November 1, 2024 - Friday - Sea Day

November 1, 2024 – Friday                 Day 37 of this journey 

Sea Day – Crossing The Equator Ceremony 

This will be a short one. 

We are on our way to Manta, Ecuador. 

Something that is always celebrated on cruise ships is Crossing the Equator for the first time. There are many different approaches to this ceremony. The ceremony also seldom coincides with the exact time of the crossing. 

On this voyage, the celebration was at 11:00 a.m. and handled in the Aula (theater). We will actually cross the Equator around midnight. Various employees were selected to represent their departments on board the ship. They represented those staff members that had not previously crossed the equator. These people are known as Pollywogs. Neptune was summoned and called forth the Pollywogs to face charges and sentencing.

Neptune with his crown

Pollywogs being presented

Management always has a great deal of fun in making up charges against the Pollywogs. After the charges are read, the guests on board vote guilty or not guilty. Of course, the Pollywogs are always quite guilty. The sentencing involves each of the Pollywogs having to kiss a fish, they are given a shot of aquavit and are promoted to Shellbacks. Then any Pollywogs in the audience are invited to participate. They come up, kiss the fish, and get a shot of aquavit (Booze).

This is Ramya, one of our favorite bar tenders

We participated in a similar ceremony aboard the Viking Neptune on our World Cruise a couple of years ago, so we are already Shellbacks.

 Neptune seemed particularly unhappy today as the seas are quite angry.