World Cup screenings at sea

There will be two groups of passengers on cruise ships this summer – those desperate to keep up with the latest exploits of Rooney, Ronaldo, Messi and Drogba in the World Cup, and those who have taken to the sea in the hope of avoiding wall-to-wall TV coverage from South Africa.
As the opening date of June 11 grows closer, and more cruise lines announce that they have paid for rights to screen matches, it’s beginning to look like the fans will have the upper hand.
England supporters sailing with P&O, Cunard and Ocean Village will be able to watch all their team’s games live, and the final will be screened on the 10 ships, regardless of whether Capello’s squad get that far.
Thomson Cruises will also be showing all England games on their ships, and have taken the precaution of adding other top teams as well, in the event of an ankle injury for Rooney sending our lads home at the end of the first stage.
The NCL ships sailing in Europe – that’s Norwegian Gem, Sun and Jade – will be following Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, U.S.A., Germany, Italy and England during the initial stages, and will then screen all the knock-out games through to the final. Even Norwegian Epic, the lines newest and biggest ship, which will be in the UK from June 22 before sailing to New York for its inauguration.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara announced this week that they have obtained rights to screen all matches – but only while their ships are in international waters. Best check that England are not facing a crucial tie while Independence of the Seas is tied up at Barcelona or Malaga.
Also probably best to avoid Costa and MSC’s ships if you don’t want to be swamped by armies of Italian fans.
But if you want to get away from the football altogether, then the ships of Fred Olsen Cruise Line are the place for you – I just wonder what the conversation at breakfast will be like, and how many passengers will have radios clamped to their ears to check on the results.
Incidentally, one man who must be praying for an early England exit is Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone – The British Grand Prix takes place on the same day as the World Cup final.