Flying to Florida - Philadelphia to Florida Travel Day



Our Caribbean cruise adventure began at the Philadelphia International Airport.Weeks leading up to this trip, I had been tirelessly making ceramic ducks to hide on the cruise. After thoroughly researching why, in the past, we had discovered so many rubber ducks I wanted to participate as well. For the first time since I started playing with clay, I made and used ceramic molds. Using rubber ducks I had found or won in a claw machine, I created plaster molds of my favorites. One would think using molds would be super easy, however when time is your mortal enemy, nothing is off the table! Armed with my tiny army of ducks in my carry on, I was ready for anything.


Ok, ok so now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can get back to the adventures…


This was a long travel day heading to Florida for our Caribbean cruise, thanks to booking our flights with Delta. For reasons I still haven’t fully researched, Delta doesn’t offer nonstop flights from Philly to Florida. In the past, we have had layovers mostly in Atlanta but this time, we stopped in Detroit. By 10:30pm we were safe and very tired at my father’s place in The Villages, Fl.

Two rubber ducks on airport terminal window sill overlooking wet tarmac and ground vehicles on overcast day.
Child peering through airplane seat gap, partially visible face illuminated in dark cabin interior.
Two women sitting in airplane seats, one with dreadlocks and headphones, another wearing earbuds and a hoodie.
A can of Blakes Hard Cider Triple Jam sits on a bar counter with a rubber duck on top inside an airport terminal.
Woman taking selfie at airport Gate A69 with another woman in a Bar Harbor Maine sweatshirt visible behind her.
Two teenagers at an airport, boy smiling with backpack, girl looking at phone wearing Bar Harbor Maine hoodie.
A ceramic duck figurine held up against an airplane window with the wing visible through clouds.
Man in plaid shirt uses phone at airport gate seating area with departure board visible overhead.
Person relaxing on blue outdoor sofa near coffee table with food bowls, patio TV mounted on wall behind.

The Villages, Florida – Pre-Cruise Family Time & Travel Photography



We had a slow but relaxing morning so I decided to photograph my ducks a wee bit more before I say goodbye to them. That night we enjoyed dinner in town to celebrate Bob’s birthday. Ella reminded us all how fun Snapchat filters can be!

A weathered ceramic duck figurine with blue and peach tones rests on a terrazzo surface outdoors.
Handcrafted ceramic rubber duck figurine with black and blue glaze on a wooden surface.
A small ceramic duck figurine with a sailor hat and bow tie sits on a wooden surface.
Bottom view of a black glazed ceramic duck showing maker's mark stamp on unglazed base.
Chrome outdoor faucet with a decorative ceramic duck figurine sitting on top of the handle.
Weathered rubber duck sitting poolside near a screened-in pool on a sunny day with blue skies.
Young woman with rosy cheeks and gold hoop earrings making a pouty face while resting her chin on her hand outdoors.
Two people smiling together outdoors at night near a stop sign on a city street.
Busy upscale restaurant dining room with guests reviewing menus at white tablecloth tables under high ceilings.
Close-up selfie of a young woman with bold eyebrows and mascara, looking up at an industrial ceiling with lights.
Woman with distorted face filter holds phone showing man's photo while sitting in a restaurant.
Two smiling adults taking a selfie together in a warmly lit restaurant with a geometric wood panel wall.
Two people smiling together for a selfie in a dimly lit venue, woman with dreadlocks and man in gray shirt.

Cape Canaveral Cruise Port – First Night on a Caribbean Cruise



When I say I was obsessed with these ducks, it might be an understatement! Obviously, I had to take a few more photos before headed to the Cape Canaveral Port to meet up with my Mom and stepfather. Started to scope out good hiding spots for my ducks on the ship.

