tripstah

Thanks, that's kind of what I figured but thought I'd ask. I think I'm going to cancel the unlimited dining package I ordered; just not feeling it on MSC.

Does anyone know which, if any, specialty restaurants are open at lunch. And whether or not they're open when the ship is in port--or just sea days? I can't find hour information anywhere.

I really am leaning towards seeing if MSC will let me cancel the unlimited dining package...

Thanks dwc13, much appreciated for all the information and insights!

I definitely have no problems with buffets but I do enjoy picking my meal for the evening -- which the dining package seems to go against, oddly. Food quality in the specialty places did look slightly better than MDR but it depending on the night -- HOLA! definitely looks tasty. If I could bother you for a few more questions: Do you know if the specialty restaurants are open during port days? Which specialty restaurants offer lunch? Thanks, trip

What didn't you like about Ocean Cay? You think it'd be nice since it's the most expensive meal they offer (other than chef's table). I'm still worried about the menu options in the specialty restaurants. We're diamond, so we get a free meal, but I signed us up for the unlimited dining anyway because we love it on RC. I know MSC isn't nearly comparable but most of the review I've read said that the specialty dining was superior to the main dining room; though, oddly, you have less choices with the set menu concept. I'm tempted to see if I can cancel my dining package but with the number of complaints towards the MDR...I feel like it's kind of an insurance plan, lol.

Hyatt Globalist matched to Diamond. Process took less than 24 hours.

How is embarkation and debarkation with Diamond status? Once you're past security there generally isn't much to do to get on the ship...

Thanks @dwc13 -- very helpful and informative and great info! So you have to have a plan other than Trilogy, it's $10 extra, and you can order up to the $44 meal (Samurai I'm guessing from a 2021) menu. Interesting that there's a $10 up charge for teppanyaki; I'm guessing it is more for crowd deterrence than food costs since other than Hola! the menu prices are more expensive than teppanyaki.

Thanks JAGR! Would you happen to know if they could order anything they liked from the menu or if they had to select from a "dining experience menu"?

Hey everyone, Long-time lurker, new poster. I've booked my first MSC cruise for our family -- Meraviglia, Feb 2023, 7 nights. It's myself, my wife, and a 7 and 5 year old. I've booked dining plans on RC cruises for us before and we really enjoyed them. I know MSC has some locked in menus you can select from vs. pick anything from the menu like RC does, which I can live with. I reviewed the menus and the selections looked decent and, overall, the reviews seemed to indicate the quality was better than the MDRs. Anyway, I was hoping some previous MSC voyagers could chime in on whether or not the unlimited package is worthwhile. I've currently booked the unlimited dining for everyone but I'm wavering. It includes a lunch and dinner per day but I can't decide how much use we'll make of it beyond just the 5-meal package. After reading through some of the menus, it looks like Gala night might have better options than the specialty restaurants selections. One thing I can't find any information on is: Are any of the specialty restaurants even open during lunch when you're in port? Thank you in advance for any insights/information. Best regards, Trip

I had the same question. I know in 2019 you could use your dining package but were provided the middle option of the 3. The terms and conditions of the package I bought, however, state: TERMS & CONDITIONS: Gratuity and speciality service charge is already included in the pre-sale price. Packages are available online for pre-sale or on board during the first two days of the cruise. For three and four-night cruises, the packages are for sale on day 1 only. Speciality Restaurant packages are individual, not transferable. Packages cannot be refunded if not all meals are used and they are valid in all Speciality Restaurants (1 lunch and 1 dinner per cruise day). A surcharge of 10€ per meal will be applied to the Teppanyaki experience; this extra fee will be paid directly on board. Speciality Restaurant options vary by ship. The package includes food only and it is honoured a maximum of two times in Butcher's Cut. Day of booking to be confirmed on board. A dining experience menu will be offered to guests who purchase the package. No payment for kids under 6 years (i.e. who have not yet reached their 6th birthday). A 50% discount is applied to packages for children up to 12 years old. Must be of legal age to consume alcohol - see our terms of our guest alcohol policy. A 10 Euro surcharge per meal is applied to the Teppanyaki experience only (it will be paid on board). I've looked at the latest menus I could find and I didn't see any dining experience menu for Teppanyaki so my read is: it's a 10 Euro (or 10 USD?) upcharge to use your package and you can pick whatever you like from the menu. Be nice if someone who has used it lately could chime in though.