FAQ: P&O - Onboard Activities
Discover everything there is to do on board with P&O Cruises: from live shows to cookery classes, kids’ clubs, sports, spa time, and more.
FAQ: MSC Cruises - Dining
Explore MSC Cruises’ dining options, from complimentary meals to speciality restaurants and drinks packages, perfect for all tastes and ages.
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All MSC ships offer complimentary meals at main restaurants and buffet venues. These include:
- Main Restaurants:
Mediterranean cuisine is centre stage, featuring French, Italian and Spanish dishes alongside international favourites. These venues offer full table service and daily-changing menus.
- Buffet Restaurants:
Open up to 20 hours a day, these self-service areas include:
- Carvery: Freshly carved roast meats
- Kids’ Corner: Healthy, fun meals for children
- Pasta Station: Daily fresh pasta creations
- Dessert Corner: Fine patisserie treats
- Take-away Station: Casual snacks and fast food
- Ethnic Corner: Global dishes from Asia, India and more
- Daily Special Corner: Unique dishes each day
- Wellness Corner: Health-conscious, nutrient-rich meals
Yes. MSC offers:
- Kids’ menus in main restaurants (developed with Chicco nutritionists)
- Dedicated Kids’ Corner in buffet areas
- Supervised kids’ dining at clubs, allowing parents to dine separately
- Children can also dine in many speciality restaurants
- Special dietary options are available for babies aged 6–12 months
MSC Cruises caters to various dietary needs, including:
- Vegetarian menus: Available daily
- Gluten-free meals: Prepared in certified dedicated kitchens (Bureau Veritas certified, food code: 20 ppm)
- Kosher meals: Pre-packaged, must be booked at least 3 weeks prior (€25 pp/day)
- Halal meat: Available upon request at least 2 months before departure
Speciality restaurants offer diverse global cuisines for an extra charge. These are optional and create more intimate, premium experiences.
- Butcher’s Cut: American-style steakhouse
- Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki: Authentic Japanese cuisine
- Hola! Tacos & Cantina: Mexican favourites
- Indochine: Vietnamese-French fusion
- Ocean Cay: Elegant seafood dining
- L’Atelier Bistrot: French small plates
- Chef’s Garden Kitchen: Sustainable, farm-to-table concept
- Robatayaki & Pan-Asian: Interactive Asian grill
- L’Atelier Grill: Sophisticated meat grill
- Sea Pavilion: Contemporary Asian fusion
- La Pescaderia: Fresh Mediterranean seafood market-style dining
There are five different Speciality Dining Package options:
- One Dining Experience
- Two Dining Experiences
- Three Dining Experiences
- Four Dining Experiences
- Five Dining Experiences
Each tier includes a specific number of meals in different speciality restaurants, and the value increases with the number of experiences included.
- Number of meals: 1
- Cuisine options: Steakhouse, Asian, Vietnamese, Seafood, Signature Fusion
- Available on: MSC Bellissima, Divina, Euribia, Fantasia, Grandiosa, Lirica, Magnifica, Meraviglia, Musica, Orchestra, Poesia, Preziosa, Seascape, Seashore, Seaside, Seaview, Splendida, Virtuosa, World Europa
- Sample restaurants (varies by ship): Butcher’s Cut, L’Atelier Grill, Sushi Bar, Robatayaki, L’Atelier Bistrot, Ocean Cay, Asian Market, Sea Pavilion, Indochine, Chef’s Garden Kitchen, La Pescaderia
- Number of meals: 2
- Cuisine options: Asian, Steakhouse, French, Vietnamese
- Available On: MSC Bellissima, Divina, Euribia, Grandiosa, Preziosa, Seascape, Seashore, Seaside, Seaview, Splendida, Virtuosa, World Europa
• Sample restaurants (varies by ship): Butcher’s Cut, Sea Pavilion, Sushi, L’Atelier Grill, Robatayaki, Teppanyaki, Asian Market, Indochine, L’Atelier Bistrot
- Number of meals: 3
- Cuisine options: Asian, Seafood, Latin American and Mexican, Vietnamese and French cuisine, Steakhouse
- Available on: MSC Bellissima, Grandiosa, Meraviglia, Seascape, Seashore, Virtuosa, World Europa
• Sample restaurants (varies by ship): Butcher’s Cut, Sushi, Indochine, L’Atelier Bistrot, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Ocean Cay, Chef’s Garden Kitchen, L’Atelier Grill, Robatayaki
- Number of meals: 4
- Cuisine options: Asian, Seafood, Latin American and Mexican, Vietnamese and French cuisine, Steakhouse
- Available on: MSC Bellissima, Grandiosa, Meraviglia, Seascape, Seashore, Seaside, Virtuosa, World Europa
• Sample restaurants (varies by ship): Atelier Bistrot, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Ocean Cay, Butcher’s Cut, Sea Pavilion, L’Atelier Grill, Sushi, Robatayaki, Teppanyaki, Pan-Asian, Indochine, Chef’s Garden Kitchen
• Number of meals: 5
• Cuisine options: Authentic Asian, French, Steakhouse, Seafood, Latin American and Mexican
• Available on: MSC Meraviglia only
• Restaurants included: Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Sushi, Kaito Teppanyaki, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Ocean Cay
While every ship offers inclusive dining options, the Speciality Dining Packages are available on selected ships. The full list of eligible ships includes most of MSC’s newer and larger vessels. Always check specific restaurant availability for your cruise when booking.
