Thursday, April 11, 2024

The story behind cruise ducks and how to hide your own

rubber ducks on cruise ships

On a couple of my recent sailings, I won some inexpensive mini-ducks by playing a claw game in the arcade, and I used spare hair ties to attach my business card to them. Hiding them also kept the young daughter of one of my travel companions busy for an afternoon. Some participants even choose to vary it a bit by hiding other duck-themed toys or objects, such as duck keychains, hand-crocheted ducks, duck-shaped Hot Wheels cars or small LEGO duck kits. Take a photo of yourself with the duck you've found and post it to the "Cruising Ducks - Original" Facebook group. You might also choose to reach out to thank them if they have provided contact information on the card attached to the duck. The widely accepted rules state that you shouldn’t hide them in gift shops, hot tubs, or pools, and stick with public areas.

Personalize Your Cruise Duck with Cruise Duck Tags

The rubber duckies aren’t left-behind toys or part of some children’s activity. 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. The practice of “hiding” rubber ducks around a cruise ship has grown in popularity.

rubber ducks on cruise ships

Getting Quacky With Cruise Duck Tag Ideas

You can also follow the hashtag #CruisingDucks on Instagram as well as other variations. For example, consider hosting a “duck race” where passengers buy a duck, and all the ducks are placed in a pool. The first one to reach the finish line wins a prize, and the funds raised through the duck sales are donated to a worthy cause.

What Do Cruise Lines Think?

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. The tops of signs, sitting on tables or chairs, atop a piano, in corners, or in a ship’s atrium are other popular places to hide cruise ducks. Some cruisers also choose to leave a duck in their stateroom for their attendant or future cruisers to find.

The project was a rousing success, with one duck “hiding” in plain sight for three days before being found. The cruising ducks game is really just meant for fun, so an important element is to use the message “Keep or Hide, You Decide” on the cruise duck tag. 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.

rubber ducks on cruise ships

Alongside her father, Ashley Davis, Abby hid 7 of these ducks every day throughout the duration of their voyage. This initiative led to the creation of a cruising ducks Facebook page. This group has since grown into a community of over 253,000 members who share the fun of hiding and finding ducks on cruise ships. For passengers looking to add a unique and fun twist to their cruise vacation, hiding and finding rubber ducks on cruise ships can be a great activity. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to add some excitement to the trip and create memories that will last long after the cruise is over.

One Major Cruise Line Now Discouraging Cruising Ducks - Cruise Hive

One Major Cruise Line Now Discouraging Cruising Ducks.

Posted: Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Furthermore, the tags might have instructions on how to share the find on a Facebook group, website, or Instagram with a hashtag. Cruise ducks are a fun and popular activity where passengers hide rubber ducks around the ship for others to find. To participate, you can get special duck tags and passports by joining the ‘Cruising Ducks – Original Group’ Facebook group, which offers them for download.

Until I found a rubber duck hiding on a cruise ship, I didn’t realize the fun of it all. Finding a couple of rubber ducks on a cruise brought out my inner child and reminded me how the little things in life could be good fun. So on our two next cruises, there are a couple of ducks I plan on hiding myself for the first time.

Classic Ducks Are Good But Unique Ones Are More Fun

Tags are usually attached with simple rubber bands and the tags are normally laminated or made from durable material. You can either keep the duck as a souvenir from your trip or re-hide it for someone else to discover. Adam's goal is to enhance your cruising adventures with practical tips and insightful advice, making each of your journeys unforgettable. Remember that not everyone has internet while cruising or social media (Facebook or Instagram). New and seasoned cruise duck enthusiasts can join these groups, participate in discussions, or ask questions.

Cruise ducks, much like the painted rocks craze, bring people together through the simple yet profound act of sharing hidden items. 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.

This means avoiding private spaces such as restrooms, locker rooms, spa areas, and anywhere food is served, to maintain cleanliness and sanitation. Also, the ducks you hide shouldn’t be placed too high or in hard-to-reach areas, so they’re accessible to most passengers without the need to move things around. Handcrafted ducks are a popular favorite, or basic ducks may be hand-decorated with extra bling. Many cruisers are opting for even more unique ducks with key chains, magnets, hair barrettes, or plush toys.

You can also bring ducky notes that list the date of your trip or a friendly message. You could write your name or social media account for someone else to reach you and share the joy. Many cruise duck hiders often post photos of their flock before they are hidden.

It's a huge no-no to toss anything into the ocean, even by accident. I’ve read various stories about who started this tradition and when it started. According to many reports, it was started by a 10-year-old girl named Abby in 2018.

No telling how many of these rubber/plastic ducks also end up in the Ocean. You should also always be aware that while adults enjoy finding ducks ... This means that you should hide ducks in places where kids can find them or adults can spot and queu their children to look in a certain spot. Additionally, it should go without saying that you must avoid anything with an adult context when it comes to your duck's passport or design. 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.

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