Bonn, Germany  - FIFA president Joseph Blatter believes cruise ships could be the solution to the problem of a lack of hotel beds for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Cruise ships, which offer places for around 2,000 people, could be brought there," Blatter said in an interview with the Deutsche Welle TV station.

However, the idea could only be a partial solution as Durban and Port Elizabeth are the only host cities that could accommodate such large ships and World Cup organizers are facing a shortfall of up to 15,000 beds.

The World Cup takes place in South Africa June 11 to July 11, 2010.(dpa)