msc yacht club gluten free

All pasta and no chocolate: What it’s like eating gluten-free on a cruise 

"Will I be able to eat anything on this cruise ship?" is not a question you often hear about floating holidays known for 24/7 dining and enormous buffets. But if you have celiac disease, like my mom, it's a logical concern.

I had invited my mom to join my kids and me on a seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard MSC Seashore from MSC Cruises, an under-the-radar line unknown to many Americans. In fact, though I've written about cruising for almost 20 years, I'd never sailed with that line. Its dining options were not familiar to me, so I couldn't guarantee what gluten-free options we'd find on the line's newest cruise ship.

Spoiler alert: My mom did not starve, but we couldn't have foreseen that based on the limited information we were able to find before our sailing. Here's the good, the bad and the glutenous we experienced on our sailing, so future gluten-free cruisers can decide if MSC is the line for them or not.

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Pre-cruise information was either lacking or not encouraging

Let's start with the official word from MSC Cruises' website:

We were pleased to find this information, but our ship – MSC Seashore – was not listed. Did it offer the gluten-free cuisine program and Bureau Veritas certification? The MSC phone reps could not give us a definitive answer.

Online reviews were decidedly mixed. One woman raved about the gluten-free menu at dinner, while another reviewer claimed, "MSC was the best GF experience I've had including Royal and Celebrity." On the other hand, one Cruise Critic poster was forced to eat the same chicken with carrots and zucchini for meal after meal and concluded, "Frankly, I couldn't wait to get off this ship. It was singularly the worst gluten-free experience I've experienced on a ship. Carnival and Norwegian do 10 times better without even trying."

So we looked for travel agents who specialized in gluten-free cruising to see what they knew. One gluten-free and celiac travel specialist at Travel Leaders told my mom flat out that she would not recommend going on an MSC cruise. Another recommended Celebrity Cruises. My mom's trusted AAA travel agent didn't even sell MSC Cruises.

Finally, I asked a public relations representative for MSC Cruises about MSC Seashore specifically, and she answered that the ship did have dedicated areas for handling gluten-free food. My mom was willing to take a leap of faith with that answer, and we booked.

My mom filled out the MSC special needs form, indicating that she had celiac disease and could not eat gluten. She got a generic response back that said to talk to the maitre d' on board and that the line "cannot guarantee a 100% allergy-free zone." No one contacted her to discuss dining options or ask if she had any special food requests.

With that lack of reassurance, we headed to our ship.

The main dining room was best — but there was no gluten-free menu

When we boarded the ship on the first day, the buffet was the only venue open for lunch. My mom flagged down someone on the restaurant staff, who basically said she couldn't eat anything on the buffet and they'd make her some chicken with gluten-free pasta. The kids and I finished eating before she even got her meal. But she ate something, and it wasn't horrible.

At dinner on the first night, one of the dining room managers came to discuss menu options with my mom. MSC Seashore does not have a separate gluten-free menu, as online reviewers reported from other ships, but he pointed out which regular menu items could be made gluten-free.

He also brought some pre-packaged rolls. At every meal for the rest of the cruise, a waiter would bring my mom pre-packaged, gluten-free bread products. At breakfast, it might be a packaged muffin or croissant. At dinner, it was one of two kinds of rolls. It was always a surprise, and variety was limited. (To be fair, the regular dinner rolls didn't have much variety either.)

After the first night, we switched dining times and dining rooms, and our knight in shining gluten-free armor became Jason from South Africa. I swear he was the hardest working person on that cruise ship, assisting all the guests with allergies and dietary restrictions at dinner, supervising the buffet at lunch, even biking around Ocean Cay delivering ketchup from one food truck to another.

Every evening, he'd discuss with my mom what she could and couldn't eat from the main menu, and even show us the next day's menu so he could run any questions by the chef in advance. He told her about off-menu items she could order, such as gluten-free pancakes at breakfast and gluten-free pizza at lunch. We wondered if there were other off-menu items she should be considering, but no one could give us a good answer.

My mom was able to eat osso buco and lamb shank, gluten-free pasta dishes and French onion soup, among other dishes. She had a different meal each night at dinner – no endless chicken dinners. Her dining experience was not any worse than those of us eating off the regular menu. She probably had more choices than I did as someone who does not eat meat or shellfish.

Dessert was a bust

Dessert was a different story.

The gluten-free dessert in the main dining room was always some variation of a white cake with frosting — or she could order the cheese or fruit plate. But we are chocolate people.

When my mom asked if she could get a chocolate dessert, the manager responded that the line's chocolate providers did not guarantee their products were gluten-free, so they couldn't make her a chocolate cake or gluten-free cookies.

He also said none of the ice cream on board was marked gluten-free, so he couldn't serve it to her. She ate it at the buffet and Venchi gelateria anyway and felt fine.

