A quirky trend has emerged among cruise ship passengers worldwide, involving the hiding and finding of rubber ducks onboard. This playful activity, which began with a young girl named Abby Davis, has gained significant traction over the past year.
The trend is particularly popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. A Facebook group named “Cruising Ducks,” boasting over 284,000 members, describes the activity as a “cute and entertaining way to have a blast on cruises and to brighten others’ days.”
The group encourages members to post photos of their rubber ducks onboard and specify the cruise line they are on. In the past month alone, the group has seen approximately 3,500 posts.
One member shared a photo of their children with around 20 ducks found on the Carnival Dream, while another reported finding 113 ducks on the Carnival Cruise Lines Jubilee, having brought over 400 to hide themselves.
The trend has also made its way to Reddit, where users discuss their experiences. One user mentioned paying for an extra carry-on just for their rubber ducks, while another noted that hiding and finding ducks provided a fun activity for their children on sea days.
“My daughter works on the Utopia of the Seas and loves finding these! When her contract finishes, she plans to hide all the ducks she has collected around the ship,” commented a Reddit user.
Despite its popularity, there are theories that some cruise ships may discourage the practice of hiding ducks onboard. Nonetheless, the trend continues to grow, bringing a unique and playful element to the cruising experience.