Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, analyzed the Hantavirus outbreak associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship. This event led to Canada’s first confirmed Hantavirus case and prompted the ship’s disinfection at a Dutch port. Siegel interviewed a doctor aboard the ship who dealt with a false positive Hantavirus test. The doctor assured the public that the risk currently remains low.

Meanwhile, traditional cruise ship practices are attracting controversy. The tradition of using personalized signs, banners, and magnets for room identification and celebrating milestones faces stricter enforcement. Passengers of Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas expressed dissatisfaction with a new policy banning decorations outside stateroom doors.

According to Cruise Hive, Royal Caribbean outlined guidelines preventing placement of materials on stateroom doors and ship corridors. This prohibition challenges the longstanding custom of decorating doors to help passengers navigate long and identical hallways.

Cruise operators primarily cite fire safety concerns and potential damage to doors from adhesives. Carnival Cruise Line insists on decorations made solely of fire retardant materials and prohibits string lights.

Adhesives such as duct tape, superglues, and command strips can damage the ship’s metal doors. Disney Cruise Line warns against using adhesives, as they may harm the finish. Additionally, door decorations are susceptible to theft and vandalism.

Despite guest services tracking stolen decorations with security cameras in some instances, such matters are now seen as guests’ own responsibility. Royal Caribbean noted in a letter that any items missing from door displays are not their responsibility.

Concerns over safety, theft, and damage continue to divide the cruise community. Some frequent cruisers view door decorating as a crucial part of their cruise experience.