fun jokes for fellow cruisers to read and enjoy.

A whiteboard is a great way to communicate with your travel companions while traveling in a large group. You could leave a note letting your friends and family know where they can find you or when you will return to your cabin.

4. Celebrate A Special Occasion

Cruise ships are celebration-friendly zones, and what better way to honor a special occasion than with a well-adorned door? Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or graduation , your door can reflect the joy and significance of the milestone.

Plus, other guests and crew will join in the festivities by offering their well wishes as they pass by.

4. Fun for the Kids

For little sailors, a decorated door is like a treasure map’s ‘X’ marking the spot. It’s a beacon of excitement and a signal that fun lies behind the door . It can feature their favorite characters, colors, or themes.

With every return to the room, their decorated door reminds them that this trip is an adventure made just for them.

Before your cruise, having your kids create their own door decorations is a great idea. Getting your kids to design cabin door decorations can keep them occupied for hours or days and excite them about their upcoming cruise vacation.

5. Send a Secret Message

Sometimes, your door decor can be more than just decoration; it can carry a secret message . Maybe it’s an inside joke among friends or the secret upside-down pineapple . The door becomes a conversation starter, a mystery for others to ponder, and a fun way for you to communicate a playful or romantic gesture.

Does Every Cruise Line Let You Decorate Your Cabin Door?

Door decorations on family-friendly cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line and Carnival are trendy. But you’ll find passengers decorating their cabin doors on plenty of other cruise lines.

Only one of the mainstream cruise lines has banned cabin door decorations. In August 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line banned all cruise cabin door decorations , citing fire safety concerns.

Some general rules apply to all cruise lines. They are:

• Decorations must not leave a mark or damage doors. If they do, you may receive a fine. Avoid tape and adhesives of all types.
• Decorations must not be offensive, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate.
• Decorations must not extend beyond the door. The corridors on a cruise ship are narrow, and your decorations should not block service carts or passengers.

Carnival Cruise Door Decoration Rules

According to Carnival’s website , the following rules apply for cruise cabin door decorations:

• Decorations may consist only of fire-retardant materials. Please note that items sprayed with fire retardant spray are not acceptable.
• Decorations may only be placed on the stateroom door, not the surrounding frame, walls, or railings.
• You may use magnets or Command Strips but no adhesives like tape or glue.
• Over-the-door hanging organizers must hang inside the stateroom, must also be of fire retardant material, and cannot damage the door.
• No decorations of any kind are allowed on balconies.
• No decorations or items may be placed over light fittings or fixtures. This may restrict the airflow and cause the item to ignite.
• No string lights of any kind are allowed.

Disney Cruise Line Door Decorations Rule

Guests on Disney Cruise Line are encouraged to decorate their stateroom doors. According to Disney’s website , the following rules apply:

• You are welcome to place magnetic signs on your stateroom door. Please note that Concierge staterooms on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have wooden doors.
• You may not affix items to your stateroom doors using tape or any adhesive, including removable gel adhesives, as this can damage the doors’ finish.
• Over-the-door hanging organizers are prohibited, as they can scratch and/or disfigure stateroom doors and trim.
• Guests who damage doors violating these guidelines will be assessed a $100 fee per incident to cover the cost of repairs.
• Light bulb strings are not permitted.

Royal Caribbean Door Decorating Rules

Door decorations are a common sight on Royal Caribbean cruises. Royal Caribbean encourages guests to decorate their cabin doors, even selling magnetic decorations on their website.

Royal Caribbean’s guest code of conduct  states, “Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes…placing materials (including signs, banners, decorations, etc.) anywhere on the exterior of the ship, placing materials anywhere on the interior of the ship (including stateroom doors, along corridors, etc.) without the express permission of ship management or  which may be deemed by ship management as inappropriate …”

Celebrity Cruises

Door decorating isn’t as common on Celebrity Cruises. But the cruise line does allow guests to decorate cabin doors.

Celebrity Cruises guest code of conduct states , “Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes…placing signs, banners, decorations, or other materials anywhere on the exterior of the ship; placing materials on stateroom doors, along corridors, or anywhere else on the interior of the ship without the express permission of ship management…” 

Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Holland America Line

Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Holland America Line don’t provide specific rules for door decorating. While door decorations are allowed on these cruise lines, they’re not as common as on other cruise operators.

Norwegian Cruise Line Door Decorating Rules

In August 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line updated their policy prohibiting cruise door decorations of any kind.

The announcement stated, “As per safety requirements, stateroom door decorations are strictly prohibited. Your stateroom steward has been instructed to remove and place all decorations inside the room. Thank you for your understanding and compliance with this safety policy.”

The cruise line cited fire safety concerns as the reason for the decision. Cabin stewards are instructed to remove all decorations and place them inside the room.

Tips for Decorating Your Cruise Cabin Door

Here are some general tips for decorating your cabin door:

• Never decorate the door frame, wall, railings, or light fixtures. Only stick door decorations on the stateroom door itself.
• Only attach decorations using magnets or command strips to avoid damaging the door. Avoid tape and adhesives of all types.
• Only use decorations made of flame-retardant materials.
• Cruise lines DO NOT allow string lights on your door or in the hallway.

How to Attach Cruise Door Decorations

Attaching cruise door decorations requires secure and non-damaging methods to the door.

Most cruise ship doors are made of metal, making magnets the perfect way to attach decorations. You can use magnetic strips or hooks to hang lightweight items. Ensure the magnets are strong enough to hold your decorations securely.

Sometimes, the doors are covered with a non-metallic finish, so you need stronger magnets.

Avoid using glue, tape, or other adhesives which can damage the door.

Editor’s Tip

If you’re on a Disney cruise, it’s essential to remember that the Concierge staterooms have a wooden veneer. The extra-thick surface requires extra-strong neodymium magnets to attach your decorations.

5 Fun Cruise Cabin Door Decoration Ideas

Personalized drink package magnet.

This magnet is a lot of fun. Whether or not you got the drink package , this decoration will surely make your fellow passengers smile.

Of course, you can even personalize it with your last name.

Check on Amazon: Personalized Drink Package Magnet

Royal Caribbean Personalized Door Magnet

If you’re a Royal Caribbean fan, this adorable magnet is a great way to celebrate your time on a Royal Caribbean cruise. You can even collect them – one for every cruise you take.

Check on Amazon: Royal Caribbean Personalized Door Magnet

Personalized Carnival Funnel Magnet

Like the above anchor magnet, this item is a great gift idea for Carnival cruise fans. They make a great addition to stateroom doors, and you can have them personalized.

Check on Amazon: Personalized Carnival Funnel Magnet

Our First Cruise Magnet

If you are a first-time cruiser , you are undoubtedly excited about your first cruise vacation. This door magnet is perfect for sharing your excitement with other travelers.

Check on Amazon: Our First Cruise Magnet

Disney Fish Extender

If you’re going on a Disney cruise, you’ve probably heard of the traditional “Secret Santa” type fish exchange. You can decorate your cabin door with a fish extender and personalize the pockets so other travelers know who they are gifting to.

Check on Amazon: Disney Fish Extender

FAQs About Cruise Door Decorations

Can i decorate my cruise ship door.

Yes, you can decorate a cruise ship cabin door , and it’s a popular activity among many cruisers. Norwegian Cruise Line is the only cruise line that prohibits door decorating.

Can I Decorate My Cabin Door on Norwegian Cruise Line?

You cannot decorate your cabin door on Norwegian Cruise Line. In August 2019, NCL updated its policy to prohibit door decorations, citing fire safety as the reason for their decision.

Crew members are instructed to remove door decorations and place them in your cabin.

What is a Fish Extender?

A fish extender on a Disney cruise is the “fish” or “seahorse” shaped mailbox outside your stateroom doors. Disney cruise ships have a tradition where passengers leave gifts in the mailbox of other passengers as a type of “Secret Santa.”

A fish extender is a hanger that allows passengers to get more space for the fish mailbox.

Passengers typically fill the pockets of other guests’ fish extenders with small gifts, treats, or souvenirs as a way to add extra magic and community spirit to the cruise experience.

Can I Bring Balloons on a Cruise?

Balloons and other inflatable items are prohibited on cruise ships due to safety and environmental concerns.

However, as an alternative, some cruise lines provide a service where you can purchase balloons directly from the ship . Crew members deliver the balloons to your stateroom to mark your special occasion, ensuring both compliance with cruise policies and a festive atmosphere.

Do Cruise Ships Decorate For Christmas?

Most cruise ships decorate their ships for Christmas. Typical decorations include a giant Christmas tree, garland, and smaller trees around the vessel.

Marcello De Lio

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We’ll be sailing on the Wonder of the Seas this coming May. I love being creative and understand that I’ll be limited to decorating our cabin door. We’ll be in a ocean view, would you happen to know what the surface door is made of? Metal, wood, etc. This will help me decide what I have to bring. Thank you.

The doors are most likely be made of metal, similar to the other Oasis-class ships. You shouldn’t have any issues using magnets to hang your decorations. However, it’s impossible to know for certain as the ship hasn’t debuted yet.

