The cruise ship Norwegian Epic arrived at the French port of Marseille hosting a warm welcome for rugby fans flocking to the city for the Rugby World Cup. The vessel, already at full capacity, has become a floating hotel, offering a unique solution to the accommodation shortage during this event.

With the Rugby World Cup weekend in full swing, most hotels in Marseille have reached maximum occupancy. To address this challenge, the Norwegian Epic was transformed into a floating haven for guests attending the event.

This solution was conceived over two years ago by Infinity Sports Travel, who recognized that Marseille had only 20,000 berths available, while the Vélodrome stadium could accommodate a staggering 80,000 spectators.

In a strategic move, Norwegian Cruise Line partnered with Infinity Rugby to offer sports enthusiasts the cruise experience of a lifetime centered around the Rugby World Cup France 2023. As an Official Travel Authorized Agent of Rugby World Cup France 2023, Infinity Rugby secured exclusive access to this global event and crafted charter cruises tailored to the most pivotal matches.

These cruise packages span from two to seven nights, featuring stopovers in Barcelona and Naples, while ensuring crucial matchdays in Marseille. 

France is making history by hosting the Rugby World Cup in its entirety on home soil, running from September 8 to October 28. Marseille, a city that previously played host to the 2007 Rugby World Cup, is among the ten chosen cities for the 10th edition of the competition. A total of six matches will be played at the iconic Vélodrome stadium, cementing Marseille's status as a prime destination for rugby enthusiasts from around the world.