Duck Hunting at Sea: The Cruise Ship Scavenger Hunt
If you’ve ever wandered around a cruise ship and spotted a little rubber duck tucked away on a staircase or peeking out from behind a plant, you’ve stumbled onto one of the most charming cruise traditions: duck hunting. Don’t worry—no nets or hunting gear required. Just a sharp eye and a sense of fun.
Where Did It Start?
The cruise duck craze is believed to have started around 2018, when a guest on a Carnival ship hid a handful of rubber ducks with little notes attached. The idea spread quickly across cruise lines—Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and beyond. What began as a small passenger game turned into a fleet-wide, fan-driven tradition.
How It Works
It’s simple: passengers bring rubber ducks (sometimes dozens of them!) on board. Each duck usually has a little tag—something like “You found me! Keep or re-hide!”—and sometimes includes the cruiser’s name, home state, or even a Facebook group to join.
Once on board, the ducks get tucked into clever hiding spots: in a planter on the pool deck, nestled on a bookshelf in the library, even perched inside an elevator. Guests who find one can either keep it as a souvenir or re-hide it for the next hunter.
Why People Love It
Part of the fun is the surprise. You might be heading to breakfast and—bam!—there’s a duck waiting on the railing. It’s especially magical for kids, who get a kick out of finding a hidden “treasure.” But adults love it too—it sparks smiles, conversations, and even friendships. For some cruisers, duck hunting has become as much a part of the voyage as formal night or grabbing a slice at Sorrento’s.
Duck Hunting Today
Now, whole online communities are dedicated to cruise ducks. People share photos of the ducks they’ve hidden or found, and some even theme their ducks around holidays or specific ships. On any given sailing, there could be hundreds of ducks stashed around, waiting to be discovered.
Final Quack
It’s a small thing, really—a few rubber ducks scattered across a massive ship. But that’s the magic. Duck hunting adds a layer of playfulness to cruising, connecting strangers with a smile and a shared secret. So next time you’re onboard, keep your eyes open. You never know where the next little duck might be hiding.