We Are No Longer Pollywogs

Crossing the Equator on my Birthday

First, we started the day with a leisurely breakfast, then off to Bridge lessons ( more on that later).

We dashed from Bridge lessons to the pool on the aft deck for the Neptune Ceremony. This longstanding naval tradition happens when you cross the Equator for the first time. If you or someone you know has been in the Navy then you are familiar with the rituals of morphing from a “pollywog” to a “shellback”. On cruise ships, it is only the crew, including the entertainers, who are first-timers crossing the equator who get to stand before King Neptune and Queen Amphitrite and Davy Jones to see if they are worthy.

Davy Jones along with the King and Queen get to decide what they must endure to become a shellback. Today it was being coated in colorful goop, taken over to kiss the fish, and then left to bake in the sun. Once they proved they could complete their tasks, they jumped in the pool to cool off, swim with the mermaid, and hopefully wash off the goop. Just as a quick note, following the ceremony, the pool was closed for cleaning.

Speaking of baking in the sun, the Captain and his officers were observing the ceremony from a shaded seat on deck above the pool. So in a way, the passengers (us) also baked in the sun but at least we did not have colored goop all over our bodies. The ceremony created lots of laughs and cheers. Once the first group completed their task, we went inside and grabbed a cold drink.

Lots of Birthday Wishes

Thank you everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes. On board the Noordam, I received a call from Guest Services wishing me a Happy Birthday, a card from our housekeeping staff, and one from the Captain. When we went back to the room that afternoon, I had a plate with a birthday wish as well as a chocolate cupcake (yum).

Later that afternoon, we were able to Zoom with Jennie and Harold since we were only a few hours ahead of California time. At first, we struggled with the lag time but eventually learned how to maneuver and have a cohesive conversation.

The evening ended with dinner in the Pinnacle Grill (one of the specialty restaurants on board the ship). What a dinner! All the food on board is really good but nothing really beats the Pinnacle Grill.