July 13, 2025
Tags: #Royal Caribbean #cruise #Central Park #rubber duck #hospitality #trends #shipboard life #passenger experience #travel news #cruise traditions #policy change #2025
Starting July 13, 2025, Royal Caribbean will ban hiding rubber ducks in its shipboard Central Park areas. While meant to protect the lush plant life and ensure passenger safety, this change might put a damper on a quirky cruise tradition. Here’s how this new policy could affect your next adventure at sea.
If you’ve sailed on a Royal Caribbean ship, maybe you’ve hunted (or hidden!) one of those cheerful little rubber ducks tucked around the ship. It’s a playful way for passengers—especially families—to interact and share a smile. But starting July 13, 2025, the cruise line is putting its foot down: no more duck hiding in the Central Park area of their ships.
Central Park isn’t just a catchy name—it’s a green haven right in the middle of the ship, filled with real, living plants. Royal Caribbean says the duck hunts, while fun, sometimes lead guests into flower beds and through delicate foliage as they search for treasures. This tramples plants and puts the park’s beauty (and maybe your ankles!) at risk. New signs will soon pop up, making sure everyone gets the memo.
The ban is only for Central Park, so creative duck fans might flock to other parts of the ship. Unless Royal Caribbean makes more rules, don’t be surprised to spot a hidden ducky elsewhere!
The key will be clear communication—nobody likes a surprise rule on vacation. If guests understand (and follow!) the new policy, the gardens thrive and everyone’s happy. Otherwise, future cruises could see even tighter restrictions on this quirky tradition.
Royal Caribbean is trying to keep its cruise ships beautiful while still letting guests have fun. Finding the right balance will be important to make sure passengers feel both welcome and well-informed on board. So on your next cruise, check the signs, and maybe… keep an eye out for ducks—just not in Central Park!