Family dining together at a restaurant table with drinks and menus in a warmly lit modern interior.
Elegant lounge area with teal walls, white armchairs, and colorful framed artwork display.
Two men smiling and posing together at a restaurant table with cocktail menus and drinks.
Bottom of a handmade pottery ceramic vase showing embossed maker mark stamp on white unglazed base.
Close-up of a small ceramic figurine with blue and gold glaze sitting on a round pottery base.
Hand holding a small figurine at a Carnival cruise ship terminal with the iconic red funnel visible in the background.
Colorful handmade ceramic animal figurines arranged in a circle around a fresh orange on green grass.
Two women smiling at a restaurant table, one with dreadlocks and one in a dragonfly t-shirt, dining in a warmly lit venue.
Young girl in yellow t-shirt smiling at camera inside modern hotel lobby with teal carpet.
Weathered ceramic rubber duck figurine with blue and yellow paint on a stone surface.
Young man wearing sunglasses and a beige long-sleeve fishing shirt sitting at a restaurant table.

First Day at Sea



There was much to see and explore this day and I was super hesitant to start hiding my ducks. We had been through so much in our short time together that it became extremely hard to part with them. At the end of the night, with Bashes help, I hid one duck behind a couch in the Havana Bar.

Two people sitting on colorful tufted chairs in a lounge, one wearing a knit hood with dreadlocks and a tattoo.
A small black door stopper with red accent sits at the base of a dark wooden cabinet door.
Crowded cruise ship atrium with colorful ceiling lights, multiple decks, and passengers gathered in a modern interior space.
A man and woman taking a mirror selfie in an elevator, man raising hand, woman holding phone wearing sunglasses.

Grand Turk – Snorkeling, Cruise Port Views & Ocean Photography



On this day, I spent more time in the water snorkeling than exploring the island. This wasn’t our first time visiting and since I had brought my swim cap, I decided I would focus my time swimming with the fishes. Most of the photos I took this day were from the ship or docks.


Later that day, we learned about a tragic incident that had taken place that morning involving another visitor near the water. It was a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change, and it shifted the mood for the rest of the evening.


We enjoyed our dinner overlooking the sunset. Semi-excited to hide another duck, I returned to the Havana lounge. There was an area I really enjoyed with pictures framed all over the wall, this is where I hid my next duck.

Welcome To sign on a white wall at a tropical beach resort with palm trees and lounge chairs.
Grand Turk sign on a white wall with a sandy beach, pier, and turquoise ocean in the background.
Aerial view of crystal clear turquoise ocean water with a white sandy beach shoreline in the background.
Colorful beach huts line a sandy shore near an industrial area and road in a tropical coastal town.
Teen boy with striped towel stands on dock in front of Carnival Vista cruise ship on sunny day.
Aerial view of a tropical resort with pool, palm trees, and salt flats near a turquoise Caribbean sea.
Tropical beach resort with colorful umbrellas, palm trees swaying in wind, and thatched huts on white sandy shore.
Aerial view of a tropical beach resort with turquoise waters, white sand, and colorful beach chairs in the Caribbean.
Aerial view of turquoise Caribbean waters with sailboats and motorboats anchored near a tropical island pier.
Covered wooden pergola walkway with visitors strolling toward a tropical pool area surrounded by palm trees.
View of a yellow and black channel marker through the bow and anchor of a large blue cargo ship at sea.
Lone small boat floating on calm deep blue ocean waters with a distant reef visible on the horizon.
Carnival Vista cruise ship docked at a tropical port with passengers walking along the pier on a cloudy day.
Tourists relaxing on a white sandy Caribbean beach with crystal clear turquoise water and blue buoy markers.
Close-up of a cruise ship hull featuring white upper decks with green windows and a bold red and blue stripe.

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Street Photography, Chickens & Unexpected Moments



On this day we booked a cruise excursion in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A walking tour of San Juan with the top 10 must see spots. While most of the tour was on foot, we did take a bus to help us get around to the further destinations. Most people would probably comment on the colorfully painted houses or the rich history Puerto Rico has to offer, however, I found myself quite obsessed with the cats and chickens that call San Juan their home. During our tour my family had the pleasure of learning from our knowledgeable tour guide as I aimlessly photographed the world around us. At the end of our excursion I graciously tipped our driver and guide each one ceramic duck. Below, you’ll also find a photo of a man playing his saxophone in exchange for tips. After listening to him play for a few minutes, I had also decided to give him one of my ducks. He seemed pleased but I’m unsure if I offended him. Written on his box was Apoyemos los nuestros gracias por su propina, which google translates to “let’s support our own, thank you for your tip. Although I am also an American, I am not Puerto Rican and I hope my duck giving wasn’t ignorant as I hadn’t looked into the translation at the time.


