Cruise Lines Crack Down on Rubber Duck Hiding Trend, Dinside Reports

Cruise passengers hiding small rubber ducks around ships face new restrictions as cruise lines crack down on the widespread practice, Dinside reported. The travel trend, which involves leaving ducks with notes for finders to keep or re-hide, has drawn pushback from operators citing safety and environmental concerns.

Marella Cruises Issues Ban on Decks

British cruise line Marella Cruises told guests to stop hiding rubber ducks on board its vessels. The company printed notices in the daily cabin newspapers on the Marella Voyager and Marella Discovery, according to Cruise Hive.

The ducks have begun to make us crazy. Therefore, we kindly ask that toys, fun items and other small personal items are not left or hidden around the ship or at our destinations.

Marella Cruises

The company also cited waste reduction efforts. The line stated via Islands that while everything is meant in a good spirit, these can become dangerous and are usually thrown away by the crew, adding that they work hard to cut down on plastic and waste, so leaving things behind does not quite fit with that effort.

Disney Cruise Line Enforces Strict Fines

Disney Cruise Line implemented anti-duck rules in the winter of 2024. Passengers may bring rubber ducks on board, but they cannot hide them for others to find.

Royal Caribbean Restricts Areas for Duck Hiding

Royal Caribbean has not banned rubber ducks across its entire fleet. However, the line posted signs in onboard green spaces stating that specific zones remain off-limits to protect plants.

Help us protect our plants. This is a duck-free zone. Please do not hide ducks there.

Royal Caribbean

Carnival Cruise Line Protects the Tradition

Carnival Cruise Line takes a different approach to the rubber duck phenomenon. Brand ambassador John Heald defended the practice on social media.

They are not disease-ridden, they are just little ducks, and they bring people joy, and we are not going to ban them.

John Heald

Heald addressed an April Fools’ joke involving a fake prohibition letter, confirming that passengers may continue hiding ducks on Carnival vessels. He did, however, condemn a prank where passengers hid ducks with fake notes promising free casino drinks, calling the practice unfair to guests and bartenders.