P.S. I would love to hear about your experience on the new ship! Feel free to comment on our Wonder of the Seas post when you get back from your vacation and share your experience.

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Cruise Door Decorations: Tips for Cruisers

Ahoy, cruisegoers! Ever noticed those vibrant cabin doors? Welcome to the world of cruise door decor, where your imagination sails free. From Mickey Mouse-themed doors to romantic heart accents, these embellishments are the unsung heroes of cruise culture. More than just glitz, they’re a canvas for joy and even a tad of friendly competition.

Whether it’s your maiden voyage or a return trip, this blog is your guide to door decorating. We’ll steer you through the dos and don’ts, laced with humor and a splash of fun. So grab your decorating tools; it’s time to make a splash in this colorful, maritime adventure!

Do People Decorate Cruise Doors?

You bet they do, and it’s not just a fleeting trend! Walk down any corridor on a cruise ship, and you’ll be greeted with a dazzling array of colors, themes, and designs. From celebrating anniversaries with heart-shaped decorations to channeling their inner pirate with skulls and crossbones, cruisers take this fun tradition seriously.

It’s not just about beautifying a door; it’s a personal statement, a conversation starter, and sometimes, a friendly competition with other guests. Whether on a Disney cruise with themed doors or an adventure with Norwegian Cruise Line, cruise door decorating is a cherished part of the voyage for many.

Cruise Line Decor Policies

Decorating cruise doors can be as much a part of the journey as the destinations themselves, but the rules differ across the seven seas. Here’s a shipshape rundown of what’s allowed and what’s not on various cruise lines:

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean sails with a touch of class, and the decor of cruise cabin decorations policy reflects that grace. While door decorating is allowed, it’s typically subdued, with an emphasis on elegance rather than extravagance. If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, tasteful cruise cabin door decorations are the way to go. But beware! The heavy use of adhesives that might damage the door is frowned upon. So remember, on Royal Caribbean, creativity is celebrated, but it’s the quiet, sophisticated kind.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line , the self-dubbed ‘fun ships,’ welcomes those who wish to carry the party right to their cabin doors. Humorous signs, colorful images, and clever messages are common, reflecting the line’s energetic vibe.

However, they do ask that you avoid any door decorations that could cause damage or pose a fire risk. So, channel your inner party planner, but keep it safe. After all, it’s all fun and games until someone’s door gets hurt!

Princess Cruises

On Princess Cruises, the doors often stay as serene as the ocean at dawn. Though not as common as on other lines, you will find the occasional cabin door decoration during festive seasons like Christmas. The Princess line embodies elegance and tends to attract a more understated crowd.

If you decide to buy cruise door decorations, think more along the lines of a royal ball than a beach bash. Adhere to cruise line rules , and make sure your decor is as refined as your surroundings.

Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise Line is where imagination sets sail, and cabin doors are no exception. Guests are known to go all-out with Disney cruise door decorations , transforming simple portals into enchanted entries.

But don’t worry, if you’re new to this, many craft stores offer Disney-themed decor that can easily be applied. The magic here is that everyone gets to join in, turning the ship into a floating fairy tale. Just remember, while creativity is encouraged, permanent adhesives are not part of the magic kingdom’s wishes.

Norwegian Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line takes a different tack, banning door decorations altogether. While this might seem like a party pooper move, it’s rooted in safety and maintenance concerns. Any cruise door decorations found are promptly removed, so it’s best to channel your creativity elsewhere.

Explore the ship’s amenities, enjoy the entertainment, or even try your hand at the onboard activities. On Norwegian, the adventure lies beyond the door, not on it. And don’t worry, there’s plenty of creativity to be found throughout the ship – just not on your cabin door.

Guidelines for Cruise Ship Door Decorating

Decorating the door of your cruise cabin can turn a simple gateway into a delightful masterpiece reflecting your personality or celebration. But there’s a wave of rules to surf before you jump into this ocean of creativity. Here’s what you need to know:

Safety With Cruise Cabin Door Decorations

Before you unleash your inner Picasso on your cruise cabin door, there are some guidelines and sea laws to abide by:

• Location: Disregard the door frame, wall, railings, or light fixtures – these zones are prohibited. Decorations are only allowed on the door surface and should not interfere with its function. Confirm with your chosen cruise line regarding their distinct guidelines.
• Adhesives : Say no to tape, glue, and other sticky bandits. They’re forbidden due to potential damage. Instead, use magnets or command strips. Since most cruise ships’ cabin doors are metal, magnets have become a popular and damage-free option. Personalized magnets with photos are a favorite. But beware, some ships have wooden doors – always verify your ship’s guidelines.
• Materials : Your decorations must be made of flame fire retardant or materials. This isn’t just a fancy term but a critical safety rule. Forget the string lights; they’re as welcome as a storm at sea. Even paper or cardboard decorations should steer clear of light fixtures and electrical outlets.
• Fire Safety : While some lines like Carnival have specific policies insisting on flame retardant decor, others may not have strict regulations. But, why play with fire when you can avoid it? Always opt for materials that won’t ignite faster than your cruise vacation’s end date.
• Special Cases : Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages are the party poopers of the cruise world when it comes to door decorations; they’ve banned them outright. So, if you’re sailing with them, you’ll have to find other fun ways to express yourself.
• When in Doubt, Ask : Your stateroom attendant is like your cruise cabin’s guardian angel. If you’re unsure about your decor, a quick check with them can save you from any unintended faux pas.

Remember, these cruise door decoration rules are not just about spoiling your fun but ensuring that everyone’s safety is maintained. After all, nothing dampens a vacation mood faster than a decor disaster!

By following these guidelines, you can add a personal touch to your cruise cabin door without sinking the ship’s rules or running aground with safety. Happy decorating, fellow cruisers!

Benefits of Decorating Your Cruise Cabin Door

Who would have thought that decorating a cruise cabin door could have so many perks? But grab your craft supplies, dear cruisers, because the door to your stateroom isn’t just a barrier to your sleep chamber; it’s a canvas waiting for your creativity! Here are some surprising and delightful benefits of joining the cruise and stateroom door decorations and decor club:

Room Markers

First and foremost, most cruise lines and door decorations act as a personal lighthouse, guiding you back to your cabin. Imagine trying to find a needle in a haystack but replacing the needle with your room and the haystack with a corridor of identical doors. Not so easy, is it?

Creative Expression

But it’s not all about function. It’s about expressing yourself too. Why settle for a bland door when you can give it some flair and personality? Your stateroom door isn’t just an entryway; it’s a blank canvas waiting for your creative touch.

Make it uniquely yours, and you’ll never mistakenly wander into someone else’s cabin again. Think of the doors on the ship as a beautiful gallery. As you walk down the corridors, every decorated door tells a story. It’s like a festive parade of creativity, and you’re invited to join in the fun. It’s a window-shopping adventure at sea!

Seasonal Decorations

Celebrating something special? Birthdays, anniversaries, or a milestone? Your cruise cabin door can be your party headquarters. Add some celebratory zest, and you’ve got yourself a floating fiesta. What about holiday cruises? Decorating your cabin door with seasonal cheer is like bringing a little piece of home with you. The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but he can’t take away your holiday-themed cruise door decoration!

Now, don’t let those long hallways intimidate you. Your decorated door can be a focal point in that seemingly endless stretch of sameness. It’s a bright spot that will surely bring a smile to other guests as they walk by.

Family cruises or group get-togethers can elevate the door-decorating game to a whole new level. Engage in a friendly door decorating contest, and you might just ignite a ship-wide trend.

Memorabilia

Lastly, there’s a comforting aspect to decorating your cruise cabin door. It brings a touch of familiarity, a slice of home to your traveling adventure. It’s your space, your temporary abode on the high seas, so why not make it feel like it?

So grab those magnetic door decorations, fellow traveler, and unleash your inner artist. Decorating your cruise door isn’t just a fun pastime; it’s a symbol of individuality, a marker of celebration, and a beacon in a sea of identical doors. Happy decorating!

What Kinds of Materials Are Suitable for Cruise Door Decorations?

Decorating your cruise door is like donning your favorite party attire—it’s all about finding the right fit. But instead of fabric and fashion, you’ll be dealing with materials and themes. To avoid any maritime faux pas, let’s dive into the ocean of suitable materials for cruise door decorations and explore a few ideas for the themes they can bring to life.

Perfect for metal cruise cabin doors, Magnets are versatile and can be used to bring various themes to life. Planning a Disney Cruise? Craft some Mickey Mouse shapes. On a romantic getaway? Try Heart-Shaped Door Magnets next. From tropical palm trees to personalized family photos, magnets adhere to your creativity—literally!

Command Strips

Not just for wooden doors, Command Strips can be used for hanging wreaths, festive banners, or memorable pictures. They can make your door a focal point for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or even a fun-filled group cruise activity.

Flame Retardant Materials

A safe and playful option for everyone, Flame Retardant Materials can be used to craft especially Halloween-Themed Decorations , colorful party props, or nautical designs. No risk, just lots of fun!

Removable Gel Adhesives

These Sticky Heroes allow you to attach temporary signs, Funny Quotes , or whimsical images without harming the door. They’re a fun way to add humor or inspiration to your door stand on cruising days.

