Crossing the Equator -- and Party Hardy

Any excuse for a party.  It is crossing the equator day.  As each sailor knows, you are a pollywog until you have answered to King Neptune before you “cross the line.”  You must pay the dues:  you are hazed, then you must kiss the fish, and then you are dunked in the water.  This is a lot of fun with the crowd cheering the pollywog to “kiss the fish.”  The pool had been cleaned and prepared for the messy fun.  King Neptune and his court appeared, and the pollywogs were dragged in to kneel before the court and receive their sentence.

Here is a link to the YouTube video I shot showing our cruise director and captain completing the ceremony.  There is a little surprise at the end of this 1.16 minute video, so I hope you will watch it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIIjxHS6r9Y

This is our second equator party, and boy are they a lot of fun.  Crew members who have not crossed the line are fair game for the rest of the crew, as well as “volunteer” passengers.  Once you have been initiated and cleansed, you now have the distinction of becoming a shellback. *

The ceremony was held during bridge time.  Before bridge started, Michael took a survey to see if the group would be interested in taking a 15 minute break to watch the activities.  Would you believe that about half groused about doing this!  These bridge players have no sense of fun.  They took the break anyway, and Michael had to round up a few strays who lingered to enjoy the spectacle.  I am glad he had a chance to see at least a few minutes of it as he missed it the first time around. 

King Neptune and  Amphitrite.  Our captain is on the left.

Pollywogs begging for forgiveness

The pollywogs being punished before turning into shellbacks

The pollywogs have to kiss the fish

The cruise director's turn

Well folks, that was the excitement for the past two days.  We are probably the hardest working people on board.  We have another straight seven days of work before we hit our next port of call, Nuka Hiva.  I am besieged with requests for help on iPad problems and people are asking me when the next class is.  I don’t know.  I know there will be another one, but I think they are waiting to get a connector so I can use the Grand Salon so people don’t have to crowd into a tiny room and sit on the floor.  After all, this is Seabourn, and people do not sit on the floor – except for me!!

Both of us are tired.  We had to host a table for 12 at dinner tonight.  Most of them were bridge players.  Michael went to the show, but I came back to write the blog.  There just doesn't seem to be much down time for us right now.  Ten sea days in a row is exhausting; being “on” takes a lot of work.  We have also had five time changes since boarding the ship in Fort Lauderdale, and three in the past five days, and let me say that it really screws up sleep, especially for me, who has a hard time sleeping anyway.

*Here’s a little history of the ceremony: 

In the U.S. Navy, when a ship crosses the equator, a time-honored ceremony takes place. This is a Navy tradition and an event no sailor ever forgets.  With few exceptions, those who have been inducted into the "mysteries of the deep" by Neptunus Rex and his Royal court, count the experience as a highlight of their naval career.  Members of Neptunus Rex's party usually include Davy Jones, Neptune's first assistant, Her Highness Amphitrite, the Royal Scribe, the Royal Doctor, the Royal Dentist,  the Royal Baby, the Royal Navigator, the Royal Chaplain, the Royal Judge, Attorneys, Barbers and other names that suit the party.

Officially recognized by service record entries indicating date, time, latitude and longitude, the crossing of the equator involves elaborate preparation by the "shellbacks" (those who have crossed the equator before) to ensure the "pollywogs" (those who are about to cross the equator for the first time) are properly indoctrinated. This involves grossly concocted food and slime that is smeared or doused all over the pollywogs in the presences of the shellbacks.  All pollywogs, even the Commanding Officer if he has not crossed before, must participate.

A Golden Shellback is one who has crossed the equator at the 180th meridian.