5 Quirks of Cruise Travelers

Embarking on a cruise voyage is an adventure that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Some give it a shot and move on, while others, once they've tried it, become devoted cruise aficionados. Yet, there are a few quirks that only a real cruise enthusiast can spot right away; let's explore five of them together!

1. Unusual Decorations on Cabin Doors

Adorning the door of one's cabin has become a trend slowly catching on among travelers. Whether it's a birthday celebration, an anniversary, a special milestone, or simply for the joy, decorating the cabin door on a cruise is similar to decorating a Christmas tree: a moment of happiness and festivity! Some ships, like the Disney Cruise Line, offer special collections in their onboard shops for personalizing doors with magnets of various shapes and colors, pleasing both adults and children, and notably, the store managers!

2. Rubber Ducks Populate Cruise Ships

While many are familiar with the towel origami animals crafted by the skilled hands of ship staff, few are aware that over the past decade, thousands of rubber ducks have begun playing hide and seek aboard cruise ships worldwide. Real cruisers often place rubber ducks of various shapes in inconspicuous spots on the ship, usually accompanied by a little note with a name and an invitation: take it or re-hide it, but be sure to share it on social media! 

Cruising Duck has a massive Facebook group with over 180,000 members.

3. ZOO in the Cabin

The towel animals awaiting guests upon their return to the cabin are perhaps one of the most delightful surprises. Monkeys, elephants, swans, lions, kittens, and a myriad of other creatures typically inhabit cruise ships, the result of meticulous efforts by the cabin crew. But did you know that you can also learn to craft these adorable critters yourself? Many cruise lines offer complimentary courses to teach guests how to craft their favorite animal from towels. Have you given it a try yet?

4. Pineapples on Doors, a Telltale Sign

While we mentioned cabin door decorations earlier, what we didn't divulge is that sometimes, certain cabines carry specific signs, such as pineapples, especially when it’s inverted. If you happen upon a door with this distinguishing feature, rest assured it's not a failed prank, but a genuine invitation, signaling swingers seeking new connections.

5. Coordinated Outfits

While it's uncommon to spot groups of people donning matching attire on land, it's a much more frequent sight aboard cruise ships. With the rise of social groups, group cruises have become increasingly popular, and what better way to identify fellow members on board than by sporting matching T-shirts and caps in the group's colors?