Where are we today? Neptune's Court! Oceano Atlantica

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 It came to Neptune's attention that there were many members of the crew on the Zuiderdam who were pollywogs, and he and his wife, the Mermaid Queen came to check it out.  Four groups of about 4 or 5 such scruvy folks were rounded up and brought to trial.

Four of the ship’s musicians stood trial first, and they were sentenced to kiss the fish and be slimed.  Then a court voted whether they had to go in the drink or if they got a pass. No pardon. The pink, green, and blue slimed musicians had to jump in. 

Kissing the fish. While this group and another were sentenced to a dunking, 
 two groups were given a pass. Actually, it was so hot, and I am sure that slime wasn’t comfortable.  I would rather have been in the pool.   

If you look closely, you can see the mermaid Queen and Neptune in the upper right

Can you see the bailiff behind the polar bear? 

What is a pollywog? A crewman or crewwoman who is crossing the equator for the first time and who, thus, has never paid tribute to Neptune. (Once a crew member  has passed the trial and initiation “punishment”, he or she becomes a trusted shellback.) The pollywogs are in trouble for entering Neptune’s realm without due tribute and for whatever petty infractions they may have committed. Many navies, including the U.S., and merchant marine or even research vessels around the world have these line crossing ceremonies, and cruise ships sometimes do them to entertain the guests.  As you can imagine, the naval and merchant crews do tougher hazing of the pollywogs than cruise ships do. 

The Mermaid Queen always appealed for mercy for the crew, but Neptune would not be moved.  The court, who voted with thumbs up or thumbs down, sided wthe the pollywogs sometimes and with Neptune at times.

We actually crossed the equator for the 2nd time, this time sailing north, a couple of days ago. Because the crew needed to attend to the river and sea conditions at the time, Neptune graciously postponed his appearance to today.  

Our pictures aren’t great, because Dave and I were watching the ceremonial trial from the 10th deck   It took place on the 9 th. 

I am happy to report in the end that Neptune pardoned all of the pollywogs and inducted them as shellbacks. They are pollywogs, no more.







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