Dry Erase Marker

Transform your cabin door into a message board or daily joke corner. Whether leaving notes for fellow passengers or sketching a new drawing each day, Dry-Erase Markers make your door interactive and engaging.

Construction Paper and Craft Stores Supplies

With Construction Paper and Crafts , create vibrant collages, seasonal displays, or countdown calendars for your cruise vacation. These materials, paired with magnets or command strips, allow you to craft your dreams.

String Lights

If allowed by the cruise line policies, Flame-Retardant String Lights can turn your door into a cozy haven. They can be part of romantic themes or create a festive atmosphere that twinkles with joy.

Remember, each cruise line has specific rules, so always check the guidelines for Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise, or Royal Caribbean. Your door is a blank canvas, and these materials and themes are your brushes and colors. Unleash your creativity, but keep it ship-shaped!

Cruise Cabin Door Decoration Tips

Embarking on a cruise adventure and eager to jazz up your cabin door? Start by checking your cruise line’s policies to know what’s allowed. Next, use magnets or command strips for a damage-free decorating experience. Safety is paramount, so be sure to opt for flame-retardant materials. Let your creativity sail with themes like holidays, family fun, or romance.

But remember, it’s a community at sea, so consider neighboring doors and don’t overshadow other guests’ decorations. Above all, enjoy the process! Your door should reflect your personality and act as a beacon guiding you back after a fun day exploring. Happy decorating!

And there you have it, fellow sea wanderers – the complete map to cruise and decorate your door with decorations that won’t have the captain summoning you to the bridge. Whether you’re sailing the high seas with Disney or embarking on a Royal Caribbean adventure, your cabin door is your canvas.

From complying with cruise line rules to choosing themes that make fellow passengers smile, decorating your door is more than just fun; it’s a chance to express yourself and make your sea-faring abode feel like home. So grab your magnets, command strips, and your sense of adventure, and let’s turn that cruise cabin door into a masterpiece. Safe sailing and happy decorating!

Do people decorate their doors on Royal Caribbean?

While it’s less common on Royal Caribbean ships, you will still find some doors adorned with decorations. Often, it’s frequent cruisers celebrating special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries who take up the brush and canvas, so to speak. Adding your personal touch can make your voyage even more memorable, distinguishing your door from the sea of sameness.

Can I bring birthday decorations on a cruise?

Yes, birthday decorations are generally allowed on cruises. It’s a fantastic way to make a special day even more memorable. However, it’s wise to review the specific cruise line policies to ensure that your decorative enthusiasm for special occasions doesn’t lead you into uncharted waters. Adhesive materials are often prohibited, so plan accordingly.

Are the doors on the cruise cabins magnetic?

Most cruise cabin doors are indeed magnetic, making decorating a snap with personalized magnets or magnetic adhesives. Some suites may have wooden doors, so it’s always good to check your cruise line’s website for their specific cruise cabin decoration policy. Bring a variety of decorating materials to cover all bases.

Should you decorate your cruise cabin door?

Decorating your cruise cabin door is a fun way to express your personality, celebrate special occasions, and even help you find your cabin after a night of indulging in the drink package. It adds a personal touch to your journey. Just make sure to adhere to the safety and guidelines provided by your cruise line, and let your creativity sail!

Digital Marketer

I’m Bobby Pham, but you can call me “Bobby on Cruise.” I’ve been cruising the high seas and exploring the world for years, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with you. When not cruising, I spend my time on growing my marketing agency.

About FunkyCruise

• Rock the Best Cabin Door with These Free Printable Cruise Door Decorations

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If you’re going on a cruise and itching for something to do to help you with your pre-cruise prep, then you’ve come to the right place!  This post will discuss everything related to decorating your stateroom door!  And believe me, once you’re on your ship sailing the high seas, you’ll understand the importance of making your door stand out!

Table of Contents

Do people decorate their cabin doors on cruises.

The simple answer to this question is that some people do and some don’t.  I have been on several cruises and have seen both extremes.  My latest cruise was virtually devoid of door decorations.  I believe my door decoration and that of my travel companion were some of the only ones on the entire ship.  But even though there weren’t many decorations, we did hear plenty of feedback from passersby.  I was especially delighted to hear one small boy declare, “Hello, Sea Turtle!” and “Hello, dolphin!” each time he passed our doors.

Why Do People Decorate Cruise Ship Doors?

If decorating your door is a new idea, you may naturally wonder why you would want to go to the trouble of decorating a cruise door.  I mean, isn’t it kind of like a hotel door?  The simple answer is yes.  Your stateroom door will look much like a hotel door.  It will be pretty plain and have your room number on it.  But that’s the perfect place to start!  Here are some great reasons to consider personalizing your door while cruising!

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Reason 1 – It Helps You Find Your Door

Experienced cruisers know that your room on the ship will be one of many in a long corridor of identical stateroom doors.  These corridors run down both sides of the ship.  Picture a hotel hallway as long as a football field.  All the doors look precisely alike except for their room number.  When you are coming from one end of the ship to the other, a decorated door will help you pick your room out quickly and easily.

I love when others decorate their doors because it doesn’t take long to recognize other door decorations to know where you are on the ship and if you’re close to your room.  I remember turning the wrong way off the elevator on a cruise and walking down the entire corridor before seeing several unfamiliar door decorations and realizing I was in the “wrong neighborhood.”

2 – To Make Your Cabin Feel Homey

At the end of a long day on shore, you’ll be ready to find your room.  When you’re cruising, your room is your home base, and nothing feels better than the familiarity of your space when you’re tired and ready to refresh.  A welcoming door with a familiar picture or sign is delightful and feels homey!

3 – To Celebrate a Special Occasion

Many people cruise as a celebration.  Think about honeymoons, anniversaries, notable birthdays, promotions, or family reunions.  These reasons all make great ideas for decorating your door and sharing that reason with the entire ship by decorating your entry for the occasion!  Maybe you’re taking an annual sisters’ vacation.  Let everyone know!

As you make your way around your ship, you will see any number of achievements plastered on doors.  Go ahead and acknowledge those exciting occasions.  When you’re on the ship, everyone is family!

4 – To Communicate with Other Passengers

You may want to communicate with others while on your trip.  If you’re traveling with other couples or enjoying a group cruise, you can use your door to announce where you are so they can come to find you.  Sure, you can text, but where’s the fun in that?  Not to mention, some cell services don’t work when you’re on a ship in the middle of an ocean, so this is a great way to communicate without the stress!

Use this option (free download) on your door with the small ship magnet to indicate where you are.

Beware the Upside-Down Pineapple!

I feel inclined to discuss one specific kind of door communication here.  I was shocked when I heard about this, but hey – cruise ships are great for people with all sorts of interesting pastimes, so there’s room for everyone.  With that being said, let’s discuss pineapples.  Yes.  Pineapples.  It’s a good idea to be aware of the pineapple.

According to my research, wearing a pineapple or placing one on your stateroom door, especially an upside-down pineapple, is a sign that shows you are interested in swinging or wife-swapping.  Cruisemummy, a fellow blogger, breaks down all of the interesting details of pineapple culture on cruise ships.  Read all about what pineapples mean on a cruise here .  And if you’re into that sort of thing, by all means, you can pick up a pineapple magnet here.  

5 – It is Fun!

Cruising is fun!  And decorating your door is fun!  And looking at other doors around the ship to see what others celebrate or enjoy is also fun!  So why wouldn’t you want to decorate your door?  Part of the fun of planning my next cruise is planning my stateroom door decorations.

What are the Rules for Decorating My Cruise Ship Door?

Now we’ve established that decorating your door is fun and valuable.  So let’s talk about the rules you need to follow when decorating.  Most cruise lines share some basic rules, but you’ll want to double-check your cruise line if you plan to do any decorating outside of these general rules.

• Please do not use decorations that leave marks or cause damage to the door.  You may get a fine if you leave damage or a permanent mark.
• Please do not use curse words, offensive images, or vulgar language.  Remember that not everyone shares the same sense of humor.  This rule is essential if you’re on a family-friendly cruise ship.  And most cruise ships have families aboard.
• Please contain your cruise cabin door decorations on the actual door.  Don’t use large, 3-dimensional objects that stick out.  Cruise ship corridors are narrow and must have room for housekeeping carts and fellow passengers walking by.

Here are a few additional rules that apply to specific cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival cruise fans should know that Carnival requires all door decorations are made of fire-retardant materials.  In addition, no scotch tape (or any tape) or glue, only Command strips  or magnets .    You can read their full rules here . 

Disney Cruise Line

Disney asks that you use magnets rather than adhesives, including gel adhesives on Disney stateroom doors.  You will receive a $100 fine if you leave any damage.  You can read their full rules about Disney cruise door magnets here . 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lin

I enjoyed the two Royal Caribbean cruises where I saw the most door decorations.  Passengers go out of their way to share their fun ideas in some Royal Caribbean Facebook Groups.  Royal Caribbean is very family-friendly, so it makes perfect sense!  Royal Caribbean even sells room décor kids on their online gift shop ! 

