MSC Seaside Specialty Restaurant Prices (2026): Full Dining Package Guide & Is It Worth It?

ByCruisePrism

If you’re sailing aboard MSC Seaside and wondering whether specialty dining is worth the extra cost, you’re not alone.

One of the most common questions cruisers ask before boarding is whether they should stick with the included dining options or spend extra money on restaurants like Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Teppanyaki, Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant, and Hola! Tacos.

During my April 2026 sailing aboard MSC Seaside, I captured the specialty dining prices available through the MSC for Me app so prospective cruisers can see exactly what these restaurants were charging.

While my mom and I ultimately chose not to purchase any specialty dining during this cruise, many guests enjoy these venues, and knowing the prices beforehand can help you decide whether they’re worth adding to your vacation budget.

MSC Seaside Specialty Dining Prices (2026)

The following prices were available during our April 2026 sailing:

Hola! Tacos & Cantina

  • $21.99 pre-cruise
  • $24.99 onboard

Pan-Asian Restaurant

  • $32.00 pre-cruise
  • $40.00 onboard

Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant

  • $39.15 pre-cruise
  • $45.00 onboard

Kaito Teppanyaki

  • $49.00 pre-cruise
  • $55.00 onboard

Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse

  • $54.00 pre-cruise
  • $60.00 onboard

Butcher’s Cut Chef’s Table

  • $69.00 pre-cruise
  • $79.00 onboard

One thing worth noting is that MSC frequently offers discounts when purchasing before embarkation. In almost every case, the pre-cruise pricing was lower than what guests would pay onboard.

MSC Seaside Dining Packages

MSC also offered several specialty dining packages during our sailing.

Welcome Aboard Packages

  • Pan-Asian Welcome Aboard: $29
  • Ocean Cay Seafood Welcome Aboard: $32
  • Teppanyaki Welcome Aboard: $39
  • Butcher’s Cut Welcome Aboard: $42

Multi-Restaurant Packages

  • 2 Specialty Dining Meals: $89
  • 4 Specialty Dining Meals: $150

Dinner and Bubbles Package

  • $121

Depending on how many specialty restaurants you’re planning to visit, these packages may offer better value than booking individual meals.

Restaurant-by-Restaurant Breakdown

MSC Seaside offers a fairly diverse collection of specialty restaurants.

Hola! Tacos & Cantina

The most affordable specialty venue onboard. For cruisers looking for something casual and budget-friendly, this is often the easiest entry point into specialty dining.

Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant

Focused primarily on seafood dishes and a more upscale dining atmosphere.

Kaito Teppanyaki

Part restaurant, part entertainment. Like most teppanyaki venues, you’re paying not only for the meal itself but also for the interactive cooking experience.

Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse

Often considered MSC’s flagship specialty restaurant. If you’re only planning one specialty dinner, this is usually the venue that receives the most attention from steak lovers.

What We Chose Instead

Interestingly, my mom and I didn’t purchase any specialty dining during this sailing.

Instead, we decided to put that money toward MSC Seaside’s thermal spa pass.

For us, that ended up being one of the best decisions of the cruise.

My mom visited the thermal area every single day, and it became one of her favorite parts of the entire vacation. Rather than spending extra money on specialty meals, we chose to prioritize relaxation, and we never regretted that decision.

Of course, everyone cruises differently. Some guests will get tremendous value from specialty restaurants, while others may prefer spending that money elsewhere.

Is MSC Seaside Specialty Dining Worth It?

The answer depends entirely on your priorities.

If food is one of the main reasons you cruise, then trying one or two specialty restaurants can absolutely enhance the experience.

On the other hand, MSC Seaside already includes:

  • Main Dining Room meals
  • Buffet dining
  • Pizza
  • Various included snacks and casual dining options

Personally, we found plenty to enjoy without spending extra on specialty restaurants.

That’s one of the reasons I always tell cruisers not to feel pressured into purchasing every add-on they see. The ship already provides a substantial amount of food as part of your cruise fare.

Final Thoughts

MSC Seaside’s specialty restaurant prices ranged from approximately $22 for Hola! Tacos to $69 for the Butcher’s Cut Chef’s Table experience during our April 2026 sailing.

For some cruisers, these restaurants will become highlights of the trip. For others, the included dining venues may provide everything they need.

What I appreciate most is having the choice.

Whether you decide to book Butcher’s Cut, enjoy an evening at Teppanyaki, or skip specialty dining altogether like we did, knowing the current prices ahead of time makes it much easier to plan your cruise budget and avoid surprises once onboard.

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