If you’ve ever spotted a little rubber duck tucked away on a cruise ship, there’s a surprisingly big community behind it.
Thousands of cruisers hide colourful ducks for other passengers to find, often attaching tags so they can be tracked online, kept or hidden again. But while the tradition has become hugely popular, not every cruise line is quite so keen on it anymore.
I spoke to Kelly May, better known as ‘The Duck Lady’ from Cruising Quackers, to find out how cruise ducking became such a big deal, why people love it and what you need to know before hiding your own.
Not a New Phenomenon
Kelly described to me how it was in the build-up to a cruise that she first discovered the rubber duck trend, rather than when she was onboard.
She joined a Facebook group for the specific sailing in 2022 and was reading through the posts of people who were going to be on board, and found someone posting about their plans to hide ducks.
While this was new to Kelly, she did some digging and found that it’s something people have been doing for over 20 years…
“After doing a bit of research, I learned that people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships simply as a random act of kindness to make strangers smile. It has been going on for decades (someone reported finding one as far back as 1999), but it has gained popularity with the rise of social media. In fact, there are a multitude of FB groups dedicated to the hobby, and over half a million duck hunters and hiders worldwide.“
Kelly was hooked before she’d even cruised, and quickly found a bundle of 30 ducks to pack into her carry-on bag to put to good use when she boarded.
That First Cruise…
Kelly boarded the ship and had the perfect opportunity almost immediately – the first full day was a sea day. She filled her pockets with ducks and set off to have some fun.
“..the ducks instantly brought out the silly child within us. We giggled at how we were trying to be so stealthy. Looking nonchalant while making sure the coast was clear, and with what we thought was the deftness of a magician, we used our best sleight of hand to hide our first duck in a plant.
Then we retreated to a table nearby to see what would happen.
Within minutes, a young boy of about 4 or 5 came running across the piazza, holding a rubber treasure in his hands, running towards his mom and yelling, “DUCK!”. The look of sheer joy on his face was priceless.“
From that point on, Kelly knew that ducks were going to play a huge part in her cruising future, and she said that while Alaska itself was amazing, it was the moments of “ducky delight” that really made the trip so unforgettable.
Convincing the Reluctant
While Kelly took to the hobby very quickly, her husband wasn’t quite so sure at first. Describing it as “the silliest thing he ever heard”, he was far from convinced.
But Kelly got him to join in on their next cruise, taking turns hiding the ducks on the ship. They witnessed a group of ladies getting excited over one of the ducks they found, and then saw a delighted toddler playing with their own new ducky friend, looking absolutely delighted.
It wasn’t until they were chatting with some other guests later in the day that Kelly knew she’d completely won her husband over, though.
“Later that day, we were in a lounge, talking to some newfound friends, when Dave mentioned hiding ducks. The group came alive! Everyone wanted a duck. My husband, who had initially thought the idea was silly, was now enthusiastically sharing the joy of duck hiding with our new friends. He had become a full-fledged ‘Quackpot,’ spreading happiness and laughter wherever he went.
Seeing him transform from a sceptic to a passionate duck hider was heartwarming. It reminded me that sometimes the simplest, silliest things can bring the most joy and connection. Now, hiding ducks has become a special adventure we share, creating unforgettable memories together.“
The Power of a Duck
It may seem like a trivial or silly activity, to hide ducks or to give them out. But as many cruise guests know, it’s a lot of fun and can actually be a great way to boost someone’s mood, cheering people up with a little bit of light-hearted happiness.
And Kelly told me about one of the more memorable reactions to the ducks that she could remember:
“One time, we were disembarking at a port, and we saw a young woman in the elevator bay with her parents. She was lying in a padded wheelchair, mostly staring blankly into the air. My husband asked her folks if it would be okay to give her a duck, to which they happily replied, “YES.”
My husband handed her a duck, and her smile grew HUGE. In that instant, we watched as this seemingly absent young woman became animated and full of life. She held up her prize and gleefully yelled, “DUCK!” showing it to every person she passed by.
