We sailed with MSC Seaside on a 3 day Bahamas cruise and as a celiac, my first concerns were: would there be safe food, would MSC would take allergies seriously and what about cross contamination.
In my review I answer those questions including:
- Was I safe?
- What gluten free food is available?
- Buffet review
- Main dining room review
- Cross contamination concerns
- Best foods I ate
- Would I cruise MSC again?
I hope this review helps you decide if MSC is the right choice for you.
Table of Contents
Why Trust This MSC Gluten Free Review?
I personally sailed MSC and paid for it myself. I am a celiac (spelt coeliac in Australia) and only eat gluten free so I ate as many of the gluten free options aboard the MSC Seaside while I was there. Here I am giving you my honest opinion on the gluten free options.
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Quick Verdict: Is MSC Good For Gluten Free Travellers?
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Safety | 7/10 |
| Staff Knowledge | 7/10 |
| Buffet | 5/10 |
| Dining Room | 9/10 |
| Variety | 6.5/10 |
| Overall | 7/10 |
How MSC Handles Gluten Free Dining
Informing Staff About Your Allergy
When I sat down to dinner in the dining room for the first time I told the waiter that I was gluten free and he immediately said that he would not serve me and the head waiter would come to serve me. When the head waiter arrived he said that he would take care of our table the whole time we were on the ship and to make sure that no one else served me. He was very kind and thorough, often organising food for me that I had requested for the following day.
Allergy Procedures
The special head waiter ordering system was great, it meant that my allergy was taken seriously and only one person was communicating between myself and the chef. I was offered gluten free bread and when I finished it I was immediately brought more.
Were The Staff Knowledgeable?
The head waiter was well trained and understood what I could and could not eat very well. He also understood what could be adapted and what could be preordered for the following day. I asked for gluten free pizza and the next night it was there waiting for me.
The staff in the buffet understood that gluten free was related to an allergy but they were not sure of any details. They could not tell me if there was a gluten containing ingredient in any dish. Immediately they called the supervisor who went and checked with the chef. This could have been made much easier by listing the ingredients or allergens on the name cards of the food in the buffet.
Is MSC Safe For Celiac Disease?
Eating at the dining room is safe for people with celiac, however the buffet feels more risky.
What made me feel safe
- Restaurant procedures
- Dedicated ordering process
- Kitchen communication
What concerned me
- Buffet area
- Shared serving utensils
- Lack of allergen labels
Did I Get Sick?
I did not get sick while on MSC but I was very picky about what I was choosing to eat and unless I was eating in the dining room I was a little concerned.
MSC Buffet Gluten Free Review
The gluten free experience on MSC was a mixed experience. Some was great and some was a little concerning. This review is based on my actual experience.
Dedicated Gluten Free Buffet Section
There was a dedicated gluten free section at one of the buffets on the MSC Seaside. This is great as I thought it would be my safe space to get food. When I found it there was about 4 choices of foods which were pretty similar each day and not that appealing. Foods I saw in the gluten free area across the 2 days were chicken mince chilli, a tomato pasta, multiple fish dishes (I also have a seafood allergy) and a rice.
There was a bucket with some gluten free cookies laid out and tongs to use to take them as well as some packaged fruit tarts. The packaged items were great, I loved that no-one could touch them and they were tasty.
Cross Contamination Concerns
I had some concerns about the gluten free area, I noticed that other guests who couldn’t have been gluten free were coming to this area and getting the food. This is not an issue usually however the staff member serves you. They would scoop the food out of the dish with the spoon, place it on the plate of the person often right on top of a gluten-containing food. I saw this happen countless times on top of bread, rolls and other pasta dishes. The spoon was then contaminated by gluten and put straight back in the gluten free dish.
This was really frustrating, firstly because non-celiacs have all (and I mean a LOT of choice) the other choices of foods, celiacs had 4 dishes to choose from and they were then contaminated. Oftentimes the person would hold their gluten containing plate out over the food dishes to get the scoop of food-this just brings the gluten into the gluten free area. I wonder if there is a way to completely separate the gf area as it is so small so that only people who really needed it could access it or to keep it gluten free completely.
Food Quality
In the buffet there was only about 4 dedicated gluten free food options, 2 x meat or seafood, rice, vegetables. This is fine, but it would have been nice to have a little more choice. The food quality was good, just a little boring.
MSC Main Dining Room Gluten Free Review
The main dining room is the safest place to eat as a celiac on an MSC cruise. The system of being served by the head waiter coupled with the menu flexibility is excellent as is the chance to order ahead if you want a different meal prepared.
Foods I Ate
In the dining room I ate a gluten free pasta, gluten free pizza both prepared specially by the chef on request and a sliced prime rib which was gf on the menu. These meals were great and far better than what was in the gf buffet area. I also had soups for entree and different cakes for dessert with ice-cream.
