MSC Cruises adds flexible dining option on some Caribbean cruises
MSC Cruises is introducing a new flexible dining program as enhances its onboard experience for U.S. vacationers. A new dinner seating option just launched on two of MSC's Florida-based cruise ships, and could roll out to more this year if the cruise line's initial pilot program goes well.
The move brings dining on MSC Cruises more in line with major U.S.-based cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean that offer passengers a choice between traditional dining at set dining times and flexible, "anytime" dining.
Here's how MSC's new flexible dinner option works and which ships are currently offering it.
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MSC launches Dine on Your Time on two Florida-based cruise ships
MSC recently introduced a new flexible dining option called Dine on Your Time on board MSC Seashore and MSC Seaside, which sail Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral and Miami, Florida, respectively.
Dine on Your Time gives passengers booked with the cruise line's Bella and Fantastica experiences the option to choose to eat dinner at any time that works best for them, according availability. The new dining option is available in addition to the traditional assigned seating option where passengers keep the same table and dining schedule for dinner each evening.
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With Dine on Your Time, MSC Seashore and MSC Seaside passengers can check in at the main dining restaurant assigned on their cruise card and get seated on a first come, first served basis, or make a reservation for their preferred dining time. Passengers can select Dine on Your Time at the time of their cruise booking, if availability remains for their sailing.
Dine on Your Time differs from the My Choice Dining option available on all MSC ships for passengers sailing with the premium Aurea Experience because it's capacity dependent. Aurea passengers get guaranteed anytime dining within the main restaurant's opening hours.
MSC Seashore gets two new casual dining venues
In addition to Dine on Your Time, MSC Seashore recently debuted two new casual dining venues on board following dry dock refurbishment in April, as reported by Cruise Industry News. Passengers can now enjoy breakfast burritos, pulled pork hash, brisket, and ribs from Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs and fried chicken and comfort food from The Chicken Man.
"These venues are good examples of how we continue to evolve the onboard experience based on guest feedback and invest across the fleet," MSC Cruises North America President Lynn Torrent told Cruise Industry News. "It's not only about new ships, although we're very focused on that, and new destinations, but it's also about that constant evolution."
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MSC also recently invested in major upgrades to MSC Poesia ahead of the ship's arrival in Seattle to launch the cruise line's first-ever cruises to Alaska this May. Highlights of the ship's refurbishment include new specialty dining venues and the addition of MSC Yacht Club, the brand's exclusive "ship-within-a-ship" concept.
"We've really thought very carefully about the refurbishment," Torrent told Cruise Industry News. "At the same time, we're making sure that the destination is really reflected in the journey. We're incorporating Alaska-inspired dining, wellness and enrichment programming. Even the small touches, we have cocktails that bring together the itinerary and the onboard experience, like ‘Unwind in Juneau.'"
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 11:37 AM.