Cruise ducking is one of those tiny-on-purpose traditions that somehow turns into a big deal in the best way. You hide a duck, someone finds it, and for about five seconds the whole world is lighter.
If you’re new to it (or you’ve been doing it and just want to avoid accidentally becoming a “crew headache”), here’s a simple way to think about hiding ducks on a ship.
A great duck hide should feel like a fun discovery—not a prank, not a scavenger mission, and definitely not something that creates extra work for the people keeping the ship running.
My personal rule is: make it fun for guests and invisible to staff. If your duck ends up causing a spill, blocking a walkway, or turning into “someone has to clean this up,” it’s not a great hide.
On most cruises, the best hiding spots are the places where people naturally slow down and look around. Think about lounges and common areas first. A duck sitting on a shelf near board games, tucked beside a decorative plant, or perched near a photo backdrop is the perfect kind of “oh my gosh, look!” moment. It’s visible, it’s safe, and it gets found quickly—so it doesn’t turn into ship clutter.
Next, consider the spots where people pause without thinking about it: elevator lobbies, stair landings, and hallway corners near signage. People stand there waiting, they glance around, and that’s when a duck becomes a little treasure.
If you want maximum smiles, family-friendly zones are basically duck magnets. Areas near mini golf seating, the sports deck, or outside the entrance to kid-focused activities are great because kids are elite duck hunters. They notice everything. (Just keep ducks out of the actual kids’ club spaces unless the staff specifically allows it.)
And if you like a slightly clever hide, you can still do that without going full secret-agent. A duck beside a menu stand, near a napkin holder (not touching anything food-related), or near a window seat where someone will sit soon feels like a discovery… without being impossible.
There are a few places that are almost always a bad idea, even with the best intentions.
First: anything involving food. Buffets, drink stations, tables, and service counters are a no. Even if the duck is clean, it’s still not something that belongs anywhere near food service.
Second: wet areas. Pools, hot tubs, and slick deck edges are already high-risk zones—and not just because something might get splashed or swept away. The bigger concern is safety: a duck near the water can tempt a little kid (or an excited adult) to lean, reach, or scramble for it. That’s the last kind of “ducking moment” anyone wants. Keep ducks well away from pool edges and anywhere someone could slip or take a tumble.
Third: crew-only or restricted areas. If there’s a door you wouldn’t open, don’t hide a duck behind it. The best duck hides are the ones anyone can find without breaking rules or wandering somewhere they shouldn’t.
Fourth: anything safety-related. We already touched on this in wet areas but this shouldn't be taken lightly. If it’s near emergency equipment, railings where it could fall, or anything that would make a safety-minded person frown, pick a different spot.
Finally: avoid the “too good” hiding spots. Inside planters, under furniture, behind heavy objects—anything that requires crawling, reaching, or moving stuff turns a cute tradition into a weird mission. A duck should be a delight, not a workout and not destructive to the ship.
A duck with a tag is instantly more fun. It turns “random object” into “tiny moment.” You don’t need a novel—just something simple like:
• “You’ve been ducked!” • The ship name and sailing date (optional, but fun) • “Keep or hide you decide” • Your handle if you want people to tag you (for me, that’s MattMadeMe)
If your duck has a theme, you can give it one line of personality to make it extra special. Something like “Captain says: enjoy the voyage” or “Spa duck says: you deserve this vacation.”
A quick word on photos (because half the fun is sharing it). If you’re going to post your finds, a little care goes a long way. Natural light near a window makes ducks look great, and a ship detail in the background makes the photo feel like a memory. Just keep it respectful—avoid posting strangers’ kids, and don’t turn ducking into a “gotcha” moment for anyone.
The best cruise duck hides aren’t the sneakiest. They’re the ones that make someone smile, take a picture, and maybe even re-hide the duck for the next person. If you’re bringing ducks on your next sailing, bring something with personality—something that feels like it was made to be found!