Day at the races for cruise line passengers

More than 200 passengers from the Pacific Eden are expected at the horse races in Broome on Saturday as part of a new arrangement with cruise line company Carnival Australia.

The massive vessel is due to arrive at the port three hours earlier than normal at about 12.30pm on Saturday to allow people on-board time to attend the Broome Turf Club meeting at Gantheaume Point.

Buses will ferry the passengers from the jetty to the race course where they can spend the entire afternoon before returning to the ship, which leaves the next day.

Tickets are currently being sold on the Pacific Eden and the expectation from Cruise Broome committee chairman Shayne Murray was an additional 150 to 200 people heading trackside from the super liner.

Mr Murray said he first discussed the idea with Carnival Australia last year.

“I think an extra couple of hundred people at the races would be a fair estimation,” he said.

“This is the first time we have done anything like this. I think cruise ship companies are beginning to realise the longer the ship is in, the better the experience for the passengers.

“If we can incorporate that with events in town, it would be a very good result for all.”

Mr Murray said everyone concerned had played a vital part in getting the ship to arrive earlier, including Broome Turf Club, Carnival Australia and Kimberley Ports Authority.

“As time goes on, hopefully all the key major events in town line-up with a cruise ship visit when they dock here,” he said.

“We have sent a list of the major events to Carnival Australia so they can plan accordingly with their calls.”