Door decorations?

[OlsSalt]

You've got to be kidding me. My cabin door is a shared public space? And decorating it intrudes on other passengers' enjoyment? The world according to OlsSalt, complete with numerous rules and regulations.

 

Roz

 

Yes, your cabin door is a shared public space facing the public walkways. How else could you describe it? Even your interior space comes under company regulations. If HAL wants to regulate every square inch of the entire ship, this is their right and jurisdiction. And if passengers want to chose a more "free-style" cruise ship, that is their right too. This is not hard. So far HAL has not issued any guidelines on this activity one way or the other, other than case by case basis.

 

However, Carnival ships did chose to regulate exteiror "door decorations" and even inside cabin decorations. Things must have gotten out of hand leaving this to only passenger voluntary "discretion". Too bad the passengers could not regulate themselves up front to avoid this more draconian response banning them now for everyone.

[CineGraphic]

You've got to be kidding me. My cabin door is a shared public space? And decorating it intrudes on other passengers' enjoyment? The world according to OlsSalt, complete with numerous rules and regulations.

 

 

 

Roz

 

 

 

What’s next? You can only wear a cologne or perfume that someone else approves of!?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone while I probably should be working.

[Roz]

We're talking about a few fun door decorations, for god's sake. It's not like someone is decorating the atrium or the Crow's Nest. Why not suck the joy out of everything?

 

Roz

[rjbean4]

My mom met recently with a friend of hers for lunch. Afterwards mom told me how her friend was complaining about everything and that included the new seating at our closest AMC movie theater.

If people complain about cabin door decorations then they probably complain about everything and nothing is good enough for them. When I have done ours I always get positive comments and that includes our cabin stewards who also like the decorating I do inside our cabin. Gets them into the fun of the holiday too. Have also had the same response to people next to us as it helps them find their cabin.

For those haters and complainers maybe just say have a nice cruise and move on. Hopefully you won't see them again.

[OlsSalt]

My mom met recently with a friend of hers for lunch. Afterwards mom told me how her friend was complaining about everything and that included the new seating at our closest AMC movie theater.

If people complain about cabin door decorations then they probably complain about everything and nothing is good enough for them. When I have done ours I always get positive comments and that includes our cabin stewards who also like the decorating I do inside our cabin. Gets them into the fun of the holiday too. Have also had the same response to people next to us as it helps them find their cabin.

For those haters and complainers maybe just say have a nice cruise and move on. Hopefully you won't see them again.

 

The world is not divided up just between "hater and complainers" versus free, anything goes thinkers. Add a few more shades of gray to your world view. And label less. HAL to the best of our knowledge has no universal restrictions on door decorations. Those who find them tacky have to live with them. Cut them some slack.

[Tampa Girl]

It is my understanding that the Carnival Cruise Line's prohibition has to do mainly with avoiding non-fire retardant decorations. It has nothing to do with stifling the passenger's decorative talents. Most of the junk, $Tree type decorations are, indeed, flammable, and that is a good reason not to have it on the outside of the doors. (That assumes, of course, that the carpet is not going to go up in flames.) And, by the way, I thought that Christmas tree lights, battery operated or not, are definitely a no-no.

 

Also, for adhesion purposes, HAL has said in some letter distributed, I think, to GV cruisers, that either magnet or Command -type strips be used. "Puddy-type sounds like it would leave a residue or, worse, harm a finish.

 

It will be interesting to see what HAL dictates for our forthcoming Grand Asia. I understand their informational data will be delivered shortly.

[SilvertoGold]

Concerning pax feelings about door decorations:

 

A neighbour on an Antarctic cruise had a small 2" x 2" white paper snowflake scotch-taped to the mailbox beside their door. Someone ripped the middle part right through in spite of the tape. The neighbour replaced it and it happened once more, then it was left alone.

 

Not likely kids as there were very few on the ship and not around our hallway. Pretty strong, petty feelings about this for someone to vandalize this twice. Totally beyond my comprehension.

[bEwAbG]

I think the over-the-top displays spilled over from Disney. They have published guidelines as well now, including: "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."

 

In general, no cruise line wants you to use anything that might leave a residue or requires their staff to spend time cleaning up after you. Magnetic signs are the least intrusive, assuming you have a metal door (I think that is the case on all HAL cruises).

 

The advice to find some little something to clip on to the mail holder is a good one. Make sure it's nothing sentimental because people may help themselves to it. I did not see evidence of a lot of door decorating on my Nieuw Amsterdam cruise in May but it did occur. Someone in our hallway was having a birthday so there were balloons up all week. There was a newlywed sign up as well. Our stateroom was the first one past a metal strip across the floor, so also point out that type of architectural stuff to your dad, if it applies.

