Whether you are brand new to cruising or have been sailing since the late ’70s, it’s almost certain you’ve run across the concept of a Cruise Duck somewhere. Much like the Jeep community, the cruise enthusiasts of the world have a special relationship with these little rubber duckies. They are part of a traditional hide-and-seek game played aboard cruise ships and – while some may find it annoying – generally adored by a wide swath of the population, young and old alike.
What kind of ducks?
The classic cruise ducks are exactly what you think of when you hear “rubber ducky” (sans the Ernie voice). But cruise duck enthusiasts have taken it further, not only buying up themed rubber ducks and giant rubber ducks and miniature rubber ducks (paid links)… but also getting crafty with handknit ducks, duck-printed coasters, and duck-themed keychains.
If it looks like a duck, and most especially if it is carrying some sort of tag identifying it as a cruise duck, then it is one!
How do they work?
Enthusiasts bring on board anywhere from one to a hundred or more ducks, with the intent of sharing them with fellow cruisers. While out exploring (or just enjoying) the ship, they tuck these little ducks into odd corners and out-of-the-way areas for other passengers to find. It’s like a huge asynchronous game of hide-and-seek that lasts the entire cruise and features adorable waterfowl.
Most of the time, cruise ducks come attached to a small tag that briefly explains the game and includes the ship and sail date, and perhaps the name of the original hider, just for fun.
What are the rules?
The cruise lines are not sponsoring the activity, so there is no central authority declaring a list of rules for cruise ducks. However, there are some generally accepted guidelines, for the safety of young cruisers and to ensure that there is no confusion about what passengers are allowed to take.
- If you find a cruise duck, it is yours to keep! You can take it home, you can hide it again somewhere else on the ship, or you can ignore it and go on your merry way. You decide!
- Do not hide cruise ducks in any of the shops on board. This could be confusing to guests who are unsure if the duck may actually be store merchandise.
- Do not hide cruise ducks in any of the pools. Yes, they float, but the last thing we want to do is entice a young cruiser to stretch to reach something floating in a pool or hot tub.
- If you are comfortable with the idea, consider snapping a photo when you find a cruise duck in the wild. Those hiding ducks love to see the fruits of their labors, in the form of selfies shared to the current cruise Facebook group, one of the general Cruising Ducks groups, or any other form of social media where the originator might see it! Many of the tags on these cruise ducks will offer a suggestion on where to post your photo (if you’re game for it).
What do I do with my new cruise duck collection?
Keep or Hide, You Decide!
Even after taking home a collection of adorable little duckies you couldn’t quite part with, the game doesn’t have to end there. Etsy has a variety of tags for cruise ducks, including a cruise duck passport that lets you rehide a duck on your next cruise, complete with a cute log of all its travels!
Whether you choose to go all-in with cruise ducks or avert your eyes as you see one perched at the buffet entrance, at least you won’t find yourself wondering what secret code these crazy cruisers are using when they talk about ducks!
