Preamble or Preramble

Off and Racing

Not long now and we will be cruising to the Melbourne Cup.  After last year we vowed that we would not need to go to the Melbourne Cup again but when Carnival made an error with their pricing online we just had to do it!!
 
Last year we were lucky enough to get a last minute deal on the P&O Pacific Pearl.  This meant that all the grandstand seating was sold out.  We debated whether to take fold up chairs but just took a blanket and sat on the grassed area with all the other thousands of people.  The weather was perfect.... blue skies, sunny and HOT.  I actually had to use my umbrella to shield us from the sun!  As the day progressed the drunks got drunker which was not conducive to a relaxing afternoon watching the races and taking in the scenery of which there was plenty!!  Our little patch of grass that we carefully selected so that we would be on the edge of the beautiful rose gardens to minimise the passing parade soon became a thoroughfare.... people would just walk straight through the middle and were even trampling on and through the beautiful rose gardens.  The lines to place bets and to get drinks were long and tiresome so you can see why we were not in a hurry to rush back.  Having said that the actually cruise was great and we were with friends which made it even better. 

This time we were booked early enough to secure seats in the grandstand so at least it will be civilised and more comfortable.  The only question mark now is the weather.... the grandstand that we are in has no roof so is open to the elements whether it be sunshine or rain.  Unfortunately the weather is predicted to be wet and cold!! Let's hope they are wrong.....

This will be our first cruise with Carnival so it will be interesting to compare to the other cruise lines we have previously been on.  Carnival generally have a reputation to cater more to families but I can't see a lot of kids cruising to the Melbourne Cup.

The itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 - Depart Sydney 4pm
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - Melbourne - Melbourne Cup
Day 4 - Melbourne
Day 5 - Melbourne - Crown Oaks - Depart Melbourne 6pm
Day 6 - At Sea
Day 7 - Arrive Sydney

Until my next entry.... giddy up!!