Carnival Cruise Lines has lined up a bevy of top fashion stylists, milliners and Australian designers to sail on this year’s Melbourne Cup cruise and provide passengers with hot-to-trot fashion tips.

Not only will guests be treated to a cruise filled with betting masterclasses and racing trivia, they will now be able to get the best fashion tips on how to dress for the races and take part in the “Fashions-on-the-Spirit” competition for the best-dressed guests on board.

Newsreader Tracey Spicer will host and judge the fashion event.

Among the top fashion stylists who will be on board for the event are personal shopper and online stylist Katie Perry who will style the event and conduct workshops for both women and men to give them the confidence to understand what looks best on them.

Australian designer Leina Broughton will also be on hand to help dress the models with her extensive collection while milliner Serena Lindeman who has been making hats for 20 years will share her millinery secrets with guests at a special workshop.
Male models who will take part in the event will wear Akubra hats.

The six-night cruise on Carnival Spirit will sail from Sydney on November 4 and arrive in time for the Melbourne Cup on November 6.

The line has also invited some of the country’s well-known racing experts to join the cruise. They include former sports broadcaster Damian Kelly, jockey Darren ‘The Gauch’ Gauci, Wendy Green, owner of the 1999 Melbourne Cup winning horse Rogan Josh, the ‘Voice’ of Victorian Racing for 36 years, race caller Greg Miles and former jockey Steven King.

Race enthusiasts will be entertained with exclusive degustation dinner, sweepstakes, betting masterclasses with Damian Kelly, prizes for the most creative outfits and a Cup edition of the Mad Hatter High Tea hosted by Wendy Green.

“This year’s line-up is bigger and better than ever. Our guests will be immersed in the Melbourne Cup from the moment they board with exclusive insider tips and advice from some of the most iconic racing personalities, fashion brands and stylists in Australia. Cruising with Carnival is the most fun way to enjoy the race that stops a nation,” Carnival’s vice president Jennifer Vandekreeke said.

Prices for the six night Cup cruise start from $1599pp and include general admission tickets to the Cup and Oakes Day races plus transfers from the ship. www.carnival.com.au