Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Why Do People Hide Rubber Ducks on Cruise Ships Cruise Ducks 101

ducks on cruise ships

There are a few Facebook Groups dedicated to the fun activity of hiding and finding ducks. They’re a place to connect with other cruisers, get ideas and see the ducks that are being prepared for upcoming cruises, as well as the photos posted of ducks that are found on board. If you’ve cruised lately, you may have found a hidden little yellow gift somewhere on the cruise ship.

Searching for rubber ducks? Where should you look?

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. In this post I go over everything you need to know about cruising ducks, from it’s origins to how you play the game. If you find a duck, whether you keep it or re-hide it, be sure to post a photo per the accompanying instructions. If you are specifically looking for rubber ducks, you’ll want to look in these same places. Look down on the ground, behind tables, statues, and trash cans.

Some Cruising Ducks have a Story

Don't just walk around from bar to bar with your head down looking at your phone. Look up, look down, look to your side and everywhere in between. Some folks try to find the most hidden spots to place their ducks while others will simply place it on the back of a chair in the atrium or tuck it in between trays at the buffet. Here’s a list of some Facebook groups I found which will have posts from people sharing the ducks they’ve made and are ready to hide, and others who have found them and posted.

Why do people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships?

Those who know about Cruise Ducks love them, and that includes even the most serious-minded cruise advisor. On a previous cruise, my in-laws found a duck in a face mask hammock with a tiny face mask over its bill. They also found a duck with a homemade sombrero and tiny guitar. When you find a duck, you can keep it as a souvenir, re-hide it in a new spot, or return it for another guest to see.

Here’s What It Means if You See a Rubber Ducky on a Cruise Ship

Like pixie dust at Disney parks, these little trinkets serve no purpose other than spreading joy to strangers. My in-laws were happy to get my kids involved in that, and I was too. Keeping these guidelines in mind ensures the activity remains fun for everyone. 🙈 Cabin hallways can be a great place to hide a duck, as many staterooms have small shelves outside of them. Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, cleaning, humor, tech and fun facts all week long. You can also consider creating custom ducks with your charity’s logo or message, which can be sold as souvenirs during your event.

However, as policies and practices evolve, the future of this beloved activity could be subject to change across different cruise lines. This activity transforms the cruise ship into a massive scavenger hunt without any clues, fostering a sense of surprise and community among passengers. Finders of these ducks typically share their discoveries on platforms like Instagram or specific Facebook groups, using hashtags like #CruisingDucks or #CruiseDucks. Some even take the ducks on their future cruises, documenting their travels and sharing the journey online.

Once you find a duck, you have the option to decide what to do with it. However, other stories state that it started earlier on the Carnival Cruise Line. Regardless of its origins, this tradition has become even more popular since the cruise restart in 2021. Though some Cruise Duck finders re-hide them, many keep them as souvenirs of their cruise.

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It gained popularity through social media and has since become a popular tradition on many cruise lines. If you're new to cruising, you might not be aware of the cruise duck tradition. While a relatively new phenomenon, hiding ducks on a cruise ship is a fun activity that connects cruisers from across the world.

A Passenger-Created Treasure Hunt for Ducks

Look online and you’ll find all sorts of Facebook groups for finding ducks on cruise ships, or you might see them posted on the group of a specific cruise sailing. While hiding cruise ducks is most well known on Carnival cruises, you’re likely to find cruising ducks on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Disney and other popular cruise lines. Having never taken a real cruise before, I had no idea people hide rubber ducks on ships for fellow passengers and crew to find. The idea behind ducks on cruise ships is to create a fun activity and foster a sense of community, interaction, and adventure during your journey.

ducks on cruise ships

To participate, you can buy or create your own cruise ducks and hide them in various nooks and crannies around the ship. If you find a duck, you can either keep it or re-hide it for someone else to find. Be sure to follow any rules or guidelines provided, and remember to avoid hiding ducks in areas like pools, hot tubs, or stores. As well as being a popular activity on cruise ships, these little rubber ducks are also often used for fundraising and charity efforts.

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So, consider spending a few dollars more to find ones in different fun shapes, colors, and themes. In cruise duck facebook groups, people will post photos of their cruise ducks, tags and passports as they get ready for their upcoming cruise. Cruise lines don’t mind cruisers bringing the novelty ducks onboard. However, there is a rule that cruise ducks can’t be hidden in shops, pools and hot tubs. It might sound silly, but there are rules for hiding rubber ducks on cruises.

"The cruise lines are very particular about not allowing travel agents to advertise while onboard the ships," Thune said. It was still fun for the kids and a great lesson in doing things for others, with nothing expected in return. Several passengers posted photos of the ducks in a Facebook group we joined for the cruise, and the smiles on their faces were totally worth it. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations.

That said, you must always prioritize the safety and cleanliness of the ship and its passengers. It’s crucial not to interfere with the ship’s property or operations while placing a cruise duck. I’ve seen creative ways to hide these distractions on a cruise ship – tucked in plants, perched on balcony railings, or even nestled in elevator corners. 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.

There aren’t any formal rules to the game, but we’ve put together some general guidelines to make the most of this activity. Some people keep the ducks they find as souvenirs of their trip. 🔎 Search the popular gathering areas, such as the atrium, lido deck, and other public venues that tend to see a lot of foot traffic. You might have to get a little creative with where you look, though. Rather than searching on top of the pool chairs, for instance, check underneath.

Share your duck finds on social media, connect with fellow cruisers in online communities, and become part of a growing global phenomenon that celebrates joy, community, and the spirit of adventure. The best cruise rubber ducks can be traced back to their original owners via an information card attached to the Duck. This card or “tag” and will usually have the name of the person or family who left the duck and where that family is from. We’d guess that cruises during the summer and holidays when there are more kids sailing are more apt to have a greater number of ducks as it seems to be popular with families. In other words, it could be that your cruise has a lot of ducks to find or fewer than normal. Right now I feel like this trend is right at the edge of turning into something big that will be part of cruises for decades to come.

It’s fun to put your information on cruise duck tags or “passports”. Some people use stickers and place these right on the bottom of the duck, or may even label with a permanent marker. The cruise ducks game is simple, but there are actually rules to follow and a few things to know.

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