If you haven’t been on a cruise in a while, you might not be familiar with cruise duck hunting. This activity has gained so much popularity that people bring hundreds of rubber ducks on cruises and share photos of them in dedicated Facebook groups. In fact, the largest Facebook group has over 270,000 members! So what exactly is cruise duck hunting, and what is all the fuss about?
What is Cruise Duck Hunting?
Cruise duck hunting is a popular activity on cruise ships. Passengers bring rubber ducks to hide around the ship for others to find. When someone finds a duck, they can either keep it or re-hide it for other passengers to find.
It’s a fun scavenger hunt-type activity! And it’s not just duck hunting that’s fun, many passengers go all out preparing the rubber ducks. They get really creative, decorating their ducks with labels that include their name, the cruise ship, and the date.
Where to Find Cruise Ducks?
Cruise ducks can be found anywhere on the ship, making it feel like an Easter egg hunt. Passengers hide them in random places, with some having sworn by their duck-hiding strategies.
Some prefer hiding them near the kids’ club so that children, rather than adults, can find them. Others stay up late at night, sneaking around the cruise ship at 1 am to hide ducks.
Some choose to hide a few ducks every day of their cruise, while others give rubber ducks directly to kids they see in the buffet or elevator.
Why are People So Crazy About Cruise Ducks?
Many cruise passengers are crazy about cruise ducks simply because they bring joy to everyone. Watching people discover the hidden rubber ducks and witnessing the happiness it brings to the finder is similar to the joy of seeing children find Santa’s gifts on Christmas morning.
People also take pleasure in preparing their rubber ducks. Some go all out, putting together little party favor packs that include not only a rubber duck but also other duck-themed items like stickers and magnets.
Others turn the preparation into an arts and crafts activity, adding bling by bedazzling the ducks and even 3D printing their own rubber ducks. The fun of preparing the ducks is a big part of why cruise ducks are so popular.
Cruise Duck Hunting
Some people enjoy giving, while others are all about the duck hunt. Many cruise passengers love finding rubber ducks while on cruises, keeping them as memorable souvenirs that remind them of the different cruise ships they’ve been on.
Kids, especially, love the duck hunt. It’s kind of like finding Hidden Mickeys but on cruise ships.
And it’s not just the cruise passengers who participate in the duck hunt; many cruise staff members also join in the fun. They collect rubber ducks and are always on the lookout for new ones.
Know the Etiquette
There are some simple rules to follow when hiding rubber ducks on cruise ships. Always use common sense and avoid hiding them in places that could endanger others.
For example, never hide it in the pools and hot tubs because god forbid, a small child who does not know how to swim sees it and decides to go in the pool!
You also don’t hide it in places that are so out of reach that it could endanger the person and cause them to fall off the ship just to get the duck.
And, of course, never throw rubber ducks from your balcony or deck. It may be tempting to throw a rubber duck to the downstairs balcony, but don’t!
You also don’t want to hide these cruise ducks in the gift shops since you don’t want any confusion and accusations of theft.
If your kids are helping to hide the ducks, make sure to teach them these “rules.” This is especially true for teenagers who might think it’s a good idea to throw ducks from balconies and decks.
How to Join in the Cruise Duck Hunt
It’s not too late to join in the cruise ship duck craze! All you need to do is to buy rubber ducks and bring them with you on your next cruise.
There are rubber duck kits made specifically for cruises, like this Cruise rubber duck kit, which includes adorable nautical-themed ducks. It even comes with pre-printed labels, so all you have to do is fill in your name, cruise ship, and date, then attach the label to the ducks. Once you join the cruise duck craze, I guarantee you’ll be hooked!
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Where to Hide the Ducks
You can hide the rubber ducks anywhere on the cruise ship but public spaces are best. You don’t have to hide it so well that it’s hard to find.
Leave one by your cabin door every day. Also, leave a few near the Kids Club and arcade area so kids can easily find them.
If you want adults to find them, try hiding them in the casino and bars. I like leaving one in my cabin for the next cruise passenger to find. Avoid hiding them on the top shelf at the back of a closet; that would make it too difficult to find. Instead, hide it in a bottom drawer in your cruise cabin, so the next passengers can easily find it.
Think of it as hiding Easter eggs in your backyard; it shouldn’t be so well hidden that it’s impossible to find. Check out these adorable rubber ducks with the cutest passport labels that I’m planning to bring on my next cruise!
Check out these free cruise printables