We were glad to see the restaurant staff taking the allergy situation seriously. The downside was that anything that was obviously gluten-free, like plain chocolate ice cream, still could not be served to my mom. You want to be able to have fun desserts on a cruise line, and flourless chocolate cake and ice cream are so simple to make gluten-free. It was disappointing that the line couldn't bother to find suppliers for these items.

The buffet was mostly off-limits

Nothing on the buffet was marked in any way. Not only could you not tell if a dish was gluten-free or vegetarian, but you also couldn't find out what an unassuming dish contained without tasting it. Case in point: One day, there were two vats of mushy yellow-orange stuff side by side. I asked the server — one was polenta and the other a squash dish, but that was not obvious to anyone by sight.

My mom figured she could eat the salad, the fresh fruit or any made-to-order eggs. It wasn't worth ordering a gluten-free meal that would take 20 minutes to arrive. So she avoided the buffet, meaning she took nearly all her meals in the dining room.

Luckily, my daughter and I weren't big fans of the buffet either, and often came with my mom to breakfast in the main dining room. One day I had a leisurely lunch with her when the kids weren't hungry and stayed behind to watch TV in the cabin.

Snacks and bagged lunches were tricky to acquire

One of the online reviews mentioned gluten-free snacks at an onboard bar, but we never came across those. (I did find a gluten-free drink list, including gluten-free beer, at the Brooklyn Café.) My mom asked her buddy Jason about snacks, and he gave her a few, including one that was essentially a gluten-free Twinkie.

My mom's other concern was lunches off the ship. We had several excursions that took place over the midday mealtime, and she'd read that there wasn't gluten-free food on Ocean Cay, which Jason confirmed.

She asked the first night about the possibility of getting a packed lunch and was told to ask Guest Services. They said they'd have to contact Shore Excursions, which reported back that they did not handle food nor could they ask the tour operators about their food offerings. It was like a wild goose chase just to find information.

Once again, Jason came to the rescue. I can order you packed lunches, he said, just tell me which days and remind me the night before. The lunches were great, packed with two sandwiches (usually turkey and/or tuna), fruit and several snacks. The downside was of the three days my mom ordered them, twice they weren't ready and she had to wait 20 minutes before the lunch appeared.

Eating gluten-free, it turns out, involves a heck of a lot of waiting around.

There was no sliced bread

My mom certainly ate her fill of carbs – rolls, cake, croissants, pasta and pizza. What the ship did not have on board? Gluten-free sliced bread.

Any time my mom got a sandwich, it was on one of the same pre-packaged rolls she got with dinner. She would have liked some sliced bread, either to eat as toast with eggs in the morning or as a sandwich base at lunch, but for whatever reason, the ship did not stock it.

Bottom line

Cruising gluten-free on MSC was not the horror story some online reviewers and travel agents made it out to be. My mom had plenty of different foods to eat, and she did not get sick.

Were her options limited? Yes. Were there foods, like ice cream and bread, that MSC could have provided but did not supply? Certainly. Were there extra hassles involved with making sure my mom got fed — and was her satisfaction with cruise dining dependent on us being assigned to Jason's table and not a less helpful dining manager? You betcha.

Ultimately, I don't think my mom will be cruising on MSC again, but that's not entirely due to the gluten-free dining situation. My takeaway is that your experience eating gluten-free on MSC Cruises may vary based on the ship you're sailing and the region of the world you're traveling (since that could affect provisioning). The best tip I have for successful eating with a dietary restriction, and this applies to any cruise line, is to keep asking questions and advocate for yourself until you get what you need.

The squeaky wheel, in this case, gets the grease — ideally, in gluten-free pizza form.

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• MSC Cruises

Gluten free options - Yacht club

By nayuval , June 15, 2022 in MSC Cruises

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We are thinking about next year cruise on the MSC Euribia.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience regarding gluten free variety on the Yacht club and the top sail lounge and the sun deck?

Is there any variety at all on the lounge & sun deck for gluten free?

What is the procedure on the YC, is there a menu and you choose at the spot or you need to prepare in advance? Is there any off menu items you can order?

Also, any idea if there are gluten free options on Jean Philippe chocolate or gelato ( I assume the crepes are out for sure)?

One last question (for now:)), is it possible to pre order gluten free cake for our daughter's birthday?

This is the 1st time we are cruising with our celiac daughter, for her birthday.

Thanks a lot

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Buffet & Restaurants

As one of the healthiest diets on the planet, Mediterranean food takes center stage at our main restaurants, tempting you with French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. 

Location: Main Restaurants

Type of service: Included

For cruises departing from a U.S. port: The first entrée, appetizers, and desserts are complimentary per each guest. For guests who wish to order a second entrée, an additional surcharge of $5 will be applied.

Our main restaurants invite you on a journey around the world’s cuisines, offering exceptional international dishes every day of your cruise. 

Available on: all MSC Ships

Come to the Carvery for deliciously tender, juicy and flavorful roast meat specialties that will please your palate any day of the week. Enjoy the experience of watching your personal favorites being carved just for you.

