MSC Crociere said it acquired the rights to broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup games aboard all of its cruise ships, including MSC Splendida, which sails from Malta every Wednesday.

"As a fervent football supporter the least I could do was offer fellow fans the opportunity to follow the World Cup while cruising aboard our ships. From June 11 and for an entire month until July 11 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, the cruise line's CEO.

The football games will be broadcast in the public areas, some bars and those ships, like the MSC Splendida, with sports bars, will be specially branded for the games. Dedicated areas will be decorated with football pennants, balloons and paper decorations with the teams' colours. Activities such as sports-related trivia challenges will be held to boost adrenaline and friendly rivalry among fans.

The line said special cocktails for each nation would 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.

MSC Cruises are represented in Malta by Hamilton Travel Co. Ltd of Floriana.

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