Three Cruise Lines Restrict Hiding of Cruise Ducks

Three major cruise lines have placed new limits on the popular guest activity of hiding and finding rubber ducks, known as 'cruise ducks.' Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Marella Cruises have each introduced specific restrictions, though none have banned the toys outright by adding them to official prohibited items lists. The moves aim to manage potential issues like property damage and onboard hazards while still allowing the tradition to continue in modified forms.

Disney's Request and Door Policy

Disney Cruise Line was the first to discourage the practice. In January 2024, the line began requesting that guests not hide items such as rubber ducks in public areas or staterooms. As of September 2026, rubber ducks are not on Disney's official prohibited and restricted items list. Crew members may collect and discard ducks found around the ships to discourage the activity.

To accommodate guests who enjoy the tradition, Disney suggests trading ducks via mailboxes on stateroom doors or sharing them through 'fish extenders' or as 'pixie dust' gifting. The cruise line updated its stateroom door decoration policies effective June 3, 2026, restricting decorations to the doors themselves and prohibiting attachment to corridor walls or ceilings, but magnetic duck mailboxes are not banned.

Royal Caribbean's Central Park Ban

Royal Caribbean has taken a targeted approach, banning ducks in one specific area. In July 2025, signs appeared in the Central Park neighborhoods on the line's Oasis- and Icon-class ships, declaring them 'duck free zones.' The restriction protects the tens of thousands of real plants and trees in Central Park from potential damage caused by guests hiding or searching for ducks.

Guests are still welcome to hide ducks in other areas of Royal Caribbean ships. The cruise line has even embraced the trend on its newest Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, which features a whimsical 'Duckie-Go-Round' carousel in the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood.

Marella's Broad Trinket Request

The British line Marella Cruises is the latest to issue a request. Notices began appearing in onboard newsletters on Marella Voyager and Marella Discovery in August 2026. The notice had broad wording, asking that 'toys, novelty items and other personal bits aren't left or hidden around the ship or at our destinations.'

The Marella notice explained the rationale, stating, 'While it's all meant in good spirit, these can become hazards and are usually disposed of by our crew.' Similar to Disney, rubber ducks or toys are not listed on Marella Cruises' official prohibited items list.

While these three lines have acted, no other major cruise lines have indicated similar bans or limitations. However, the source report suggests that if the activity leads to problems with trash, disrupted activities, or guest conflicts, more lines could introduce restrictions or outright bans in the future.