Cruises are always full of unforgettable moments to cherish for a lifetime. Whether traveling to a new destination or sailing with loved ones for an anniversary, there is always reason to celebrate!
As someone who has cruised 50 times over the last 20 years, I’ve had my fair share of experiences. In my opinion, one of the most unique and memorable cruise experiences you can have at sea is crossing the equator.
Often referred to as a line-crossing ceremony or King Neptune Day, this nautical tradition has a longstanding maritime history. The wacky tradition was started hundreds of years ago by sailors crossing the equator by sea.
Sailors would be put to the test while the vessel - usually an old wooden ship - crossed the equator, which involved some physical tasks, obstacles, and general mischief.
Now, cruise ships and ocean liners carry on the tradition with passengers onboard, but it’s strictly for entertainment and celebratory purposes. The unique tradition celebrates cruisers crossing the equator for the first time, often including an appearance from King Neptune himself.
I’ve actually crossed the equator twice by cruise ship! The first time was when I sailed on Semester at Sea. We celebrated Neptune Day as a shipboard community while we sailed between Africa and South America. The crossing ceremony was one of the most memorable of my voyage!
I just recently crossed the equator for the second time by cruise ship. This time, I cruised from the southern to the northern hemisphere, crossing the equator on the final day of our 15-night voyage from Sydney, Australia, to Singapore. Celebrity Cruises hosted a playful and celebratory line-crossing ceremony on the pool deck as our ship crossed the equator.
Cruise ships fully embrace this bizarre maritime tradition, transforming the ceremony into a deck party with a little bit of history and a bunch of laughs. Here’s everything you need to know about Neptune Day if you’re planning to cross the equator on a cruise ship!
Welcome, King Neptune!
During the ceremony, sailors must pay their respects to King Neptune - the Roman god of the sea - to earn their new title of trusty shellback. During this old maritime tradition, sailors hope to earn an initiation into the court of King Neptune. No line-crossing ceremony is complete without a visit from King Neptune himself, accompanied by his Royal Court.
Hosted by our Cruise Director, the Royal Court was first welcomed to the pool deck with roaring applause from the audience. In reality, the “Royal Court” was just the ship’s activities staff dressed in togas and ceremonial attire. Two beautiful mermaids also appeared next to King Neptune’s coveted chair before making his highly-anticipated arrival.
As is common when performed on cruise ships, one of our ship’s officers dressed as King Neptune in an elaborate costume, complete with a crown and trident! He was welcomed to the ceremony with loud cheers by guests surrounding the pool deck. A live band was playing music to get everyone’s spirits high as well.
The ship’s top officers also paid their respects to King Neptune individually, receiving a nautical blessing from the Roman god! Following this ritual, passengers were instructed to line up behind the band to earn their titles of trusted shellbacks.
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From Pollywogs to Shellbacks
Those who have never sailed across the equator before are considered “pollywogs.” Traditionally, the pollywogs must complete a series of initiation rituals while crossing the equator before being accepted by King Neptune as a trusty “shellback” in his court.
During cruise ship crossing ceremonies, the tradition of completing silly and often embarrassing tasks can take on a variety of forms.
During Neptune Day on Semester at Sea, for instance, we had to complete a series of fun tasks before becoming shellbacks. This included dumping slime on our heads, jumping in the pool, kissing a dead fish, and kissing Neptune’s ring. Only then could we be deemed as shellbacks by King Neptune!
On our recent Celebrity Cruise, the only task during the initiation ceremony was kissing the massive dead fish on the pool deck and paying our respects to King Neptune. The quirky task was a great photo opportunity for the photographers!
Most guests on our cruise participated in the ritual, while others decided to watch the festivities from afar. Regardless, the celebration was a fun, lighthearted ceremony with plenty of cheering and music.
Certificate of Completion
Following the exciting ceremony, our ship technically didn’t actually cross the equator until a few hours later. After crossing the equator, it’s not uncommon for cruise lines to provide certificates to guests to commemorate the occasion.
Once we finished dinner, we made our way back to our staterooms to finish packing before disembarking the following day. We were excited to find equator crossing certificates on our beds that were personalized with our names.
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The certificate read:
Imperium Neptuni Regis
To All Seamen & Passengers:
Greetings! Know ye, that on this 2nd day of November in the year of 2024, Celebrity Solstice passed into the royal domain as she crossed the equator. Be it known that said vessel and all aboard have been duly initiated into our mystic and ancient order, and witnessed under our hand this day.
ALLISON HUBERS having been found worthy is numbered as one of our trusty Shellbacks and has been duly dedicated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep.
Which cruises will feature Neptune Day?
As you might imagine, not every cruise itinerary will cross the equator. Only certain sailings will actually cross the equator. Even still, some cruises might not perform the equator crossing ceremony.
However, if you’re sailing on a repositioning cruise that transitions between hemispheres, the ship will probably host a crossing ceremony. Cruises across Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa could all feature an equator crossing while transitioning between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
If your itinerary features an equator crossing, check the cruise’s daily schedule so you don’t miss the festivities! Don’t forget to pack your hat, sunscreen, and water, as the sun is extremely hot at the equator.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
