Help me understand dining options...new to MSC

[cowboygene]

I'm a little confused...on MSC ships, are there dining rooms where you can eat without a fee?

Somewhere I saw that all MSC options were ala carte, I hoped that referred only to the specialty restaurants.

Thanks

[Beamafar]

I'm a little confused...on MSC ships, are there dining rooms where you can eat without a fee?

Somewhere I saw that all MSC options were ala carte, I hoped that referred only to the specialty restaurants.

Thanks

 

Yes, there are main dining rooms on MSC where you have an assigned table for dinner. Breakfast and lunch are freestyle - you'll be escorted to a table which you may have to share with others (depending on number in your party!). There's also the buffet if you don't want to eat in the dining room.

[cowboygene]

Thanks for the prompt reply

[Beamafar]

You're welcome! :)

[CCJack]

thank you, I was wondering the same thing. I think the main dining room is conveniently missing from a lot of the MSC webpage information . I was starting to think there was not one. Perhaps a marketing effort to encourage specialty dining.

[Beamafar]

thank you, I was wondering the same thing. I think the main dining room is conveniently missing from a lot of the MSC webpage information . I was starting to think there was not one. Perhaps a marketing effort to encourage specialty dining.

 

Believe it or not, it's probably not. MSC is just really bad at imparting information! That's why this forum is so important. I've learned more from these boards than I've ever learned from reps or through the MSC website.

[CCJack]

Yes, I agree information is hard to understand. I can't figure out what the words below mean (from the Meraviglia Dining facts page on MSC). We are booked Bella. What does the last sentence of the first paragraph mean? Does this mean that Bella passengers only eat waves restaurant (or specialty) and cannot choose Flexi at all? Or does it mean that Bella get lower priority on reservation times at the L'Olivio restaurant (which I assume is a non up-charge, non-classic dining time MDR). I am assuming L'Olivio is not a specialty restaurant with an up-charge because those are listed separately. We prefer set times so that is what we requested, so likely we are in Waves. However, it is not clear at all what L'Olivio is.

 

It think it just needs to be written better....

 

 

 

Classic Dining:

 

For those who prefer the classic cruisedining experience, guests can dine in Waves restaurant,where there is a fixed first or secondseating reservation with service from thesame waiter at the same table each evening.*Only Fantastica Experience guests will be ableto choose between Flexi andClassic dining"

 

Flexi Dining:

 

Guests can enjoy dinner in either PanoramaRestaurant, L'Olivo d'oro or L'Olive dorée at theirpreferred time slot subject to availability. Guests who havebooked the Fantastica Experience are able to preselecttheir preferred time slot before embarking, whileBella Experience guests will only be able to expressa time preference. Guests will have the flexibility tochange this once onboard each day before16:00 subject to availability.

[Beamafar]

It's hard to be definitive on this particular issue as these dining options are new and, until people begin experiencing the various set-ups, no-one can say for definite what the heck it means. It's also the first time that there are 4 MDRs.

[black forest]

 

It think it just needs to be written better....

 

 

 

Classic Dining:

 

For those who prefer the classic cruisedining experience, guests can dine in Waves restaurant,where there is a fixed first or secondseating reservation with service from thesame waiter at the same table each evening.*Only Fantastica Experience guests will be ableto choose between Flexi andClassic dining"

 

Flexi Dining:

 

Guests can enjoy dinner in either PanoramaRestaurant, L'Olivo d'oro or L'Olive dorée at theirpreferred time slot subject to availability. Guests who havebooked the Fantastica Experience are able to preselecttheir preferred time slot before embarking, whileBella Experience guests will only be able to expressa time preference. Guests will have the flexibility tochange this once onboard each day before16:00 subject to availability.

 

We have booked balcony stateroom Fantastica and were upgraded to Wellness - I have phone MSC in Germany and asked about the possibility of Flexi Dining. I have read on the webpage (MSC Sinfonia) about it and couldn't choose it when booking online. The kind lady didn't know about it. So we are still booked on early dining. What are you're experiences? Shall I call again or wait till boarding? Or perhpaps I am wrong and it is not offered on the Sinfonia or we won't get it because of 'Wellness' stateroom? We don't go to a gym but I thought it is a nice touch of MSC and I am do apreciate this - it will be our first cruise with them.

[Beamafar]

We have booked balcony stateroom Fantastica and were upgraded to Wellness - I have phone MSC in Germany and asked about the possibility of Flexi Dining. I have read on the webpage (MSC Sinfonia) about it and couldn't choose it when booking online. The kind lady didn't know about it. So we are still booked on early dining. What are you're experiences? Shall I call again or wait till boarding? Or perhpaps I am wrong and it is not offered on the Sinfonia or we won't get it because of 'Wellness' stateroom? We don't go to a gym but I thought it is a nice touch of MSC and I am do apreciate this - it will be our first cruise with them.

 

On Lirica class ships, of which Sinfonia is one, Fantastica (the Experience you booked so will sail under - the upgrade is only to a better cabin without the perks) guests have Anytime, also known as MyChoice, dining so you will be able to choose what time you'd like to eat. You'll need to book in advance, though. The maitreD' will be available at an assigned place and time on embarkation day. I suggest you check it out when you get onboard.

[black forest]

Thank you for your quick reply.

 

Me too, I thought the upgrade is without perks, but when logging in there is a form to fill out about what kind of sports or things like that we like... The cruise is midst of September so I will wait if we really will keep this stateroom. But I will better call again MSC to check about dining options. Thank you again!

[black forest]

Update:

 

I phoned MSC:

 

1. Upgrade Fantastica to Wellness - without the perks - no problem for me as Fantastica perks suits us better.

 

2. As we have booked Fantastica balcony - we are on My choice dining automatically - same as Aurea experience. I spoke to a very kind and helpful guy and as he didn't know about this, he went and asked after I have directed him to the webpage to check that Sinfonia (and other ships of this class) offers this way of dining experience from balcony stateroom Fantastica.

 

3. I could already book a excursion which will be added to the final bill and not being charged to my credit card immediately - in case this might be interesting for someone.

 

Thanks to all for your information!