We became Emerald Shellbacks today.  This will be my second time crossing the equator at the Prime Meridian; the first was back in 2018 – More HERE.  In 2018 we crossed in the dead of night and had a party in the Crow’s Nest, but Capt Mercer and the Amsterdam didn’t quite hit the spot precisely as he would have had to stop and maneuver at slow speed.

NULL ISLAND

Today, Capt Frank nailed the spot around 11:30 am.  He brought the ship to a dead stop and then used the Azipods and bow thrusters to maneuver the ship to the exact location.  He went the extra step and pointed the bow due north, so we were perfectly aligned.  At one time, a buoy was marking the spot – called Null Island.  We could not locate the buoy, even using radar and powerful binoculars.  It likely no longer exists, but it was fun to look.

The forward lookout was crowded with people looking for Null Island

I think I see it!

There it is! (with the help of Photoshop)

A few passengers captured and documented our achievement on their phones, and they shared their screenshots with me.

KING NEPTUNE CEREMONY

We had a King Neptune Ceremony on the Lido Deck by the pool earlier in the day.  This time-honored tradition is steeped in maritime lore and pays homage to King Neptune, the mythical ruler of the sea.  There was a time, years ago when passengers would participate in the ceremony, but now it’s restricted to the crew.

People who have not yet crossed the equator are “Pollywogs,” while those who have previously crossed and have been initiated are Trusty Shellbacks.  About twenty-five pollywog crewmembers, representing all the departments,  assembled in the Art Studio off the Crow’s Nest before the ceremony, where they were organized and briefed on the anticipated schedule of events.

Pollywogs assemble in the Crow’s Nest before the ceremony

Promptly at 10 am, the Pollywogs were marched down to the pool area under the watchful eye of other crewmembers who played the role of Pirates.  Ian was the Magistrate and Master of Ceremonies, while Spencer and Susana played King Neptune and the Mermaid Queen.  The Captain and other senior officers who formed King Neptune’s Court arrived and sat at one end of the pool where they would pass judgment on the pollywogs as they were brought forward in groups of 4 to 8.

King Neptune and The Mermaid Queen before the Ceremony

As each group of Pollywogs was brought forward, Ian read a list of humorous charges, after which they were sent to the Royal Surgeons, where they were covered with a slimy substance before returning to the end of the pool to face the court and learn their fate.  Along the way, they were ordered to Bow to the Fish – they no longer are required to Kiss the Fish – and then returned to face the court and hear their verdict.

Ian was the Magistrate

Pollywogs waiting to face the judge

The pollywogs were closely guarded by pirates

Pollywogs face the court and listen to their “charges.”[/caption]

The pollywogs visit the Royal Surgeons

Royal Surgeons at work

After appropriate deliberation and a drum roll,  the Captain and his court voted “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.”  A “Thumbs Down” vote meant a quick dunk in the pool, while if they received a “Thumbs Up,” they were spared and ordered to sit by the side of the pool until the end of the ceremony.

The pollywogs learn their fate.

The guests were crowded around the pool while Pollywogs waited to learn their fate.

This continued until all the pollywogs were processed and adjudicated.  At the end of the ceremony, all the newly minted Shellbacks jumped in the pool.

Everyone was in the pool as the ceremony came to a close

We received Emerald Shellback Certificates

EVENING ON THE SHIP

Ellen and Peter from San Diego joined us for dinner this evening.

Ellen and Peter join table 89

NAOMI TAGG

Naomi Tagg was on the World Stage this evening