MSC Crociere has acquired the rights to broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup games aboard all of their cruise ships which includes the MSC Splendida which sails from Malta carrying over 130 passengers every Wednesday.

MSC Crociere has signed an agreement with IMG Media Limited to broadcast all of the 2010 FIFA World Cup football games aboard the 11 vessels of its fleet. IMG Media Limited represents FIFA for the exploitation of the in-ship rights worldwide.

“As a fervent football supporter the least I could do was offer fellow fans the opportunity to follow the 2010 FIFA World Cup while cruising aboard our ships. From 11 June and for an entire month until 11 July our guests will be able to experience the thrill of the event and enjoy football fever as if they were in South Africa”, said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Crociere.

The football games will be broadcast in the public areas; some bars, and particularly those ships, like the MSC Splendida, with sports bars, will be specially branded for the games and will welcome supporters passionately following their own favourite teams. Dedicated areas will be decorated with football pennants, balloons and paper decorations with the teams’ colours, and activities such as sports-related trivia challenges will be organised to boost adrenaline and friendly rivalry among fans.

Special cocktails for each nation will be served at the bars such as the England cocktail with Pimm’s and Ginger ale and the Italy cocktail with Campari, Martini Rosso and soda water. Hamburgers, hot dogs, crisps and beers will be available at the restaurants to create a typical stadium atmosphere.

And to ensure passengers get totally involved in the competition, the on board shopping galleries will stock a wide variety of themed items including the Havaianas flip-flops, bearing the colours of the different participating countries.

Hamilton Travel Co. Ltd of 4, St. Publius Street, Floriana are the exclusive General Sales Agents and Shore Excursions Organisers for MSC Cruises in Malta