With our excursion ending and with a few hours to spare we decided to walk around by ourselves a bit. To my surprise and delight we stumbled upon a whole village of chicken in a local park. One cock in particular was quite busy harassing the pigeons, my daughter and anyone else that was in his path. We watched a real life cock fight when this dude decided to attack a mother hen with her chicks. A swarm of chickens flew out of the tree above and defended the mother from this ruthless attack. If I lived nearby, absolutely nothing would stop me from infiltrating their flock and learning the inner dynamics of the hierarchy so that I may one day call these beautiful birds family lol. Legit reminded me of one of my favorite shows, Meerkat Manor and now I know what my life’s purpose needs to be. Don’t be surprised in few years when you’ve learned that not only have a successfully convinced the San Juan chickens that I’m one of their own but we have a successful show on Nat Geo titled, “The Chicken Coop”.


If you’ve ever been on a Caribbean cruise, you know every port has its own personality, but San Juan might have been my favorite to photograph.


Later that night, I convinced Ella to help me hide the next duck. There was this area on our floor with seating all around and uplighting against the walls. We sat taking selfies and hoping no one would notice the duck I would hide behind us!

Two large Holland America Line cruise ships docked at a tropical port under partly cloudy skies.
Carnival Vista cruise ship docked at a tropical port alongside another large cruise liner under partly cloudy skies.
Crowds of tourists walk along a waterfront promenade with Hotel Rumbo visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
Tropical bromeliad plant growing beside a closed metal shutter storefront on a sandy urban sidewalk.
Young man with backpack smiling while standing in the entrance of a colorful souvenir shop.
Weathered concrete building exterior with white doors, barred windows, and yellow upper facade.
Weathered gray concrete wall with a broken wooden shutter window, flanked by tropical palm and fruit trees.
Wooden boardwalk along a tropical beach with palm trees, calm turquoise waves, and a bright blue sky with white clouds.
Person walking on a wooden boardwalk along a tropical beach with palm trees and blue sky.
Man walking on a wooden boardwalk beside a tropical beach with palm trees and blue sky.
Turquoise waves washing onto a sandy beach under blue skies in Puerto Rico on a sunny day.
Rocky shoreline with palm trees and lush greenery along a tropical beach under dramatic cloudy skies.
A small square window in a weathered concrete wall reveals a sunny tropical park with palm trees and green grass.
Tourists explore the historic walls of El Morro fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a plane flying overhead and ocean views.
Aerial view of Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

St. Maarten - Beaches, People Watching & Missed Shots



By this point in the cruise, I had fully settled into “photographer mode,” constantly scanning for moments instead of just destinations. Shortly after arriving at the St. Maarten cruise port, we hopped on a water taxi to take us a short distance to a local beach where we were asked incessantly if we wanted to rent a chair. While trying relaxing on said chair, I overheard a local tell a Canadian woman that he doesn't particularly like Americans and a few other things my people watching ears couldn’t make out. Maybe once he realized I was one of these awful people he lowered his voice!


We eventually made our way to the shops which were absolutely overtaken by jewelry stores. What I’ve noticed about most of the ports we visit is the number of jewelry stores vs’ literally everything else and as someone who doesn’t wear a whole lot of jewelry, I find myself hiding behind my camera most of the time. During this time I found a mama and her babies living in alleyway. My heart sunk as I realized I didn’t have any food in my bag to share and from the looks of things they very much needed a good meal. At that time it would’ve been nice to see a store selling food I could share instead of gold chains.


Standing outside of Granny D’s pastries enjoying their delicious Passion fruit smoothie, fellow cruiser, Dave lifted his sleeve to pose with his guns. In my failed attempt as a confused photographer, I posed to also show him mine. He laughed, and explained he wanted me to take his photo! Of course he wasn’t trying to assert his dominance or prove he was a viable mate by showing me his arm muscles, he just wanted to take a silly photo!


Somewhere between Grand Turk and St. Thomas, this trip stopped feeling like a vacation and started feeling like a story I didn’t want to end.

