If you’ve purchased a dining package or plan to eat at one of MSC’s specialty restaurants, like Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Teppanyaki, or Hola! Tacos & Cantina, the first thing you’ll want to do when you board is lock in your reservations.
MSC makes the process pretty simple once you understand how it works. Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you get the times and restaurants you want.
You Can Buy Packages and Dinners Before You Sail
MSC allows guests to purchase specialty dining packages ahead of time through the website or app. These packages save money and can include anywhere from one to four specialty meals depending on the plan you choose.
You can also pre-purchase individual dinners (like Butcher’s Cut or Kaito Teppanyaki) before your cruise, but keep in mind that purchasing and scheduling are two different things. MSC doesn’t let you pick dates or times until you’re actually onboard.
Scheduling Happens Onboard
Unlike some cruise lines that allow online reservations before sailing, MSC currently requires all guests to schedule their specialty dining times once they’re on the ship.
So even if you’ve already paid for a dining package, you’ll still need to visit the onboard dining desk to book your actual meal times. This is true for every ship in the fleet.
Book Your Reservations as Soon as You Board
Here’s the most important tip: make your specialty dining reservations right after you board.
Dining times and venues fill up quickly, especially for high-demand restaurants like Kaito Teppanyaki or Butcher’s Cut on sea days. The earlier you go, the better your chances of getting the exact day and time you want.
If you board early in the day, you can usually walk right up to the desk and be helped immediately. Within a few hours, you’ll see longer lines and fewer open times.
💡 Pro Tip: Have a plan in mind before you board — decide which nights you want to dine in which restaurants and around what time. That makes the process quick and painless.
Where to Book Specialty Dining on Each Ship Class
MSC’s ships have slightly different setups depending on their class. Here’s where to go once you’re onboard:
- Meraviglia Class Ships: Reservations are made at the restaurant on the plaza on Deck 6.
- Seaside EVO Class Ships: Head to the reservation desk at Chef’s Court on Deck 8.
- Seaside Class Ships: You can book directly at any of the specialty restaurants that are open during boarding day.
Each area has staff who can handle all your reservations at once — you don’t need to visit each restaurant individually.
The Process Is Easy and Quick
Once you reach the dining desk or restaurant host stand, the staff will pull up your package and walk you through available times. You can book all of your specialty meals at once, which only takes a few minutes.
If you go early, there’s usually no wait at all. Once your dinners are booked, you’ll see your confirmed reservations in the MSC for Me app under “My Planner.” It’s a handy way to keep track of your upcoming meals during the week.
Final Thoughts
Booking specialty dining on MSC Cruises is straightforward — you just need to do it onboard. Make it one of your first stops after boarding, and you’ll have your choice of the best times and restaurants before everyone else starts to schedule theirs.
With a quick visit on embarkation day, you can plan your entire week of amazing meals without any stress.
Bottom line: Buy your dining package before sailing, make your reservations right away once onboard, and come prepared with a plan — your taste buds will thank you.