Location: Buffet

The Take-away Station is the place to visit when you’re looking for a snack on the go. A wide range of the most popular take-away foods awaits you. Available on: all MSC Ships

Check out the Pasta Station for authentic Italian pasta just like mama used to make. Discover a new selection of delicious flavor combinations every single day to satisfy even the most discerning palate.                                                      

Created with the little ones in mind, Kids’ Corner offers a selection of tasty, healthy and fun meals to tickle your children’s taste buds throughout your cruise. Dishes change on a daily basis so there’s always something new and exciting to discover. Available on: all MSC Ships

Get set to be wowed by the creativity of our talented chefs at the Daily Special Corner. Wrap your taste buds around a different speciality every day of your cruise for an unforgettable culinary surprise.

A selection of light and tasty dishes awaits you at our Wellness Corner. Made with your health in mind, these dishes will boost your wellbeing without putting a strain on your waistline. Meet your five-a-day daily requirements with dishes that are delicious, nutritious and packed with flavor. Available on: all MSC Ships

Enticing aromas and mouth-watering flavors are served up at our Ethnic Corner. Choose your personal favorite from a range of delectable dishes, hand-selected from every corner of the world, from Asian to Indian – and everywhere in between.

We strive every day to ensure our guests have a perfectly paired experience, which is why our chefs have worked hard to create the following specialties for you and yours:

• Vegetarian Menus of delicious specialties, freshly prepared to the gourmet standards for which MSC is renowned.
• Vegan-friendly  dishes are incorporated into our main restaurant menus and buffet restaurant culinary offer.
• Kosher meals (pre-packaged breakfast, lunch and dinner) may be available on board for an additional charge of €25/$30 pp/day. Kosher meals can be consumed in the main restaurants and must be booked at least 30 days before ship’s departure.
• Halal products (beef, lamb and poultry) may be available on board following former request of the guest at least two months before departure; 
• MSC Cruises holds a certification for its food safety management system in accordance with ISO 22000 standard requirements.
• MSC Cruises offers gluten-free menus (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in the main restaurants on most of its ships. On MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica where guests will find a limited selection of pre-packaged gluten-free snacks such as biscuits, croissants, sponge cakes and muffins).
• Please check the availability of gluten-free menus when booking.
• Location: Main Restaurants only.
• Allergies or intolerances: Information about the presence of substances or products causing allergies or intolerances is available by contacting our staff. Guests with food intolerances and/or allergies must inform MSC Cruises of their needs via the Special Needs Form and, once on board, confirm their requirements at Reception-Guest Service and/or with the Maître d’hôtel.

We can accommodate most special dietary requirements in our main restaurants where there is a greater degree of control over the production and service of special meals. We cannot guarantee no cross-contamination at the buffet.

Indulge your sweet tooth at the Dessert Corner, a magical world of delicious treats lovingly prepared with meticulous attention to detail by our talented team of bakers and pastry chefs.

Is there an additional cost for a second entrée in main dining restaurants?

For cruises departing from a U.S. homeport:

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MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED

Last Updated on June 12, 2024

We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying to decipher the MSC drink menus and drink packages. We are posting the entire range of MSC drink menus to accompany the information recently published comparing the drink packages. These menus will also help people with the MSC Easy drink package better understand what’s included!

MSC Cruises Gratuities on Bar / Drink Purchases

Onboard bar purchases will incur gratuities, automatically added to all purchases : 15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentina), and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuities on North America itineraries. If you purchase a drink or beverage package, the price of the package includes the gratuities and you will not pay anything additional!

MSC Drink Menus

Ship wide drink list with prices *updated 2024 menus*.

This is the shipwide menu for bars, pool areas, main dining rooms, and lounges. This menu does not apply to specialty restaurants that have their own specific menus.

Master Wine List – Available in main dining rooms

This list is what is generally presented in any dining area or main dining room on MSC ships.

MSC Champagne Bar Menu

For MSC cruise ships with a Champagne Bar, this menu is presented, but they often have a full bar as well.

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Brass Anchor Pub

The pub features quite a few beer options but pay attention to the prices if you are planning on using a drink package. Additionally, there are paid items to eat at certain times.

• TRY IT : We’ve created an MSC Drink Calculator to see if buying a beverage package is worth it on your next cruise!

For people who have chosen the Easy Package or get it free with their cruise fare, there is a separate menu:

A word about the drinks on MSC Cruises

If you plan on enjoying your cruise without purchasing a drink package, you’ll see by the above menus that the prices of drinks really aren’t terrible compared to other cruise lines. However, a drink package is now more commonly included as a perk or incentive when booking a cruise with MSC . Even if there is a slight upcharge for an included Easy Package for you’re next cruise, you’ll likely find that it’s well worth it given that it includes bottled water, sodas and specialty coffee which is uncommon with most cruise lines.

Learn more about the MSC drink packages that are available and how they are used.

You might also be interested in…

MSC Cruises Dining Packages Explained – Are They Worth It? What to Know Before You Go!

