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So, the next time you find yourself on a cruise, join in the fun and share the joy of discovering and hiding cruising ducks with others. I’ve learned that finding cruise ducks can be a fun activity during a sailing. The key to finding them is knowing where to look and how to approach the search. As a seasoned cruise duck enthusiast, I’ve picked up a few tricks for hiding ducks cleverly and creatively onboard a cruise ship. These factors contribute to the overall vitality of the cruise duck community on a personal and social level.
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I have seen passengers leave behind their creations as tiny surprises for fellow cruisers to discover. Sometimes, the ducks come with notes asking that their original owner be contacted or that, once found, a picture be posted in a specific Facebook group. In other cases, the ducks are decorated with the ship’s name and the sailing date, making them great souvenirs. Something to remember if you do embark on hiding ducks on your next cruise, is that you may never know who found your duck (although you might). Even so, your special duck probably brought a smile to someone and could mean more than you know.
What is the Story Behind Cruising Ducks?
There are also Facebook groups and other numerous social media groups dedicated specifically to cruising ducks. 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.
How to hide your own cruise duck
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. The widely accepted rules state that you shouldn’t hide them in gift shops, hot tubs, or pools, and stick with public areas. I’d probably avoid public restrooms, just to prevent the spread of germs. If there’s a Facebook group specific to your cruise, you may also get some idea of what is being hidden.
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]
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. This came to light when Shirley from Florida wrote to Disney after being told she couldn’t hide ducks during her cruise. Adrianna, an official panelist, confirmed that guests are discouraged from hiding rubber ducks or any items in cabins or public areas on the ship.
Cruising ducks have become a popular and fun activity for passengers aboard cruise ships on almost every major cruise line. So what it boils down to is this, Cruising Ducks is essentially a scavenger hunt involving rubber ducks, where passengers hide and seek these adorable toys around the ship. 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.
Where To Hide Rubber Ducks On A Cruise
Disney Cruise Line Discourages Cruising Ducks - TravelPulse
Disney Cruise Line Discourages Cruising Ducks.
Posted: Sun, 07 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. In addition to the community-driven aspect of cruise ducks, the influence of social media has given rise to an elevated sense of purpose. I recently saw this idea posted in a Cruising Duck Facebook Group. This fun duck themed ribbon is great for tying duck tags or passports on to your cruise duck.
Duck, duck, cruise: What to know about rubber ducks on cruise ships
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. As well as being a popular activity on cruise ships, these little rubber ducks are also often used for fundraising and charity efforts. It’s a fun activity for all ages, from kids to seniors, so if you’re ready to join in, bring some rubber ducks to hide on your next cruise vacation. In a trend that isn’t quite clear where it started but has spread like wildfire thanks to social media, everyday passengers bring small rubber duckies with them onto the ship.
Any rubber duck you want to hide is fair game, so go ahead and add them to your cruise packing list. The cruise lines themselves have nothing to do with this tradition, so you’ll have to bring your own aboard if you want to keep the fun going. Although generally, on cruise duck tags, people will write their name or family name. Tags might also include instructions for the duck finder to either keep the duck or re-hide it for someone else to find, promoting ongoing participation. Contact information, such as an email address or a hashtag for social media, can also be included to track the duck’s journey and connect participants in this playful activity.
Since that time, they started the Facebook group, Cruising Ducks – Original Group, which now has over 180,000 members. According to Abby’s dad Ashley, they never thought the group would get this big and that this “kindness project” would catch on as it has. 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. Keeping these guidelines in mind ensures the activity remains fun for everyone. Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, cleaning, humor, tech and fun facts all week long. It's a huge no-no to toss anything into the ocean, even by accident.
In fact, Carnival Cruise Line recently said that they embrace the fun to be had by hiding these little ducks. Almost all of the cruise crew know about “duck hunting” and know not to throw them away. 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.
Similar to the painted rocks scavenger hunts, the hide-and-seek of ducks can add even more fun to every cruise sailing. One way to use cruising ducks for fundraising is by organizing a duck-themed event or game on your cruise. You can sell the ducks to passengers, and the proceeds can go to a chosen charity.
Some cruisers also choose to leave a duck in their stateroom for their attendant or future cruisers to find. Some participants get creative, preparing “passports” for their ducks that include information like the ship they are on, cruising dates, and where they are from. This not only adds to the fun but also fosters a sense of community among the cruise duck fans. They hid 7 ducks per day, and as the cruise went on they started to spot people who were clearly looking for the ducks. This one fun little cruise activity gave birth to the cruising ducks craze we see today.
These festive rubber ducks are often dressed up as Santa Claus, reindeer, or snowmen, and they can add a touch of holiday cheer to your journey. I have come across numerous themed ducks that make the entire experience more fun and engaging for cruise ship passengers. Let me share with you some of the most popular and creative variations that can be found on board a cruise ship. Pools, spas, and hot tubs may seem like a rubber duck’s dream, but for safety reasons, you should avoid them at all costs. Bathrooms are also not the best hiding spots, and it is discouraged. Rubber ducks also don’t enjoy being flung into the ocean from a gust of wind, so be careful where you hide them!
You can also consider creating custom ducks with your charity’s logo or message, which can be sold as souvenirs during your event. That’s not to say everyone gets creative when placing their plastic friends. Some wind up in places like elevator corners or stairwells, looking for all the world as if they were dropped instead of hidden. Abby’s adventure, however, seems to have kicked things into high gear and started a movement, the main purpose of which is simply to make other people smile. Check out the files section for resources like templates you can print out, and events where others in the group may be cruising with you. Many more ideas are posted with Cruising Duck Facebook communities, so definitely check the out.
Fellow cruisers then try to locate the ducks, take pictures, and often re-hide them for the next person to experience the fun. Cruise ducks are small plastic or rubber ducks that cruise passengers hide in different areas of the cruise ship. You can buy traditional yellow rubber ducks or show off your personality with fun themed ducks. 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.
