Equator Crossing and Shellback Initiation

[EarlyDawn]

We're crossing the equator on the NCL Spirit this December and wondering if ship passengers have an opportunity to earn "Shellback" status?

[Funky Fusion FoodsJ]

4 minutes ago, EarlyDawn said:

We're crossing the equator on the NCL Spirit this December and wondering if ship passengers have an opportunity to earn "Shellback" status?

No.

[surfclam2003]

49 minutes ago, EarlyDawn said:

We're crossing the equator on the NCL Spirit this December and wondering if ship passengers have an opportunity to earn "Shellback" status?

 

Yes we were on the Spirit Hawaii to Tahiti. Crossed middle of night and day after received certificate in cabin.

[surfclam2003]

Just now, surfclam2003 said:

 

Yes we were on the Spirit Hawaii to Tahiti. Crossed middle of night and day after received certificate in cabin.

No ceremony

 

[www3traveler]

The Ceremony may depend on the Cruise Director and Captain.  It has been done in the past.  Might not hurt to ask as your cruise begins.

[Travelers56]

on a repo cruise from Miami to Santiago-  there was a parade, party and ceremony.

Great fun -  except that it was intended for the pool deck-  but because of rain-  got moved inside to Bliss-  had a great time 

[CaptainBazz]

We were on the Spirit 4 years ago...there was a parade and a chance to 'kiss the fish' ...lots of fun...also got a certificate.

[bluesea777]

Nov 2018 on Jewel from Singapore to Sydney (17 Days), yes there was a Neptune ceremony when we crossed the Equator. Dingo Dave was the CD - he's an Aussie.

 

Great fun!

 

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

Nov 2018 on Jewel from Singapore to Sydney (17 Days), yes there was a Neptune ceremony when we crossed the Equator. Dingo Dave was the CD - he's an Aussie.

 

Great fun!

 

Here are the photos: (thanks @YVRteacher!!! 🥰)

 

 

[BigRedFan]

We had a crossing the line ceremony out on the pool deck on my recent Athens to Cape Town B2B on the Jade.  Received a certificate in the cabin the next day 🙂

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by BigRedFan

[Cruzn Bills Fan]

I did this when I was a young sailor in the US Navy heading from Norfolk Va to Perth/Freemantle Australia in 1981. I'm sure it was quite different! 

[EarlyDawn]

Apparently the US Navy version didn't use baking flour and chocolate syrup! I remember Dad said he got a chest shave with straight razor and diesel fuel.

[Davechipp74]

I did the U.S. Navy version as a Marine aboard USS Reagan everyone got a shellback card, but we didnt just wake up to it in our suites there was hell to pay, good times looking back now. I'm sure the cruise ship version is far different than the aircraft carrier version.

[BigRedFan]

18 hours ago, Davechipp74 said:

I did the U.S. Navy version as a Marine aboard USS Reagan everyone got a shellback card, but we didnt just wake up to it in our suites there was hell to pay, good times looking back now. I'm sure the cruise ship version is far different than the aircraft carrier version.

My husband was a Marine serving aboard the Oklahoma City back during the Vietnam era.  We lived in Japan for two years. He said they had quite an initiation ceremony.