After a two-year absence from the Melbourne Cup, three Carnival Australia ships, Carnival Splendor, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, headed to Flemington in time for the Melbourne Cup race. The Melbourne Cup fleet brought 7,600 visitors which is the largest ever group of interstate racing guests to arrive at Flemington.
Carnival Splendor, which accommodates 3,000 passengers, embarked on its six-night cruise from Sydney arriving at Flemington today, November 1, while P&O Australia’s Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, each carrying 2,600 passengers, sailed from Sydney and Brisbane one day before that, on Monday. October 31. All three ships docked at the Station Wharf.
As well as delivering racing enthusiasts to the annual Melbourne Cup Day traditionally held on the first Tuesday of November, the ships have prepared a host of on-board fashion races and events to entertain guests for six nights.
Scheduled events on Carnival Splendor include a live Q&A session with Australian racing star Glen Boss and British-born jockey Peter Hutchinson, while Australian jockey Robbie Dolan will host a live Q&A session on board Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter.
A series of fashion events hosting well-known designers, models and fashion icons are scheduled to take place on all three ships in the coming days.
“Our guests absolutely love our Melbourne Cup cruise and our cruises are sold out year after year with this year being the biggest yet,” said President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises, Marguerite Fitzgerald.
“All three ships have jam-packed itineraries that enable our guests to enjoy the racing experience beyond just the Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day. The energy and excitement is palpable,” added Fitzgerald.
The Melbourne Cup, which celebrates the race’s 162nd running this year, is scheduled to start its first race at 10.45am closing with the last race of the day at 5.15pm.
