One quirk of cruising that you may or may not have experienced before (depending on your choice of cruise line, and how sharp your eyes are) is the way that many people like to hide ducks onboard.
It’s a huge community – thousands of people love to hide ducks around public areas of ships, or hunt for them. Often, they’ll come with a tag attached mentioning a social media group where you can post about your find, and then either keep the duck, or hide it again for someone else.
I know it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s a ton of fun, and so I spoke to Kelly May, AKA “The Duck Lady” from Cruising Quackers to learn more about the hobby and her passion for it.
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 onboard, and found someone posting about their plans to hide ducks onboard.
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 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 skeptic 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 onboard, 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 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.
The duck-hiding community now, and in the future
Kelly has watched the duck-hiding community grow a lot since she first became interested, with even the cruise lines getting involved.
Royal Caribbean has held its own duck hunt, Effy Jewelry stores onboard ships sometimes hide ducks that can be returned for a prize, and John Heald even got his own custom duck made.
In March 2025 there’ll be the first ever Quack-tastic Duckers Cruise that will feature many of the most renowned duck enthusiasts from the world of cruise, with events including duck exchanges, classes on blinging ducks and more.
Kelly describes how, on every cruise, she arrangers her own duck exchange on the first sea day to swap stories and ducks, where she’ll also give out a Taste of Quack gift bag to newbies containing three ducks along with 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 how they can brighten up their day and show some personalised gratitude for their hard work.
As for the future?
Kelly predicts even more innovation and imagination in the way ducks are designed, including with 3D printing, crocheted ducks, and even more ideas for painted or blinged ducks.
Kelly is happy to be involved in the community, helping people to get more creative. And she sees the duck trend spreading beyond cruises too – we’re already seeing events like rubber duck races, or cheerleading ducks or ducks placed on Jeeps. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger!
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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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
