We crossed the equator between Panama and Ecuador. When we were are at sea on the 1/13, they had a ceremony of transfer from Polliwog into the Secret Society of Shellbacks. For a first crossing of the equator, you get “initiated” into this society. It is an old sailing custom. In the past it could get quite nasty for the sailors. Here are some examples of what sailors have had to go through in the past. "During the ceremony, the Pollywogs undergo a number of increasingly embarrassing ordeals (wearing clothing inside out and backwards; crawling on hands and knees on nonskid-coated decks; being swatted with short lengths of firehose; being locked in stocks and pillories and pelted with mushy fruit; being locked in a water coffin of salt-water and bright green sea dye (fluorescent sodium salt); crawling through chutes or large tubs of rotting garbage; kissing the Royal Baby's belly coated with axle grease, hair chopping, etc.), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks.” From Wikipedia.
Fortunately, we did not have to do anything but take pictures and the certificate showed up in our room. Some of the guests and the crew were good sports and did get a bit of initiation into the society.
The festivities started with the entrance of King Neptune and his retinue. His “queen” follows him. There are mermaids, pirates, the people to be tried in the court.
Some pictures to give you an idea of the general silliness.
Court is in session.
Left: The cruise director on the right. Right: Convicted passengers. That's ice cream that is getting “fed” to each other. There is ketchup and chocolate sauce on their shirts.
A member of the entertainment staff. He has raw eggs, shaving cream, chocolate sauce and jello on his head. He is clearly not having a good time.
We couldn’t resist this picture.