Luxury yachts and a red lighthouse dock beside a lush green mountain in a calm Caribbean harbor.
Turquoise Caribbean waters front a colorful beach resort town with lush green hills under a bright blue sky.
A vibrant waterfront shopping district with colorful buildings viewed from turquoise Caribbean waters.
Turquoise Caribbean waters with a sandy beach, lush green mountain, and marina under a bright blue sky in St. Maarten.
Tourists relaxing under blue beach umbrellas on a sunny Caribbean beach with turquoise water.
Sailboats and a cargo ship on calm turquoise ocean waters under dramatic cloudy skies, viewed from a tropical beach shore.
Two large cruise ships docked at port under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Crowded Caribbean beach with colorful umbrellas, lounge chairs, and tourists against a lush green hillside backdrop.
White colonial courthouse building with green shutters, clock tower, palm trees, and flags in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.
Busy pedestrian shopping street with palm trees, colorful buildings, and a mountain backdrop.
Vibrant mosaic mural depicting diverse figures dancing in colorful flowing garments on a textured wall.
A colorful Caribbean street scene with shops, parked cars, and lush green mountains in the background.
Three stray dogs loitering outside a storefront on a cobblestone street in a tropical town.
A stray dog stands in a narrow urban alley with potted plants and a yellow gate in the background.
A friendly white dog with floppy ears and pink tongue stands outdoors near potted plants.

St. Thomas - Walking and Wild Life



Our last port of call from our 8 day cruise and if you’re still reading, I have more to show you! We really did get lucky with the temperate weather during this trip. Every single day was more beautiful than the next. Often when photographing warm sunny days it can be hard to find a cloud in the sky. As a photographer though, that is one of my least favorite sayings, “Gosh, what a beautiful day, there’s not a cloud in sight”. Clouds usually bring much needed shade and they can dramatically enhance a landscape.


After walking for what seemed to be most of the morning, we finally decided to hop on one the open air buses. We had been desperately trying to find a public beach in walking distance or at least a low cost ride and found ourselves wandering without a sold plan. We climbed a tiny mountain on this bus with no doors and right before entering the beach, our driver stopped on the side of the road to inform us that even though we had walked miles closer to the beach and far away from the port we were in fact still expected to pay the same fees as everyone else. My feet and back were disheartened.


The scene at the beach reminded me of the busiest days at the jersey shore which quickly felt claustrophobic so we moved close to the rocks where there seemed to be more wild life. We were quickly rewarded as there were sea turtles and fishing pelicans on this part of the beach.


Before walking back onto the ship, we did a little shopping and I hid another duck! Literally right before walking back into the port, I found a tree and hid the little dude close to the roots.


Almost every night various members of our group would be found in the bar playing poker. My stepfather Jim had won hundreds by the end of the cruise!

Large cruise ship docked at a tropical port marina with sailboats and blue sky with clouds in the background.
Rocky shoreline with cruise ships and yachts docked at a tropical harbor marina beneath a blue sky.
Rocky shoreline with yachts docked at a marina, lush green hills, and a cruise ship in a tropical Caribbean harbor.
Two large Carnival cruise ships anchored in a tropical harbor surrounded by smaller boats and green hills.
Purple trolley bus on a sunny Caribbean street with palm trees, mountains, and blue skies in St. Thomas, USVI.
Scenic waterfront promenade in St. Thomas USVI with palm trees, marina, and lush green hillside under partly cloudy skies.
Sailboats anchored in calm turquoise harbor with colorful hillside town and dramatic cloudy sky backdrop.
Aerial view of a Caribbean coastal town with colorful rooftops, sailboats in a turquoise bay, and lush green hills under blue skies.
Panoramic coastal view with lush green trees, agave plants, calm blue bay, distant hills, and dramatic white clouds in a bright sky.
Tropical island landscape with lush greenery, white buildings, palm tree, and ocean views under cloudy sky.
Tourists enjoy a sunny Caribbean beach with turquoise waters and lush green hills in the background.
Tourists swimming in crystal-clear turquoise Caribbean waters with lush green hills and dramatic clouds in the background.
Tropical beach scene with kayaks, sunbathers, and calm turquoise waters surrounded by lush green hills under cloudy skies.
Woman in black bikini wading in calm shallow ocean water near a beach.
Shirtless man wading in calm shallow ocean water, bending forward to touch the sea surface.