It was one of the most touching moments we’ve ever experienced. The pure joy and excitement that little duck brought to her were truly heartwarming. Her parents’ eyes welled up with tears, and we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion too.“
Cruising Quackers – Born from a Passion
Kelly enjoyed two cruises of hiding ducks before deciding she wanted something to show off her love for the hobby. And while there were plenty of t-shirts she could’ve ordered, they weren’t her style. So she designed her own shirt instead.
This sparked a lot of interest on board, with strangers asking where they could get one. So Kelly made the design available online, and it sold out immediately. She designed a few more shirts, and they were equally popular.
So, Kelly realised she had a business opportunity, and Cruising Quackers was born. Her website is dedicated to selling a range of apparel and accessories that Duck-hiding fans can wear during their cruises.
It includes a wide range of clothing, including blouses, Hawaiian shirts, hoodies, t-shirts and even socks, and plenty of accessory options too, such as tumblers, messenger bags, door signs and duck-themed shoes.
Plus, there had to be ducks available to buy, too. And there are hundreds of styles available, ideal for hiding on cruises and spreading joy to other passengers.
“I often get ideas from fellow Quackers during our duck exchanges and through feedback in our Facebook group. Seeing what brings joy to others sparks my creativity. I also stay attuned to trends and themes in the cruising world and beyond, which helps me design products that resonate with our audience.
Moreover, my own experiences and adventures play a big role… For example, our ‘Cruising Quackers Duck Detective Agency’ T-shirt was inspired by watching two brothers on a duck hunt on the Lido deck calling themselves Duck Detectives.”
Kelly has several items that are among her favourites, including the “Get Lucky, Find a Ducky” t-shirt and the “Ahoy Ducky” tumbler, but her absolute favourite design is the Ducky Royal Blue Hawaiian, which features on her own blouse, her husband’s Hawaiian shirt, and several accessories she uses every day.
Hiding Ducks – Tips and Tales
Kelly describes how each duck-hiding mission begins with the first step, which is choosing the right ducks for the cruise. Depending on the holiday or destination, she’ll select ducks that are themed and relevant among her batch, and then add tags that are personalised.
Then, when onboard, it’s time to hide the ducks. Kelly avoids shops, pools, hot tubs and bathrooms to prevent misunderstandings or accidents, instead focussing on places like elevators, stairwells, arcades, kiosks, gyms or other public areas that are eye-catching.
“We often start our mission during quieter times, like late nights or early mornings, when there are fewer people around. This makes it easier to hide the ducks without being spotted. As we explore the ship, we carry a few ducks with us, ready to seize any opportunity to hide them.“
Duck Hiding Tips!
Kelly offers these key tips and tricks for first-time duck hiders to help them get started:
1. Start Small
Begin with a manageable number of ducks, like 20 or 30. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and you’ll get a feel for how the process works.
2. Personalise Your Tags
You can buy tags and fill them out by hand, or you can use free, customizable tags from the files section of the Cruising Quackers group.
Make sure your tags include essential information like “Keep or Hide, You Decide,” “#CruisingQuackers,” and “No shops, Pools, Hot tubs or bathrooms, Public areas only.”
You can also add your name, sailing date, ship name, and hometown for a personal touch.
3. Choose Your Hiding Spots Wisely
Avoid shopping areas, pools, hot tubs, and bathrooms to prevent misunderstandings or accidents. Don’t place your ducks anywhere that would be a safety issue to retrieve.
Stick to public spaces like small ledges, visible spots, or areas that blend with the ship’s decor. Elevators, stairwells, arcades, signage, kiosks, customer service desks, open areas, and gyms are great places to consider. You don’t have to make them overly hard to find; the joy is in the discovery.
4. Enjoy the Reactions
Watching people find the ducks is the best part. Whether it’s a child’s delight or an adult’s surprise, the joy and excitement make all the planning and effort worthwhile.
5. Engage with the Community
Join the Cruising Quackers Facebook group to share your experiences, get tips, and connect with other duck enthusiasts. You’ll find a supportive and fun community ready to help and inspire you.
