Kiss the Fish

We just crossed the equator and in a time honored tradition on cruise ships, guests and crew are invited to kiss a large fresh raw fish on the lips and them jump fully-dressed into the pool, swim across and drink a toast.

You could not pay me to be the cruise director who officiates this ceremony countless times. I would change the whole deal. How about a variation like, sit down at a linen covered table with a cool beverage, sail across the hot muggy equator in air-conditioned comfort with your friends and pass the tasty, well prepared fish between your lips. That would work for me.

On another note: The captain just informed us that we are experiencing a mechanical problem which has us running at less than optimal cruising speed. This will make it necessary to by-pass our next port, Recife, and continue on to the succeeding stop. Every guest will be given a $250 credit for the change. Oh well, nothing is perfect. I hope they get the ship fixed or it will become a half world cruise at this speed.