Princess Cruise Line

Like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises also allow door decorations and sell room décor packages in their online gift shop . 

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line does not allow door decorations, so if you have your heart set on glamming up your door, you may need to consider a different cruise line.  The cruise line states that door decorations are not allowed for safety reasons, and your cabin steward will remove your door decorations and leave them in your room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will magnets stick to cruise ship doors.

Many cruise ship doors are made of metal and are perfect for magnets.  However, some cabins have wooden doors, which is often the case with suites, concierge staterooms, or “more expensive” rooms.  If unsure, pack some Command poster hanging strips to affix your décor.  They take up very little space, so you’ll be glad to have them if you end up with a non-metal door. If you need a packing list, check out The Best Printable Cruise Packing List for the Over 50 Woman .

What is a Fish Extender?

Disney cruises have coined the term “Fish Extender” for a little bit of extra magic aboard their cruise ships, and it’s all part of the fun of Disney cruise door decorations.  A Fish Extender, or FE, is a set of pockets that cruisers hang on their stateroom door.  Cruisers personalize each pouch with the names of family members or the family name.  Before the cruise, cruisers connect with others who will be on the same voyage via message boards or a Facebook Group for your ship and date, and enter drawings and arrange swaps of fun, small gifts throughout the week of the cruise with your fellow cruisers.

You’ll love this added magic if this is your first Disney cruise.  As if a cruise isn’t magical enough, add some Disney and some fun little goodies and gifts, and you’ll not only go home with a bonus memory or two but participating in the Fish Extender program is a fun way to make a few new friends, too!

Wrapping it All Up

When you travel on a cruise ship, you are in for a great time!  Decorating your door is just part of the fun and allows you to get into the cruise spirit!  You can make your decorations for your door, or lucky you – I’ve made some free printable door decorations to get you started!

Once you download your free printable door decorations, you can print your favorites on card stock and use Command poster strips  or magnets . to adhere to your door.  Another option is to use printable magnet paper .  If you’d like your door decorations to last for multiple trips, consider laminating them .    Once laminated, you can write on them with a dry-erase marker , too! 

Next cruise you take, you’ll be ready to personalize your door and stand out from the crowd!

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12 Pieces Cruise Door Magnets Decorations, Sea Navigation Ship Car Refrigerator Magnets Stickers Anchor Cruise Cabin Door Fridge Magnetic Decorations for Carnival Cruise Party (Lively Style)

Lively Style

( $0.83 / Count )

Black Style

( $0.75 / Count )

Bright Style

( $1.00 / Count )

Fresh Style

Novelty Style

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About this item.

• Sufficient Quantity: you will receive total 12 pieces of cruise door magnets decorations in 12 various designs with the combination of orange, blue, white as the theme color; Enough quantities and various styles could meet your daily application requirements and replacement needs
• Reliable Quality: these sea navigation car magnets are mainly made of soft magnet material, safe and odorless to use, wear and tear resistant, also featured with firm adsorption and water resistance; Clear printing is not easy to fade or break; They are reusable and long lasting to serve your decorations needs on cruise cabin door, car or refrigerator
• Funny Saying Design: these sea cruise magnets stickers are designed with funny sayings about cruise ship, such as [Friends Cruise]; Putting these interesting magnets stickers on your home door, cruise ship door, fridge or car could easily add a sense of humor to your daily life
• Easy to Use: these magnetic cruise cabin decorations are reusable and easy to paste on, just put them close to metal surfaces, like refrigerator, car, vehicle and other magnetic surfaces, then they will automatically stick to metal surfaces, and they are convenient to stick and remove around at any time you want
• Wide Applications: anchor cruise door decorations with delicate sea elements designs are suitable for decorating magnetic fridges, cars, whiteboard, carnival cruises, yachts, boats, computers, and so on; Also they could be applied for summer parties, cruise themed parties, yacht birthday parties and more

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Kanayu 12 Pieces Cruise Door Magnets Decorations

Cruise Door Magnets Decorations

Product information, warranty & support, looking for specific info, product description.

Features: DIY function: These fridge cruise magnets could be applied together or separately. You could freely combine these cruise ship refrigerator magnets with other styles of magnets to achieve refreshing visual effect, then put them on your home door, household refrigerator or car, which could enhance your DIY crafting skills, and bring good mood in daily life. Small gift choice: These car door cruise magnets featured with 12 diverse styles and vibrant orange, blue, white theme color are very lovely and exquisite, thus they could be applied as birthday gifts, holiday presents for family members, friends, roommates, colleagues and neighbors or small prizes for classroom students. Specifications: Material: soft magnet Color: multicolor Size: about 7.87 inches/ 20 cm in the longest side Package includes: 12 x Cruise door magnets Notes: Manual measurement, please allow slight errors on size. The color may exist a slight difference due to different screen displays.

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Customers say

Customers like the value, color and performance of the decorative magnets. They mention that it's worth the buy, very colorful and that it works perfectly. That said, opinions are mixed on quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the color of the decorative magnets. They mention that it's a great way to decorate the door, has fun designs, and is very colorful. Some say that the set of magnets is classy and well made, making it perfect for cruise door decorations.

"...Magnet are fairly weak. They look cute , but I wouldn’t get them again since they wouldn’t attach to Carnival cruise door out of NOLA." Read more

"Although these are super cute , they would not stay on the door. I could get them to stick on the wall outside but not what I wanted...." Read more

"It is fun to decorate your door while on a cruise and we loved this set of magnets. Wanted a set that portrayed our fun loving style & this was it!!!" Read more

"...They are awesome! I love the colors and durability . I’ve been playing with them since they arrived. Will buy more...." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the decorative magnet. They say it's worth the buy, and has great value.

"...They proved to be a great value and withstood the impact of many people without any issues." Read more

"...We will be doing a 2 week one so, I wanted to decorate our door. They are awesome ! I love the colors and durability...." Read more

" Great value " Read more

"... Very great purchase ." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the performance of the decorative magnet. They mention that it works perfectly and performs flawlessly, providing excellent coverage and staying securely in place.

"The door covers performed flawlessly , providing excellent coverage and staying securely in place throughout the entire cruise...." Read more

"These are cute and worked good for our cruise . Kind of flimsy and thin though but for the price was worth it." Read more

" Works perfectly !..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the size of the decorative magnet. They mention that it is a great size.

"...The picture on the ad doesn't do them justice. They are a great size . I thought maybe they would be cheap and small but they are great!" Read more

"...But they were fun and came in great sizes . The main Magnets were large and the others flanked the doors well." Read more

"These are much larger than you'd expect ...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the quality of the decorative magnets. Some mention that they are cute, great magnetic magnets, and well made, while others say that they hardly stuck to the cabin door and started peeling away from the wall.

"Didn’t work for what I wanted but the kids still used. Magnet are fairly weak ...." Read more

"These magnetics are so cute ! The picture on the ad doesn't do them justice. They are a great size...." Read more

"I loved these on the cruise, but I think the magnet could have been a little stronger ...." Read more

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Margaritaville at Sea just doubled in size by welcoming a new ship

Margaritaville at Sea's new ship, Islander, officially set sail on its first voyage from Tampa on Tuesday. So far, it's doing a great job of catering to Parrotheads with plenty of tropical decor, including a giant flip-flop photo backdrop in the atrium, two dining rooms with giant palm trees in the middle and renovated cabins that feel more like you're renting someone's beach house than taking up residence on a ship.

Until now, the line, a partnership between Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville brand and the former Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, has only sailed from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida. Since 2022, it has exclusively offered two-night voyages on its first ship, the 1,680-passenger Paradise, to Freeport in the Bahamas .

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

With the addition of Islander, Margaritaville at Sea has increased its capacity by 160% and will now also serve Florida's west coast cruise market with regular four- and five-night departures to Key West and the Mexican Riviera from the Port of Tampa Bay.

Islander originally debuted in 2000 and sailed for Costa Cruises for more than two decades under the name Costa Atlantica. The vessel shared a ship design with Carnival Cruise Line 's Spirit Class . For that reason, Islander is likely to feel familiar to some cruisers.

I walked on board and immediately fell in love with the delightful mix of tropical Margaritaville vibes and remnants of designs by Joe Farcus, the architect and interior designer responsible for more than three decades of quirky decor on ships under the Carnival Corp. umbrella.

Under its new moniker, the 24-year-old, 2,650-passenger vessel was refurbished to include the first three-deck poolside LandShark bar, a tropical-themed atrium and cabins, and an adults-only pool and tiki bar. These updates make for colorful, lively fun that's synonymous with the Margaritaville name. Passengers can also look forward to 12 eateries and more than a dozen bars that serve a variety of cocktails.

The line's first ship debut had some hiccups . Stay tuned for more TPG coverage to see how Islander's first sailing compares and what you can expect from the new vessel.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Horrified cruise passengers spot Russian warships out their window as NATO on red alert

C ruise ship passengers were left horrified after spotting Russian warships from their cabin windows, leading to a stark warning from a leading defence expert.

Passengers on board the cruise liner said they saw six ships passing by in broad daylight off the coast of Florida.

