The Quirky, Colorful World of Cruise Ducks

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If you’ve been on a cruise lately, you may have stumbled across a curious little stowaway—no, not the seagull that always seems to follow the ship—but a tiny rubber duck tucked somewhere unexpected. Maybe it was in a potted plant near the pool. Maybe it was hiding behind a lounge chair. Or perhaps you spotted one peeking out from a deck railing.

 

Welcome to the delightful world of *cruise ducks*.

 

The idea is simple: cruisers hide small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find. It’s a mix of treasure hunt and pure whimsy. Some people tag them with a note or hashtag so you can share the fun online. Others leave them as-is, a little surprise meant to brighten someone’s day. There are no complicated rules—just joy, tucked away in the form of a chubby, squeaky friend.

 

I learned about cruise ducks years ago, and well… let’s just say I caught the fever. Over the course of multiple cruises, I’ve built up a rather impressive collection. And by “impressive,” I mean a small army of ducks currently taking over one of my cabinets at home. I’ve got ducks in tiny sailor hats. Silly ducks in sunglasses. Holiday ducks galore—Christmas ducks wearing Santa hats, Valentine’s Day ducks with hearts, mischievous little St. Patrick’s Day ducks in green bowler hats, and proudly patriotic ducks decked out in stars and stripes.

 

Finding them never gets old. Each one feels like a tiny snapshot of the cruise it came from—where I was when I spotted it, the thrill of the find, the laughter it inspired. And now, my next big project is to give my featherless fleet the display they deserve. I’m envisioning a big case where each duck has its own little perch, maybe grouped by theme so I can admire them all without digging through a box. It will be part décor, part conversation starter, and part personal memory bank from all my time at sea.

 

Some people collect postcards. Others pick up mugs. For me? It’s ducks. And each one carries a little magic—not just because of where I found it, but because someone else took the time to hide it, knowing it would make a stranger smile. So the next time you’re on a cruise, keep an eye out. You never know when a bright, rubbery face might be waiting for you around the corner. And if you find one… well, you just might start your own little flock. 

 

Author:

Patrick Buck