Georgians Lead Applause for Pilots as Cruise Lines Ban Rubber Duck Hiding Trend

Last week, cruise company Marella urged passengers to stop hiding small rubber ducks around the ship, a popular trend among cruisers, citing the crew's need to clear the ship of previous guests' belongings and concerns over rubber waste. The travel site Shipacation reviewed various cruise lines' policies, noting Royal Caribbean only bans duck hiding in "Central Parks" areas to protect live plants, allowing ducks to remain in cabins. Marella also discouraged decorating cabin doors with signs, magnets, posters, and flags, a practice meant to combat anonymity in long corridors.

In March, Carnival Cruise warned passengers that participating in a viral challenge to place their mattress on the cabin balcony for a photo could result in fines up to $500. Meanwhile, a survey by airline Wizz Air revealed that Georgians (75%) and Bulgarians (70%) are the most likely to applaud pilots upon landing, followed by Hungary and Romania where half of passengers do so. In contrast, only 30% of Swiss and British passengers applaud. Applause is more common among infrequent flyers, motivated by relief, gratitude, or social conformity.

The article also highlights negative tourist behaviors, citing an incident on an Israir flight to Varna where a flight attendant rudely pressured a passenger to buy chocolate, using a discriminatory remark. Complaints about Israeli tourists' conduct vary by destination, shifting from theft and hotel damage in Turkey and Cyprus to crowding Israeli settlements and local relations in India and Thailand.

A 2016 survey found 17% of travelers feel safer touching the airplane's exterior before boarding, sometimes accompanied by a short prayer. In China, some throw coins at engines for good luck, a practice that can cause flight delays and heavy fines, including a $17,000 penalty for one passenger.

Regarding travel intimacy, a Vacationer survey found 29% of Americans had a vacation fling, with 12% reporting sex on a plane. The site estimates 59 million Americans have had sex on public transport, including 30 million on planes. Lastly, a 2024 social media trend called "raw-dogging" involves enduring long flights without any entertainment or distractions, sometimes including fasting and avoiding bathroom visits. Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland tried this on a seven-hour flight, noting the challenge depends on seat quality. Initially a male endurance test, the trend has since been adopted by women as well.