Key Aspects:
- Guests onboard Symphony of the Seas were reminded of Royal Caribbean’s policies regarding cabin door decorations.
- Royal Caribbean stated that it is not liable if door decorations are lost or stolen.
- The cruise line also suggests that guests with the itch to decorate use magnets to avoid potential damage and safety concerns.
Likely due to bad behavior, Royal Caribbean has been forced to remind current guests onboard Symphony of the Seas about its policies for cabin door decor.
A letter about the ins and outs of door decor, which was obtained by Cruise Hive, was issued during the Oasis-class ship’s current 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. The voyage was only recently embarked on in Galveston, Texas, on May 10, 2026.
One key element of the letter suggests that decor thievery might be a problem onboard the 228,081-gross ton vessel, as Royal Caribbean is making it clear that the cruise line will not be held liable for missing decor.
“Please Note: We expect guests to be mindful of your door display, but any decoration displayed outside of your stateroom door is done at your own risk,” Royal Caribbean wrote.
“Royal Caribbean International is not responsible for any items on display that go missing outside of your room,” the letter continued.
However, this does not mean Royal Caribbean won’t assist guests if their items do disappear. It simply means the cruise line will not be liable or on the hook to pay for stolen decor.
Guests are encouraged to bring any concerns to their cabin steward. Passengers may also want to check surrounding doors before panicking over missing decor, as Cruise Hive has heard of kids or other guests moving magnets as a prank.
Cruise Guests Report Stolen Door Decor
As the letter began making waves on social media, recent passengers of Symphony of the Seas were quick to note instances of thievery during their voyages, mostly from unsupervised children.
Considering many guests dedicate a lot of time and money to choosing decor and/or making custom magnets, it can be disappointing to see their stuff go missing.
“We got off on Sunday and there were so many people saying that kids were stealing their magnets. Sad that people can’t respect others,” one recent guest said on Facebook.
“We were on deck 6 and kids were moving decorations around! Our happy birthday banner got moved,” another recent passenger recalled.
Of course, not every guest had the same experience. Others had cruised with Royal Caribbean many times and their displays were never touched.
“Been on lots of cruises and always put something on my door. So far I’ve never had anything stolen,” one avid cruiser remarked.
Others took matters into their own hands by writing messages to potential magnet thieves to deter their bad behavior. For example, one woman wrote “remember, there are cameras in the hallways” on the back of one of her decorative magnets.
Cruise Cabin Door Decorations (Photo Credits: Catie Kovelman & KellyGman)
The other scenario in which door decor might go missing is if crew members notice that the decorations are inappropriate, offensive, or potentially dangerous.
In some cases, guests have reported receiving a warning from the cruise line and/or returning to their staterooms to find the removed decor waiting on their beds, though it could also be confiscated and discarded.
Royal Caribbean’s Door Decor Policies
Speaking of permitted and forbidden decor, Royal Caribbean also took this opportunity to remind guests on what is and isn’t allowed to adorn their cabin doors.
The cruise line recommended magnetic decorations, as they won’t damage the door or door frame like tape, glue, nails, or other adhesives would.
“Pro-Tip: Magnetic decorations are an easy and fun way to adorn your stateroom,” Royal Caribbean advised.
Conversely, decorations that cover the peephole, use lithium-powered lights, pose a fire hazard, or touch the door frame are not allowed due to potential safety risks.
Lithium-powered lights and batteries are particularly dangerous because they run a risk of overheating and causing fires.
Royal Caribbean does allow lithium batteries onboard, including those in personal electronics and power banks, but they must be brought onboard via carry-on luggage and not checked bags due to the potential fire risks.
Covering the peephole means that crew members cannot guarantee that cruise cabins are secure and people inside cannot verify the identity of employees or visitors before opening their door.
Finally, allowing decor to touch the door frame can interfere with the door’s opening and closing mechanisms, damage the fire-rated coating on the door frame, and hurt the aesthetic.
If guests didn’t know this information prior to embarking on their current sailing, they’ll at least be prepared for their next cruise vacation.