[sailingskyward]

To the OP - Decorate your door and have a great time on your well-earned cruise vacation! Don't listen to anybody who tells you otherwise. You paid for the cruise and I think the door decor looks great most of the time!

[AncientWanderer]

Something on the door sounds like a great way to help an elderly couple easily find their stateroom. Numbers are easily forgotten! We probably should have thought to do this when we traveled with DH’s mother. She did get “confused” a couple of times.

 

I enjoy seeing the sporadic door decorations. There are usually just a few, but I have to give credit for being organized enough to pack the stuff. Sort of like those cute clips that hold towels firmly to the lounge chairs — I think they’re darling, but I’ll never be the girl who thinks to bring them along.

 

 

Little bright spots you see here and there are sweet, I think.

[VennDiagram]

Something on the door sounds like a great way to help an elderly couple easily find their stateroom. Numbers are easily forgotten! We probably should have thought to do this when we traveled with DH’s mother. She did get “confused” a couple of times.

 

I enjoy seeing the sporadic door decorations. There are usually just a few, but I have to give credit for being organized enough to pack the stuff. Sort of like those cute clips that hold towels firmly to the lounge chairs — I think they’re darling, but I’ll never be the girl who thinks to bring them along.

 

 

Little bright spots you see here and there are sweet, I think.

 

I agree. And one doesn't need to be elderly to use the door decorations to find a cabin. We have, several times, navigated using other cabins' door decorations, and we would not be considered elderly. Frequently confused, but not elderly :)

 

I especially like your comment "Little bright spots you see here and there are sweet"

[Molson99]

We simply tape a bow to our door so it is easy to see which hall it is down. We DO see door decorations many times on HAL, as long as it doesn't damage the door, who cares?

[newcruiser58]

So - yesterday after reading many of the replies I cancelled my amazon order for the window clings. I made a word document that will hopefully look a little classier that I will accessorize:). I guess I'll plan on using magnets to hold it up. I may look for a clip of some sort to put on their mailbox as that seems like an excellent idea also!

[rjbean4]

Thanks Roz for backing me up. People that complain a lot are people we don't like to be around.

 

We had a pretty bad experience once with table mates (2 Couples) that were traveling together and didn't want to include us in any of the conversation. Its a story in itself. One of the few things I said was that we have done a lot of cruising. We did change our table after that night and even our dining room stewards told us they could see it happening and our change had nothing to do with them. When one of the former table mates saw us standing in line for the mariners reception she noticed the platinum medallions we had to confirm we have done a lot of cruising and during the reception as it turned out if I remember that same former table mate received the 300 day medallion when we were well over 700.

 

newcruiser58, one idea is if you are making something and printing it out you could laminate it to help protect it. I do it as I re use what I have made and just use that sticky Tac 'N Stick to put it up. then I make sure I get all of it off when taking everything down. I have never noticed it leaving a mark.

[CherryG]

It’s nothing we’ve ever done, but I know we have used other people’s decoration as a guide to which way to go. I don’t see anything wrong with something small, like bow or ballon. Just enjoy the cruise and don’t worry about other people and their hang ups.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[midwest 852]

Yes, your cabin door is a shared public space facing the public walkways. How else could you describe it? Even your interior space comes under company regulations. If HAL wants to regulate every square inch of the entire ship, this is their right and jurisdiction. And if passengers want to chose a more "free-style" cruise ship, that is their right too. This is not hard. So far HAL has not issued any guidelines on this activity one way or the other, other than case by case basis.

 

However, Carnival ships did chose to regulate exteiror "door decorations" and even inside cabin decorations. Things must have gotten out of hand leaving this to only passenger voluntary "discretion". Too bad the passengers could not regulate themselves up front to avoid this more draconian response banning them now for everyone.

 

 

Your Information is not correct Carnival does allow cabin doors to be decorated both sides.(cannot block door ways). Just off the Vista there were very elaborate doors and fun to look at. A large group on board had a best cabin door Contest & carnival provided prizes.

[OlsSalt]

We simply tape a bow to our door so it is easy to see which hall it is down. We DO see door decorations many times on HAL, as long as it doesn't damage the door, who cares?

 

Looks like Carnival ships risk management cared about flammable door and cabin decorations. That's who. Might be one thing to consider, so it does not become to a highly regulated activity on HAL ships too.

