Ocean Cay Restaurant on MSC Cruises: Specialty Restaurant Guide with Photos and Menus
Ocean Cay Restaurant is the specialty seafood dining venue onboard MSC Cruises’ Seaside Class ships. This restaurant focuses on seafood-driven cuisine inspired by Mediterranean and coastal European cooking styles, offering a structured, three-course dining experience in a smaller, intimate setting. Ocean Cay is a specialty restaurant, and dining here requires an additional charge beyond the standard cruise fare or booking through an MSC specialty dining package.
Ocean Cay Restaurant: MSC Cruises’ Dedicated Seafood Venue
Ocean Cay Restaurant is MSC Cruises’ signature seafood restaurant concept, located onboard MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, and MSC Seascape. Despite sharing a name with MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, this restaurant is entirely shipboard and should not be confused with the destination.
The restaurant highlights fresh seafood prepared using Mediterranean techniques, with menus that emphasize balance, simplicity, and ingredient quality. Seating is limited to less than fifty guests, making Ocean Cay one of the more intimate specialty dining options on MSC Cruises.
Dining Format and Pricing
Ocean Cay operates on a three-course menu format. Guests select one dish from the starters or soups and salads section, one main course, two side dishes, and one dessert. This structured prix-fixe format mirrors land-based seafood restaurants and creates a more upscale dining experience rather than a quick meal. As of 2026, the cost to dine at Ocean Cay Restaurant is $60 per person.
Some menu items, such as seafood platters and whole fish dishes, are designed for sharing which will incur an upcharge and are noted accordingly on the menu. Reservations are recommended due to the limited seating capacity, especially on sea days.
Ocean Cay Restaurant Menu
The Ocean Cay menu focuses primarily on seafood, with a limited number of non-seafood options. Starters and soups feature Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as tuna tartare, octopus, crab cake, oysters, seafood platters, Niçoise salad, and gazpacho. Main courses highlight a variety of seafood preparations including seafood pasta, grilled seafood platters, salmon, black cod, Dover sole, and seabass for two, with veal tenderloin and mushroom polenta available as alternatives. Two sides are included with each entrée, and desserts include classic options like pavlova, crème brûlée, tiramisu, fruit, and ice cream.
Drinks, Cocktails, and Wine Offerings
Ocean Cay features one of the most extensive wine lists among MSC Cruises specialty restaurants, with a strong focus on white wines and Champagne that pair well with seafood. The list includes wines from France, Italy, and Spain, as well as premium Champagne selections. Red and rosé wines are also available.
Guests with MSC Cruises beverage packages may use them at Ocean Cay, though some wines and Champagnes exceed package limits and require an additional charge.
Atmosphere and Dining Experience
Ocean Cay Restaurant © MSC Cruises
Ocean Cay Restaurant offers a quiet, refined dining environment compared to the main dining room or buffet. The design is modern and understated, creating a relaxed setting suited for date nights or special occasion dinners. Service is intentionally paced to allow guests to enjoy each course without feeling rushed.
Reservations and Availability
Reservations for Ocean Cay Restaurant can be arranged prior to sailing through your MSC Cruises account or after boarding by visiting the specialty dining desk or using the MSC for Me app. The restaurant generally operates during evening hours, with specific schedules varying by ship.
Because Ocean Cay has limited seating, booking ahead of time is recommended, especially on sea days and during high-demand sailings.
Ocean Cay Restaurant Final Thoughts
Ocean Cay Restaurant © MSC Cruises
Ocean Cay Restaurant is well suited for guests who enjoy seafood and Mediterranean cuisine and prefer a smaller, more intimate dining venue. With a focused menu, limited seating, and a strong wine selection, it stands out as one of the more refined specialty dining options on MSC Seaside Class ships. For cruisers looking to elevate their onboard dining experience beyond the main dining room, Ocean Cay remains a popular choice.
