The scavenger hunt-style pastime of hiding and hunting for small rubber ducks on cruise ships has become a tradition beloved by many frequent cruisers, especially on Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean ships.
As a way to spread joy and create connections at sea, cheerful cruising ducks are hidden all around cruise ship public spaces. Each duck is typically adorned with a tag that encourages the lucky duck finder to share a photo in a specific Facebook group, and then either keep or re-hide the duck for someone else to find.
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Cruising ducks have brought smiles to thousands of cruisers over the last few years, but for Kasey Johnson of El Dorado, Arkansas, this playful cruising tradition has taken on a deep meaning.
When Kasey took her first Royal Caribbean cruise in early 2023, she was delighted to find a duck and keep it as a memento. She didn’t know it at the time, but finding that duck would have a profound impact on her life.
“Discovering a small yellow rubber duck on a cruise ship surprisingly became a pivotal moment in reclaiming my sanity and rediscovering hope,” Kasey told Come Cruise With Me.
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Johnson uses her ducks to honor her fellow veterans.
Image source: Kasey Johnson
A creative way to cope and honor military heroes
Kasey’s first cruise not only sparked an enthusiasm for cruise vacations, it led her to a creative outlet to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a disabled veteran, and honor the military community in the process.
After exploring the cruising duck craze on Facebook, Kasey was inspired to create detailed, military-themed ducks to hide on her future cruises. Her creations include bedazzled rubber ducks set in military scenes. After completing her first Army tank duck design, she set out to create cruising duck tributes to each military branch.
“Noting the prevalence of standard rubber ducks for naval concealments, I endeavored to craft one-of-a-kind ducks that honor our heroes with reverence and distinction, even through symbolic representations like customized ducks or scenarios,” Kasey said.
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Kasey’s ducks are exciting finds that have garnered appreciation and acclaim, with many veterans extending gratitude to her for acknowledging the military community. A teacher who found one of Kasey’s ducks even used it as a teaching tool in her classroom.
For Kasey, creating these ducks has been a lifesaving force.
“As a disabled veteran, daily struggles with anxiety and depression are alleviated by nostalgia for my fellow veterans and the military lifestyle, recapturing cherished memories from a bygone era. The Army was my life, and this continuation facilitates ongoing personal growth,” Kasey said.
Searching for Kasey’s ducks is a cruise ship treasure hunt
Prior to her cruises, Kasey joins the Facebook group for her specific sailing, such as her upcoming Carnival Liberty Dec. 1, 2024 Journey Cruise. She uses the group to connect with fellow passengers and share photos of the ducks she’ll be hiding, and wish duck seekers good luck.
Kasey enjoys integrating her artistic duck creations into the ship’s décor and concealing them in places where they won’t easily be found.
“The challenge of discovering an ideal, inconspicuous location to showcase my duck creations is particularly appealing. While I acknowledge that they may not be easily found, I believe that is the intention, effectively transforming the experience into a treasure hunt,” she said.
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The decision to keep or pass on one of Kasey’s duck creations often sparks debate, with some cruisers opting to keep them while others urge passing them along.
If you want to join the treasure hunt for Kasey’s ducks, you can find them on a number of cruises on multiple Carnival cruise ships. Her upcoming cruise plans include ten sailings: a month-long voyage on Carnival Liberty (Dec 2024-Jan 2025), followed by stints on Carnival Luminosa (Mar-May 2025), Carnival Dream (Oct-Nov 2025), Carnival Venezia (Nov-Dec 2025), Carnival Dream (Mar 2026), and Carnival Legend (May 2026).
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Along with finding hope in the tradition of hiding and finding cruising ducks, Kasey has developed a deep affection for all aspects of the cruise experience, especially the way cruising liberates her from anxiety and life’s worries, calms her thoughts and helps her breathe freely again.
The message Kasey wants to emphasize to veterans and individuals coping with PTSD is: “It’s never too late to channel energy into constructive pursuits. Recall that a radiant light awaits at the end of the darkness; reach out and claim it.”
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