6. Have Fun
Remember, the main goal is to spread joy and have a great time. Enjoy the process, and don’t worry too much about being perfect.
7. Keep an Eye Out
While you’re hiding ducks, also keep an eye out for ducks hidden by others. It’s a fun way to see how creative other Quackers can be, and it adds to the excitement.
8. Post Your Finds
If you find a duck, decide whether to keep it or rehide it. Take a photo and share it in the Cruising Quackers group with the tag information. This helps track the ducks and adds to the communal fun.
Some Cruise Lines Are Cracking Down On Cruise Ducks
Before you start hiding ducks on your next cruise, it’s worth checking the rules because, unfortunately, not every cruise line welcomes the tradition.
Marella Cruises introduced new rules on hiding ducks and other items in August 2026, asking passengers not to leave toys, novelty items or other personal belongings around its ships or at destinations. The cruise line said the items can become hazards and are usually disposed of by crew.
Disney Cruise Line also doesn’t allow guests to hide rubber ducks in public areas or staterooms, although the ducks themselves aren’t prohibited onboard.
Royal Caribbean hasn’t introduced a fleetwide ban, but Central Park on its Oasis and Icon Class ships is now a duck-free zone, with signs asking passengers not to hide ducks there to help protect the living plants.
Carnival Cruise Line, meanwhile, still allows the tradition. An April Fools’ hoax in 2026 claimed Carnival was banning cruise ducks, but brand ambassador John Heald confirmed that wasn’t true and passengers could continue hiding them.
So the safest rule is simple: check your cruise line’s latest guidance before packing your ducks and always respect any restrictions on where they can be left.
The Duck-Hiding Community Now, and In the Future
Kelly has watched the duck-hiding community grow enormously since she first became interested. While some cruise lines have since introduced restrictions, others have embraced the fun.
Some cruise lines have even got involved themselves. Royal Caribbean has held its own duck hunt, Effy Jewellery stores onboard various cruise ships sometimes hide ducks that can be returned for a prize, while Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador John Heald has even had his own custom duck made.
The community has grown beyond simply hiding ducks, too. Kelly arranges a duck exchange on the first sea day of every cruise she takes, where people can swap ducks and stories. Newcomers even get a Taste of Quack gift bag containing three ducks and tags.
She’s gained the nickname of “The Duck Lady” thanks to her iconic clothing and clogs, and the community spirit she’s helped to build. It’s a nickname that she “absolutely loves”, and she has made many cruise friends thanks to the hobby.
“One memorable exchange happened on a cruise to the Caribbean. I met a lovely couple from Australia who had traveled all the way just for the ducking fun. They brought beautifully hand-painted ducks, each one a tiny work of art. We instantly clicked and spent the rest of the cruise sharing meals, exploring ports, and of course, hiding more ducks together.“
She even uses ducks to thank the medical staff who look after her father, saying they can brighten up their day and show some personalised gratitude for their hard work.
The community has even started taking over entire cruises. In March 2025, the first-ever Quack-tastic Duckers Cruise set sail, bringing duck hiders together for exchanges, classes and other themed events.
And it wasn’t a one-off. The Quack-tastic Duckers Cruise has become a yearly event, with another sailing planned for November 2026 onboard Carnival Jubilee. The six-day cruise will include more duck-themed fun, including exchanges, crafting classes and group events.
What’s Next For Cruise Ducking?
Kelly predicts even more innovation and imagination in the way ducks are designed, including 3D-printed and crocheted ducks, along with increasingly elaborate painted and blinged designs.
She also sees the trend spreading beyond cruises. Rubber duck races are already popular, while decorated ducks have found their way into other communities too, including Jeep ducking.
For Kelly, though, the biggest part of it remains the community she’s helped to build and the friendships that can start with something as simple as hiding a little rubber duck on a cruise ship.
A huge thank you to Kelly May for taking the time to be interviewed. You can visit Cruising Quackers to order clothing, accessories and rubber ducks. Most products are available for customers in the UK, US and Canada, though rubber ducks are only available in the US due to shipping costs for now.
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