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Can You Watch the World Cup on Your Cruise?

Will your cruise be broadcasting the 2018 World Cup? (Photo: S.Kat / Shutterstock)
Will your cruise be broadcasting the 2018 World Cup? (Photo: S.Kat / Shutterstock)

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Dori Saltzman
Senior Editor
Adam Coulter
UK Managing Editor
By: Dori Saltzman and Adam Coulter

The World Cup kicks off on June 14, 2018, but will you miss out on an important game if you're cruising during the month-long tournament? The answer is no -- if you're sailing on a cruise line that will be showing the games onboard.

Thirty-two teams are participating in this year's World Cup -- not including the U.S., which did not qualify this year. The 2018 tournament takes places in various venues across Russia, a country with 11 time zones. Consult your cruise planner to find out what time games will be on and whether they'll be broadcast live.

The following cruise lines will be showing World Cup matches on various ships. (Of the lines who responded, only Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said it would not show the World Cup games on its ships.)

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  1. Celebrity Cruises
  2. Cruise & Maritime Voyages
  3. Cunard
  4. Disney Cruise Line
  5. Holland America Line
  6. Marella Cruises
  7. MSC Cruises
  8. Norwegian Cruise Line
  9. P&O Cruises
  10. Princess Cruises
  11. Royal Caribbean
  12. Saga Cruises

Updated June 19, 2018

Celebrity Cruises

Passengers can view all the major football games onboard via the line's broadcasting partners Sport 24 as well as seeing selected games screened in the casino and on the Rooftop Terrace. In addition, the line is getting into the spirit of things with various football-related activities onboard including a football shoot out, Xbox penalty shoot out in Quasar night club and footie-themed quizzes.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages

CMV are going all out, decorating the pubs with England colours onboard Magellan. The games will be shown in The Pub on Magellan, The Dome on Columbus and Scott's on Marco Polo.

A spokesman said: "CMV will monitor closely England results and will make available bigger locations if required!"

Cunard

World Cup matches will be available for viewing in passenger cabins, with a variety of games, including all England matches, shown in main venues.

Disney Cruise Line

All of the World Cup games will be broadcast at venues throughout each ship or on the Funnel Vision, a massive poolside LED screen. For kids, there will be football-related arts and crafts and Xbox games. For adults, there will be football trivia and football-themed drink specials. Additionally, some of the Disney characters will be donning football attire for World Cup-related photo opportunities.

Holland America Line

HAL has bought special rights to show the matches on Rotterdam and Koningsdam as they attract a large number of international passengers. On other ships, it will be in-cabin via ESPN -- if the local channel has the rights to broadcast. Check on the ship.

Marella Cruises

Marella will be showing England matches and other World Cup games on the big screen on the main pool deck on Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Explorer. All the other ships in the fleet will show the games on the in-cabin TVs.

MSC Cruises

Miami Beach Pool on MSC Seaside

MSC Cruises will be screening all the World Cup games across its entire Europe-based fleet. In addition, the line will host tournament-themed events, such as a welcome pool party to celebrate the beginning of the World Cup; a table football tournament, with prizes; regular World Cup quizzes; and create-your-own team T-shirt events.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Eleven ships will be showing the games: Norwegian Joy, Escape, Bliss, Dawn, Gem, Spirit, Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Jade and Star.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises will be showing all the games across the fleet.

Princess Cruises

All World Cup games will be broadcast on the Movies Under the Stars outdoor screens on nine Princess ships: Sea Princess, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Majestic Princess, Pacific Princess, Regal Princess, Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess. Football fans will also be able to enjoy World Cup-themed activities including interactive game play with PlayStation units on the Movies Under the Stars screens, obstacle course competitions and penalty shoot outs for prizes.

Royal Caribbean

U.K.-based (for the summer) Independence of the Seas will show all the World Cup matches in its Playmakers Sports Bar & Lounge. Selected games will also play in the Ale & Anchor pub and the Casino Royale and they will be showing all daytime games on the outdoor screen. Navigator of the Seas will air the games in Vintages and the Cosmo Club and use the big screen for all England matches.

Saga Cruises

Saga will be showing the games on its ships, Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl II.

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