Cruising Ducks: Catch the Quack! 

How exciting it was to hear about Pirates and travelers of the sea who found treasures, right? Most of us have wanted to find treasure while traveling in the ocean like pirates in our childhood. Guess what, ‘Cruising Ducks’ are making your dream come true. Well, maybe not all of it, but most of it comes true. Get ready for a fun adventure with cruising ducks on this voyage. Read and know who these ducks are and how you can begin your treasure hunt.

What Are Cruising Ducks?

Well, cruising ducks are generally ducks on cruises. And no, not literally a live duck. This is a tradition seen on most cruise lines, where rubber ducks are hidden by passengers all around the ship for fellow passengers to find. These ducks have a tag, which is sometimes called a passport, around their necks. The passport provides information like ship name, hider’s info, sailing date, and the classic motto – “Keep or hide, you decide!”. 

So don’t be surprised if you see ducks lurking around inside your ship. Know that someone has kept it out there for you to find or hide.  

The Quirky Origin

To be exact, no one knows when the tradition started, but it was popularized in 2018 by a child named Abby. It was on one of her voyages with her family on Carnival Breeze that she asked her father to bring in 50 ducks with them.

As an act of kindness and to spread joy, she kept these 50 ducks hidden with tags all around the ship. This gesture later became a global tradition, seen not just on Carnival cruises but on many more. The Cruising Ducks even have a Facebook group with more than 275,000 members sharing their experiences and stories.  

Why Hunt and Hide? 

Someone who is new to this concept might wonder: Why hunt and hide ducks at all? Well, the aim of the tradition was to have a fun activity to look forward to while sailing. As a fun and whimsical tradition, one thing is for sure: this lil hide and seek game brings joy to the voyage.

Not only smiles, but the game also brought travelers together and made connections through this exchange. It also helped all the travelers enjoy the voyage regardless of their age, be it 7 or 70. From day one, the hunt for your quack-buddies starts.   

Rules of the Waddle 

Not everything comes with no rules and regulations, and the same goes for ‘Cruising Ducks’ as well. Rules are never to disrupt the fun, but are here to make it more safe and friendlier. Before you start hiding, make sure you know and play by the rules. 

• Pool and Hot Tubs – It is a no-no for pools and hot tubs, since placing your ducks over here can lead to accidents. There is a high possibility for anyone to trip and fall, causing injuries or accidents. So, it is better not to place your quackers near the pools or the water surface. 
• Shops and Private Crew Area – Some might consider it a clever hiding spot, but refrain from hiding your ducks at or near the shops and private crew area. The trouble hiding over here is that one might intend to take the ‘cruising duck’ from the shop, but it might seem like they’re stealing. This can be a terrible mistake. Likewise, it is better to avoid private crew areas to avoid confusion and mishaps.
• Above Railings – Again, ensure that you keep the hiding spot public and attainable. Do not place your ducks above the railings or other elevated spaces that are out of reach; again, this might cause serious injuries to other travelers while hunting.
• Discarding Overboard – The last but one important rule is not to litter the ocean. The last thing we want to see is floating duck litter.   

Bonus Tip: According to participants, they typically choose to hide early in the morning or late at night. Keep a watch during this time, and don’t forget to check near the elevators for your duckies. If you are lucky enough, you might just find three or four hidden buddies here.   

Is Your Ship Duck-Friendly? 

Now, don’t think you can enjoy the tradition on all cruise lines. Some cruise lines, like Norwegian and Disney, have placed new restrictions on this tradition due to complaints received and environmental and operational concerns. So, before you pack all your duckies for the new voyage, make sure your cruise line will take them in as well. Because after all, we don’t want any squabble on the cruise.  

Also Read: Disney Cruise Fish Extenders: All About the Tradition

Ready to Quack In? 

After reading all this, if you are looking forward to a ‘quack quest’, here are a few tips on what you should do.  

• Types of Ducks – You do not have to stick to the traditional yellow rubber ducks. There are various types of ducks that you can bring in, from themed ducks to origami ducks; all of them are equally welcome.  
• Pack Your Ducks! – Pack however many you want, and maybe start with a dozen. 
• Give Them Passports – Tag your quack-buddies with your name, ship, dates, and the classic tagline. You can also have an optional note and write something sweet. 
• Hide with Care – Be mindful while hiding and avoid hazards. 
• Respect the Rules – Ensure that while you have fun, you also stick to the rules and etiquette of the ship. 

These are steps you should follow while and before hiding. Now, what happens if you find a cruise duck hidden somewhere? Well, it’s quite simple. According to the game rules, you can either re-hide it somewhere else or you can keep it to yourself. However, do not forget to share your photo online with other duck hunters. Happy hunting! 

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