Information about Melbourne Cup cruises please

We are considering booking a Melbourne Cup cruise on Carnival Spirit for 2014. We like to book early :o

I have tried to get some answers off Carnival, but (what a surprise :rolleyes:) they couldn't help much.

1. What is the best side off the ship to book on? We will have a balcony of some sort and as we will be in port for 4 days would like to see as much action as possible.

2. What is the demographic? Does ANYONE take children? Will the kids club even operate?

3. What is included? eg. does the fare include transport to flemington and/or general admission tickets? For cup day only or crown oaks as well?

4. For those who do stay on the ship, will they run any activities at all? I know the casino will be shut, but will they run bingo etc?

Any other info regarding Melbourne Cup cruises or a point of view from anyone who has been on one would be much appreciated. Did you love it or hate it?

2. What is the demographic? Does ANYONE take children? Will the kids club even operate?

We went on a Melbourne Cup Cruise a few years ago and I dont recall seeing ANY children on board.

3. What is included? eg. does the fare include transport to flemington and/or general admission tickets? For cup day only or crown oaks as well?

That will probably be announced nearer the time.Admission tickets and a shuttle to Flemington are USUALLY included in the fare but depending on your booking you may have to purchase that as an extra, or if you are in a suite it may all be included together with tickets to the Grandstand, or an events tent.

Watch for TA packages as well, sometimes they line up very good deals.

An extra ships tour we could have booked was for the following day to the Country Picnic Meeting at Kynton We passed on that , but those that went said it was the best day ever.

Carnival spirit is a kid magnet due to the water slides and you can ring them to find out how many are booked. The ship should have kids club running and on board events on port visits. A good activity for kids on the bay are the extensive bike paths and playgrounds. Rollerblades or fold up scooter or bike hire or just walking gets you to st Kilda.