QM2 crossing the line2
Crossing the Line
Presided over by King Neptune and his court, this ceremony was held on the day of Queen Mary 2’s crossing of the equator between Guam in Micronesia and Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. “Pollywogs”, a title given to those who have never crossed the equator on a ship before were initiated in a bizarre ritual. This entailed being covered in muck from one of the ship’s galleys, kissing a fish then being dunked in the pool, thus joining the ranks of those who went before, the “Shellbacks”.
  •  Queen Mary 2’s Captain Nicholas Bates and his officers at the court of King Neptune.

    Queen Mary 2’s Captain Nicholas Bates and his officers at the court of King Neptune.

  •  Captain Bates seeks safe passage over the equator from King Neptune.

    Captain Bates seeks safe passage over the equator from King Neptune.

  •  King Neptune and Queen Amphitrite.

    King Neptune and Queen Amphitrite.

  •  Pollywogs line up for initiation.

    Pollywogs line up for initiation.

  •  A young crewman being initiated. One hopes that is just chocolate!

    A young crewman being initiated. One hopes that is just chocolate!

  •  The 'Doctor' commands . . . 'now go kiss the fish!'

    The 'Doctor' commands . . . 'now go kiss the fish!'

  •  An officer of the watch becomes a Shellback.

    An officer of the watch becomes a Shellback.

  •  All done, now it’s time to kiss the fish!

    All done, now it’s time to kiss the fish!

  •  The fish!

    The fish!

  •  Young pirates looking for victims!

    Young pirates looking for victims!

  •  King Neptune.

    King Neptune.

  •  Young pirates by the pool.

    Young pirates by the pool.

  •  “Grab that Pollywog!”

    “Grab that Pollywog!”

  •  A Pollywog becomes a Shellback.

    A Pollywog becomes a Shellback.

  •  Another Pollywog gets the treatment!

    Another Pollywog gets the treatment!

  •  What a mess!

    What a mess!

  •  You don’t want to know!

    You don’t want to know!

  •  Young and fit for duty . . . a pirate of the QM2.

    Young and fit for duty . . . a pirate of the QM2.

  •  More pirates!

    More pirates!

  •  Even pirates become Shellbacks eventually.

    Even pirates become Shellbacks eventually.