"I just happened to look outside and I saw one of the ships, so I went outside to investigate," one passenger told CNN. "I could see six ships at one time across the horizon. There have been ships in sight most of the day. I was surprised how close they are, we are not that far off shore."

The sighting comes as NATO ships are currently escorting a Russian naval contingent en route to Cuba. The convoy includes American warships USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook, and Piedra CG (758); Canadian Navy ship HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH 332); French Navy high seas patrol vessel Teriieroo A Teriierooiterai (P780); and the Frigate La Fayette (FS Guepratte F714).

The Russian warships recently conducted drills in the Atlantic, demonstrating Moscow's commitment to projecting power amid ongoing tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Commenting on Russia's military move, Defence analyst Nicholas Drummond told the Daily Express: "It's a big mistake to antagonise and play nuclear blackmail with the US. A huge mistake. It's likely to galvanise US support for Ukraine on an increased level. In other words, it's a massive own goal."

But Director of Consultancy company Forward Strategy, Dr Stepan Stepanenko, downplayed Russia's military threat.

He told the Daily Express: "These visits underscore the deepening military and economic cooperation between Russia and Cuba, especially as the island nation increasingly relies on Russian support amid its worst economic crisis in decades.

"The reality behind these deployments, however, reveals a much less formidable picture of Russian naval power. The Russian navy, once a symbol of Soviet might, now often finds itself mired in mechanical failures and operational inefficiencies.

"A striking example of this is the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's sole aircraft carrier, which infamously broke down while traversing the English Channel in 2018, trailing a plume of black smoke that starkly contrasted its intended image of naval prowess."

He explained that hosting Russian vessels in Cuba is a core part of the country's military strategy in the face of the geopolitical isolation it faces.

"Decades of economic sanctions and political ostracism from the West have driven Cuba into the arms of Russia, a relationship that benefits Moscow by allowing it a foothold close to US shores," Dr Stepanenko said. "Yet, the fact that this is only the second such fleet deployment to the island in many years highlights both the fragility of the relationship and the dire state of the Russian fleet, ostensibly unable to conduct such operations regularly.

"It's time to rethink our approach to Cuba. The collective West's economic and political campaign against Cuba's repressive government has yielded little change. Instead, a more effective strategy would involve appealing directly to the Cuban people, who are increasingly disillusioned with their pseudo-communist regime. Encouraging and supporting democratic change on the island would not only improve the lives of its citizens but also remove the allure of a Russian alliance."

Meanwhile according to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kazan nuclear-powered submarine participated in an exercise simulating a missile strike on a group of enemy ships. The drill involved a computer simulation targeting sea vessels more than 372 miles away.

The Admiral Gorshkov, equipped with new Zircon hypersonic missiles, plays a crucial role in Russia's naval strategy. These missiles, designed for Russian cruisers, frigates, and submarines, can target both enemy ships and ground positions.

Vladimir Putin has highlighted the Zircon's capabilities, emphasising its ability to penetrate any existing anti-missile defences by traveling nine times faster than the speed of sound and reaching over 1,000 kilometres.

Accompanying the Admiral Gorshkov and the Kazan are two support vessels, all set to visit Havana as part of what Cuban officials describe as "historically friendly relations" between Russia and Cuba.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Russian warships, present in Havana from Wednesday until June 17, carry no nuclear weapons and assured their presence poses no threat to the region.

While Russia has previously sent warships to the Caribbean, the latest visit comes after Putin's warning that Moscow could provide similar weapons to adversaries of the West if Ukraine's allies allow Kyiv to use their weapons against targets in Russia.

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The best new cruises in the world: 2024 Hot List

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: every spring when we pull together the Hot List, our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of travelling the globe – to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage – it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali . We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List cruise winners for 2024.

Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity is a premium big-ship cruise brand, focusing on exquisite dining, cutting-edge amenities, Instagram-worthy public spaces chock-full of bespoke art pieces, and avant-garde onboard entertainment. The ship makes passengers feel, in a word, glamorous. Celebrity Ascent’s sumptuously designed interiors are flooded with natural light and evoke an air of playful sophistication that makes a week on board an escape worth cherishing. Passengers may find themselves longing to return for just one more succulent crab claw at Raw on 5, one more martini poured by bottle-spinning bartenders in the Martini Bar, or one more dazzling, acrobatic stage show, in the days following their farewells to this beautiful ship. From around £574 per person for a seven-night sailing. Scott Laird

Emerald Sakara, Emerald Cruises

Now with two oceangoing vessels joining Emerald’s more established fleet of nine river-dedicated “Star-Ships,” the decade-old cruise line is extending a brand built on unpretentious luxury to more corners of the world. Christened last August , the 100-guest superyacht, Sakara, is a near twin to Azzurra, which in 2022 ushered in a new era for Emerald by taking to the high seas. Sakara, like its sister, delightfully blurs the line between the luxury and ultra-luxury cruise categories, offering attentive service, gourmet cuisine, tasteful decor, and an eclectic slate of activities at a price point friendly to more budgets. The cherry on top with both superyachts is a slew of perks atypical of small-ship sailing, ranging from an impressively comprehensive spa to a marina platform well equipped for more fun in the sun. Despite having so much good stuff, each vessel is remarkably spacious. Getting a sense of being on a private yacht is easy like Sunday morning. Sakara is homeported in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean through at least March 2026; Azzurra, too, in addition to the Middle East, Kenya, and the Seychelles . Emerald’s river operations are based in Europe and Southeast Asia. (Note that a third ship, the Kaia, has just been announced by the cruise line; it debuts in April 2026, and, for all the early birds, it is now open for bookings.) From around £3,112. David Dickstein

Explora I, Explora Journeys

With a showpiece lobby bar, upscale restaurants, and a sultry infinity pool, Explora Journeys' relaxed luxury-resort-at-sea vibe strikes the perfect balance on Explora I. Launched in August 2023, the all-inclusive ship is disarmingly beautiful. A sleek navy blue exterior cocoons 461 suites, all with deep balconies, walk-in closets, and marble bathrooms. There is free-flowing Champagne, 7,500 square feet of wellness space, and 18 drinking and dining venues. From Emporium Marketplace, with its decadent raw bar, to pan-Asian restaurant Sakura, the dining on Explora I is sensational. Marble & Co. Grill is an intimate steakhouse where ageing meats hang in temperature-controlled cabinets. At Anthology, the ship's only supplementary restaurant, guest chefs – such as Claude Le Tohic of San Francisco's O' by Claude Le Tohic – curate sublime tasting menus. There's more: The only Rolex boutique at sea, huge hot tubs, and a shore program that sees some land experiences developed in partnership with revered explorer Mike Horn. From around £564 per person per night. Kerry Spencer

Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International

Aboard the Icon, you can really get lost. The behemoth is just plain big, with a capacity for nearly 8,000 when combining passengers and crew across 20 decks and 250,800 gross tons. Two and a half laps around the ship’s jogging track, a particular highlight onboard, and you’ve run a mile. So one can find themselves in need of a map – forgetting your sunscreen , for example, in your cabin is a bit of a chore depending on how far you’ve made it. But the abundance of things to do is also narcotic, and you feel a bit like a lotus-eater attempting to navigate it all while keeping your head. Amid the relentless entertainment, not to be missed are the top-notch performers present everywhere, from the Olympic-level aquatics show that you can watch from the windows of the speciality seafood restaurant should seating be elusive (it often is) to the cafeteria, where crewmembers dressed as food items sing songs reminding (commanding, actually, which is fabulous) passengers to wash their hands at sinks near the entrance. If you wish to enjoy the largest waterpark at sea, by the way, do what I did not and pack a swimsuit without zippers. From around £1,818 . Charlie Hobbs

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MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises

Looking at a row of cruise ships in port, you'll spot MSC Euribia right away. She's covered bow to stern by an ocean-themed mural by German artist Alex Flämig that bears the hashtag #SaveTheSeas nodding to the MSC's dedication to sustainable cruising: the Italian cruise line aims to be net-zero by 2050. MSC Euribia brings it one step closer to that goal, as it's the fleet's greenest ship yet, operating on liquified natural gas (LNG) and running advanced water and waste treatment systems onboard. But enough with the technical details – this mega-ship is packed with activities and entertainment, with 10 restaurants, 21 bars, five pools, two performance venues, and a bevvy of family-friendly amenities, like an F1 simulator, a waterpark, and a bowling alley. More adult-oriented highlights include the MSC Aurea Spa, with a thermal suite outfitted with thalassotherapy pools, a salt cave, and a snow room, as well as the Helios Wine Maker bar for wine tastings. Itineraries from around £420. Stefanie Waldek

Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Cruise Line

The second entry in Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Prima Class, Viva is like an Irish twin of older sister Prima. There’s the same stateroom count at 1,586, done in pristine and pleasing neutrals, as well as familiarly tricked-out amenities like the zippy 1,400-foot go-kart racing track that undulates over-the-top decks. Importantly, the Ocean Walk, which my colleague Mercedes Bleth adored aboard the Prima, remains. But round two afforded the premier name in large-ship cruising a chance to tweak and perfect, with an influx of seating options both in the ship’s complimentary dining hall as well as on its myriad decks. Across from the signature “zero-waste” Metropolitan Bar, where yummy drinks are whipped up from the ship’s food waste (I particularly enjoy a buttery Croissant Mai-Tai, for which hardening pastries are boiled down into sweetening syrup; the same is done with banana peels) is an interactive piece of digital art 52 feet wide that sees butterflies flit beside passersby. Breezy class all around. From around £791. Charlie Hobbs