MSC Dining Packages - Everything to know! The “dining experiences” offered by MSC include a single meal at a specialty restaurant for lunch... Read This

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

 On a recent MSC Cruise, I booked an aft balcony with a special rate that included the “Easy Package”. I really had no idea... Read This

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27 Comments

Hello, how are you? I made a summary between the Easy and Easy Plus packages

Easy • You can only drink Heiniken beer • If you want to drink rum, vodka, whiskey, gin, tequila (You cannot choose a brand) • If you want wine you can choose between Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet or Merlot but the house wine, do not choose by brand. • It is not valid for specialized restaurants, that is, if one goes to one specialized in pasta or Mexican, it is paid outside the plan. • If someone wants to buy a drink that is more expensive, they pay the difference. • The minibar is paid separately • Tips are included

Easy Plus • You can choose a greater variety of beers, rum, vodka, gin • You can choose brands of wine • This package can be used in specialized restaurants. • If someone wants to buy a drink that is more expensive, they pay the difference. • Minibar is paid separately • Tips are included

Thomas, Yep! This basically points out the main differences. Thanks!

Hi, how are you? We are going in January on MSC Armonia for 7 nights. Will you have the same menu but with the Easy Plus package? I want to see what the difference is with the Easy.

I understand that in the Easy Plus you can choose a wider variety of cocktails, choose other brands of spirits, wine, beer and better coffee.

Can you help me please Regards

Hi Thomas, you can see the easy plus menu on this page about MSC Drink Packages . But just know that you can order from any menu. I hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for this ! Do you know if the basic drink package covers say a bourbon and coke drink ?

You know, that’s a good question. Our travel buddies were ordering generic like rum & coke – Vodka Tonic, etc… but didn’t ever hear anyone order any basic Bourbon. BUT They did seem to have something included in the easy / basic package for all alcohol types, so I can only assume they have a bourbon. If not, you only pay the difference in price if what you want isn’t included in the Easy package. The few times I have done that, it’s only been $2 or so for better drinks.

Hi Phil, yesterday I sent a small message about the MSC transfer between Milan Malpensa Airport and Genoa Port. A small modification: we should get from Milan to Genoa in the morning of June 22, not June 21, so I would like the information (timetable, etc.) by the 22 of June.Sorry for the modification.Thanks in advance for your reply: Agnes

Hi Agnes – I’m unfortunately not famliar with how MSC Handles busses or shuttles from the Milan airport 🙁 – but I do know the transport is usually only on the morning of the cruise for when they DO offer shuttles. If you’re arriving early, you’ll be on your own to get to Genoa and it’s a few hours by train. The trains are generally pretty reliable an on time, but give yourself plenty of room to work with. You can use Rome2Rio (link) and plan a route or hire a private car (expect to spend 200 euro to get there though!). Here’s a link to private services on Viator

Hi! We have a cabin (Seaside from Genoa – 7 nights) for 4 people: 2 adults, 2 children, we have Easy Package for all four people. By definition, children do not drink alcoholic beverages, but my question is, is ice cream(for the children) included in Easy Packae? Thanks in advance: Agnes

Hi Agnes, I think if you call MSC, they will downgrade the kids to a soft drink package and save you money. As for icecream, it was available at the outside cafe at no charge but it will not cover the specialty ice cream / Gelato at Philippe Maury & Venchi Chocolate

Does the prices in the drinks menu include the gratuity? Or we have to add the 18% to know the total price?

Lizette, If you don’t have a drink package, and you are purchasing the drinks one by one, then you’ll pay the gratuity on top of the price you’re seeing. I believe the gratuity has just increased to 18% from 15%

We are two people traveling on MSC Meraviglia. Looking at these prices (some of them equal to or better than any hotel or Pub), I don’t think we are going to spend $560 (2 non-alcoholic packages) on water, coffee, and sodas in our 10-day cruise.

I agree- The prices really aren’t bad compared to other cruise lines! The packages make the most sense when they’re included as a promotion in the base fare at a discounted rate. I have friends that recently did a 2 week cruise with MSC and the drink packages were as much as the cruise. They declined and ended up spending a fraction of what the drink package would have been. Definitely worth doing the math!

how can i find out what brands of scotch are included in the easy plus package

Hi Bill & Susan, You can see the main menu above (first menu) and page 7 has “whisky” …. which they’ve sort of put all scotch and whisky together.

Remember it’s anything up to $10 per drink, so there are quite a few basic options available.

It’s explained on another page here that the Easy Package includes drinks up to $7.50, but I don’t see these drinks listed in the menu provided above, only the $9 ones. Did I miss something? Or is it $7.50 plus a 20% gratuity so it is $9.00 as listed on the menu which also includes the tip.

Hi Cory – If you look at the menu at the top of this page – and flip to the first page of the menu, it has the drinks up to 7.50 which are included in the “easy” package. MSC Generally has a menu for drinks that are part of the “Easy Package” and not all have a price associated with them (They’re just included). The $7.50 amount has been established since they now allow you to get a drink that is more than the $7.50 limit by paying the difference. I hope that makes sense!

