Carnival Cruise Line backs winning talent line-up for 2018 Melbourne Cup cruise

Carnival Cruise Line is already gearing up to host its next Melbourne Cup cruise with a number of Australian racing legends confirmed to join guests onboard Carnival Spirit in 2018.

A mix of racing talent and experts will accompany cruisers onboard, hosting a range of popular events in the build-up to the Cup, including Q&As, photo opportunities with the Cup, racing trivia, fashion parades, millinery workshops and betting masterclasses.

Confirmed to board Carnival Spirit for the Melbourne Cup 2018 sailing are:

• Former sports broadcaster and racing enthusiast, Damian Kelly, will board Carnival Spirit as the official Master of Ceremonies for 2018, hosting an array of racing events on board to ensure the cruise is a holiday to remember.
• Darren ‘The Gauch’ Gauci, one of Australia’s most successful jockeys, with over 2500 wins to his name, will give cruisers a look behind the scenes of riding in the Melbourne Cup.Wendy Green, owner of 1999 Melbourne Cup winning horse, Rogan Josh, will board Carnival Spirit with her Melbourne Cup trophy to share her inspiring story and give racing enthusiasts the ultimate photo opportunity.
• The “voice of Victorian Racing” for 36 years and renowned Melbourne Cup race caller, Greg Miles OAM, will make hearts gallop as he runs a Phantom Race Call featuring the legends of the last 24 Melbourne Cups. 

Additional talent will be announced in the lead-up to the cruise.

Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia and NZ, Jennifer Vandekreeke, said, “We’re delighted to host such a high calibre of racing legends onboard Carnival Spirit next spring, in what we’re anticipating to be our most exciting race-day cruise to date.”

In an added perk, Carnival Cruise Line will be the only cruise line to also offer guests tickets to the popular Oaks Day, ensuring the race-day fun doesn’t have to stop at Melbourne Cup.

“Carnival's Melbourne Cup cruise really is a race-lovers’ dream. It provides guests with the opportunity to get excited for the Cup through various unique racing themed events, coveted tickets to the Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day, as well as the chance to debrief on event highlights with fellow cruisers on the sail back to Sydney.”

The six-day return Melbourne Cup cruise will depart Sydney on Sunday, 4 November 2018 and sail into Melbourne on Tuesday, 6 November, providing guests with tickets to the Melbourne Cup and to Oaks Day at Flemington Race Course.

For more information about Carnival Cruise Line’s Melbourne Cup cruise and to book please visit your travel agent, carnival.com.au or call 13 31 94.