Oceania Vista, Oceania Cruises

Vista, Oceania’s first new ship in more than a decade and the first of its Allura Class, debuted with small but mighty upgrades to its previous ships: better stabilisers for a smoother sailing experience; stronger Wi-Fi; lighting and architecture designed to make the ship’s common spaces look and feel roomier; a resort-like pool deck; and balconies in every cabin. The real star of the show, though, is the food and beverage experience – Vista’s culinary program delivers on its promise of top-quality venues you’ll want to make the rounds at. New to the lineup are Ember, a steakhouse with decor straight out of Napa Valley , and Aquamar Kitchen, serving up lighter fare that doesn’t skimp on taste. Celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or a just-because occasion with the Cellar Masters Wine Luncheon, a five-course meal and wine pairing. And don’t miss the elaborate sea day brunch, where towers of lobster, crab, and caviar await. Of course, the ship is just one destination. This year, Vista is splitting time between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean; next year, it will venture farther into Europe with ports of call like Istanbul , Stockholm, and Klaipeda, Lithuania. Its sister ship, Allura, sets sail in 2025. From around £2,182. Madison Flager

Scenic Eclipse II, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

The eagerly awaited Scenic Eclipse II is the new and improved version of Scenic's first expedition vessel, Scenic Eclipse. Dubbed "discovery yachts" for their sleek look and top-tier service, the sisters are nearly identical, with most changes so subtle that most guests might not even notice them, such as the slight enlargement of the steam room in the spa. But a big difference can be found on deck 10, where a plunge pool with jets for simulated lap swimming has taken the place of two hot tubs – and there's a new Sky Bar up here. Otherwise, Scenic Eclipse II has the same beloved amenities of its sister, most notably 10 exceptional dining experiences, from a sushi bar to a French restaurant with an attached Champagne bar; a 5,920-square-foot spa; two helicopters; and a submersible. Capable of sailing all over the world, including the polar regions, Scenic Eclipse II has itineraries for every type of traveller. From around £6,025. Stefanie Waldek

Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn Cruise Line

Pursuit is a small, “yacht-like” expedition ship with a distinct green exterior whose destinations range from Antarctica to warmer climes like the Kimberley in Australia. The decadent cabins, bigger than some standard hotel rooms, feel spacious and relaxing, complete with all the subtle touches that make you feel immediately at home. You can hang your evening attire in the walk-in closet and dry your wet swimwear – or damp Arctic expedition gear – in the built-in warming compartment; have sunrise breakfasts or sunset cocktails mixed at the in-room wet bar on your private balcony; and sleep in a plush, queen-sized bed. But what truly sets this cruise apart is the attentive and personable staff who quickly learn your name and personal preferences, providing VIP treatment throughout the journey. From around £8,729. Taylor Eisenhauer

Seven Seas Grandeur, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ports in the Caribbean, the Greek islands , and the Riviera might be the draw, but the all-inclusive luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises produces ships that have travellers looking forward to those days at sea, as its sixth offering, Grandeur, further proves. All of the 372 suites, which start at a roomy 307 square feet, are decorated in calming neutral blues and beige, and feature furnished balconies; most have L'Occitane bubbles for the marble tub. Quiet comfort can also be had in the Serene Spa & Wellness outdoor lounge area, following a massage on a quartz crystal bed that mimics the feel of warm sand. Cravings for a porterhouse or a vegetarian Salisbury steak can be sated by Prime 7, with other venues serving speciality pan-Asian cuisine, French fare, ample buffets, and Italian offerings. Mainstay Compass Rose has been reimagined as a light, airy space where diners breakfast under playfully elegant pillars that resemble crystal trees. Grandeur's whimsy extends to its reception area, where guests can check out Journey in Jewels, the Fabergé egg made specifically for the vessel, where it will remain for the rest of its jewelled ovoid days. The maximum number of 744 guests ensures unhurried service and uncrowded environs as you recover from a sunny day of swimming with Caribbean pigs. From around £3798. Alexandra Sanidad

Silver Nova, Silversea Cruises

A voyage on Silversea’s latest ship, Silver Nova, is one of taste and style. With expansive glass features throughout each of the 11 decks, and an ocean-facing saltwater swimming pool , the ship’s unique asymmetrical design leaves room for adults to run and play (with swank, of course). The Nova’s reimagined culinary experience, SALT (Sea and Land Taste), is the first large-scale, regional restaurant at sea, and acts as an invitation to guests to experience more than an excursion. While initially introduced on Silver Moon, the Nova’s SALT program includes SALT Lab by day: an intimate cooking class with highly acclaimed chefs and regional cuisine recipes inspired by the next destination. With one nightly seating, SALT Chef's Table offers an exclusive and creatively interactive dining experience. It’s all very intimate – as chefs showcase the art of their crafts firsthand, guests peek into a new culture and place before even disembarking. From around £2465. Jessica Chapel

Viking Aton, Viking River Cruises

In the style of all Viking ships, the Rottet Studio – designed Aton is intended for comfortable and thought-provoking exploration – just look to the book-filled shelves in the cabins, curated by London’s Heywood Hill library, and the revolving door of on-board lecturers (on my trip, an English curator spoke about the evolving depictions of Egypt in 1900s popular art). It should be no surprise that in a destination as rich and storied as Egypt ’s Nile, where the Aton is permanently based, the guides set apart what may read as a quintessential itinerary. On the Pharaohs & Pyramids journey, which takes travellers from the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut lies, to the Great Pyramid of Giza and well beyond over 12 days, esteemed Egyptologists oscillate from translating hieroglyphics on temple walls in real-time to shepherding travellers through modern night markets with endless fervour. On this ship it isn’t just what you see but how much you listen – and the team here, predominantly Egyptian, has much to say. These days, travellers crave perspective-altering experiences more than ever; get on the Aton, and you’ll get once-in-a-lifetime access (until that is, your next Aton sailing). From around £4849. Megan Spurrell

Resilient Lady, Virgin Voyages

Stepping onto Resilient Lady feels a bit like heading to summer camp. The massive vessel is like a giant playground for adults, which is why it draws a fun-loving crowd. Theme night parties, a nostalgic arcade room, plenty of board games, and basketball courts are just a few of the seemingly limitless onboard activities. Compared with its sister ships, the newest Virgin Voyages addition includes upgraded onboard entertainment and exciting new ports of call like the Greek Islands, Bali, and Mumbai . Most of the shows on this specific ship are new to the line, such as Persephone, an interactive performance developed in collaboration with famed Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes, and Another Rose, an immersive dinner experience. Dining options are abundant on the ship – 20-plus to be exact – and all of them are included with every passenger ticket. Plus, you can’t miss out on a visit to the several different sauna experiences in the Thermal Suite inside the Redemption Spa. From around £1616 . Rachel Dube

World Voyager, Atlas Ocean Voyages

There are superbly comfortable spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows aplenty on World Voyager, the latest vessel from Atlas Ocean Voyages. On an Antarctica expedition, you might watch turquoise icebergs float by from the sauna or the spa’s relaxation room, with its heated loungers perfectly positioned in front of a wall of glass. Back in your cosy stateroom, Champagne and strawberries await, as do the views from a Juliet or walkout balcony. The look throughout the 100 cabins and public spaces is Scandinavian modern, thanks to blond woods, marble floors, plush carpets in geometric patterns, and curvaceous furniture draped in velvety fabrics. In the elegant dining room, the focus is on international cuisine with a farm-to-table slant – think mushroom risotto and smoked duck with chargrilled vegetables. Meanwhile, the multipage cocktail menu beckons guests to a pair of spacious lounges. Blending yacht-style elegance and boutique-resort intimacy, this is a ship where you can make new friends easily but also retreat to a favourite spot to enjoy high tea in peaceful solitude while awaiting details from the crew on the adventures that lie ahead. From around £1495. Celeste Moure

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• River Cruising

GCT M/S Tikhi Don - St. Petersburg to Moscow

By usnavyguy , June 24, 2012 in River Cruising

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This is a review of a St. Petersburg to Moscow river cruise from 5/31/2012 - 6/14/2012 with Grand Circle Travel. I'll divide the review into sections starting with the ship so folks can jump to those sections of interest & ignore what isn't pertinent to them. For an excellent discussion on pre-trip planning, visa issues, comments on various cruise lines, this link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1559518

will give you all the details you need. I'll not repeat it here.

