MSC Replaces À La Carte Pricing with Fixed Fees at Specialty Restaurants

May 22, 2025 Randy Young

MSC Cruises is changing how it handles specialty dining across its fleet. Instead of charging passengers à la carte prices for each dish, the cruise line will now use a fixed-fee model. According to the cruise line, this shift aims to simplify the dining experience and make pricing more predictable for guests, while in reality, it’s probably also to generate more revenue.

MSC Now Charging One Fixed Price for a Specialty Dining Meal

With the new structure, guests will pay one flat fee at each specialty restaurant. That fee covers a full meal, typically including one appetizer, one main course, and one dessert. A few high-end options, like Ozaki Wagyu beef, will cost extra, but most items are now bundled into a single price.

This setup removes some of the guesswork that came with à la carte pricing, where it was easy for a meal to become more expensive than expected. By having a clear upfront cost, MSC hopes to make specialty dining more accessible to a wider range of guests.

MSC Introduces More Flexible Dining Packages

Alongside the pricing change, MSC is also updating its specialty dining packages. Guests can now pre-purchase packages that include one to four meals at specialty restaurants. Unlike in the past, these packages are fully customizable. Guests can return to the same restaurant multiple times if they choose, with one exception. The steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, is limited to one visit per package.

For those who buy their dining packages before their cruise, MSC is offering discounts of up to 20 percent. Packages can also be purchased onboard, but they may cost more.

MSC Follows an Industry Trend

This move brings MSC more in line with what other major cruise lines are doing. Earlier this year, Norwegian Cruise Line switched from à la carte pricing to fixed cover charges at most of its specialty restaurants. Carnival and Royal Caribbean have both used fixed fees for most of their specialty restaurants for years.

According to MSC, this setup gives guests more freedom and flexibility. But for those who previously only wanted a single appetizer or dessert, it may feel like you’re now being pushed to spend more than before. The flat fee removes price visibility for individual items, making it easier for the cruise line to increase spending without guests doing the math.

What This Means for Cruisers

For travelers who enjoy specialty dining, the changes should make planning easier. You now know exactly what you’re paying for and what you’re getting without feeling nickel and dimed. Still, with fixed-fee dining, some guests may miss the ability to grab just a small plate or dessert without committing to a full meal.