Are you going on an MSC cruise? One of the best parts of cruising is the food. But MSC cruises also have a few quirks when it comes to dining, and a lot of first time cruisers make simple mistakes that can affect their entire experience.
Here are the most common MSC cruise dining mistakes to avoid on your next cruise.
Not Changing Your Assigned Dining Time
One of the biggest mistakes new MSC cruisers make is just accepting whatever dinner time they are assigned, even if it doesn’t work for them. You might be given a late seating time like 8:30 PM, which can be difficult if you’re traveling with kids or prefer an earlier dinner.
The good news is you are not stuck with it. On embarkation day, go directly to the dining staff and ask if you can change your seating time. They may be able to adjust it, but you need to do it early because availability is limited.
Your dining information, including your restaurant, table number, and time, is printed on your cruise card, so check it as soon as you board.
Not Bringing a Device for Everyone in Your Party
MSC cruises are increasingly paperless, and in many cases, menus are accessed through QR codes instead of printed copies.
The issue is that if only one person at the table has a phone, everyone ends up trying to share it, which slows things down and gets frustrating.
A better approach is to make sure each person in your group has a device to access the menu. Tablets also work well, and this is especially helpful for kids so they can order on their own.
Ordering a Complicated Cocktail for Dinner
A common mistake is ordering complicated drinks or cocktails while seated in the main dining room. It’s tempting, especially if you have a beverage package and want to get your money’s worth.
However, these drinks often take a long time to arrive because your assistant server may need to go to another bar or even prepare the drink themselves. Sometimes, the quality is not as good as what you would get at a dedicated bar.
A better strategy is to keep dinner drinks simple and order cocktails at the bar before or after your meal instead.
Not Knowing You Can Order More than One Item
Many first-time cruisers assume the main dining room is limited to one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert. That’s not true.
You can order multiple appetizers, multiple desserts, and try different dishes if you want. So if two appetizers look good, order both. And don’t be afraid to try more than one dish.
When it comes to main courses, if you order a second entrée that is not pasta, there is usually a nominal charge of around $5. However, if you order a second pasta dish, there is typically no extra charge.
That said, always double-check the menu or with your server, because policies can change depending on the sailing or itinerary.
Not Coordinating Dishes as a Table
This is a small mistake, but it can affect your whole dinner experience.
If everyone at your table orders two appetizers except you, you’ll end up sitting there waiting while everyone else is eating.
To avoid this, it helps to loosely coordinate with your table so everyone orders a similar number of courses. It keeps the timing of the meal smooth and consistent.
Missing the Big Nights
One of the biggest dining mistakes on an MSC cruise is not knowing when the themed nights are.
Throughout your cruise, there are special evenings like Gala Night and Italian Night. These are not just themed in name only—they’re actually when the main dining room serves more premium dishes.
You might see items such as lobster, surf and turf, veal dishes, or upgraded seafood options that you won’t typically get on other nights. Even the desserts tend to be more special, with things like Baked Alaska.
The mistake many people make is accidentally missing these nights. Sometimes they book specialty dining that evening, or they decide to go to the buffet. If you do that, you’re often missing some of the best food of the entire cruise.
The easiest way to avoid this is to check the menus, you should be able to access all the menus for your entire cruise on the MSC app. Then plan your specialty dining or buffet nights around them.
Missing the Brunch
If you’re sailing in the US, don’t miss the brunch.
Brunch is usually served on sea days and runs continuously from breakfast to lunch hours in the main dining room. Compared to the buffet, it is a relaxed, sit-down dining experience.
What makes it even better is the variety of dishes. You’ll typically find a mix of breakfast and lunch items on the menu.
That means you can order things like pancakes, waffles, eggs Benedict, and omelets, but also lunch dishes like burgers, pasta, and specialty items like Japanese fried chicken.
A lot of first-time cruisers miss it simply because they assume the buffet is the only option. It’s not heavily advertised unless you check the daily schedule.
Not Knowing Continental Breakfast Room Service is Free
One of the most underrated perks on MSC cruises is that continental breakfast room service is free, and a lot of first-time cruisers miss out on it.
This means continental breakfast items like croissants, pastries, fruit plates, cereal, yogurt, coffee, and tea are free. It’s a great option if you want a slow morning in your cabin or just don’t feel like dealing with the buffet crowds.
The important thing to understand is that as soon as you add in hot breakfast items like eggs, bacon, omelets or pancakes, you’ll be charged a room service fee. So, if you want free room service breakfast, stick to the continental breakfast items.
Not Taking Advantage of the Diamond Member Perks
If you’re an MSC Voyager’s Club diamond member, one of your perks is that you get a free specialty dinner for two during your cruise.
But this is one of those perks that doesn’t automatically happen on its own. MSC is not going to reach out and schedule it for you—you have to take the initiative.
You will need to make your reservation once you’re onboard, and it’s a good idea to do it early in the cruise. Specialty restaurants can book up. So don’t wait until the end of your cruise, you don’t want to miss out on this perk.
Always Defaulting to Everyday Menu Items
MSC main dining rooms have a rotating nightly menu along with a selection of everyday items that are always available.
These everyday items include dishes like Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, pasta, grilled salmon, steak, and chicken.
The mistake many cruisers make is always ordering the everyday dishes. They are missing out because the rotating menu is where you’ll find the higher-quality dishes that change every night, and those dishes usually don’t repeat later in the cruise.
A better strategy is to prioritize the rotating menu, then, if nothing stands out, order off the everyday items as your backup option.
Not Telling Your Server About Food Allergies
If you have any food allergies, one of the most important things you can do is tell your server on the first day.
MSC can usually accommodate food allergies by preparing meals separately to help avoid cross-contamination. The head waiter will guide you through the menu and suggest safe options each night.
You will receive the next day’s menu in advance so you can pre-order your meals.
If you’re eating at the buffet, don’t just guess what’s safe. Always speak to a supervisor or staff member so they can let you know what’s safe to eat.
Arriving Late to Dinner
One common mistake people make is arriving late to dinner. The main dining room runs on a tight schedule. So, if you arrive late, things can feel rushed because your servers are preparing for the next seating.
If you know you’re going to be significantly late, it’s often better to skip the main dining room that night and head to the buffet instead. That way, you can still enjoy your meal without pressure or time constraints.
Not Knowing You Can Eat at Multiple Venues
Many first time cruisers think they have to choose between the main dining room and the buffet. On MSC cruises, you can do both.
You can have dinner in the main dining room, watch a show, and still go to the buffet later for dessert or a late-night snack. That flexibility is one of the best parts of cruising, and a lot of people don’t take full advantage of it.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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