MSC Cruises Introduces Flexible Dining, New Specialty Options

Ahead of the launch of the its two new ships this year, MSC Cruises is unveiling a new flexible dining program and specialty restaurants that will give guests “more flexibility and choices.” 

With Flexi Dining, guests will be able to pre-select a time slot of dinner service at any point during a sailing, giving them the ability to alter dining times depending on shore excursions or onboard activities.

The program will first be available on MSC Meraviglia when it enters service in June and then on MSC Seaside when it debuts in December.

“Guests will be able to manage their choices, through cutting-edge onboard technology, and experience an even greater selection of international restaurants which will deliver culinary experiences from around the world,” MSC head of product development and guest experience Andrea Gangale said.

The Flexi Dining plan will be offered along with MSC’s traditional Classic plan. The Classic plan allows guests to choose from one of two seating each night. Guests who choose the Classic plan will get the same wait staff and dining guests each night.

More choices
MSC today also unveiled that both Seaside and Meraviglia will get new specialty dining options.

To complement the ship’s Kaito Sushi Bar, a modern Asian restaurant called Kaito Teppanyaki will be installed on Meraviglia. Kaito Teppanyaki will feature chefs cooking on an open grill at cooking stations that will allow guests to watch their meals being prepared.

Guests on Seaside will have the option to eat at the new three-restaurant-in-one concept, Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi. The eatery will feature three options for its guests: an à la carte restaurant serving gourmet Asian creations, a Sushi Bar and an area with Teppanyaki Grills.

Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi.

Also on Seaside will be the cruise line’s signature seafood restaurant Ocean Cay. Ocean Cay will serve American-style seafood with ingredients locally sourced including stone crabs from Miami, fresh sea bass from the Mediterranean and homemade spaghetti alle vongole (with clams).

Outside of specialty dining, Seaside will feature two casual dining venues, with one dedicated for family dining with child-friendly seating.

Both Seaside and Meraviglia will get Butcher’s Cut, an American steakhouse that will feature meat aging fridges where guests can select their cut and a bar full of selections from New World wine and craft beers.

Butcher’s Cut.

Two new dining packages will also be introduced with the launch of Meraviglia in June.

The first, the Dinner & Show package, will pair dinner with an exclusive table d’hôte menu with the new Cirque de Soleil at Sea performance. The second will be centered on the ship’s Eataly Chef’s table, where guests get a dedicated chef and sommelier for the night and seven gourmet dishes each matched a different wine.

If pre-booked and pre-paid, all MSC dining packages are eligible for travel agent commission.