Thanks! Don’t know how I missed that. I did the calculation and for our group of mostly light or non-drinkers, the packages don’t make financial sense when everybody has to get the same package, especially when we are going to be in port during most days and will get paid drinks there.

Sure! If you’re light drinkers, MSC Often has a promo for Easy or Easy plus as part of a cruise fare. I find that is the best way to go when it’s available since it covers everything from premium coffee & bottled water, etc. Not sure if you saw our MSC Drink Calculator (here) . This might help as well!

I noticed one can order bottles of wine pre cruise to be delivered to your stateroom. The prices for which seemed reasonable at @$32. My question is can you get a bottle at a bar on board and take it to your room or would there be a corkage fee?

Hi Kim! If you get the bottles onboard where they are available, you’ll pay a gratuity but not a true “corkage” fee by just taking them back to your room. So Expect to pay whatever their automatic gratuity / service charge is – but nothing else.

Hi. Are these prices in australian dollars?

Hello! The prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted (sometimes we post prices in Euro, but it’s clearly stated).

Your not in Alice Springs anymore, mate!

Are these also the same prices if you were to buy the drinks a la carte?

Hi Josh – Yes, this is the ship-wide price list even if you’re paying for the drinks 1 at a time. For package customers, it’s a reference as to what the package will cover more than anything.

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• MSC Cruises

Gluten Free on MSC..the bad, good and great..

By Nashna , February 4, 2020 in MSC Cruises

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We just spent 17 days on the Divina.  My husband has Celiac Disease so the quality and selection of the GF offerings is very important to us.

A dedicated area on the ship to prepare GF foods.  

A special GF Menu in the MDR and offered in YC for breakfast and dinner.  This menu had items not offered in the MDR such as prime rib and lamb chops.  The sauces were fantastic and the presentation was great.  I actually ordered some items off the GF menu when I wasn't thrilled with what was offered on the regular MDR menu.  Not sure why they bothered with the breakfast GF menu as it did not offer anything other than the usual meats, eggs, etc.

The pastry offered on Divina was all pre-packaged and came in the original wrappers.   The chocolate croissants were great as was the focciocio.  The bread was just ok.  At breakfast, these were presented cold and we had to ask them to be reheated.   

NO PIZZA!  This was a big surprise as it has been available on our last 7 sailings on different cruise lines.  RCCL's pizza was so good that our grandchildren preferred it to the regular.  Even offering frozen pizza would be better than none.  I did ask and was told that they had received lots of complaints about this.   We were informed that no MSC ship offers pizza.

NO TOAST, PANCAKES, WAFFLES.  Again, he has had these on previous sailings on other lines.  

When asked about options on the buffet, we were told by two different people that there were no GF options and "you can't eat anything on the buffet"!  Of course, this was untrue as there were always salads or plain meats and fruit.  

While MSC special GF kitchen really shines at dinner, they need to do more to enhance the G F options for breakfast, breads and dessert. 

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Thamks for the report. Being more sensitive than full on allergic, I tend to be able to eat around most foods. Your dinner report has me wondering whether I should actually formalize the GF requirement for my April cruise.

Definitely ask for both menus.  When we were in Le Muse, the maître de actually came over to check on the GF menu to see if they had prime rib for a passenger who was not eating GF, but wanted prime rib.  Every night, shrimp cocktail was on the GF menu.

BermudaBound2014

This is a very nice summary. One of the girls in our group for April just asked me last night about GF options. Thank you for taking the time to share.

31 minutes ago, Nashna said: Definitely ask for both menus.  When we were in Le Muse, the maître de actually came over to check on the GF menu to see if they had prime rib for a passenger who was not eating GF, but wanted prime rib.  Every night, shrimp cocktail was on the GF menu.

Oh wow. I wish we had known that. The shrimp cocktail was one of the best things we had in Le Muse, but it was only offered once.

10 minutes ago, Kmkub said: Oh wow. I wish we had known that. The shrimp cocktail was one of the best things we had in Le Muse, but it was only offered once.

My husband had shrimp almost every night.  One evening, we dined with another couple, and when they heard him ordering it, they did as well.  

22 hours ago, Nashna said:     Bad... NO PIZZA!  This was a big surprise as it has been available on our last 7 sailings on different cruise lines.     

Wait a second ... for a second there I thought you said NO PIZZA  😱

CruisinCrow

So anyone can ask to see the gluten free menu?  You didn't have to set it up in advance or order the night before?

My husband asked for it on the first night and they brought it to the MDR every night.  When we were in the YC, he also just mentioned it once and it came every night.  MSC has a separate kitchen that just does GF.  They have a menu printed every day, you just need to ask.  Bob would check out both menus and then pick from the one that he wanted.  Only area where they did not match the regular menu was in desserts.  He pretty much was stuck with ice cream.  

