World Cup Fever at Sea!

With world cup fever set to sweep the nation this weekend, will you be watching? Will you be cruising whilst the world cup is on?

I was chatting to one of my regular customers yesterday and  her and her husband were looking for a cruise, a retired couple who can usually cruise whenever they choose. We got talking about the dates they could travel and the only stipulation was after the World Cup!  To me this seemed completely alien, to allow a couple of football games to govern when you go on holiday..never! As you can probably tell I’m obviously not a big football fan but that’s not to say that there won’t be millions of fans watching and following the World Cup and lots like my customer who won’t risk missing a game!

This conversation led me to take a closer look at just how the cruise lines are prepared for the World Cup. Will the matches be shown?  Could my customer book his cruise and still enjoy the World Cup? Well in an answer… YES! The cruising world is certainly ready for the World Cup!

So if you can’t be in Brazil where is the next best place? Well it could just be on board your favourite cruise ship.

Princess…you’ve seen the famous Movies Under the Stars well how about Football Under the Stars. Princess have confirmed that they will be showing  live matches on the outdoor movie screens. So for their ships with the huge 300 sq ft screens up on the pool deck where could be better to enjoy the World Cup magic. I think if I was going to watch a football match this would be the place I would choose. They will also be showing  all 64 games of the tournament in staterooms and public venues.

 Royal Caribbean… they have announced that all of their ships in the fleet will be broadcasting the matches. You will be able to watch from the comfort of your cabin or if you want to watch with fellow world cup supporters enjoying the atmosphere then you can watch in one of the public venues on board. Royal Caribbean will announce on board the Special Screening Parties which I’m guessing are going to be extremely popular.

Celebrity…joining in with World Cup fever Celebrity have also promised to show all 64 football matches. To get in the football spirit there will be viewing parties, football video game tournaments. Enjoy again from the comfort of your cabin or go along to one of the bars with your fellow cruisers.

P&O & Cunard …both cruise lines have announced they will show all of the FIFA World Cup. Matches will be screened live throughout multiple venues on board the fleets. They have teamed up with Sport 24 to offer round the clock football action. The popular Golden Lion pub on board the Cunard ships is set to be a popular choice.

MSC Cruises…again all matches will be broadcast on each ship, enjoy the games in selected bars on board. Big Screens will show the games on MSC’s Fantasia class ships. Atmosphere on board during the matches will be competitive to say the least with the mix of nationalities on board. I know in my house there are going to be some tense moments, my dad who is Spanish will of course be following Spain, my partner Martin will be following his team Italy and even though football isn’t my game I will be cheering on England!

Costa Cruises…passengers will be able to watch the matches live on board the Costa fleet in a number of public venues, including the big screen in the macrodome pool deck venue and in the  theatre. There will also be football themed activities to get passengers in the World Cup mood including customizing t-shirts and designing banners.

 Norwegian Cruise Line…will screen the biggest matches throughout their fleet, and they have promised the England games will be available to watch on board. They have also promised the other key games in public venues.

Crystal Cruises…enjoy the world cup in total  luxury. Crystal will screen key games in lounges and theatres on board its two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

So did I come across any cruise lines who weren’t swept up in World Cup fever…only two. Fred Olsen have decided their passengers don’t go on a cruise to watch this type of sporting event. Luxury cruise line Regent are following, with their ships being football free for the duration of the World Cup….there will be a daily, printed special-edition bulletin for those who want to follow the results.

So who has got it right….are the majority of Cruise lines right to cover the World Cup and give guests the chance to follow the World Cup or have the cruise lines who have chosen to not to screen the World Cup made the right decision?

Would you miss out on a cruise holiday if it meant not being able to watch the World Cup football? In my house I know what my answer would be, but as for my other half well that’s another thing….

Would love to hear your thoughts.