Fun Day at Sea - Carnival Cruises



At the beginning of our trip we all had downloaded the Carnival cruise app. Their app has a ton a features that help you during your time on the ship, including sharing photos of your vacation. Later in the week, they share photos from cruisers on the Lido deck. My daughter Ella, uploaded a photo of my mom smoking in Puerto Rico and we were all delighted to see the photo of the big screen! Lol


On this day I hid 3 ducks! The first one was right outside of our room which was found a few hours later. Most of the stairs had these beautiful photographs with back lighting. One of the scenes sort of matched one of my ducks so I hid another within there. The third and final duck of the day was hidden in the library. Inside the library they had more than just books and seemed like a cool spot to hang and play games with friends or family. I opened the game Taboo and hid a duck inside one of the compartments.

Cozy cruise ship cabin with a king bed, white knit blanket, stuffed bunny, blue striped curtains, and a porthole window.
Passengers relaxing on sun deck chairs of cruise ship with water slide and large LED screen display.
A fresh green salad in a white bowl on a striped beach towel, enjoyed outdoors on a sunny day.
White LED puck light mounted on a ceiling panel above wooden cabinet shelving in a modern interior space.
Two people posing with funny face filter selfie inside cruise ship bar, one wearing staff uniform.
Abstract red and blue large-scale artwork panels displayed along a staircase wall with metal handrail.
Large video wall display showing a vibrant underwater scene with a starfish and coral reef above an escalator.
Open gift box with yellow toy, floral cards, and colorful accessories on wooden table with blue carpet.
Wooden display cabinet with glass shelves holding board games, puzzles, and stacked media cases in an organized retail setting.
Man relaxing on blue velvet sofa in elegant cruise ship library lounge with wooden bookshelves and TV.
Two people wearing fun face filter masks pose for a selfie at an indoor event, one in a blue vest with a name tag.
Realistic oil painting of a man and woman posing together displayed in an elaborate antique bronze frame.
Smiling couple with dreadlocks holding a craft beer can indoors, enjoying a casual moment together.

Fun Day at Sea - Carnival Cruises



Super laid back day on the ship. Hid one duck in the Lido Marketplace behind a curtain.

A laughing woman in a colorful dress holds a blue item at a bright yellow dining area on a cruise ship.
A man in floral shorts and yellow sunglasses walks on a cruise ship sports deck carrying a bag.
Two friends smiling together for a selfie indoors, one with dreadlocks and a mustache, the other in a white shirt.
A person rides a red suspended roller coaster pod over the ocean on a cruise ship.
Close-up of a rustic stone wall beside a pink upholstered bench seat in a cozy restaurant interior.

Leaving the Caribbean/Back in Florida



We packed all of our things and I hid one last duck inside our room on the top shelf! Curios whether an employee or the people that booked our room found it.. or maybe its still sitting in that same spot!

Finally back in Florida, we decided to putt a bit. I may not have won, but I did get a hole in one!


In the end, hiding and gifting my ceramic ducks became one of the most memorable parts of this Caribbean cruise. I hope everyone who found my ceramic ducks were pleasantly delighted! What started as a small creative project turned into a way to connect with complete strangers across the ship, and made this cruise photography experience one I won’t forget.

Wooden corner shelves displaying newspapers, a phone, and miscellaneous items next to a mirror in a cozy interior.
A wooden corner shelf mounted inside a cabinet with light wood grain panel walls.
Two people enjoying a screened pool patio on a sunny day, with a colorful bubble floating in the foreground.
Golfers playing on a lush green golf course surrounded by tall palm trees and residential homes under a partly cloudy sky.
A white and tan dog resting on hardwood floors near a glass door and dining area furniture.
Two golfers standing on a fairway lined with palm trees on a sunny day at a tropical golf course.

Caribbean Cruise FAQ


What is the duck hiding tradition on cruises?

A fun game where passengers hide small rubber ducks for others to find throughout the ship.


What are the best Caribbean cruise ports for photography?

San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten offered some of the most unique street and candid photography opportunities on this trip.


Is Grand Turk good for snorkeling?

Absolutely, Grand Turk is known for clear water and great snorkeling right near the cruise port.


Where can I buy one of your ducks?

I’m happy you asked! lol you can find them on my website TJsClay.com