One of the most common questions before a first cruise is simple: what’s dinner actually like? Is the food good? Do you have to dress up? Can you really order as much as you want?
After four MSC sailings — transatlantic, Mediterranean, and more — we’ve eaten a lot of dinners on MSC ships. Here’s everything we know about how it works, what to expect, and a few things worth knowing before you board.
How Dinner Works on an MSC Cruise
The main restaurant operates on two sittings: Main Dining at around 7:00 PM, and Late Dining at around 9:00 PM. You choose your preferred time when booking the cruise — not on board.
We always choose the late sitting. The reason is practical: the evening show typically runs before dinner, so going late means we can watch the performance first and then eat without rushing. If you prefer to eat early and catch the second show afterwards, the main sitting works just as well.
When you board, your cabin key card shows your assigned table number and dinner time. A server will escort you to your table on the first evening, and that becomes your table for the entire cruise. You’ll have the same server team throughout the sailing, which makes for a noticeably more personal experience by day three or four.
The Buffet: A Useful Backup
The main restaurant is complemented by the buffet, which runs from around 6:00 PM until midnight. It’s a different experience — more casual, more varied, and genuinely good for evenings when you want flexibility. The pizza is a particular highlight and available every night.
Our habit after dinner: walk up to the buffet for tea and something sweet — a piece of fruit, a small dessert, or whatever looked good. On warm evenings, you can sit outside and watch the ship moving through the water. It’s a simple pleasure that never got old across any of our sailings.
Do You Share a Table with Other Passengers?
Table sizes in the main restaurant range from tables for two up to tables for eight. If you’re travelling as a couple or a small group, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll be seated with other passengers — unless you specifically request a private table when booking.
On our first MSC cruise, the two of us were placed at a large table for eight alongside a friendly couple from Spain. We ended up sharing that table for all 17 days of the transatlantic sailing. What started as a slightly awkward first evening turned into one of the genuine highlights of the trip — by the end, dinner felt like catching up with friends.
On our Mediterranean cruise with a larger group of friends, we were all given one table together, which made every dinner feel like a proper occasion.
If you find yourself at a table where the conversation doesn’t flow, don’t sit through two weeks of uncomfortable silence — simply ask the restaurant staff to move you. They handle these requests regularly and without any fuss.
Related: Cruise to the US: 17 Days from Barcelona to Miami | Mediterranean Cruise: From Rome to the Pearls of the Mediterranean
Themed Evenings and Dress Code
The themed evenings are a ship-wide event, not just a restaurant thing — the whole atmosphere on board shifts on these nights. On MSC, the two most common themes are:
White Night — Italian-style elegance where white dominates guest outfits. Passengers genuinely make an effort, and the atmosphere on deck is festive and surprisingly beautiful.
Elegant Evening — Dresses, suits, and accessories. The restaurant feels noticeably more special on these nights, and it’s worth dressing for it.
On evenings without a theme, dress is relaxed. I usually wear a dress or smart trousers; my husband goes with jeans. The restaurant has an atmosphere that suits smart-casual without requiring it.
On the subject of shorts: there’s no official ban, but the dining room has a certain feel to it. Shorts don’t quite fit — you’ll sense it immediately when you walk in. Save them for the buffet.
For a full guide to what to pack: Cruise Formal Nights: What to Wear and What to Expect.
What’s on the Menu — and What It Costs
How to View the Menu
At your table, scan the QR code to see the evening menu on your phone. It’s also displayed near the restaurant entrance, and you can browse it in advance through the MSC app — useful if you like to plan ahead or have dietary requirements.
Is the Food Included?
Yes — the full meal in the main restaurant is included in your cruise fare. There are no prices on the menu, and you can order as much as you like. Two starters, two desserts, seconds on the main course — nobody will raise an eyebrow. The menu changes every day, so over a 7-night cruise there’s always something new.
Drinks Are Extra
The one exception is drinks. These are charged to your cabin card and add up quickly if you’re not paying attention. Rough prices from our sailings:
| Drink | Approx. Price |
| Bottle of water | ~€3.75 |
| Glass of wine | from €7 |
| Coffee or tea | ~€3 |
Tip: if you plan to drink wine with dinner most evenings, a drinks package often works out cheaper. Check the MSC app or website before boarding
What We’d Order Again
The menu varies by sailing, but these are the dishes that kept appearing across our cruises and were worth ordering every time:
Starters: Grilled calamari salad — light and just a little exotic. Tomato cream soup with mozzarella pesto — exactly the kind of thing you want before a long main course.
Mains: Slow-roasted beef — order it whenever it appears. Seafood plate with fish, prawn and squid. Lasagne Bolognese — a classic, done properly.
Desserts: Tiramisu — mascarpone cream, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa on top. New York cheesecake — dense and creamy. Ice cream is available every evening in multiple flavours and is a reliable constant across every MSC sailing we’ve done.
FAQ: MSC Cruise Dining
Is food free on MSC cruises?
The main restaurant and buffet are included in your cruise fare — no extra charge for food. Drinks in the restaurant are billed separately to your cabin card. Speciality restaurants (such as the steakhouse or sushi bar) also carry an additional cover charge.
Can I eat as much as I want at dinner?
Yes. There are no limits on how many courses you order. Two starters, skip the main, three desserts — it’s entirely up to you. The menu changes daily so there’s always something worth trying.
What time is dinner on MSC cruises?
MSC operates two dinner sittings: Main Dining at approximately 7:00 PM and Late Dining at approximately 9:00 PM. You choose your preferred time during the booking process. The exact times can vary slightly by ship.
Do I have to dress up for dinner on an MSC cruise?
Not every night. On standard evenings, smart-casual is perfectly appropriate. On themed nights — White Night and Elegant Evening — guests are expected to dress accordingly. These are genuinely special evenings and worth making an effort for.
Can I change my dinner table on an MSC cruise?
Yes. If you’re unhappy with your assigned table or dining companions, speak to the restaurant manager or maître d’. Table change requests are common and handled without difficulty, usually from the second evening onwards.
What if I miss the main dining time?
The buffet is your fallback — it runs until midnight and offers a wide range of dishes including hot food, salads, and the famous MSC pizza. Room service is also available, though it may carry a small charge depending on your cabin category and package.
Is Dinner on an MSC Cruise Worth the Hype?
Honestly, yes — more than we expected before our first sailing. The combination of a changing daily menu, attentive service, and the social dimension of a shared table makes dinner one of the better parts of the MSC experience. It’s not a Michelin-starred restaurant, but it’s a proper sit-down meal every evening, included in what you’ve already paid.
The one thing to watch is drinks — they add up quickly over a week or two. Either factor that into your budget or look at a drinks package before you board.