As you would expect, cruise food varies a great deal from one cruise line to another. Where the cruise line is based massively affects what ends up on your plate.
MSC has Italian roots. It is the third-largest and fastest-growing cruise brand, with over 10% of the market share as of 2025. It has 23 ships as of 2026, and has more on order.
It isn’t just a cruiseline. MSC is part of a massive, privately-owned Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate originally founded in 1970.
Most American cruise lines cater to a North American audience, and British cruise lines are designed around UK tastes.
If you cruise with MSC, you will find that the food served is very different from that on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Cunard, P&O, etc…
If you are expecting the food to be aimed at an American or British audience, you will be disappointed. That said, I really enjoy the food served on MSC…
The Biggest Difference Starts With Who The Food Is Designed For
MSC Cruises builds menus for a very international audience, with a strong European and Mediterranean influence.
American cruise lines are heavily US-focused, and British cruise lines lean into familiar UK comfort food like pies and roast dinners.
This affects everything from the breakfast you are served to the desserts/puddings you eat.
MSC guests often come from more than 150 nationalities, which explains why menus are broader, but sometimes less customised to any single country.
When MSC sails from America, guests have said that the menus are slightly more Americanised – but overall, the food will have a distinct Mediterranean feel.
Main Dining Room Menus Compared
MSC main dining room menus usually feature more pasta dishes, risotto, and fish.
People comment that the portion sizes are smaller than those on an American ship, but there have been occasions on American cruise lines where there has been far too much food served for me.
I would rather have less, and pop to the buffet in the evening to fill up if I am hungry!
American cruise lines may have menus that often include steaks, burgers, mac and cheese, and other heavier dishes.
On British cruise lines, such as P&O, Marella or Ambassador, you often see roast dinners, pies, puddings and very recognisable British classics.
On MSC, you may see multiple pasta options every night, while on American and British ships, pasta is often just one of many options.
Buffet Style And How It Feels To Eat There
MSC buffets tend to be very large and very busy, with lots of breads, cheeses, cured meats, and salads alongside hot food.
There is usually a pizza station that often serves an unusual charcoal pizza with a black crust! It tastes far better than it looks…
American cruise line buffets focus heavily on favourites such as burgers and cookies. British cruise line buffets offer British staples, like pies and puddings, along with salads and cheeses.
MSC buffets often stay open for longer hours.
Speciality Dining On MSC
MSC speciality dining often includes Italian, French, Seafood, Steakhouse, Mexican, Teppanyaki, and European cuisines.
There is a lot to choose from!
On American cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Carnival Cruise Line, speciality dining can feel bigger, bolder and more experience-led. The prices can be pretty eye-watering too….
When I sailed on Celebrity Edge in 2023, a speciality meal on the “Magic Carpet” cost around $130 each! Needless to say, I didn’t go there to eat….
Have a look at the “Magic Carpet” here. It’s not just a restaurant:
On British cruise lines such as P&O Cruises and Marella Cruises, speciality dining tends to feel calmer and more traditional. There are often British favourites such as steak houses or Indian restaurants – and the prices are far more affordable too!
Have a look at the interesting speciality meal I ate on Marella Voyager here:
“What A Mess Dessert” – Why I Loved This Quirky Speciality Restaurant
It is worth mentioning that if you are sailing on MSC, you can “status match” your cruiseline loyalty status from other cruise lines or hotel chains.
If you have a high enough status, one of the perks is a free meal in a speciality restaurant of your choice.
This is certainly worth doing. Find out more about that here:
MSC Status Match – What Is it And is it Worth Doing? A Step-by-Step Guide
Have a look at the cruise I took on MSC World Europa, and my “free” speciality meal in Hola below:
Portion Sizes, Presentation And Pacing
MSC meals are often smaller, more European in portion size, and the service isn’t rushed.
On American cruise lines, portions are larger, and meals may move faster.
Cruisers like me love MSC food as it feels lighter and less overwhelming. Others miss American-style cruise dining, where large portions are the norm.
What People Love And What People Complain About
People who love MSC food often appreciate the freshness, variety and Mediterranean feel.
If you enjoy pasta dishes, risottos and pizza, you will really love it. I always appreciate the bread on MSC ships. I find some other cruise lines quite disappointing when it comes to this.
People who struggle often expect American-style cruise food and are surprised when they don’t find it on the menus.
Cruisers’ expectations might be different from reality, which is when people are left disappointed. By reading this article, that shouldn’t happen to you!
Real Menus
To see what MSC really serve, and decide whether it would suit you, have a look at the article below.
It shows examples of the menus and the food I chose to eat when I sailed on MSC Seaview:
Everything I Ate on my MSC Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review
Looking at real menus and real meals is more useful than relying on cruise line marketing photos!
Have a look at the really unusual, bargain cruise I took with MSC just after the pandemic below:
Before You Go
Have a look at some great hints and tips you can use if you sail on an MSC ship here:
19 Essential MSC Cruise Tips That I Use Everytime (Freebies, Money Saving & More)
Have a look at MSC’s exclusive “Yacht Club” area on MSC Euribia here:
Inside Look: MSC’s Luxury Ship Within a Ship (MSC Euribia) #ad
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