Love it or hate it the Fifa World Cup is around the corner. The good news is that cruise lines do a pretty good job televising major sporting events on board, though it has to be said there is a bias among US-owned lines towards the screening of baseball and other American-orientated sports.

This summer will be different. If you’re planning a holiday at sea and don’t want to miss the action there are plenty of cruise lines paying homage to the beautiful game between June 11 and July 13.

Things to bear in mind: one cruise line has flagged that World Cup football games will be broadcast live, but where there are clashes one match will be shown live followed directly by a recording of the other match (shown in full). Whichever match is chosen for the live screening will be subject to who is playing.

If it’s atmosphere you’re after you may be best plumping for a British ship where one hopes there will be fewer Americans referring to the beautiful game as “soccer”, asking for explanations of the offside rule, declaring a “zero-zero” score or mispronouncing players’ names. “We are happy to welcome Mr Beck-man to Miami,” said Miami-Dade county mayor Carlos Giménez when one of the most cherished footballers of our time announced plans in February to form a local team there. (Come back David – we love you).

Live, round-the-clock coverage will be available to all P&O and Cunard passengers on big screens via sport24 (pedants might spot a bit of foul play here as Cunard is operated by US cruise giant Carnival Cruises). Cunard will screen the action in the popular Golden Lion pub and possibly in larger venues if interest builds. The line will also be screening Wimbledon and the Ryder Cup in September.

Whether it’s Andy Murray defending his Wimbledon title, or Roy Hodgson’s team trying its luck, P&O Cruises is also going all out to keep passengers happy. The second half of the Premier League season will feature ahead of the World Cup in June and July and the German Bundesliga will be shown alongside Formula 1 motor racing, the Australian French and US Open tennis tournaments and golf’s Ryder Cup, Open Championship and US Open.

Among those lines going all out this summer are Costa Cruises  and Norwegian Cruise Line. The former is pulling out the stops with Brazilian-dance flash mobs (to the tune of the official World Cup anthem) pre- and post every kick-off, with Brazilian snacks helping to fuel the party spirit.

Depending on timings and the nations involved, matches on board Costa’s ships will be broadcast across a number of venues including the macrodome pool deck (which has a retractable roof), and in the main theatre. The line has also devised a range of themed activities to animate the festivities. Passengers will be encouraged to customise T-shirts and create team banners, and football and tennis tournaments will be organised.

Those on the side lines can take Brazilian samba lessons to help celebrate England’s goals (we live in hope) in style, and any passengers preferring to cheer from a poolside lounger can compete for prizes in the special World Cup quizzes.

When Norwegian Cruise Line asked its guests whether they wanted football on board this summer the answer was a resounding “yes”. The line is screening the biggest matches fleet-wide and across multiple venues in partnership with sport24. “Non-football fanatics will find plenty of ways to escape in the spa, gym, pools, restaurants or alternative bars and lounges throughout the ship,” said vice-president and general manager international, Francis Riley.

Royal Caribbean will broadcast the World Cup on board all of its 23 ships so there’s no chance of missing any of the 64 matches between the 32 competing teams.

Listen for announcements about games in the ship’s designated public areas or watch in the privacy of your cabin – probably the best option ahead of any penalty shootout involving England. Conversely this is also a good line to travel with if you are don’t like football. From surfing and sushi-making to rock climbing and spa treatments there’s plenty of ways in which to escape the sporting action on these multi-deck ships.

Celebrity Cruises will broadcast all 64 matches at on-board bars (and in cabins) on its Alaska, Bermuda and Europe sailings and promises viewing parties and activities including football video game tournaments.

Saga Cruises will show the matches on board Sapphire and Pearl II in the public rooms and MSC will show every single game live on each of its 12 ships. Matches will be shown on big screens in the Sports Bar of MSC’s Fantasia-class ships and MSC Magnifica, and in selected bars on other ships.

A host of footie-themed events will include a World Cup table-football competition, World Cup trivia quizzes, the chance to make your own shirt and raffles and drinks promotions themed around that day’s competing nations. For extra spice, guests from England can find out just what the World Cup means to their Italian rivals. On June 14 – the date of England’s first Group D match with Italy – MSC Cruises has five ships (MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Musica, MSC Fantasia and MSC Preziosa) sailing in Italian waters.

Ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises will screen key games in lounges and theatres on board its two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Guests cruising the Mediterranean and Northern Europe between June 12 and July 13 can also choose to watch the entire event from the privacy of their stateroom. Princess Cruise Lines will screen the World Cup on Movies Under the Stars, its 300 sq ft poolside movie theatre, and in other public spaces.

Among those cruise lines not succumbing to Fifa fever this summer, due to lack of interest from its guests, is Fred Olsen . “We won’t be showing the World Cup in the same way that we don’t screen Wimbledon or other sports events,” said a spokesperson. “Historically, our guests have not shown much of an appetite for major sporting events. TVs are not a big thing on board – passengers go to public areas to sit and chat, relax, enjoy the views and listen to a trio playing.”

Regent Cruise Line ships will also be a World Cup free zone. “We have no plans to show it aboard our ships so should any cruisers wishing to avoid football fever can do so with Regent,” said a spokesperson.

There will however be a daily, printed special-edition bulletin for those who want to keep informed of results.