The most common places to find cruise ducks are Amazon, eBay, and specialty party supply websites, though many cruisers also buy them at dollar stores and craft retailers before their trip.
Cruise ducks—small rubber ducks that passengers hide around a ship for other guests to find and collect—have become a popular shipboard tradition. If you want to bring ducks on your cruise, you have several straightforward options depending on how many you need, what style you prefer, and how much you want to spend. Most cruisers buy between 5 and 20 ducks per trip, though some bring far more.
The ducks themselves are inexpensive, usually between 25 cents and $2 each depending on size and design. The real choice is whether to buy them online before your cruise, in person at a local store, or wait until you reach a port. Each approach has trade-offs in cost, selection, and convenience.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon and eBay sell bulk packs of small rubber ducks in many styles, with prices typically ranging from $10 to $30 for 50 to 100 ducks.
- Dollar stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General stock individual ducks or small multipacks year-round, making them the cheapest option if you shop locally.
- Craft stores such as Michaels and Joann carry rubber ducks in their toy and seasonal sections, often with coupons that reduce the per-duck cost.
- Party supply websites like Party City and Oriental Trading offer themed ducks (pirate ducks, mermaid ducks, holiday ducks) if you want variety beyond plain yellow.
- Buying before your cruise guarantees you have ducks on embarkation day, while waiting until a port stop means you may find limited selection or higher prices.
Amazon and eBay bulk packs
Amazon is the fastest way to get a large quantity of ducks delivered to your home before your cruise. Search for "bulk rubber ducks" or "assorted rubber ducks" and you will find packs ranging from 50 to 200 ducks. Most bulk packs cost between $10 and $30, which works out to roughly 15 to 50 cents per duck. Shipping is usually included in Prime orders, so you can receive them within a few days if you order early enough.
eBay offers similar bulk packs, often from the same sellers as Amazon. The advantage of eBay is that you may find older or discontinued styles, and you can sometimes negotiate price if you message the seller. Shipping times vary more on eBay, so order at least two weeks before your cruise date to be safe.
When ordering bulk packs online, check the product photos carefully. Some packs are all plain yellow ducks; others include assorted colors or themed designs. Read the reviews to see whether buyers report the ducks arriving in good condition and whether they float properly (important if you plan to hide them in the pool area).
Dollar stores and local retail
Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and similar dollar stores stock rubber ducks year-round in their toy sections, usually for $1.25 each or less. This is the cheapest per-duck option if you only need a few dozen and do not mind shopping in person. The selection is typically limited to plain yellow or basic colors, but the ducks are the same quality as those sold elsewhere.
Walmart and Target also carry rubber ducks in their toy aisles, usually in multipacks of 3 to 12 for $3 to $8. These stores often have better color variety than dollar stores and sometimes stock themed ducks around holidays. Prices per duck are slightly higher than dollar stores but still competitive.
The downside of shopping locally is that you have to visit the store in person, and selection can vary by location and season. If you wait until the week before your cruise, you risk finding picked-over inventory or running out of stock entirely.
Craft stores with coupons
Michaels and Joann Fabrics both carry rubber ducks in their toy and seasonal sections. A single duck typically costs $1 to $2, but both stores regularly issue coupons—usually 20 to 40 percent off a single item—that you can use on ducks. If you have a coupon, you can reduce the per-duck cost to 60 cents or less.
Michaels and Joann also stock specialty ducks that you will not find at dollar stores: pirate ducks, mermaid ducks, ducks in sunglasses, and holiday-themed designs. If you want your ducks to match your cruise theme or cabin decor, these stores are worth the trip. Check their websites or apps for current coupons before you go.
The trade-off is that craft stores are less convenient than dollar stores if you are just looking for plain yellow ducks in bulk. You will spend more time shopping and may need to visit multiple stores if one location has limited stock.
Party supply and specialty websites
Party City and Oriental Trading specialize in party decorations and novelty items, including themed rubber ducks. Oriental Trading in particular carries a wide range of designs—nautical ducks, tropical ducks, ducks in costumes—and sells them in bulk packs. Prices are comparable to Amazon, and you can often find sales or coupon codes on their websites.
These sites are useful if you want ducks that match a specific theme or if you are looking for something beyond the standard yellow duck. Shipping times are usually 5 to 10 business days, so order early if you use these retailers.
Specialty sites like Etsy also sell handmade or custom rubber ducks, though these are significantly more expensive (often $3 to $10 per duck) and are better suited to cruisers who want a small number of high-quality or personalized ducks rather than bulk quantities.
Buying ducks at ports and onboard
Some cruise ports have gift shops or tourist stores that sell rubber ducks, particularly in Caribbean and tropical destinations. However, prices are typically 2 to 3 times higher than what you would pay at home—often $1 to $3 per duck—and selection is limited. You also cannot count on finding ducks at every port.
The ship's gift shop may also stock ducks, though again at a premium price. Buying onboard is convenient if you forgot to bring ducks or want to add to your collection mid-cruise, but it is not a cost-effective strategy if you plan to hide many ducks.
If you do buy at a port, bring them back to your cabin when ready and store them safely. Do not leave them in your cabin unattended, as housekeeping may discard them.
How many ducks to bring and packing tips
Most cruisers bring between 5 and 20 ducks, depending on how long the cruise is and how much they enjoy the tradition. A 7-day cruise with a large ship might support 50 to 100 ducks across all passengers, so bringing 10 to 20 gives you a reasonable chance of hiding them and finding others.
Pack ducks in a small mesh bag or zippered pouch in your carry-on luggage. They take up minimal space and weigh almost nothing, so there is no risk of exceeding baggage limits. Keep them in your cabin and hide them throughout the ship during sea days or downtime. Popular hiding spots include the pool deck, dining venues, the casino, and public restrooms—anywhere other guests will look.
If you bring ducks with small accessories (hats, sunglasses, or clothing), pack those separately so they do not get lost during travel. Some cruisers decorate their ducks with permanent marker or stickers before the cruise to make them more distinctive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring rubber ducks on a cruise?
Yes. Cruise lines do not prohibit rubber ducks or small toys in carry-on or checked luggage. They are not considered weapons, hazardous materials, or prohibited items. Pack them in your cabin and hide them as part of the shipboard tradition.
What size ducks should I buy?
Small ducks—roughly 1 to 2 inches long—are easiest to hide and transport. Avoid very large ducks (over 4 inches) because they are harder to conceal and take up more luggage space. Bulk packs from Amazon and dollar stores typically include small to medium ducks, which are ideal.
Are there any rules about hiding ducks on the ship?
Cruise lines do not have official rules about duck hiding, but use common sense: do not hide ducks in crew-only areas, in places where they could cause damage, or anywhere that would disrupt ship operations. Hiding them in public guest areas, cabins, and dining venues is standard practice.
What if I want to hide ducks but do not want to buy them myself?
You can participate in the tradition by finding ducks that other passengers have hidden. Many cruisers bring extra ducks specifically to leave for others to find. You do not have to bring your own ducks to enjoy the game.
Do I need to buy ducks before my cruise or can I wait?
Buying before your cruise is safer because you know you will have ducks on embarkation day. If you wait until a port stop, you risk limited selection and higher prices. If you forget, you can usually find ducks at the ship's gift shop, though at a premium cost.