Best Cat Mom

On Seaside, we ordered Room Service pizza. I am extremely gluten-sensitive but not "emergency room visit" sensitive. I plucked the toppings off my husband's pizza and had no issues. The toppings came off clean and I had zero issues. Yummy!

• 1 month later...

Back from our March 10th 3 night Divina cruise and wanted to share my experience with gluten free on MSC. This was my first time on MSC.

I had heard so many good things about how MSC excels at gluten free because of their European experience etc. but this was simply not the case for me.

Our cruise had no sea days and went to Ocean Cay and Nassau.

1. Boarding Day: The ONLY option was the buffet which is something I avoid as a celiac sufferer. We were told that the only thing on the buffet that "might" be safe was the salad and fruit. Everything else was off limits. We spoke with an officer who said that theycould prepare us some chicken and fish. Turns out it was a grilled chicken breast (no fish) with steamed carrots and zucchini. Chicken breast was delicious, carrots OK, and zucchini was underdone.

2. Boarding day dinner: We were given our own separate menu but the choices were very limited. Basically that chicken breast and fish for entrees. No beef options. Dinner was OK and provided the most options on the ship.

3. Day 2 breakfast: Gluten free menu but lots of the items like muffins, etc. they said they could not do or were out of. No meats on the menu but we were able to successfully order bacon and ham this time. Basically, you get scrambled eggs and some bagged croissants that were very good (orange filling). 

4. We were at Ocean Cay on Day 2 and we had bought a deluxe cabana that included lunch. We selected our lunch items on a form at the shore excursions desk. We noted that 2 of us were gluten free and our items needed to be gluten free. The night before they found me in the theater and told me that they cannot provide ANY gluten free food on the island and I should downgrade to the cabana without food. (which I did) 

So we go on the island this day and there is NO gluten free food options on the island. Once we were done we went back on the ship and went to the buffet for lunch. (only thing open) We find an officer so we can get something made for us and are informed that the gluten free kitchen is closed and everyone is on the island and we cannot have ANY food made for us but that he can give us one of those bread rolls in a bag. I told him to make it 2. Feeling like a prisoner at this point with just bread and water. LOL

As I am at the table eating my bread rolls our dedicated gluten free officer comes by and notices me. I mentioned that we got nothing and he said he will see what he can do. About 10 minutes later he showed up with a plate of last night's leftovers. I ate most of it even though some of it was cold.

5. The Divina bar has a box of gluten free snacks underneath the bar. It took awhile after asking many different people to find this out. I was hungry after "lunch" so I stopped by and grabbed 4 of them and it came out to $15.30 (which includes a $2 gratuity for them reaching under the bar, grabbing the box, and you picking out what you want.

6. Day 2 dinner: I was hungry so I ordered the chicken breast which came with carrots and zucchini again as well as another entree with pasta with a seafood sauce. The menu only list fruit plate and cheese plate for dessert but we got our guy to bring us a piece of cake that was mostly whipped cream like.

7. Skipped breakfast Day 3 - Went to buffet for lunch where I had ... can you guess??? Grilled chicken breast, carrots, and no zucchini ... it was steamed broccoli that was cold when it arrived. Had some of my snacks before dinner.

8. Day 3 Dinner: Menu was the same old fish and chicken and a pasta option. I asked if they could grill chicken breast, cut up, add to pasta, and add marinara sauce. They said they could not but could bring pasta with marinara and a grilled chicken breast separate. So I asked them why I cannot get one of the steaks that is on the main menu gluten free. He said he could do one if I out the order in right now and was willing to wait a bit longer. I said yes and told him to bring me another entree too. Steak came later and it was a cheaper cut sirloin but was OK. I was hyena like at this stage any way.

9. Debark day breakfast: Got 2 croissants and asked why I couldn't have omelet instead of scrambled eggs. He said I could have omelet as long as it was mushroom and cheese omelet with no alterations. I said ok and it was just ok when it came.

Frankly, I couldn't wait to get off this ship. It was singularly the worst gluten free experience I've experienced on a ship. Carnival and Norwegian do 10 times better without even trying.

More thoughts:

All bread options were these little rolls in a bag. I had 3 different ones. I liked the 2nd one the best but after getting it once they said they didn't have them anymore.

Apparently iced tea is not a thing on MSC. I could get it a some meals but not others.

There really are no grab and go gluten free options on the ship. They couldn't guarantee any gelato was gluten free at the gelato place.

The staff doesn't have any empathy are seem to care when they tell you no.

There was a special section on the cabana form for listing food allergies. However, if they cannot handle them then why is it even on the form.

We had fully intended on booking an MSC Meraviglia cruise at the future cruise desk before we ever boarded. However, after this experience we did not. I'm not saying that I'm never going on MSC again but it is not likely. Unless I hear some completely opposite reviews of mine in the future on gluten free options I won't be planning any more MSC sailings.