So, let's get to the specifics:

Ship : Tikhi Don is owned by Grand Circle Travel (GCT) and is one of two ships, the other being M/V Rossia they operate between Moscow & St. Petersburg. All the cabins are identical: 146 square feet with one window that opens, situated on 3 decks. The only difference is location on the ship. The cabins were clean as were the attached bathrooms. Storage space was adequate for two weeks. There is one 120V and one 220V electrical outlet in the cabin as well as a 115V electrical outlet in the bathroom. I purchased a 4 outlet power strip specifically for this trip to plug in rechargeable digital camera batteries as well as a cell phone. The ship has an elevator near the reception desk forward that services Decks 1, 2, and 3. There is a double stairway in the after end of the ship that runs from the Main Deck to Decks 2, 3, and 4. All other stairways are external and serve all 4 decks. We had about 206 passengers embarked and about 100 staff, so the ratio of staff to cruisers was pretty high. It seems that all river ships operating in Russia carry about 200 or so customers which make them quite a bit larger than the average European waterways river ship. Since they have far fewer bridges to deal with in terms of height, and water depths are somewhat deeper than European rivers, they can and do take advantage of that to leverage a larger number of customers. That doesn't make it bad; it just makes it different. Tikhi Don draws about 9 feet of water which I suspect is about average for a Russian river cruiser. The ship has two bars, one on the 3rd deck forward (Tsar Bar) and one on the 4th deck aft (Presidents Bar). The restaurant is located on the 2nd deck aft and is used for the breakfast buffet and the sit down daily lunches & dinners. One disadvantage to my way of thinking was the sit down lunch. When we've cruised on Viking, they offered a light buffet lunch in the bar/lounge and a sit down lunch in the restaurant. That gave one some options which weren't available with GCT. Again, not necessarily bad; just different. Each cabin is equipped with a flat panel LCD TV with various satellite channels available depending upon the location of the ship at the time. There also were 3 different movie channels showing a different movie each day. Since we didn’t watch TV, I can only surmise it must have worked okay as we did not hear any complaints. While each cabin has individual air conditioning controls, they didn’t appear to function very effectively and the cabin remained around 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. There is a separate heating unit mounted beneath the window on the outside bulkhead which proved very useful on some of the colder mornings we experienced during the cruise. The cruise covers 829 miles between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and consists of several lakes, rivers and canals including the transit of 16 locks.

Travelers: One significant difference I noted was the average age of the passengers was somewhat older than we had previously experienced with Viking in Europe. I would guess that average age was around mid-70s; some younger, and some a good bit older. We had several veterans of WW2 embarked and I can only hope I'm as spry as they were when I'm that age. They also are very loyal to GCT. Those folks who had previously traveled 3 or more times with GCT or their companion company, Overseas Adventure Travel were identified with a gold name badge. I'd estimate that at least 50% of the embarked travelers fell into this category. This was a very seasoned group of world travelers. Few on the trip were making their 1st river cruise and even fewer were traveling with GCT for the 1st time (we fell into that category). The tours generally involved quite a bit of walking and a not so slow pace, but most everyone managed to keep at it, and few opted out of the walking tours. I'll discuss those in more detail later in this post.

Ship Staff: The staff was quite young (mid to late 20s mostly), inexperienced, but always willing to help. Their command of English was generally very limited although I expect that will improve as the season wears on. Their English was way better than my Cyrillic so they get an A+ for effort. The cruise is managed by a Cruise Director who spoke idiomatic English. The ship's Captain was the most personable Captain I have ever sailed with on a cruise ship. He spoke good English, greeted all the travelers as they debarked for each tour, met each traveler at the gangplank when they returned, and along with the Cruise Director and Hospitality Manager stood on the pier and waved goodbye to every bus that departed. I'm used to the Captain putting in a brief appearance at the Welcome & Farewell Cocktail parties, then disappearing for rest of the cruise. This was a novel & most welcome change.

We were divided into 6 groups of about 32-35 people, assigned a Tour Director who worked exclusively with that group for the entire cruise. Very occasionally for an optional tour, the groups would be combined to keep the numbers about the same, but basically, you functioned within your assigned group. The Tour Directors all had majored in foreign languages at the University and had anywhere from two to as many as eight years with GCT. They all spoke idiomatic English and did a great job of keeping track of their charges. I liken managing U.S. tour groups to herding cats and these folks were always cheerful, ready to answer any question, and resolve any problem. The wait staff in the dining room had limited English, but knew enough to converse with the passengers with regard to the menu & was a hustling young group of Russians. They were extremely pleasant to deal with.

Food on Board: In general the meals were quite good. Breakfast was served buffet style and one always had the opportunity to order an omelet or eggs of any style. There also was a special breakfast order each day. They also included the European breakfast meats and other items common on European river cruise ships. Service was quick and efficient. Restaurant seating included tables for 2, 4, 6 or 10 passengers so there was a wide variety of seating. Lunches & dinners would be best described as Russian modified for American taste. As I remarked previously, all lunches were sit down, formal service with soup, entre (including a vegetarian selection). Salad bar and dessert. Dinners consisted of an appetizer, followed by a soup course, entre (again including a vegetarian choice), and dessert. At dinner, there was always available salmon or chicken breast with a baked potato and steamed vegetables for those who did not fancy the main course. Food was served hot when appropriate and cold when in order. Service was friendly and efficient. Even with 200 people sitting down to eat, there was no sense of “steam table” cooking. With the exception of two meals ashore, all meals were served onboard. In the event of an evening tour such as the Moscow circus or the St. Petersburg ballet, an early dinner was served to those attending the event, followed by a late night heavy snack following return onboard. While I did not eat very many lunches, my wife tried most of them and said the food was very good. We found the dinners to be tasty and a nice introduction to Russian cooking, including the famous Russian stroganoff which is not served over noodles as it is in the U.S., but over spaetzle or mashed potatoes which we were told is common in Russia. Early bird coffee was available from 6:00-7:00AM and also throughout the day at the coffee station on the main deck. Lunch was served at either noon or 1:00PM depending on the tour schedule, with dinner at 7:00PM.

Onboard Activities: There was never a shortage of things to do onboard, but all were voluntary so you could participate in as few or as many as you wished. They featured the usual port talks, introduction to the Russian language, lectures on Russian handicrafts, vodka tastings, blini parties, pelmeni (dumpling) cooking class, and hand painting of Russian Matryoshka (nesting) dolls. We also noted several spontaneous bridge, cribbage, and canasta card games in progress at various times.

There is a large, well stocked gift store on the ship, operated as a separate concession. My wife found the prices for souvenirs of all types were generally better than souvenir shops ashore. They accept major credit cards or roubles. You cannot charge items from the store to your shipboard account.

Tours: There were a limited number of optional (extra cost) tours available. In St. Petersburg, that included:

Rivers & Canals of St. Petersburg

Yusopov Palace

St. Petersburg Ballet

Peterhof Gardens

In Petrozavodosk: Karelian Folk Show

Zlatoust Singers

Jewish Heritage of Moscow

Tretyakov Gallery

You can view the details of these optional tours on the GCT website: http://www.gct.com

under the Russian river cruise itinerary.

All passengers are provided with a pair of head phones & a battery powered receiver to provide the ability to listen to the tour guide while still wandering about the particular venue. The system works perfectly and depending upon location & interference such as walls, floors, and the like is crystal clear up to 100 feet from the tour guide. I have used these systems on other tours and would never consider a tour/cruise that did not employ this technology.

We took the Rivers & Canals of St. Petersburg tour which entailed taking a canal boat up & down the various rivers & canals running through St. Petersburg. It lasted approximately 90 minutes with a well informed local guide who commented on what we were seeing. It was interesting and informative and gives you another whole perspective on St. Petersburg than from a city bus tour.

We also went on the Peterhof gardens tour which unfortunately, did not go as well. The morning tour for that day was Peter & Paul Fortress which was really not that interesting and turned out to be just another church tour. However, because of the distance from where the boat moored to the fortress, then into St. Petersburg for lunch, the morning and part of the afternoon was pretty well shot by the time we departed for Peterhof. Peterhof is a good 45 minute drive from St. Petersburg; so consequently, it was well after 2:00PM when we arrived at the gardens. I’d like to say the local guide tried to cram what could easily have been a 4 hour tour into something less than two hours. So, we consequently were trying to set land speed records for walking tours as she was determined to show us as many of the Peterhof fountains as possible, and there are more than a few. My wife is a bit slow of foot as she has limited walking capacity so she was hard pressed to keep up. I, on the other hand, wanted more time to take pictures of the fountains and didn’t appreciate being rushed from spot to spot. Fortunately, our tour director Alex was particularly solicitous of my wife and made sure we could cut some corners and get ahead of the tour where necessary. Unfortunately, the local tour guide was annoyed when told to slow down and became somewhat hostile. The tour ends at the Peterhof palace which has a very large number of very beautiful fountains, all in gold leaf and is a photographer’s dream. It easily could have been worth an hour or more of picture taking opportunities. While I do understand some folks just want to check the block of having seen it and move on, there are, I think, a larger number of us who don’t expect to see those things again and want to take full advantage of the picture taking opportunities.

