Frequently asked questions

Cruise Duck Hunt is a guest-led rubber duck adventure. Every tagged duck has its own QR code and online page. When you find one, you can share a photo and story, decide to keep it or re-hide it (where permitted), and follow its journey from cruise to cruise.

No. Just scan the QR code or enter its duck ID, then use the discovery form. You can participate as a guest.

Yes! Scanning, claiming, posting your discovery and viewing a duck’s history are free. Cruise Duck Hunt is not an activity operated by a cruise line.

Scan the QR code on its tag with your phone’s camera. If you can’t scan it, use Track a Duck and enter the ID printed on the tag, usually starting with CDH-.

Try brighter light, hold your camera steady and make sure the whole QR square is visible. If the code is damaged, enter its printed duck ID on the duck lookup page.

Open the duck’s page and use the Did you find this duck? form. Enter a display name and, if you like, its nickname, the cruise line, ship, general location, a photo and your story. Then choose whether you’re keeping or re-hiding the duck.

Absolutely. A photo is optional. The site accepts JPG, PNG and WebP images up to 5 MB. Photos are resized and re-encoded to remove embedded location metadata. Avoid showing other guests without their permission.

New discoveries may require administrator approval before they appear publicly. Your duck’s kept/released status updates when you submit the claim, even if the photo or story is still awaiting review.

Use a general description like “near the lounge” or “on Deck 5.” Never post stateroom numbers, private addresses, or details that identify another guest.

When you record a new discovery, you can suggest a nickname. Approved entries can update the duck’s public name, so the little traveller can collect new identities along the way.

Keep it for now marks the duck as with a finder and gives you a private keeper link. Re-hide it means you have already left it somewhere allowed and safe for someone else to discover.

Yes! Save your private keeper link when claiming the duck. Later, once you’ve actually placed it somewhere permitted, open that link and record the release. The duck can then be claimed again.

They scan the same QR code and add another discovery. The duck keeps its permanent ID and journey history across multiple cruises and finders.

Not through the regular finder form. The current keeper must release it first, or a site administrator may correct its status when necessary.

If you supplied your email when keeping the duck, visit Recover my keeper link and enter its duck ID and that email. You’ll get a one-time email link (valid for 45 minutes) to replace your old private keeper link. If you did not register an email, save the original keeper URL; an administrator may need to help.

You can optionally enter your email address while claiming a duck and selecting Keep it for now. If transactional email is configured, we’ll send your private keeper link; you can still claim and copy the link even if delivery fails. Emails are never shown on public pages.

The QR code points to the duck’s permanent Cruise Duck Hunt page. It can stay on the duck through many discoveries, provided the site and tag remain available.

No. Each cruise line and ship can set its own rules. Disney Cruise Line says guests may not hide ducks in staterooms or public spaces. Read our Ship Etiquette guide and confirm your own cruise line’s current policy before hiding anything.

Only where the cruise line permits it, in a clean, visible, stable place that does not obstruct anyone. Avoid pools, hot tubs, railings, emergency equipment, shops, food-service spaces, crew areas and restricted places. See the full etiquette guide.

Remove it immediately, say thanks, and follow the crew’s instructions. The hunt should never make extra work for the people running the ship.

Only with the permission of the people pictured, or their parent/guardian where appropriate. Prefer a photo of the duck itself and avoid identifying badges, cabin doors, or personal information.

Open the duck’s public page and use the Report post control beneath the discovery. Choose a reason and optionally add details. For privacy questions, see the Privacy page.