Big Fail for MSC on Gluten Free

Finally, I realize that MSC does not have to accommodate me. I'm the one with celiac disease and I'm the once forced to eat gluten free and it is not up to them to deal with this. (and that's fine) However, the other cruise lines DO accommodate my needs and thus I will spend my money with the cruise lines that do take care of me. 🙂

OH, and there definitely is NO gluten free pizza onboard at anytime but lots of regular pizza options.

Nightone….I am so sorry.  My husband did not have that experience at all with the MDR.  His GF.menu had more choices than mine.  Every night he was offered a beef dish...including prime rib (which never appeared on the regular menu), lamp chops or pork as well as fish and chicken.  We were on the Divina in January and have the Seaview booked for January 2021.  We will be hugely disappointed if the menu onboard in January is what you experienced.  Obviously, something has changed with the MDR  and I wonder why?  I totally agree with you regarding the buffet.  He was told that the only thing he could have was the salad bar and fruit.  I questioned why he couldn't have a slice of beef from the roast they were cutting and they said it had gluten in it.  We have been on every ship from Seabourn to RCCL in the past four years and can truly say the buffet and pastry on Divina were the poorest.  We were also distressed to see that there wasn't toast, waffles or pancakes offered for breakfast.  We only had breakfast in the MDR as it does offer more than the buffet.  My husband had an omelet almost every morning and it was always loaded with everything so I don't understand why they would restrict yours.  I met the Captain and the Hotel Director and mentioned how disappointed we were with the buffet and the lack of pizza.  Both said that MSC was working on providing GF pizza in the future.  

21 hours ago, Nashna said: Nightone….I am so sorry.  My husband did not have that experience at all with the MDR.  His GF.menu had more choices than mine.  Every night he was offered a beef dish...including prime rib (which never appeared on the regular menu), lamp chops or pork as well as fish and chicken.  We were on the Divina in January and have the Seaview booked for January 2021.  We will be hugely disappointed if the menu onboard in January is what you experienced.  Obviously, something has changed with the MDR  and I wonder why?  I totally agree with you regarding the buffet.  He was told that the only thing he could have was the salad bar and fruit.  I questioned why he couldn't have a slice of beef from the roast they were cutting and they said it had gluten in it.  We have been on every ship from Seabourn to RCCL in the past four years and can truly say the buffet and pastry on Divina were the poorest.  We were also distressed to see that there wasn't toast, waffles or pancakes offered for breakfast.  We only had breakfast in the MDR as it does offer more than the buffet.  My husband had an omelet almost every morning and it was always loaded with everything so I don't understand why they would restrict yours.  I met the Captain and the Hotel Director and mentioned how disappointed we were with the buffet and the lack of pizza.  Both said that MSC was working on providing GF pizza in the future.  

Honestly I was pretty disappointed. The other gluten free person in our party was on Seaside in early 2019 and had a great experience. They were also disappointed on Divina and said it wasn't the same. Very sad as the the ships are beautiful and I liked almost everything else on the ship. MSC just isn't for celiac/gluten free cruisers in my opinion. First time ever that I went hungry on a cruise ship. 😞

What I gathered on the Seaside is that they won't tell you anything is GF unless it has been prepared in the GF section of the kitchen and officially certified as GF.  That's different than other lines because MSC is so diligent about GF being an Italian cruise line (other lines present as gluten-friendly but aren't as meticulous).  Once I figured that out, I started making my own decisions.  If you cook, you have a reasonable idea of what is GF and what may be dangerous for you.  On the buffet, I asked the chefs on the line if I didn't know and they were great about helping me.  If it was something they weren't sure about, I stayed away.  I only had 1 problem in the buffet and that was on me because I didn't ask before eating it.  

Not having any GF pizza was a disappointment, but I get plenty of GF pizza normally with the widespread availability of GF and cauliflower crusts now.  I don't get fresh bread or freshly made pasta often, so I was thrilled enough with that to make up for not having pizza.  It sounds like the Divina doesn't serve the fresh GF bread with meals which would be a big disappointment.  While I loved the prepackaged pastries the first few days, they got old toward the end of the cruise.

• 1 year later...

This is all a disappointment to read. I’m really surprised too. We have an Italy trip planned in March (not a cruise) and Italy is VERY celiac friendly. They have way more options than we do here in the US. So it’s shocking to see an Italian ship not GF friendly. For MSC not to have GF pizza is crazy. I honestly would not have bought the cruise if I’d read this. At least it’s just a small 3 nighter.   

My son is not celiac but VERY intolerant. I’m reading you can’t bring food on board. Will they allow you in a case like this?

We are in the Meraviglia next month so I’ll report back. 

3 hours ago, Mirrasis said: My son is not celiac but VERY intolerant. I’m reading you can’t bring food on board. Will they allow you in a case like this?

You can bring packaged prepared food onboard (such as crackers and dry snacks or power bars).  You cannot bring any fruit, veggies, meats, or anything that would need to be "prepared."

