All Hail King Neptune

March 6, 2013  Sea Day Crossing the Equator

Today we had the first of 2 days at sea while we transit to the Philippines.  This was the second time we had crossed the equator on this voyage.  We had done it on our way down South America, near Ecuador. 

King Neptune

 

pollywogs being treated

This morning was the King Neptune ceremony where Pollywogs are offered up to Neptune as a tribute to ask for safe crossing of the equator.  The members of each department aboard the ship are offered up- they are the Pollywogs.  They brought 4 of them at a time before Neptune and the judge officers.  First they had to kiss the fish and then they were subjected to having meringue slop spread all over them.  In the past this used to be much grosser things such as leftover spaghetti etc.  After the nurses finished treating them with slop, the officers decided their fate- in the drink (dumped into the pool) or saved (sit on the side).  In this case I think being dumped in the drink would be preferable.  We knew several of the Pollywogs- including Scott, my trainer on the ship; Christopher, the librarian; and Tom, the techspert.  They also put the whole entertainment cast who is disembarking in Manila before Neptune as well.  The dining stewards, bartenders and room stewards were all dumped, the cruise director staff was all “saved”. 

 

"C" kissing the fish

 At the end of the ceremony, guests were invited to kiss the fish if they wished.  “C” took a photo with it and was even captured on video by the ship’s crew.  I opted to be the photographer.

 

 

 

 

 

That evening was a formal night with King Neptune’s ball.  I allowed “C” to stay up to go in and take a picture with King Neptune since the next day was again a sea day.  I don’t think it was quite as interesting as he had expected.   Our cabin is now full of under the sea themed balloons though, thanks to the dining room staff.