On the high seas and far from the World Cup? Here’s what a cruiser can do

A soccer fan has life scheduled for the next 38 days, plopped in front of the TV or perched at a favorite neighborhood bar. Then, a scare: A loved one mentions the family cruise they had booked this summer. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins.

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“But the World Cup,” the fan cries.

World Cup fans taking cruises don’t have to miss out on the action. The Miami Herald reached out to several large cruise companies this week to ask if they’re showing matches.

Here’s what to know:

Carnival

On Carnival Cruise Line ships, guests can watch all matches by streaming them from their personal devices using onboard WiFi.

If you’re on Carnival Horizon, you’ll get a unique experience. One the best World Cup experiences is ending up in a country unexpectedly on a successful run in the tournament.

That ship docks in Curaçao on June 25. That’s also the day the country plays Ivory Coast in its final group stage match in Group E. Germany and Ecuador are also in its challenging group. Curaçao, whose home base is in Boca Raton, is the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup. Advancing to the knockout stage will likely depend on that June 25 match.

Carnival Horizon is also in Curaçao on July 9. If Curaçao surprises everyone and wins its group and its Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches, it could play in a quarterfinal match that day.

Meanwhile, Carnival Magic is expected to visit the island on July 2. If the soccer team finishes in third in its group and advances, it could play in a Round of 32 match that day.

Princess Cruises

Carnival brand Princess Cruises will show all World Cup matches. Guests can see them on their stateroom TVs on Sport 24 Special Event channels. The carrier secured rights from IMG to show each match. Princess Cruises will also broadcast games on the big screens on the Lido Decks on the ships.

Princess ships also will feature themed programming onboard including interactive trivia, guest versus officer games, and food, beverages and cocktails inspired by countries in the tournament.

Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean brand includes Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea ships. All will be showing the soccer matches onboard this summer. That means guests can still catch the action even if they’re sailing in the Caribbean, Alaska or Europe.

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The Royal Caribbean brand is an official Miami World Cup host city supporter and partnering with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee to give fans, travelers and the local community a series of interactive activations throughout Miami:

The 30 ships under the brand will broadcast every game on Sport 24 Special Event Channels. Cruisers can watch in their stateroom or stream them to the pool deck or a favorite bar. During the tournament, Royal Caribbean will transform all ships fleet-wide into high-energy hubs. All matches will be showcased in real time on Sport 24 Special Event Channel on stateroom TVs or at pool decks, theaters, and Sports Bar & Arcade

Celebrity Beyond

Sails seven-night itineraries to the Caribbean and Mexico from Miami. Guests can watch matches on their stateroom TVs and some onboard venues such as Craft Social, a relaxed, communal setting in the heart of the ship, and Casino Bar.

Celebrity Solstice

Sails seven-night Alaska Dawes Glacier from Vancouver. Canada is one of the three host nations of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The ship underwent a remodeling this year. One new venue is called The Parlor, a sports and gaming lounge where guests can watch sports on a big screen. Stateroom TVs and the Casino Bar are among at least two other options.

Allure of the Seas

Six- to eight-night cruises to the southern Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. The ship will stop at Willemstad, Curaçao, so check to see your itinerary if it coincides with a match the nation is playing.

Icon of the Seas

Seven-night cruise to the western Caribbean from Miami. All matches will be shown on board in real time on Sport 24 Special Event Channels, and on stateroom TVs, theaters and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Silver Whisper and Silver Moon

These are both both-night Alaska cruises, but they leave from Vancouver, Canada. If Canada makes a run this World Cup, cruisers could experience World Cup frenzy.

MSC Cruises

MSC World America and MSC Seaside from PortMiami. Guests can view FIFA World Cup 2026 matches on board in their own cabins, at public venues or at dedicated watch parties during the knockout stages and the final. That’ll be powered by Sport 24. The ships will offer sports-themed entertainment for all ages, such as soccer skills challenges, prediction games and tournament leaderboards. Ships will offer Browse & Stream packages, possible due to Starlink connectivity, so that guests can follow the tournament at all moments and from wherever on the ship they like. MSC Cruises said it sees sports more than competitions but “a universal language that connects people across the globe which is why the company continues to support teams and sporting events worldwide.”

Read more On the high seas and far from the World Cup? Here’s what a cruiser can do