Cruise ships are known for their luxurious amenities, gourmet dining and world class entertainment, but they’re also home to a quirky tradition that just keeps growing: hiding rubber ducks around the ship for other guests to find. Cruise ducks, as they’re known, have gone from a sweet idea in 2018 to a pastime that kids and adults both love.
In this post, we’ll cover where the tradition came from, how to play along, the basic rules, which cruise lines restrict it and some good places to hide a duck. We’ve also put together a free printable Cruise Duck Activity Guide to make your next sailing even more fun, and you can read more about what’s inside too.
The Origin of the Cruise Duck Tradition
The tradition began in 2018, when a young girl named Abby Davis asked her mom, Ashley, if she could bring rubber ducks on their seven day spring break cruise out of Galveston. They packed 50 ducks, Abby hid them around the ship and people of all ages had a blast hunting for them. That simple act of kindness took off, and today the main Cruising Ducks Facebook group now has more than 330,000 members!
Over time, hiding ducks became more than just a playful activity. It’s a way for cruisers to connect with one another, create lasting memories and add a personal touch to their vacation. Today, the tradition includes all kinds of ducks, each with its own design, story or theme.
How to Play Along
Joining in is simple and fun. Follow these steps:
- Get a rubber duck: Before you sail, choose a duck that speaks to you. Some people like classic yellow ducks, while others pick ducks that reflect their hobbies, interests or the theme of their cruise. A quick search on Amazon.com turns up plenty of cruise rubber duck kits to choose from. Keep in mind that small ducks can be a choking hazard for children under three.
- Add a tag: Attach a small tag with your first name, your home state or country, your ship and the date, plus a short message like “Keep me or rehide me!” Our free guide has a full page of cut-out duck tags (page 16) you can print, punch and tie onto your ducks. Keep the wording family friendly, since anyone might pick up your duck.
- Hide the duck: Once you’re on board, find a smart hiding spot in a public area. Follow the basic rules below and avoid restricted areas or anywhere your duck could cause a hazard or extra work for the crew.
- Spread the word: Share your hides and finds on social media with the hashtag #cruisingducks. There are also plenty of Facebook groups, including Cruising Ducks, where you can connect with other duckers.
- Find a duck: Keep an eye out for hidden ducks during your cruise. If you find one, you can keep it as a souvenir or rehide it for someone else to discover. Snap a photo, and jot the find down in the Ducks Found Log (page 6 of our free activity guide).
The Basic Rules of Duck Hiding
There’s no official rulebook, but longtime duckers agree on a few common sense guidelines. The short version is to be respectful, be safe and don’t make extra work for anyone.
- Public places only. Cabins, crew areas and restricted spaces are off limits.
- Keep clear of safety gear. That includes lifeboats, life jackets, stairs and doors.
- Skip the pools, hot tubs and shops. Nobody should lean over water for a duck, and a duck in a store display can make an innocent finder look like a shoplifter.
- Nothing overboard. Avoid windy spots and railings, because a duck in the ocean is litter.
- Keep tags family friendly. You never know who’s going to find your duck.
- Hide in plain sight. If someone has to move a towel, a book or a plant to find it, it’s hidden too well.
- Watch the little ones. Small ducks can be a choking hazard for children under three.
- Be a great shipmate. Keep walkways clear, don’t trample the decor and leave the ship nicer than you found it.
These are the same rules you’ll find in the Captain’s Duck Code on page 3 of our free Cruise Duck Activity Guide.
Which Cruise Lines Say No?
Here’s the good news: most mainstream cruise lines are fine with cruise ducks, and Carnival, where it all started, has been openly friendly to the tradition. There’s no industry wide ban. But a few lines have drawn some lines of their own, and they look like this:
- Royal Caribbean: Central Park on Oasis and Icon class ships is a “duck free zone,” to protect the tens of thousands of real plants and trees there. Hide ducks anywhere else on the ship, just not in Central Park.
- Disney Cruise Line: Disney has asked guests not to hide ducks in public areas or staterooms. Ducks aren’t on the prohibited items list, but crew may collect and toss any they find. Disney fans get around this by trading ducks through stateroom door mailboxes, fish extenders or pixie dust gifts.
- Marella Cruises: Since August 2026, Marella has asked guests not to leave toys or novelty items around its ships or destinations, and says crew usually dispose of them.
None of these lines lists ducks as a prohibited item, but they’ve made their wishes clear, so respect them. If enough hiders ignore the rules, more lines could crack down. Policies change, so check your cruise line’s current guidelines before you pack the ducks.
Recommended Hiding Spots for Cruise Ducks
When it comes to hiding your duck, creativity is key. Here are some safe, public spots that work on most ships:
- The ship’s library: Tuck your duck on a shelf for an unsuspecting reader to find.
- The atrium: Try a bench or a planter rim (not in the dirt), or near a piece of artwork.
- The promenade: Slip your duck under a bench, out of the wind.
- The theater lobby: A ledge near the entrance is easy to spot without getting in anyone’s way.
- Game rooms and arcades: A shelf or table corner is a hit with kids.
- Elevator lobby seating areas: Just make sure the duck isn’t blocking the doors or traffic.
- A sheltered deck chair cushion: Pick a spot where the wind can’t carry your duck off.
We’ve put a full checklist of 14 hiding spots, plus fun tag ideas, on page 4 of the free activity guide. And if you’re sailing Royal Caribbean on an Oasis or Icon class ship, remember to keep your duck out of Central Park.
The Crew Love Them Too!
Ask around and you’ll hear the same thing again and again: crew members get a kick out of duck hunting too. In general, they enjoy finding ducks and will sometimes keep one or hide it again for someone else. It’s one of those small moments that makes a long contract at sea a little brighter.
That goodwill has limits, of course. On lines that ask guests not to hide ducks, crew may be told to pick them up, and nobody wants to give the crew extra work. Skip the spots that are hard to clean around, and if your line is duck friendly, try a tag with a thank you note for the crew. It’s a nice touch.
Why Cruise Ducks Are So Popular
So why has this whimsical tradition become such a hit?
- Community building: The duck game helps passengers feel like part of a community as they take part in a playful hide and seek game together. It breaks the ice and connects people from all walks of life.
- Adventure and exploration: The hunt encourages passengers to explore the ship, discovering new nooks and crannies along the way. It gives kids and adults alike a reason to wander a little farther.
- A keepsake: Finding a rubber duck is like finding a little treasure. It becomes a souvenir of your cruise, and some passengers build impressive collections from their travels.
- Social media fun: Passengers love sharing their finds and hides, and the #cruisingducks hashtag and the big Facebook groups have helped the tradition spread far beyond a single ship.
Take the Fun Further with Our Free Guide
If your family (or your whole ship) is ready to go all in, our free Great Cruise Duck Adventure activity guide is a great place to start. It has 19 pages for kids and grown-ups, including found and hidden duck logs, a 50 state tracker, Cruise Duck Bingo, word searches, a maze, a Color and Find the Ducks page and a certificate to claim your official title of Cruise Duck Detective. You can see the full rundown of what’s inside and how to use it in our guide announcement.
The tradition of hiding rubber ducks on cruise ships is a delightful example of how a simple idea can grow into a cherished pastime that brings joy and a sense of community to cruisers around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage, consider joining in. Who knows, you might just find a little yellow duck waiting for you on your next cruise!
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