When to book specialty restaurants and shows?

[HappyInVan]

Hi,

 

First time on MSC. I've just made FP, and booked 3xspecialty restaurants + show. When should I book the date and times? Thanks.

[New2Cruise76]

You'll be able to book both show times and specialty dining once on board. Have a great cruise!

[Cruisy Guy]

We are sailing on MSC Seaside in the Caribbean this January.

 

Reserving specialty restaurants is very confusing. We don't want to buy a package, as some of the restaurants in the package don't appeal to us.We just want to reserve our choice of restaurants on specific nights. Hopefully, we can then order from the fixed price "Dining Experience" section.

 

Do we have to wait until after boarding to make a reservation? The same for requesting a specific dining time in the main dining room? That seems very chaotic since everyone will have the same idea once we board.

 

Can anyone who is knowledgeable provide some advice?

[gizfish]

I don't know if you can order off the dining experience menu without a dining plan, as the no choice of restaurants in the plan thing is new.  However, I do think I remember the menus having a prix fix option that may have been the same as the plan menu?  You do have to wait until boarding to make reservations for dining and shows.  You may be able to reserve some of that while waiting to board if the MSC app is working in the terminal.  

 

You will find out your assigned dining time once you are issued your key card.  The daily planner will tell you where and at what time you can go to request changes.

[JAGR]

21 hours ago, Cruisy Guy said:

We are sailing on MSC Seaside in the Caribbean this January.

 

Reserving specialty restaurants is very confusing. We don't want to buy a package, as some of the restaurants in the package don't appeal to us.We just want to reserve our choice of restaurants on specific nights. Hopefully, we can then order from the fixed price "Dining Experience" section.

 

Do we have to wait until after boarding to make a reservation? The same for requesting a specific dining time in the main dining room? That seems very chaotic since everyone will have the same idea once we board.

 

Can anyone who is knowledgeable provide some advice?

To add to @gizfish, reserving specialty restaurants on Seaside requires a bit of labor, and can only be done on board. While embarking, if you have a date and time in mind, you can reserve in person.  I would recommend going to the hostess station on Deck 16 (use the forward elevators). Since all the specialty restaurants are together there, the host/hostess can lock you time and restaurant in for you.  You can either order a la carte, or from the Dining Experience menu.

For main dining time, that is dependent on your booking class.  For Bella, you can request a seating at booking, but MSC will decide the time and restaurant (Seashore or Ipanema).  For Fantastica, you have a priority in getting the dining time you indicated at booking.  For Aurea, you have anytime dining.  For Yacht Club, it is anytime dining in the dedicated YC restaurant.

 

For shows (particularly requested by @HappyInVan), you may be able to reserved the shows on the app while waiting to board, but you can definitely do it on the app anytime after you board the ship.  If yo can't use the app, there are interactive tv screens all around that you can use to reserve shows.

Edited December 17, 2023 by JAGR

[Cruisy Guy]

1 hour ago, JAGR said:

To add to @gizfish, reserving specialty restaurants on Seaside requires a bit of labor, and can only be done on board. While embarking, if you have a date and time in mind, you can reserve in person.  I would recommend going to the hostess station on Deck 16 (use the forward elevators). Since all the specialty restaurants are together there, the host/hostess can lock you time and restaurant in for you.  You can either order a la carte, or from the Dining Experience menu.

For main dining time, that is dependent on your booking class.  For Bella, you can request a seating at booking, but MSC will decide the time and restaurant (Seashore or Ipanema).  For Fantastica, you have a priority in getting the dining time you indicated at booking.  For Aurea, you have anytime dining.  For Yacht Club, it is anytime dining in the dedicated YC restaurant.

 

For shows (particularly requested by @HappyInVan), you may be able to reserved the shows on the app while waiting to board, but you can definitely do it on the app anytime after you board the ship.  If yo can't use the app, there are interactive tv screens all around that you can use to reserve shows.

Thank you so much for the information and recommendations JAGR. You answered all my questions in full.

You are obviously well aquainted with MSC and Seaside, it's always good to get advice from knowledgeable people.