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If you're lucky enough to find a duck on a cruise ship, you can either keep it or re-hide it for another passenger. Essentially, hunting for ducks on a cruise is like participating in a scavenger hunt, just without any hints. If you are new, definitely go for a “starter set” with say 20 ducks. If you find you enjoy it, then look at something more sophisticated for your next cruise. You should also add the #cruisingducks and any other hashtags you want to use to trace its journey. For instance, you might give your duck a name like #daisythecruiseduck.
Cruise ducks: all about hiding ducks on a cruise ship - Cruise Blog
Cruise ducks: all about hiding ducks on a cruise ship.
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruising Ducks, what are all the rubber ducks on cruise ships?
Just remember to follow the rules and guidelines, and feel free to join in on the fun, whether you’re hiding ducks or searching for them during your cruise. For more experienced duck fans, they offer a wide variety of options, such as themed ducks, bulk rubber ducks, and even customizable duck sets. Just type “cruising ducks” in the search bar to find the perfect ducks for your trip. They thought it would be a fun idea to bring 50 rubber ducks along on their 7-day cruise and hide them around the ship for others to find.
What should you do if you find a cruise duck?
Although some people claim the practice originated earlier (as far back as 2015), most people agree that the rise in popularity of cruise ducks can be traced back to 2018. This was when a 10-year-old girl named Abby Davis and her father took a Carnival Cruise. This simple act of fun transforms a simple duck hunt into a beloved activity, uniting passengers in laughter and adventure, as they seek these hidden treasures on the high seas.
Cruise Ducks: Everything You Need to Know – FAQ

Regardless of its origins, this tradition has become even more popular since the cruise restart in 2021. Remember that not everyone has internet while cruising or social media (Facebook or Instagram). While the trend dates back to at least 2015, most people credit the trend’s popularity to a 10-year-old girl named Abby Davis. On a previous cruise, my in-laws found a duck in a face mask hammock with a tiny face mask over its bill.
How Cruise Ducks Got Started
The page is also a great resource, especially for those looking for templates for the “Passports” many use to tag their ducks. When hiding you want to make it a challenge (so don’t just set it in the middle of a table somewhere), but not so hard that it won’t be found before the end of the cruise. Perhaps the nicest thing to do is to “pay it forward” with the duck. When you find it, grab it and then find a new hiding place for someone else to discover. This keeps the duck in play and the hunt ongoing versus taking it out of circulation. There’s music, events, shows, waterslides, arcades, and a lot more.
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Cruise ducks can be hidden anywhere but the cruise shop (because you don’t want to unknowingly steal a duck, thinking it was a cruise duck) or any of the pools or hot tubs, for safety reasons. No one really knows how many ducks are scattered across a given cruise ship, but judging from the Facebook page, some people may be carting entire suitcases filled with ducks to hide. If the ducks you buy do not come with pre-made labels or tags, a variety of templates for cruise duck tags can be found online, including on the dedicated cruising ducks Facebook page and groups. Cruise ducks can be a fun game onboard nearly any cruise ship, but guests sailing with Disney Cruise Line will now have fewer opportunities to either hide or find these quirky keepsakes. In response to passenger inquiries, the cruise line has confirmed that they prefer guests not hide ducks around their ships.
Although most cruise lines continue to allow people to hide cruise ducks, make sure to check with your cruise line beforehand as official policies can change. Holiday ducks are particularly popular, matching the spirit of Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and other holidays. Additionally, many cruisers enjoy hiding ducks that reflect their personal interests or backgrounds. This could mean choosing a cowboy duck to represent Texas roots or a duck painted in the colors of a favorite sports team. Some even use these ducks to raise awareness for causes or to honor special individuals in their lives. One way to use cruising ducks for fundraising is by organizing a duck-themed event or game on your cruise.

What is the story behind the cruise duck?
This fun game is entirely unofficial, but finding and hiding ducks on cruise ships can be a fun activity during your next cruise, especially for kids. It’s similar to Jeep ducks, another hide-and-seek activity with toy ducks. There are several theories online about how the practice of hiding mini rubber ducks onboard cruise ships began. Some sites claim the practice of hiding ducks on ships dates back to at least 2015. Recently, Disney Cruise Line has put a stop to the tradition of hiding cruise ducks on their ships.
They’re also fairly cheap and only take up a little space in your luggage. It is always important to abide by cruise line’s policies, however, and guests taking Disney cruises should leave their ducks at home. Even if you are cruising on the same ship on an itinerary immediately after someone who has hidden ducks, there is a chance there will be some stragglers around to seek out.
They are purposely placed by passengers for others to find on all types of cruises—not just the best family cruises or themed cruises. The ducks are almost like secret cruise ship code words, but in a cute, plastic way. There’s a meaning behind them that you’re probably going to become obsessed with. Trust me—I’ve been there, done that, and participating in this tradition is something you won’t want to miss on your next cruise.
Cruises and ducks both float atop the water, but those aren’t the cruise ducks we’re talking about. Believe it or not, thousands of little toy ducks have been hiding all over cruise ships — some in plain sight. This hide-and-seek game has historically been one for those in the know.
If you’ve cruised lately, you may have found a hidden little yellow gift somewhere on the cruise ship. In recent years, cruise passengers have taken to hiding little rubber ducks in various spots around the ships. There are so many cute rubber ducks that you can use if you’re bringing cruising ducks. You can even find some for holidays like Christmas, Easter and Halloween!. Cruise lines don’t mind cruisers bringing the novelty ducks onboard.
You can also choose to include additional information, such as a QR code or your e-mail address. Think of it a bit like geocaching, but simpler — and with ducks. I couldn’t help but notice that beyond these adorable rubber ducks, there are tons of other stuff all dedicated in some way to Cruising Ducks. I’ve seen people posting duck socks, duck ties, and duck t-shirts. Once people find a cruise duck, they’ll often post a picture of it in a Cruising Duck Facebook page or use the hashtag #cruisingducks and post to Instagram. Some even keep ducks until their next cruise, or photograph them on different adventures at different ports of call, even on different ships as they travel the cruising world.
Some travelers reposition ducks immediately, while others might wait for a day or two. As of now, were not aware of any cruise line adding rubber ducks to their list of prohibited items. Some cruise staff even get involved, joining the hunt or helping to hide ducks in creative locations. Most cruise lines have embraced the phenomenon, adding claw machines where passengers can win a little duck to hide on the ship.
Social media groups dedicated to the ducks continue to drive interest in the game, and finding even one duck can be a source of delight for folks of all ages. Similar to the painted rocks scavenger hunts, the hide-and-seek of ducks can add even more fun to every cruise sailing. Many cruise ships now offer claw games, where the prize is, you guessed it, a rubber duck. Drop us an anchor below to share the most creative cruise duck you’ve ever found. There are often social events on board various cruise ships that center around these delightful little toys.
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