Make sure you fill out the medical declaration in advance and let them know that you will want the GF menus.  

Norwegian Cruiser 73

I have just returned from a cruise in the MSC Yacht Club onboard the MSC Grandiosa in the Mediterranean Sea. They have a dedicated GF kitchen onboard and this kitchen make all the gluten free food onboard. They have  GF menus in the YC restaurant and MDR's. The food was good to very good, no complaints at all. Delicious GF pasta too. The problem is the buffet restaurant. There is no allergy marking of the food so you have to know your stuff if you are going to eat there. No GF pizza. However, I did order GF pizza from the butler in the Yacht Club and it was very good. It was made in the GF kitchen. So it's available onboard, at least on the Grandiosa. They are really very serious about cross contamination. They don't want you to be sick. We also got great GF bread for breakfast, both in the cabin and in the restaurant. No freshly baked cakes or pastries though, that was very disappointing. But you always have the Gelato. Here are some photos of the GF meals that was offered in the Yacht Club Restaurant. They should be similar in the MDR's as it's the same kitchen. I also recommend dining in the speciality restaurant Butcher's Cut. Delicious food and plenty of GF options. A good idea is to have a chat with the Maitre'd/restaurant manager on the embarkation day. They will do everything for you, so you can enjoy your cruise without worrying about being sick of the food. Have a great GF cruise. 

Here is a GF menu from the Elegant (formal) evening on the MSC Grandiosa. 

8 hours ago, Mirrasis said: This is all a disappointment to read. I’m really surprised too. We have an Italy trip planned in March (not a cruise) and Italy is VERY celiac friendly. They have way more options than we do here in the US. So it’s shocking to see an Italian ship not GF friendly. For MSC not to have GF pizza is crazy. I honestly would not have bought the cruise if I’d read this. At least it’s just a small 3 nighter.    My son is not celiac but VERY intolerant. I’m reading you can’t bring food on board. Will they allow you in a case like this?   We are in the Meraviglia next month so I’ll report back. 

Please note that my original post was from January 2020...just before Covid hit.  The officiers that I spoke with all said that GF pizza was something they were working on.  Two years can make a big difference.  I would only pay attention to the latest posts. 

Thank you everyone!

MSC was the best GF experience I've had including Royal and Celebrity. Warm bread plus GF pasta or risotto every night? I was in heaven. In the buffet, I asked the server how an item was prepared. If they couldn't tell me, they found someone who could. I was generally able to eat the rotating fish or chicken dish each day along with a potato or rice plus veggies. My only complaints were pizza (sounds like this may have changed) and dessert. The same cakes were served multiple nights. But with gelato available, I didn't suffer. 

How about room service? Will they bring anything GF?

.We were in the Yacht Club, so I don't know about the rest of the ship.  We ordered cheese and crackers and our butler brought us six boxes of very good GF crackers as he was afraid that he might not be able to find them again and wanted to be sure that we had enough for the rest of the cruise.  

• 2 months later...

Cruise12347

@Norwegian Cruiser 73 are you able share some more photos of the gluten free menus please from your trip on MSC Grandiosa please? Where sailing soon and love to see more examples of the kind items available. Slightly worried as to what will be available and if it’ll be repetitive!

Is it the same GF menu for dinner each night of a cruise or does it change?   

Have you got photos of the lunch GF menu? Does that changr or is the same everyday?

Have you got a photo of the GF breakfast menu too please.

Thanks for your help

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Gluten-Free Restaurants in Moscow, Idaho

Last updated August 2024

1. Palouse Juice

Reported gf menu options: bread/buns, sandwiches, 2. breakfast club, reported gf menu options: bread/buns, french toast, sandwiches, 3. maialina pizzeria napoletana, reported gf menu options: pasta, pizza, 4. tapped - taphouse & kitchen, reported gf menu options: bread/buns, burgers, cider, 5. karma indian cuisine, 6. humble burger, reported gf menu options: chicken fingers/nuggets, fries, 7. gambino's pizza, 8. pizza perfection, reported gf menu options: pizza, 9. la casa lopez, reported gf menu options: cocktails, tacos, 10. qdoba mexican eats, reported gf menu options: rice bowls, tacos, 11. seasons public house, 12. moscow bagel & deli, reported gf menu options: bagels, breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches, reported gf menu options: beer, dessert, pasta, 14. suchada's thai cuisine, 15. mod pizza, 16. zip's drive in, reported gf menu options: bread/buns, 17. patty's mexican kitchen & catering, reported gf menu options: beer, tacos, 18. jimmy john's, reported gf menu options: sandwiches, 19. moscow alehouse, reported gf menu options: bread/buns, burgers, 20. everhot hot pot restaurant, 21. panhandle cone & coffee, reported gf menu options: dessert, ice cream, 22. red bento, 23. varsity diner, reported gf menu options: bread/buns, burgers, french toast, sandwiches, 24. pizza hut.

Easily find gluten-free restaurants near you by downloading our free app .

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