Crossing the Equator with King Neptun

In the early morning, around 5:30 AM while most are still in their beds, we cross the equator. It's a bit of a shame that this wasn't made public. In our daily 'newspaper,' which was available every evening for the following day, the crossing was mentioned, but with a time of 6:30 AM... In retrospect, we learn that the captain throttled the engines at 5:15 AM and slowly 'glided' over the important latitude 0 at reduced speed. However, even if it had been visible, nothing could be seen; the sun rises here only around 6 AM...

Since we had already exercised the day before, this day was again a 'free' day. After breakfast, we claim our favorite spot on the deck at the stern. It's always quiet here with no loud music. The sunshade also provides shaded areas, and the view over the stern out to the Pacific, with its unbearably blue sea, is simply fantastic to witness.

We spend the time dozing on the stern, going through our travel guides, and later with our 'travel companions' Petra and Michael. We've been traveling together since Honolulu on the Sun, and we initially share the same destination: Papeete. We quickly find many similarities when it comes to traveling, and it's interesting to hear about all they have seen so far. Interestingly, this is their first cruise. Both couldn't have imagined that this could be a part of traveling. Petra mentioned that one can only find something not beautiful if they haven't tried or experienced it. Until the start of the cruise, they thought it wouldn't be worth repeating. At least Petra admitted today that another cruise had entered the realm of possibility... ;-) So there's a similar journey regarding cruises as ours. Love it or list it – that's the motto... And we love it!!!

Meanwhile, it became 2 PM, and the day's big event was about to take place at the pool. The Equator baptism was set for everyone who had not yet crossed the equator by ship. We definitely belonged to that group. By plane yes, by ship no.

It was a huge party. Hundreds of guests gathered in the midship pool area to witness this ceremony. Loud music drew the last stragglers from other areas to the pool deck. King Neptun and Queen Sereyna with their entourage entered and greeted the subjects with elaborate explanations. The actual baptism took place in smaller groups. After all, everyone had to approach the royal couple and the entourage. With a ladle of icy cold ice-water, one would be baptized by having water and ice cubes poured over their head. The next station was the 'soaping' with whipped cream on the face. After that, there was another shower with icy cold ice-water. Thus the baptism ceremony concluded.

A great fun for all to either watch or endure the baptism themselves. We had a lot of fun, as did Petra and Michael.

The day ended beautifully with the sunset. With almost flat seas and a blue sky, interspersed with white clouds, it was simply the epitome of the South Seas… (at least for us…)