Cruise enthusiasts often have unique practices that make cruising feel like an exclusive club. From setting up their rooms with magnetic hooks or over-the-door shoe bags to purchasing matching shirts for their crew, this cruise fun is all part of the experience. While most activities on a cruise ship are listed on the daily schedule some unofficial onboard activities occur on most sailings but are not part of the cruise lines’ official plans.
Among these unofficial activities, there’s a delightful practice on cruise ships where people, typically families traveling with children, bring small rubber ducks to hide throughout the ship. The ducks may be specially decorated, often with custom duck cards modeled after official sail and sign cards. This fun, unofficial duck scavenger hunt has become increasingly popular among cruisers.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald recently addressed rumors about this beloved tradition. Using his signature light-hearted humor, Heald mentioned that the crew members do not throw the hidden ducks overboard, as some anti-duckers have suggested. Instead, he emphasized that Carnival Cruise Line is fully committed to environmental protection, and any crew member found throwing items overboard would face disciplinary action.
Contrary to the rumors, Carnival crew members often enjoy participating in the duck hunts or discovering the hidden treasures themselves. Many crew members keep the ducks they find in their cabins as cheerful reminders. Heald explained that the crew’s support for this fun activity is genuine, and they appreciate the excitement it brings to the passengers.
When passengers find a duck on board, they traditionally have two options. Some individuals, usually children, keep the duck as a memento from their cruise. Others prefer to share a photo of the duck on Facebook or other social media platforms dedicated to the cruise, and then re-hide it for someone else to discover.
This unofficial duck scavenger hunt has become a delightful cruising tradition that brings joy and excitement to both passengers and crew members alike. With Carnival Cruise Line’s assurance that they support this activity, cruisers can continue to enjoy hiding and finding these little treasures on their ocean adventures.
