If you’ve been on a cruise lately, there’s a good chance you’ve come across a rubber duck peeking out from behind a potted plant or tucked into a quiet corner of the ship. What started once as a quirky trend among cruisers has turned into a beloved tradition on ships around the world.
So what’s the deal with all these ducks? It’s actually part of a fun game that’s bringing strangers together at sea. Passengers hide decorated ducks with little notes or tags attached, and fellow guests find them, often sharing their discoveries online or re-hiding the duck for someone else to enjoy.
Now, Carnival has become the first major cruise line to officially embrace the duck-hiding craze, with the announcement of a new costumed mascot named ‘Ducky the Duck’. Reactions poured in after John Heald—Carnival’s Brand Ambassador and Senior Cruise Director—asked guests what they thought. While a few weren’t on board, most passengers loved the idea.
Tiny Ducks, Big Fun: Why Cruisers Love Hiding Them
At first glance, finding a rubber duck on your cruise might seem random — but for many, it’s part of a lighthearted game that’s only growing in popularity. The idea is simple: passengers bring small rubber ducks from home (or buy them onboard) and give them a fun twist with decorations, outfits, or tags.
These tags often include the name of the hider, where they’re from, a cheerful message, or even a social media handle. Once ready, the ducks are hidden around the ship in clever spots — never too hard to find, but just enough to feel like a mini treasure hunt.
Other guests stumble upon these little surprises throughout their cruise—sometimes by accident, sometimes by actively seeking them out—and many re-hide the duck to keep the fun going. Kids and even adults both love it, and for many families, hiding ducks has become a must-do every cruise.
While it’s hard to pin down the exact start of the trend, many credit a young girl named Abby, who launched the practice into the spotlight after hiding 50 ducks on a Carnival cruise sailing out of Galveston. Her playful act quickly caught on, inspiring a community-wide movement.
Today, the duck-hiding craze has spread to other family-friendly cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and MSC—but Carnival stands out for being the first to embrace the trend publicly and officially.
Want to know what the duck craze is all about? This article breaks it down.
Carnival Cruisers React: Mostly Positive, But Not Everyone’s a Fan
Before Carnival officially introduced Ducky the Duck, Brand Ambassador and Senior Cruise Director John Heald took to Facebook to ask guests what they thought of the duck-hiding trend. He likely didn’t expect the tidal wave of responses that followed.
“People that hide ducks for others to find do so because they love to give other people a little dollop of happiness and joy,” he wrote. “I understand that it’s not for everyone. I do not understand why some people are so adamant that we ban this new cruise phenomenon immediately… Isn’t this just one of those things where you can just walk on by?”
His post sparked over 9,000 comments, with the overwhelming majority being in favor of keeping the ducks. Guests shared stories about kids bonding over duck hunts, passengers finding joy in the little surprises, and even adults making it a tradition cruise after cruise. For many, it was clear: the ducks are here to stay.
Many passengers responded with heartfelt stories and enthusiastic support. Luann Mirabelli, a cancer survivor, recalled how finding a duck during treatment brought her joy: “It made me so happy… I hide them now.” Others described the special memories it creates for kids. Emily Comuth said her niece’s excitement while hiding and finding ducks became a “core memory” from their cruise.
Adults are in on the fun too. Riley Walker, 29, described finding a duck on their first cruise as “so exciting,” while 75-year-old Gordon Lee Tooman said it made him “feel like a kid!” For many, the simple game adds a lighthearted layer of fun to the cruise experience.
Still, not everyone is a fan. A small group of critics raised concerns ranging from clutter and environmental impact to complaints about tone and maturity. “It’s gotten out of hand,” wrote Mike McCoy, pointing to the plastic waste. Others called it “super annoying” or worried it adds unnecessary work for the crew.
Yet even some skeptics admit it’s easy to ignore. As one commenter put it: “If you’re not into it, just walk on by.” And that seems to be the prevailing sentiment: let the ducks bring joy to those who want it and leave the rest to enjoy the cruise their own way.
John Heald Pushes Back — With Humor
John Heald, Carnival’s longtime Brand Ambassador and Senior Cruise Director, didn’t hold back when responding to complaints about rubber ducks on his Facebook page. He questioned why something so harmless could spark such strong reactions. “Why would that bother you?” he asked, following up with his now-iconic advice: “Just walk on by.”
Heald admitted duck hiding isn’t for everyone, but he seemed genuinely confused by how strongly some people felt about it. His tone stayed light, but the message was clear — the ducks aren’t going anywhere.
With over a million followers, Heald’s page is a direct line between Carnival and its cruisers, and he often uses it to see what guests are thinking. But in this case, he made it known that the joy ducks bring far outweighs a few negative comments.
Carnival Embraces the Duck Hiding Phenomenon
For years, cruise lines largely watched the duck-hiding craze unfold from the sidelines, letting passengers keep the fun going without much official involvement. But in late 2024, Carnival decided to lean into the trend with the debut of Ducky the Duck, a costumed character designed to celebrate the community-driven fun.
Ducky first made an appearance on Carnival Jubilee, but has since been spotted on other ships, including Carnival Venezia, where he wears a gondolier outfit to match the ship’s Italian flair. The idea is to tailor Ducky’s look to each ship’s unique personality and theme, making him a fitting addition to Carnival’s fun-loving atmosphere.
These days, Ducky isn’t just posing for selfies. He takes part in onboard games, photo ops, and light-hearted activities that invite guests of all ages to join in. While not an official mascot, Ducky the Duck has become a kind of symbol for Carnival: spontaneous fun, shared experiences, and a community that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
With a big yellow beak and even bigger personality, Ducky was brought on board to celebrate the joy passengers were already spreading. It’s the first time any major cruise line has publicly embraced the rubber duck phenomenon in such an open and visible way.
John Heald, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, announced the arrival of Ducky the Duck on Instagram, saying, “Coming soon to your cruise you’re going to see the continuation of the duck phenomenon.” His post quickly drew thousands of excited responses from cruisers who were thrilled to see Carnival embrace the trend.
Carnival also became the first cruise line to sell rubber ducks onboard, giving guests the chance to join the fun even if they hadn’t brought any from home. Crew members and leadership were clearly on board as well. Hotel Director Kyndall “Fire” Magyar posted photos with “Officer Ducky,” encouraging guests to be on the lookout and share their duck encounters.
The Duck Craze: What’s Next?
The duck craze shows no signs of slowing down. On Facebook alone, over 290,000 members are part of a dedicated group sharing their duck finds, decorating ideas, and cruise stories. Across Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, passengers post photos of creative duck tags and even organize in-person meetups to trade ducks.
With the trend booming, many fans are hoping to see Ducky the Duck—the official Carnival mascot—appear on more ships. His themed outfits and playful presence have only added fuel to the fun. What started as a simple gesture has grown into a vibrant part of cruise culture.
Of course, duck hunting isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. The beauty of it is that it’s entirely optional, yet it still manages to create connection. No one has to join in, but for those who do, it often becomes a highlight of the trip. Whether it’s a kid beaming after spotting one tucked behind a railing or an adult proudly showing off a rare find, there’s no denying the joy duck hunting brings.
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