[travel4adventure]

We cruised over Easter, multi-generational, and I purchased seven magnetic wipe off boards for all the family members' cabins. It was a great way to 'decorate ' for the Holiday, as we posted 'Happy Easter' along with some ( not so good ) artwork. Better yet, it was a great way to communicate - we would write 'Good Morning' to let the grandkids know we were awake and ready for visitors! It allowed us to meet up with others in our family by writing a quick note on the door to let them know where we were heading off to.

I found these magnetic boards at a dollar type store and they each came with two magnets that came in handy inside the cabins as well.

My suggestion is to do whatever makes your cruise more enjoyable for you!

[lazey1]

I didn't realize this topic would be so polarizing!

 

My Father-in-law is in his 80's and I really believe it will make it easier for him to identify the rooms. That's really the only reason for it. We are celebrating their 60th anniversary and I have ordered the anniversary package with balloons and flowers.

 

The decorations would be minimal - 5 letters on one door and 4 on the other. I wasn't sure if magnets would work, but if they will that would be preferable.

 

I can't imagine the color bleeding from a window cling. Maybe those "gel" clings, but not the plastic window clings. If magnets will work then I could just make my own out of paper.

 

and BTW - they are in 7048 and we are in 7049 on the Zaandam - opposite sides of the ship. Not next to each other.

 

My husband and I spent our 50th anniversary aboard the Eurodam. I had also ordered the anniversary package with balloons and flowers. When we arrived at our cabin the balloons with a large Happy 50th Anniversary sign were attached to our door and the flowers were in the cabin with more balloons. The cabin attendants had decided to surprise us. They were in the cabin and sang the Happy Anniversary song to us.

[newcruiser58]

Lazey1 I hope that's the case! That would be awesome!

[colbe]

I was hoping to put a Just married sigh on our door as we will be honeymooning in Alaska 9/8

 

On one cruise there was a couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. They were in the penthouse - one of the staff made a laminated sign 'Just Married' and attached it to their door!

[iancal]

Why on earth would anyone care what some other cruiser puts on his/her cabin door?

 

Don't understand the fascination with this. Why not MYOB and let others get on with it?

[actdir]

I didn't realize this topic would be so polarizing!

 

My Father-in-law is in his 80's and I really believe it will make it easier for him to identify the rooms. That's really the only reason for it. We are celebrating their 60th anniversary and I have ordered the anniversary package with balloons and flowers.

 

The decorations would be minimal - 5 letters on one door and 4 on the other. I wasn't sure if magnets would work, but if they will that would be preferable.

 

I can't imagine the color bleeding from a window cling. Maybe those "gel" clings, but not the plastic window clings. If magnets will work then I could just make my own out of paper.

 

and BTW - they are in 7048 and we are in 7049 on the Zaandam - opposite sides of the ship. Not next to each other.

 

I have escorted groups from a retirement community and we usually cruise around the holidays. I have used dollar store garland with the self-stick magnets and they work great. It really is a good way to zero in on your cabin. Makes it festive and leaves no residue. It helps when other members of the group are looking for a friend's cabin too.

[cruisemom42]

I was hoping to put a Just married sigh on our door as we will be honeymooning in Alaska 9/8

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

A just married sign is fine for the door, but probably best to save those "just married sighs" for INSIDE the cabin, if you know what I mean... ;) :D

[cruisetheworld67]

Looks like the experience on Carnival ships that banned these due to fire hazard and crew safety concern may well play out on other ships too ....if as you suggest informal door decorations are taken to excess by their standards.. Or maybe Carnival just wanted a piece of the action allowing only inside cabin decorations they sell themselves.

 

It is the decision of other passengers to decide how they want to enjoy their cruise just as much as you claim to support those door decorating passengers who choose intrude on other passenger's enjoyment of shared public spaces. No sure why you view this so unilaterally. But it does seem to be an emerging social trend. I hear it elsewhere too.

 

Maybe it is just a newer variation of the 1960's mantra - follow your bliss and do your own thing. With the caveat ...as long as you don't hurt other people. How do you measure that when it is not even in consideration or you choose upfront what you think should "hurt or not". Not sure whether I am hearing a neo-libertarianism or just plain selfishness today. But I am hearing something new in thought, action and attitude across the ....new media.

 

Wow! Seems like most posters in this thread agree that this is a non issue. But along with the official HAL "passenger dress code supervisor" on Gala Nights; you are hereby nominated as "passenger door decoration fire safety supervisor." Congratulations!:')

You even managed to insert politics ....somehow...into the conversation. Cool story Bro!:rolleyes: