One thing cruise passengers always get excited about is food… especially when it’s included in the cruise fare.
And now guests sailing aboard the MSC Seashore have two brand-new reasons to skip the buffet line after MSC Cruises quietly introduced a pair of new complimentary dining venues onboard.
From crispy chicken tenders and loaded sandwiches to smoked brisket and barbecue ribs, the new grab-and-go locations are adding even more casual food options to one of MSC’s most popular Caribbean ships.
And honestly, these look exactly like the kind of easy comfort-food spots cruisers end up visiting multiple times during a sailing.
MSC Seashore Now Has a New Chicken Spot by the Pool
The first new addition is called The Chicken Man, and it’s located on Deck 18 near the ship’s busy main pool area.
The venue is designed as a quick walk-up counter where guests can grab comfort food favorites without needing a reservation or a long sit-down meal.
It’s perfect for those moments when passengers come back hungry from the pool, waterslides, or sun deck and just want something quick and satisfying.
Guests Can Grab Items Like:
- Chicken tenders and fries.
- Crispy chicken sandwiches.
- Dipping sauces and toppings.
- Fast grab-and-go snacks.
Nearby shaded seating gives passengers a casual place to sit while enjoying ocean views and sea breezes.
And honestly, having a dedicated chicken spot near the pool feels like a smart move because quick comfort food always seems to hit differently after swimming or spending hours in the Caribbean sun.
New BBQ Venue Adds Southern-Style Comfort Food
The second new addition might honestly become dangerous for barbecue lovers onboard.
MSC has also opened Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs, a casual counter-service venue serving barbecue-inspired meals for both breakfast and lunch aboard the ship.
Located near the aft infinity pool on Deck 8, the venue offers a more rustic-style setup with shaded seating and classic American barbecue dishes.
Breakfast Options Include:
- Barbecue breakfast burritos.
- Pulled pork hash.
- Biscuits and grits.
- Southern-inspired comfort food.
Then later in the day, the venue shifts into full barbecue mode with smoked meats and classic sides.
Lunch Menu Features Classic BBQ Favorites
Guests stopping by Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs during lunch hours can choose from a surprisingly large selection of barbecue-style meals.
MSC appears to be leaning heavily into American comfort food flavors with this new venue, especially for Caribbean sailings departing from Florida.
Lunch Offerings Include:
- Pulled pork
- Beef brisket
- Pork ribs
- Smoked sausage
- BBQ chicken
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
The venue also reportedly uses two separate serving lines to help reduce waiting times during busy meal periods.
And honestly, on sea days when the buffet becomes crowded, places like this are exactly where experienced cruisers usually disappear to find shorter lines and better comfort food.
Dessert Might Be the Real Star Here
As if barbecue wasn’t enough, MSC also added a couple of dessert options that passengers are already talking about online.
Guests with a sweet tooth can finish meals with classic Southern-style desserts after lunch or dinner.
Dessert Options Include:
- Banana pudding.
- Cookie pecan butter pie.
And let’s be honest… cruise passengers rarely say no to dessert when it’s included in the cruise fare.
Both New Dining Venues Are Completely FREE
Probably the biggest reason cruisers are excited about the additions is that both venues are complimentary.
That means guests sailing aboard MSC Seashore can enjoy the new food spots without paying specialty dining fees or purchasing extra dining packages.
Included Dining Is Becoming More Important To Cruisers
Passengers increasingly look for ships that offer:
- More complimentary food options.
- Quick-service venues outside the buffet.
- Casual poolside snacks.
- Late-night food choices.
- Grab-and-go convenience.
Cruisers today love variety, especially on larger ships where guests often want alternatives to traditional dining rooms.
And honestly, having extra free dining choices onboard can make a cruise feel much more premium without passengers constantly pulling out their SeaPass cards.
Dining Hours May Change Depending on the Sailing
MSC has not yet officially released the exact operating hours for either venue, and those schedules will likely change depending on the itinerary.
Cruise ships often adjust dining hours based on whether the vessel is in port or spending the day at sea.
Factors That Could Affect Opening Hours Include:
- Sea days vs. port days.
- Passenger demand.
- Cleaning schedules.
- Kitchen preparation times.
- Late-night activity onboard.
Experienced cruisers already know that some casual food spots quietly become “hidden gems” during certain hours when other venues get crowded.
MSC Recently Introduced Flexible Dining Changes Too
The new food additions arrive shortly after MSC Cruises rolled out another dining-related update aboard the ship.
On April 19, 2026, the cruise line launched its new “Dine on Your Time” option onboard MSC Seashore.
The flexible dining program allows guests more freedom with restaurant meal scheduling instead of fixed dining times.
MSC’s Flexible Dining Changes Include:
- More customizable dining schedules.
- Flexible meal timing.
- Easier restaurant planning.
- Greater dining freedom onboard.
However, MSC says the new flexible dining system does not impact the operating schedules of these quick-service food venues.
MSC Seashore Already Has One of MSC’s Largest Dining Selections
The addition of The Chicken Man and Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs gives MSC Seashore an even larger collection of dining venues onboard.
The ship already features several specialty restaurants covering everything from steakhouses to sushi and Mexican-inspired food.
Other Popular Restaurants on MSC Seashore Include:
- Butcher’s Cut steakhouse.
- Hola! Tacos & Cantina.
- Kaito Sushi Bar.
- Kaito Teppanyaki.
- Ocean Cay seafood restaurant.
The ship also features 18 different bars and lounges spread throughout the vessel.
And honestly, food variety has become one of the biggest battlegrounds in the cruise industry right now.
Cruise lines know passengers expect far more than just buffets and main dining rooms these days.
MSC Seashore Continues Sailing From Florida
Currently homeported from Port Canaveral, MSC Seashore operates a mix of shorter Bahamas sailings and weeklong Caribbean itineraries.
The ship can carry around 4,540 passengers and regularly visits some of the Caribbean’s most popular cruise destinations.
Current MSC Seashore Itineraries Include Stops At:
- Nassau, Bahamas.
- Cozumel, Mexico.
- Costa Maya, Mexico.
- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
With the addition of these two new complementary food spots, passengers now have even more ways to snack, graze, and eat their way through the cruise without spending extra money onboard.
And honestly, between poolside chicken sandwiches and late-day barbecue ribs, some guests may suddenly find themselves planning their next meal before they’ve even finished the current one.
