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Imagine you're strolling back to your cabin after breakfast when something bright catches your eye.
Sitting quietly on a windowsill is a tiny yellow rubber duck.
It has a little tag attached that says something like:
"You found me! Keep me or hide me again."
You may have just discovered a very popular cruise tradition.
Over the past several years, hiding rubber ducks on cruise ships has become a worldwide game enjoyed by thousands of passengers. While the exact origin isn't fully documented, the tradition is widely believed to have started around 2018 when a cruising family began hiding ducks to spread a little joy. Before long, other cruisers joined in, and today it's common to find ducks on sailings around the world.
The idea is simple.
Passengers bring a handful of inexpensive rubber ducks, attach a small tag with their name, hometown, or social media group, and hide them around the ship for someone else to discover.
Some ducks are easy to spot.
Others seem to have found the perfect hiding place and can stay hidden for days.
If you're lucky enough to find one, there are no hard rules.
Many people keep their duck as a fun souvenir of their vacation.
Others choose to hide it somewhere else onboard so another passenger can enjoy the surprise.
Either choice is perfectly acceptable unless the tag asks for something specific.
Of course, there are a few unwritten rules of duck hunting.
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The goal is to create smiles—not extra work for the crew.
Avoid hiding ducks in gift shops, pools, hot tubs, restaurants, or anywhere crew members would need to retrieve them. Instead, look for public spaces like bookshelves, railings, seating areas, or decorative nooks where another guest can safely discover them.
What makes this tradition so enjoyable isn't the duck itself.
It's the unexpected moment of surprise.
Children love searching for them, but adults often become just as competitive once they discover they're hidden all over the ship. It's not unusual to see someone suddenly stop mid-walk, smile, and quietly pick up a tiny duck sitting on a ledge.
And yes…some cruisers admit they spend far more time looking for ducks than they ever expected.
Want to have some fun with the family hiding these ducks around the cruise ship? You can purchase them here on Amazon.
Have a great week,
Tara
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Next week: From hidden places on the ship to hidden rubber ducks, July was full of fun cruise discoveries. Join me next week as we revisit the month's highlights.
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