POLLYWOGS & SHELLBACKS

Today we crossed the Equator on our way to Hawaii. There has been a long tradition of marking the crossing of the Equator with ceremonies of some kind on Navy ships and on many cruise ships. First comers to crossing the line are known as Pollywogs and, on cruise ships at least, are offered to undertake an initiation ceremony before attaining the esteemed title of a Shellback. In earlier days on Navy ships these ceremonies were often cruel and humiliating. Today they tend to be harmlessly humiliating by being covered with last night’s dinner scraps, presented to King Neptune and thrown in the pool. On the four occasions we have crossed the line by sea, we have never admitted to being Pollywogs but enjoyed seeing others  dunked.

Cruise ships offer a wide range of activities for guests on days when there will be no port stops. M has just disappeared to the jewellery crafting shop. Not sure how much that will cost me. There’s Tai Chi and Zumba, Trivia and Sudoku, Bridge and Board Games, Line Dancing and Karaoke, Dance and Hula classes, and Enrichment Lectures. Over the many cruises we have taken, I have particularly enjoyed hearing lectures from a wide range of people who get on and off at various ports along the journey. They are often well known academics, scientists, actors or celebrities etc with something interesting to say. Today’s Enrichment Lecture is: How Big Brands Manipulate us! Well, I already know the answer to that and, in any case, we slept in beyond his 9.00am start. Each night there is a ‘Show’ of some kind in the Theatre, one at 7.30 and a repeat at 9.30. They are usually filled to capacity. Last night was an Aussie comedian who, for much of the time, interacted with and paid out on individuals in the audience. He was pretty good. Tonight’s Show is entitled Stardust and will feature this ship’s onboard singers and dancers. There is lots to do or nothing to do and after a week on this ship we are finding a rhythm in what we like to do and can now finally find our way around the ship. More than 2000 passengers are on this ship; but the only time large numbers of people are evident is at the theatre or at serve yourself ‘Gobble-and-Go’.

Apart from the self-serve option, there are two restaurants whose food offerings are included in the cruise fare. And then there are specialty restaurants like the one we booked for my birthday which charge what you would expect from a fancy restaurant. We purchased a ‘drinks package’, whose price I will leave you to find out, that allows us to have unlimited alcohol (wine & spirits), coffee, nonalcoholic beverages up to a certain price. I have informed M this morning I am having an alcohol free day today. Now, while all that might sound expensive, and it is, it allows you simply to enjoy the experience without debating whether we can afford to buy another drink. We have already purchased it! 

The big innovation for this cruise compared to all our previous cruises is the enhanced use of technology. All passengers are issued with a personalised electronic medallion one wears around the neck on a lanyard. As you approach your cabin door, a green light shows the door is now unlocked. As you approach your waiter to buy a drink, he looks into his device and greets you with your first name. As you leave your cabin, the door locks and informs your cabin steward to remake your room. There are two large TVs in our mini-suite that are also large electronic devices. Yes, you can watch TV, Movies, and receive the two football finals being played in Australia; but you can also reserve your table in the restaurant (alone or sharing) and review the menu on offer. Yesterday, we ordered lunch in our room from the phone and watched the stages of receipt, preparation, and notice of delivery. Now you understand M’s exclamation boarding the Coral Princess, ‘no more grocery shopping or food preparation for 35 days!’

Cruising on a ship like this and for long periods at sea does not suit everyone; but the older we get, the more we appreciate it. Time is spent just sitting on the balcony reading or writing, enjoying the solitude, reflecting on the privilege of a fortunate life.