You are on a fancy cruise ship, watching the sun set over the shiny water while enjoying a fruity drink. Suddenly, you see small yellow rubber ducks hiding behind many objects. These are Cruise Ducks, it’s a fun game where people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships for others to find.
Passengers buy or make ducks to hide before the cruise. Sometimes, there’s a note with the duck saying where it’s from. It’s like a scavenger hunt, but without clues.
If you’re new to Cruising Ducks or have questions about buying, finding or hiding them, this guide has you covered.
What are Cruise Ducks and What is Hiding Ducks on a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ducks are small rubber or plastic ducks that passengers hide on the ship. You can buy yellow cruise rubber ducks or themed ducks to show your personality.
Themed ducks include sports ducks for hockey or baseball, and holiday ducks for Christmas and Halloween, Princess ducks, and more. These cute ducks can add charm to any collection.
Some people make their own ducks by knitting or crocheting them, while others make homemade keychains. People are getting creative with this cruise trend. Cruising ducks is a fun game with rules to follow if you bring them on your cruise vacation.
People hide cruising ducks on a cruise ship in clever ways, like in plants, on balcony railings, or in elevator corners. It’s important to always prioritize the safety and cleanliness of the ship and its passengers. Make sure not to disrupt the ship’s property or operations when placing a cruise duck.
Format for Cruise Duck Tags
Ducks on cruise ships are sometimes found with notes asking to contact the owner or post a picture in a Facebook group. Some ducks have the ship’s name and sailing date, making them souvenirs. When a duck is found, the finder must decide whether to keep it or re-hide it after posting a picture as requested.
Cruising ducks tags have specific text written on it:
Name: You can use your real name or a nickname
Date Hidden: April 20, 2024
Ship: Carnival Jubilee
Message: “Congratulations, you find me! Please take a photo with me and post it on social media using the hashtag #CruiseDuck. You can rehide it so someone else can share the fun!”
Who Started Hiding Ducks on Cruise Ships – Story Behind Cruising Ducks
According to cruising ducks, Abby, a 10-year-old girl, is credited with starting the trend of hiding ducks on the Carnival Breeze in 2018. People have been playing hide-and-seek with plastic ducks on cruise vacations since 2015.
Abby wanted to make people happy, so she put notes on 50 ducks and hid them on her 7-night cruise from Galveston on the Carnival Breeze.
Abby’s adventure has sparked a movement to make people smile. Cruise ducks are like the painted rocks trend, but on land. Other rubber animals, like pigs and devil ducks, are also popular on board.
Cruising Ducks Communities
The biggest group is “Cruising Ducks – Original“, where people post pictures of ducks they plan to hide or have found.
You can find many “Cruising Ducks” groups on Facebook where members talk about buying ducks, hiding them, and sharing photos with cruise ducks. For example, “Carnival Cruising Ducks” has 67.2K members, “Disney Cruising Ducks” has 20.1K members and “Royal Caribbean Cruising Ducks” has 52.2K members.
Types of Cruise Ducks
The traditional cruise duck is a small rubber duck, like a bathtub toy but there are many fun themed ducks on cruise ships that make the experience more enjoyable for passengers. Here are some popular and creative cruise ducks variations you can find on a cruise ship.
Cruise ducks can be themed into the following different categories.
- Pirate ducks
- Captain Ducks
- Mermaid ducks
- Christmas ducks
- Easter ducks
- Halloween ducks
- Crocheted or Origami ducks
- Colorful Splat Pattern Ducks
- Assorted Rubber Ducks
People like handmade ducks, which can be decorated with extra things. Many people on cruise are choosing ducks with key chains, magnets, hair clips, or plush toys. Some ducks have funny hairstyles and light up.
Many guests choose ducks with themes that match their hometowns, like cowboy ducks for Texas cruisers. Others pick ducks to represent their favorite sports teams, careers, animals, or military branches. Some ducks are used to raise awareness for causes or celebrate someone special.
Guidelines for Hiding Ducks on a Cruise Ships
No matter what kind of duck you bring on a cruise, there are simple guidelines for safely and efficiently hiding them. These guidelines help make sure everyone can enjoy the ducks on the cruise without disturbing the cruise operations.
- Use small, easy-to-hide ducks to avoid attracting attention.
- Do not put ducks in restrooms, locker rooms, spa treatment rooms, buffet food serving dishes, or any place where cleanliness is important.
- Hide ducks in public areas, not in crew-only areas or on restricted equipment like lifesaving gear.
- Do not put ducks in windy areas or where they might fall overboard, as this goes against cruise line and cruise ducks rules.
- Don’t put ducks too high. It may seem like a fun idea, but it can make it hard for people to reach them.
- Duck tags should be appropriate for all ages, as anyone could find and pick up the duck.
