horse racing ?

[nixxhome]

Can anyone tell us something about the onboard horse races? How do we get a horse? How much? If we get a horse, can we bring our own decoration materials? Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

-Nick

[tadjr]

On the Splendour Transatlantic they had the horse race the first time and then auctioned off the horse for the race the final day of the cruise. I think they started at $50 for a horse and by the end were up to about $80 or so for the final horse. Since it was a 2 week cruise it might have been different than on a 7 day, but they seem to have the races a couple of days. People brought their own decorations for the horses. In order to bid for a horse you had to be there poolside the day they auctioned them off and you can get any number or people in on your horse. Some of my friends bought one and then got the other people at their dinner table to chip in. They didnt win, but someone got about $400.

[Robinob]

On EOS and VOS the horses were auctioned at the first race. You had to bid on a horse. The winning bids ranged from 300.00-500.00. Not at all cheap. These horses race the last day and the winner gets to keep the purse. (all the money made in the auction). I was on a cruise were the purse was 2700.00. It is a one in 6 shot to win. If you are a gambler it is great odds.

 

They give you a bag of decorations for your horse. I did see others adding their own things to the bag. There is also a prize for the best dressed horse.

[truffles2]

On Grandeur week before last there was NO horse racing (and 3 days at sea!). I specifically asked a member of the CD staff and was told that it was no longer "working" for most ships and was being phased out. It may be the cruise directors decision....

[TexasTwoSteps]

No HORSE RACING.....thats obscene. It's harmless and as the other poster said, there is always interest in the auctions of the horses for the owners race. Its probably the best pool side game anyway. or at leaset better than the International Belly Flop contest.

 

Being once a former horse owner and winner of the race, I can attest it was the highlight of the cruise on the SS Norway many years ago.

[KENLORJUS]

Just back from the Mariner (11/28 - 12/05). They auctioned the horses after thye first horse race on the first sea day. They went from $45 - $65. If you think you might be buying one, take decoations with you. The ship give you junk. Nmaed my horse "Kiss my Aft". Cruise Director loved saying it as much as he could.

 

kenlorjus

[springtxbill]

I would say the horses going for $50 shows not much interest compared to the $200-300 I have seen a couple of times. If the people are only bidding that for the horses they are probably not doing any betting which is where the ship makes their money. No money, no races. :)

[Guest cruzr44]

No horse racing on 11/28 Radiance.

[Fatherdav]

OK, what does the "horse" race entail? First up; It's a cultural, intellectual, and empowering event that promotes peace and hope amongst the common man. Your fellow cruisers grandchildren will sing praises to your involvement in this memorable adventure into higher karma.

 

Yea, right. :)

 

OK, here's how it works. One day, early in the cruise, people around the pool will gather to attend an auction. To bid on wooden sticks. Not just any wooden sticks, mind you. But wooden sticks that have a cutout of a horse on top of it. (Not to be found on E-Bay.)

 

The bids for the 6 horses will range from $50 to $500. HEY, wood isn't cheap.

 

Once you are an "owner" of the horse, you take it back to your cabin and decorate it. Paper, balloons, stuffed animals, cans or feathers. (I told you it was intellectual.)

 

Then, later in the cruise, there is the "owners" race. Where the 6 owners show their "horses" at the pool area. A vote is taken as to who has the best decorated "horse".

 

Then the race begins. The "jockeys" hold onto their stick...I mean horse...and move up a 30 foot racetrack. One step at a time. The cruise director rolls dice to see which horse moves forward to the cheers of the crowd. (Or those that bet on it.) And the first "horse" over the finish line wins the purse. Which consists of the total of what was paid for all the horses.

 

The job of the jockey is to control the "horse". And to dress in some outlandish but at the same time very conservative dress. (I once did it in a white tuxedo with shorts.)

 

So, that's the story on "horse" racing.

[KamloopsCruisers]

On the Radince cruise to Hawaii in Sept. we bought a horse for $200.00. We named it " HOOF HEARTED ". It was the most fun we had for the money. The CD kept calling its name and then would break up. We laughed 'till we cried. We went halves with another couple, so the cost was minimal.I highly recommend buying a horse at least once in your cruising life.

[Guest cruzr44]

On the Radince cruise to Hawaii in Sept. we bought a horse for $200.00. We named it " HOOF HEARTED ". It was the most fun we had for the money. The CD kept calling its name and then would break up. We laughed 'till we cried. We went halves with another couple, so the cost was minimal.I highly recommend buying a horse at least once in your cruising life.

 

Must be a common name. We had a "Hoof Hearted" on one of our other cruises. It did have everyone laughing.

[nixxhome]

thanx to you all! will be buying a horse on mariner...now for a name......

[negc]

When we were on the Jewel repositioning cruise in October, the CD told us that they had very poor participation in the horse auctions on the New England to Canada cruises and were considering not having on on our cruise. We convinced her that we had a large number of cruisers interested in buying a horse (or horses) and she relented. On the auction day each of the horses went for a minimum of $400 and the grand prize, which unfortunately we did not win, was about $2600. After we bought our horse, our syndicate had money left over which we bet on some of the other horses in the race. One of them won but obviously didn't pay enough to reimburse everyone for their participation, and we took the winnings and the whole group went to the casino where we won for a while but finally put it all back. Each of us put up $10 to buy a horse and got much more than that back in fun.

[nixxhome]

...does anyone have any pix of horserace?...my decorating crew want some idea of what they will be working with... thanx again...nick

[jebl]

the horse races were a little different. No one bought a horse. The CD picked the jockeys. I was one. We had several races with parimutual betting. Just like at the real race track. It was a lot of fun and a lot of people got involved.

[kruz]

Our horse on the Mariner went for 450-500$.

 

It was a total blast...maybe even more so because we won!

This is a great thing to do with a group...get everyone to buy a share of the horse!

I highly recommend it!