Carnival Liberty “coin”

[hetulot]

Does anyone know where the “coin” is imbedded on the Liberty?

[ABQrobin]

yes.

 

Let's just say we couldn't find it on embarkation day, as their were lounge chairs stacked in front of it.  

[SeaScout]

Yes.  

[five.]

First I've heard of coins. I'll have to give this a go on the next cruise.

[chengkp75]

This is the old maritime tradition of placing a coin under the mast when a ship is built, for good luck.  Most cruise ships weld these in a display box somewhere around the foremast.

[Aplmac]

I have a certain fascination with

the ancient maritime tradition of stepping a mast

with a coin in place under it.

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Ancient Greek Mythology relates

that the River Styx presents a barrier that separates us

from a successful transition to the afterlife.

If you don't successfully transition, you'll be stuck in “limbo” for eternity.

 

Charon provides a ferry service across the River Styx

but he requires some small payment in the form of coinage.

He is described as having transported the souls of the newly dead

across this river into the underworld. What a job. huh?

 

This financial requirement ties in

with a very old maritime tradition in sail-boating and shipbuilding,

when Mast Stepping is the process of raising the boat's mast.

- a ceremonial occasion which occurs when the mast is 'stepped'

towards the end of a ship's construction.

 

The ceremony involves

placing or welding one or more coins into the mainmast of a ship,

and is seen as an important ceremonial occasion in a ship's construction

which is thought to bring good luck.

 

Although such coins were originally placed under the main mast of a ship,

they are now generally welded under the radar mast

or laid in the keel as part of a keel laying ceremony.

 

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Photo clues below

including a picture of Charon (draped in red) at work