- Do not put ducks in pools or hot tubs on ships where kids might try to grab them and fall in.
- Ducks should be easily seen without moving things like towels, books, or dishes.
- Do not hide ducks in stores to prevent theft when someone finds and takes them.
Best Places & Points to Hide Ducks on Cruise Ships
Many good places to hide ducks on cruise ship include stairwells, elevators, potted plants, sculptures, artwork frames, statues, signs, tables, chairs, pianos, corners, buffets and dining rooms, cabin hallways, In your stateroom, Pool decks, lounging areas and the ship’s atrium.
Some people also like to leave a duck in their room for the attendant or future guests to find. After hiding a duck, many cruisers like to check back later to see if it has been found, and it can be fun to try to find the same duck again during the cruise.
Tips & Guides for Finding Ducks on Cruise Ships
To find a cruising duck, be observant and pay attention to small hints. Look for unusual placements or decorations that could show a duck nearby.
Making connections in the community can make the cruising ducks game more fun and increase your chances of finding hidden ducks. Be creative in your approach and think outside the box.
Consider different angles and locations that others may not think of. Being curious and adventurous can help you discover ducks on cruise ships.
- Go on a duck hunt early in the day to find hiding spots. Many people hide cruise ducks at night or in the morning.
- Use different staircases and elevators to check all possible hiding places on the ship.
- Stay aware of unusual hiding spots, like up high or down low. Check these spots often for hidden items.
- Check different parts of the ship during the day because ducks may move to new places each time they are discovered and hidden again.
- Share information and work together with other hunters to get tips.
- Chat with other people like fellow cruisers or crew members on the cruise: Ask them for advice on finding cruise ducks. They might know good places to look for them.
- Be patient and observant when looking for cruise ducks. It takes time and a sharp eye to find them.
Why Participate in the Cruise Ducks Game?
Participating in the Cruise Ducks Game is a fun way to explore the ship and make new friends. It’s an interactive activity that adds excitement to your cruise. You can connect with other passengers, win prizes, and have a great time.
- Builds community and networking
- Fun for all ages
- Memorable moments
- Creative expression
- Stress relief
- Photo opportunities
Not Everyone Likes Cruising Ducks
At every party, there’s always someone who isn’t happy. It’s not surprising that this cruising ducks’ game has attracted different complainers on Facebook because the cruising duck trend is popular.
Even though some of them have never seen a duck on a ship, they still don’t like the idea. One person threatened to burn any duck they saw and post a picture of it. Others want to ban rubber ducks on cruise ships.
A traveler asked Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador if carnival cruise ducks game would happen. John Heald assured travelers that ducks were allowed on board and encouraged people to have fun with them. He also mentioned that the crew won’t throw carnival cruise ducks away if they find them.
Where to Buy Cruise Ducks?
When buying cruise ducks, people have different preferences. Some like to decorate each duck themselves, while others prefer to buy them in bulk online.
Popular online platforms that sell cruise ducks include Amazon, Etsy, eBay and many other toy stores.
You can buy small rubber ducks from claw game machines or as bath toys for kids. It’s better to order ducks online for more choices and discounts when buying in bulk. Look for ducks at discount stores, flea markets, or online auctions like eBay.
You can even get duck kits with labels to attach. If your ducks don’t have labels, you can find templates online or on Facebook groups for cruise ducks tags.
You can also make your own ducks using different crafts like crocheting, knitting, carving, or decorating. Unique ducks are more fun to find in the game. Whether you hide ducks, find them, or rehide them, everyone can join in on the scavenger hunt.
FAQs – Cruise Ducks
Where do Cruise Ducks Come From?
Cruise ducks come from geocaching, a hobby where people hide items for others to find. In the cruise community, travelers hide cruise ship rubber ducks on the ship for others to find.
How to Attach Tags to the Cruising Ducks?
You can attach cruise ducks tags to rubber ducks’ necks. The duck-themed ribbon is great for tying tags or passports onto your cruise duck.
What Size Ducks Should I Get?
Most people prefer the 2-inch size, but some choose bigger or smaller. Avoid buying very small ducks as they could be a choking risk for young children.
Will the Crew of the Cruise Ship Throw Away the Ducks?
Cruise lines tell their crew about cruise ducks. Most crew like it. At first, some crew threw away the ducks, but not anymore. Crew may like getting a duck from a guest. Some crew take ducks home to their kids.
What are Some Popular Themes or Designs for Cruise Ducks?
Popular cruise duck themes include nautical, pirates, mermaids, tropical, and holiday designs. Enthusiasts also make ducks for specific ports or the cruise ship’s name.
How can You Join the Cruise Ducks Tradition?
You can hide cruising rubber ducks on the ship or find them. Look for the ducks in unexpected places.
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