Speciality restaurants vary by ship. When booking a dining package, your confirmation will indicate which restaurants are available for your itinerary. Alternatively, you can ask your travel agent or check directly with MSC Cruises prior to sailing.
Yes, it is strongly recommended to book your preferred restaurant times as early as possible, especially for the more popular venues and sailing times. Reservations can typically be made:
- Through your MSC account online
- Via the MSC for Me app (on supported ships)
- At the onboard restaurant desk
Yes, dining packages generally offer better value compared to booking individual restaurants onboard. They also guarantee you access to highly sought-after restaurants that can become fully booked during peak cruise times.
Gratuity (or service charges) is typically included in the cost of the dining package, but this may vary by itinerary. Always check the package conditions when booking.
No, drinks are not included in the Speciality Dining Packages. However, if you have purchased a drinks package (such as Easy, Easy Plus or Premium Extra), beverages may be included when dining at speciality restaurants.
Children aged 12 and under can dine in speciality restaurants, but must be booked on board and may have special pricing. There are often child-friendly menus available in these venues as well.
Yes. Many guests choose to purchase both a dining package and a drinks package to enjoy a complete, carefree onboard experience. While they are separate, they complement each other well for those who want premium meals and beverages throughout their cruise.
- Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolate Bar: Live chocolate-making and desserts (MSC Bellissima, Grandiosa, Meraviglia, Virtuosa)
- Venchi Gelati & Chocolate: Authentic Italian gelato and artisanal chocolates (MSC Seaside, Seaview)
MSC offers a wide variety of bars:
- Outdoor Bars: Poolside or upper deck for ocean views
- Lounge Bars: Stylish and relaxing indoor settings
- Night Bars: Ideal for cocktails and late-night conversation
- MSC Starship Club (Virtuosa only): Features Rob the robotic bartender in a fully immersive experience
No, drinks are not included by default unless booked as part of a package or special promotion.
All packages include gratuities and offer significant savings when pre-booked online:
Easy Package
- House wine and beer
- Classic cocktails
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks
- Still and sparkling water
Easy Plus Package
- Beverages up to €9 / $14
- Expanded wine, beer and cocktail options
- Mocktails, juices and speciality coffees
Premium Extra Package
- Beverages up to €14 / $16
- Premium spirits, champagne, cocktails
- Fresh juices, smoothies, bottled drinks
Alcohol-Free Package
- Mocktails, juices, soft drinks, sports drinks
- Specialty coffee, tea, soft-serve ice cream
Minors Package
- Tailored for children
- Includes juices, smoothies, soft drinks, and soft-serve ice cream
Yes, booking before your cruise can save up to 15% off the onboard price. Some packages are only available for pre-cruise purchase, especially on itineraries in the Caribbean, North America, and Alaska.
Yes, MSC encourages family-friendly dining through:
- Early kids’ dining with youth staff assistance
- Kids’ Corner at buffet restaurants
- Kid-approved menus in both main and speciality restaurants
- Dedicated baby-friendly options for infants 6–12 months
While complimentary dining is consistent across all ships, speciality restaurants, dessert bars and advanced bar experiences like the MSC Starship Club are available only on select ships. Always confirm availability during booking.
Dining on MSC Cruises is an experience in itself, crafted with detail, quality and variety in mind. Whether you are indulging in complimentary Mediterranean cuisine, treating yourself at a speciality restaurant, grabbing a snack from the buffet, or sipping a premium cocktail as the sun sets, the culinary options are as vast as the sea itself.
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