Marella Cruises has asked guests to stop hiding cruise ducks around its ships and to leave cabin doors free from decorations, as the popular passenger traditions come under fresh scrutiny.
The request has appeared in the printed newsletter delivered to guests’ cabins, which also carries onboard updates, entertainment schedules and other information passengers may need during their sailing.
The wording has been spotted aboard Marella Voyager, though other guests have noted that they’ve seen similar requests on other ships in the fleet.
Rather than taking a stern approach, Marella has used a little humour to get its point across.
“As much as we love a bit of personality, the ducks have started to drive us quackers… so we kindly ask that toys, novelty items and other personal bits aren’t left or hidden around the ship or at our destinations.”
The notice explains that although the activity is intended as fun, objects left around the vessel can become hazards and may ultimately have to be disposed of by crew.
“While it’s all meant in good spirit, these can become hazards and are usually disposed of by our crew.”
Marella also points towards its work to reduce plastics and waste, saying that deliberately leaving objects behind does not fit particularly well with those efforts.
The request is not necessarily surprising given just how far the cruising duck trend has grown. What started as passengers occasionally hiding rubber ducks for strangers to discover can now involve large numbers of toys being brought aboard specifically for the purpose.
The pastime has developed its own online communities, with ducks often carrying labels inviting whoever discovers them to keep them or hide them again.
Cabin Door Decorations Are Being Discouraged Too
Cruise ducks are only part of Marella’s new reminder.
Guests have also been asked not to personalise their cabin doors, covering everything from birthday banners and posters to stickers, flags and magnets.
“We also ask that public areas and cabin doors are left as they are, without added decorations like flags, banners, posters, stickers or magnets. It helps keep the ship looking its best for everyone and ensures we stay on top of safety.”
Crew may remove anything left where it should not be, according to the notice.
That could make the change more noticeable to some regular cruisers than the request concerning ducks. Decorating a cabin door has become a cruise tradition in its own right, particularly for passengers celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions.
But this is also an area where cruise lines take very different approaches.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, has long been closely associated with decorated stateroom doors, although it has rules governing what can be used and has tightened some of its decoration policies. Royal Caribbean passengers will likewise regularly encounter decorated cabin doors.
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