We also ate in the dining room for breakfast, no reservation is needed, you can just arrive and wait to be seated. The breakfast was great, I had a gluten free pancake, gf french toast, fruits, gf eggs benedict and yoghurt. The breakfast in the dining room was way better than in the buffet, even though similar foods were offered the quality was much higher in the dining room.
What Gluten Free Food Is Available On MSC Cruises?
There is an array of gluten free food on the MSC Seaside, these are the gluten free dishes I tried:
Breakfast: french toast, pancakes, eggs benedict, omelette, fruit, yoghurt
Lunch: assorted food from the buffet such as rice, meat dishes and vegetables
Dinner: pizza, pasta, prime rib, soups
Desserts: there were small cakes and ice-cream in the dining room
Snacks: cookies
Best Gluten Free Food I Ate On MSC
The best gluten free food I ate on MSC Seaside was the gluten free pizza and the gf french toast at breakfast. The best dessert was a gluten free cheesecake served in the dining room.
What I Didn’t Like About MSC Gluten Free Dining
I didn’t like the limited buffet variety and that there was no allergen signage on any of the meals at all in the buffet area. Even with the risk of cross contamination it would be good to know what is available. Cross contamination was a real concern at the buffet as the food was being served on to plates with gluten containing foods.
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MSC vs Virgin Voyages For Gluten Free Travellers
| Feature | MSC | Virgin Voyages |
|---|---|---|
| Buffet | Basic | Excellent |
| Staff Knowledge | Good | Excellent |
| Safety | Good | Excellent |
| Desserts | Moderate | Excellent |
| Dining Variety | Moderate | Excellent |
| Overall | 7/10 | 9.5/10 |
Check out my full review guides to see what it was like being celiac on Virgin Voyages:
Tips For Eating Gluten Free On MSC Cruises
My top tip for eating gluten free on MSC is to try to eat as much as possible in the dining room so that you are looked after by the head waiter. Check the buffet carefully and ask for a new spoon to be used if you are concerned. Avoid assumptions, ask lots of questions as you need.
Who Is MSC Best For If You’re Gluten Free?
Great For
- Budget travellers
- Families
- People comfortable advocating for themselves
Less Ideal For
- Newly diagnosed celiacs
- Highly sensitive celiacs
- Travellers wanting maximum safety and convenience
Is MSC Worth It For Gluten Free Travellers?
MSC can work for gluten free travellers, particularly if you choose to eat in the dining rooms. It does require more effort than some premium cruise lines and I found the buffet area concerning from a cross-contamination perspective.
Related MSC Cruise Guides
- MSC Bahamas Cruise Review
- Ocean Cay Review
- Nassau Cruise Port Guide
- Caribbean Cruise Guide
FAQ – MSC Gluten Free Review
Is MSC Cruises good for celiac disease?
MSC is fine for people with celiac however it is not the best. Make sure to eat in the dining rooms where possible.
Does MSC have gluten free menus?
MSC doesn’t have dedicated gf menus but you have options in the dining room menu.
Is gluten free food included on MSC?
Yes gluten free food and substitutions are included in MSC.
Can MSC accommodate food allergies?
Yes, MSC can accommodation food allergies. It is best to eat in the dining rooms so you can discuss them with your waiter.
Is MSC safe for coeliac disease?
The dining rooms on MSC are safe for celiac disease however I would be a little cautious at the small gluten free area of the buffet.
What is the gluten free buffet like on MSC?
There is a small, 4 option area for gluten free at the MSC buffet. Unfortunately I witnessed multiple people with gluten on their plates getting food from here and contaminating the spoons, which somewhat defeats the purpose.
Does MSC offer gluten free pizza?
Yes, MSC offers gluten free pizza. You have to order it the day before in the dining room. You can not get it at the buffet area.
Does MSC have gluten free bread?
Does MSC have a dedicated gluten free buffet?
Is MSC or Virgin Voyages better for gluten free travellers?
In my experience, Virgin Voyages are better for travellers with celiac disease who need to eat gluten free. It felt safer and there were more options.
Can I cruise safely with celiac disease?
Yes you can cruise safely with celiac disease, the safer option is on Virgin Voyages or at MSC make sure to eat at the dining room.
What cruise line is best for gluten free travellers?
In my experience Virgin Voyages was the best for gluten free.
Final Verdict – Would I Cruise MSC Again As A Celiac?
I would cruise with MSC again, however I would be prepared to eat in the dining room and make sure I requested new spoons and dishes at the buffet. The overall value for money is excellent and Ocean Cay was so beautiful that I would love to return. While MSC did a good job in the dining rooms, Virgin Voyages provided a noticeably smoother and more comprehensive gluten-free experience overall.
Plan your trip:
👉 Read next: Our full Virgin Voyages Caribbean Cruise review
👉 Plan your trip: Caribbean Travel Guide
👉 Don’t miss: Our MSC Cruise in the Caribbean review
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