St. Petersburg: We spent 4 days in St. Petersburg not counting the day of arrival. The 1st full day, we had a city bus tour which included a stop & tour of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and an approximately two hour visit to the famed Hermitage Art Museum with an option to stay for an additional 90 minutes, On Day 2, we had Catherine’s Palace & Park Tour, an offsite lunch paid for by GCT followed by the optional Rivers & Canals Tour, Day 4 was the Peter & Paul Fortress, again followed by lunch (this time on your own) followed by the optional Peterhof Gardens tour. On Day 3 of the visit, there were optional tours available of Yusopov Palace and the St. Petersburg ballet (evening). The boat was moored about 1 hour from downtown, depending on traffic, as the city authorities do not allow the riverboats to moor downtown. This caused some angst among those taking their 1st river cruise as they assumed this was standard. Of course, it’s not, and in fact, almost all European river cruises including Paris moor almost in the heart of the city. However, for those with free time and a little bit of adventurism, the subway took you downtown in less than 40 minutes. There is a bus from the head of the pier which costs 30 roubles (in early June 2012, roubles were 32.5 to 1 USD). That dropped you at the nearest metro entrance where 25 roubles and 5 stops later, landed you in the heart of Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg’s equivalent to Times Square in NY or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The metro is clean, no graffiti in the stations or on the cars, efficiently run and very safe. To return to the ship, just reverse the process. Once downtown, there are many attractions within easy walking distance such as the statue of the Bronze Horseman, a tribute from Catherine the Great to Peter the Great and the Church of our Savior on the Spilled Blood on which site, Tsar Alexander II was murdered by an assassin on 1 March 1881.

This was our 2nd time in St. Petersburg as we were there on an ocean cruise of the Baltics in 2003 when the city celebrated its 300th anniversary. It is to my mind, much more European than Russian with the latest fashions on display, many, many outdoor restaurant cafes and a mostly young, apparently well off population (at least during a business day).

We had previously been to Catherine’s Palace and the Hermitage and enjoyed returning to both places. St. Isaac’s is very impressive, but unfortunately, it is crowded and pickpockets are afoot. Several men & at least 1 woman had wallets stolen in the crowds so for them, not so much fun. Peter and Paul Fortress from a historical perspective is important, but rather unimpressive.

We visited St. Petersburg during the period of the summer referred to as “White Nights” which are quite famous. Sunrise occurs about 4:30AM and sunset at 11:15PM. Since winters are long, cold, and sometimes very harsh, the many hours of sunlight are greatly appreciated and folks go out to stroll, especially on Nevsky Prospekt well into the evening hours enjoying the many parks and recreation areas throughout the city.

Svir Stroi: This is a small village of about 600 people located on the Svir River. They have the requisite souvenir shops, but the highlight of the stop was the visit to the home of a Russian villager. Our opportunity came to visit the wife of a local employee of the hydro electric plant. We visited her home and were served tea & pirozhki’s (Russian tea cakes). With the able help of our tour director, Tanya who translated, the lady explained her daily life in the village and the challenges ordinary people now face compared to the days of the Soviet Union. This is also where we first encountered the fierce Russian mosquitoes or as the tour directors called them, the KGB mosquitoes. They’re big, they bite and they fly around over the 3 months of summer. Mosquito repellent does, however, work when liberally applied.

Petrozavodsk: This port city on Lake Onega which is the second largest lake in Europe, only surpassed by Lake Ladoga, included a bus tour as well as a visit to the memorial to Russian’s Unknown Soldier from World War II, and a tour of the local market. It is the industrial, cultural, and scientific center of the Republic of Karelia. The visit also included an optional tour to a Karelian folk show which we opted not to attend.

Kizhi (Kee-shee) Island: This small island in the center of Lake Onega is home to the oldest known wooden church in Russia, the Church of Transfiguration which features 22 timbered onion shaped domes. The church was assembled without the use of a single metal nail and is currently undergoing extensive renovation. The stop also featured a “Fishing with the Ship’s Captain & Staff” for those who are ardent anglers. Fishing apparently wasn’t so successful as we did not have fish on the menu that evening!

Goritzy/Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery: Goritsky is just another tiny town, but the monastery was built in 1397 and had close connections with Ivan the Terrible. At one time, over 200 monks lived in the monastery, but with the Russian revolution and the harsh suppression of religion in Russia, it deteriorated significantly and now houses only 6 monks. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, restoration efforts have begun and the museum features an impressive collection of Russian Orthodox icons.

Uglich: The last city we visited prior to Moscow is located on the Volga River. Cruising on the river as you come onto Uglich is very impressive. The Kremlin (or fortress) has no exterior walls so the many colored churches and domes make great picture opportunities. The very large Cathedral of Transfiguration looms over the town while the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood with its rich red walls and blue onion domes offer a sharp contrast. Souvenir and shops selling all sorts of goods line the route from the ship’s berth to the main street of Uglich. We were told by the local guide that as many as 7 to 8 river cruise ships a day visit Uglich during the summer. They also were having a display of lacquer and paper Mache’ boxes for sale at very Western prices. Enameled watches are also a specialty of Uglich. We were treated to a short concert by a group of male classically trained singers who rendered several Russian songs a capella during our visit.

Moscow: We arrived in Moscow about 3 hours late because of heavy fog the previous evening while transiting the Moscow Canal. The river authorities do not allow movement in the canal during heavy fog, so we waited out the down time in one of the locks. The ship moored a good ways from downtown as the city authorities do not allow river cruise ships downtown, the same rule as St. Petersburg. Moscow is a city of 11.5 million people and traffic can be a nightmare. However, we were fortunate to arrive on a Monday before a national holiday (Day of Russia) on Tuesday and Moscovites are like people everywhere; they angle to take the day before a big holiday off. So, the traffic to downtown was pretty light and we made up some time on the city tour which started in the famous Red Square outside the Kremlin walls. The tour included a walk around Saint Basil’s Cathedral which is actually a museum, then on to the GUM department store which resembles a U.S. mall. We also walked past a “Historic Toilet” located in Gum’s that I believe was the 1st indoor lavatory in a Moscow department store. (Use of the WC was 84 roubles for those interested; I took a pass). We also went for a ride on the famed Moscow metro where many of the stations are elaborately decorated in frescoes, busts representing the struggle of the common man, and other adornments of the Russian revolution. As in St. Petersburg, the metro is clean (no graffiti in the stations or on the cars) and very safe.

The next day was the national holiday so our tours steered us quite far from Red Square (where demonstrations were purported to occur against the Presidential election recently completed) and out to Sparrow Hills which is a high priced area of the city. We also toured the New Maiden cemetery where various Russian notables such as Boris Yeltsin and Nikita Khrushchev are buried. The evening tour involved a visit to the Moscow circus which has been in continuous operation since 1980. A fun time of clowns, jugglers, trained poodles, bears, a lion taming act and culminated with a trapeze performance by 5 daring men & 1 woman.

The following day was a tour inside the Kremlin walls and to one of the 5 churches located inside the walls. I found it ironic that 5 churches would be allowed to exist following the revolution, but many things in Russia are strange, this only being one example. We also toured the Kremlin armory which contains the Tsar’s Crown Jewels, armor and armaments of the 16th- 18th century, many Tsarina coronation and wedding dresses as well as a very extensive display of Faberge eggs. The tour concluded with lunch at Moscow’s Hard Rock Café and time to tour Arbat Street which is a pedestrian only street in the heart of Moscow.

We had family obligations that required us to cut the last full day off the cruise and return home via direct flight from Moscow to Dulles International.

Final Observations: It was a very interesting and different river cruise for us. Because the distances are so vast, there is a lot more down time on this cruise than one in European waters, but Grand Circle can make it as busy or as relaxed as you like. The meals were comparable to those served on our other river cruises for quantity and quality. There are slightly more optional tours than with some other companies, but on the other hand, some of the included tours were excellent. St. Petersburg is a great city and one I’d be pleased to visit again; Moscow, not so much. Grand Circle is certainly worth your consideration as a cruise line as the prices are competitive with all other Russian river cruises. We did book our air through Grand Circle which I’m normally reluctant to do, but the routing was the same that I would have chosen had I done my own booking and the pricing was better than I could do on my own, especially considering what GCT would have charged for transfers to and from the ship. We did not purchase travel insurance through GCT as I found we could do better by shopping around over the Internet.

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Share on other sites, beverlyjack.

We did this trip in 2004, aboard the chartered Nicholay Chernychevski, before Grand Circle had put the Tikhi Don into service. This was an excellent review and brings back memories. Please post it under Travelers Reviews on http://www.gct.com on this trip.

Thank you for the informative review. I am taking this tour in mid August. I will print what you wrote so that I can refer to it as I do some of my planning.

How many people were in your "group" ? Did you take the pretrip to Helsinki and Tallinn?

We had about 32 people in our group. I don't know what, if any criteria, other than numbers were used to make up the groups. We did not take any pre or post trips with this cruise.

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5-Star Luxury River Cruise - St. Petersburg - Golden Ring - Moscow - 8 Days (CR-58)

• Accommodation
• Full board meals
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Note on pricing:

• All prices are per person, in US dollars. All included services are listed in the tour dossier and the section "Included" in the tour description.
• Price "Excluding flight" does not cover airfare, you are free to book your own flights. Alternatively we can quote for flights from any international airport.
• Single supplement goes towards single room (cabin for cruises) accommodation.
• Discouns for children .