Carnival cruisers debate cruise ship duck dilemma
Carnival cruisers have strong and differing opinions on the popular pastime of playing hide-and-seek with rubber ducks on cruise ships.
Although the scavenger-hunt-style cruise tradition of hiding and hunting for small rubber ducks around the ship is not an official cruise line-sponsored onboard activity, it’s a trend that’s been embraced by Carnival Cruise Line.
Late last year, the cruise line revealed a cheerful new onboard character, Ducky, inspired by the cruising duck phenomenon that for many passengers, adds to the fun on board its ships.
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Not everyone is a fan of this passenger-led onboard activity, however. Encouraging cruisers to either keep or re-hide the cruising ducks they find is intended to spread joy and create connections at sea, but some passengers think it’s an obsession that has gotten a bit out of control.
One of those cruisers recently turned to Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald for help with a cruise ship duck problem.
“John, I am writing to you with a serious dilemma. I’m with my sister on the Carnival Spirit. I came back to my room and someone had left a duck in my mailbox,” a passenger named Cassandra wrote to the brand ambassador.
Cassandra never intended to get involved in the cruising duck craze, but suddenly found herself pulled into it.
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Carnival passenger asks for help after receiving cruising duck
“My dilemma is this. I have always felt that this duck thing has reached ridiculous proportions. It is childish. But now I have a duck. I don’t need a duck, but the little card says this duck is yours to take home and join you on your future cruises,” Cassandra explained.
It seems that little Dippy made a big impression on Cassandra.
“I find this to be very manipulative, but at the same time, the duck is quite cute and has a little name tag that says, ‘Hello, I’m Dippy and I am yours.’ Now, what do I do with Dippy?” she asked. “Keep him or give him to someone else?”
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“This decision is the only thing on my mind. Please help me make a decision,” she pleaded. “I really hated these stupid ducks, but now, Dippy is pulling at my heart.”
Cassandra certainly turned to the right person for help with her cruising duck dilemma — Carnival’s trusty brand ambassador is always ready to assist passengers with cruise questions and requests of all kinds.
“Thank you so much. Well, never let it be said that we do not discuss the most important things about cruising. Let’s see what you all have to say. Let’s help Cassandra make a decision,” Heald suggested to his more than 600,000 Facebook followers.
Carnival cruisers have strong and varying opinions on cruising ducks
More than 6,000 Carnival cruisers commented on the post after Heald asked them to choose from one of the following options to decide Dippy’s future:
- A. Keep Dippy. You are meant to be together.
- B. Give Dippy to someone else. He deserves to be loved.
- C. Honestly, I don’t care.
Although some cruisers pointed out that the Dippy question was probably asked sarcastically and responded accordingly, many cruisers agreed with Laura Clark Dougharty’s recommendation.
“A — It seems Dippy has helped you lighten up and enjoy a little something in this world, as he reminds you everything doesn’t have to be that serious. Take Dippy home and place him in a spot you see him daily, maybe even someplace others can see him as well. Let Dippy remind you of the simple joys in life we often forget as adults. If you do go on a future cruise at that time, you can decide if Dippy should be hid/passed on or if he has a permanent place in your home as a reminder,” she wrote.
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Other cruisers noted how passengers can brighten someone else’s day by passing on ducks they find.
“We have always re-hidden found ducks, hoping it brings a little joy to someone who might need it,” Tom Pepera commented.
Still, others couldn’t believe how many cruisers were really spending time reading and commenting on a post about rubber ducks.
“This has to be the most ridiculous and waste of time question ever,” Toni Dunnegan Bain wrote.
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