MSC Gala Dinner Menu: What to Expect
MSC Cruises’ Gala Dinner menu brings together seafood, steaks, pasta, vegetarian and vegan dishes, along with a selection of desserts and optional steakhouse upgrades. For passengers researching MSC dining before a cruise, this menu provides a useful look at the type of choices that may be available during a Gala Dinner evening.
The photographed menu includes everything from Alaskan smoked salmon and lobster to filet mignon, New York strip steak, vegetable lasagna and Baked Alaska. There are also several MSC Favorites identified directly on the menu.
Chef’s Suggested Gala Dinner Menu
At the top of the MSC Gala Dinner menu is a three-course combination highlighted as the Chef’s Suggested Menu.
The suggested starter is Alaskan Smoked Salmon Dip on Toasted Baguette. For the entrée, the recommendation is Duo of Broiled Lobster Tail & Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, accompanied by steamed asparagus and green pea risotto.
Baked Alaska completes the suggested meal, with ice cream-layered sponge cake and caramelized meringue.
Passengers are not limited to these recommendations, however. The full Gala Dinner menu provides a considerably broader selection of starters, entrées and desserts.
MSC Gala Dinner Starters
The appetizer selection combines seafood, salads, soup and several richer options.
The Alaskan Smoked Salmon Dip on Toasted Baguette appears again among the starters, while the Shrimp Cocktail is served with classic horseradish cocktail sauce and fresh lemon.
Other choices include Steak Tartare with raw marinated tenderloin, capers and shallots with Dijon aioli; Eggplant Parmigiana au gratin with mozzarella, parmesan and basil tomato sauce; Caesar Salad; Lobster Bisque finished with brandy; and French Onion Soup with a Gruyère crostini.
Several selections are marked as MSC Favorites directly on the menu, including Shrimp Cocktail, Caesar Salad, Lobster Bisque and French Onion Soup.
Seafood, Steak, Pasta and Other Entrées
The entrée section offers a particularly wide selection.
Seafood choices include Grilled Alaskan Salmon with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables, along with the Duo of Broiled Lobster Tail & Grilled Jumbo Shrimp served with steamed asparagus and green pea risotto.
For steak, passengers can choose Filet Mignon with truffle-flavored whipped potatoes, steamed asparagus and mushroom demi-glace. A New York Strip Steak is also available with a choice of herb butter, chimichurri or green peppercorn sauce.
The menu also includes Chicken Scaloppini with Parmesan batter and confit garlic-flavored penne pasta, as well as Grilled Chicken Breast with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Pasta choices include Wild Mushroom Pappardelle with truffle cream and Pennette Pasta with a choice of Bolognese, Alfredo or fresh tomato basil sauce.
Vegetarian and Vegan Choices
MSC identifies vegetarian and vegan dishes directly on the Gala Dinner menu.
Wild Mushroom Pappardelle is marked as vegetarian, while the dedicated Vegan Selection includes Eggplant Parmigiana prepared au gratin with vegan mozzarella and basil tomato sauce.
Vegan diners can also choose Baked Vegetable Lasagna, featuring seasonal vegetables layered with fresh tomato and vegan mozzarella-style cheese.
For dessert, the Banana, Chocolate & Peanut Butter Slice with chocolate sauce is included in the vegan section.
Steakhouse Selection and Additional Charges
The Gala Dinner menu also features a separate Steakhouse Selection for passengers who want to upgrade their entrée.
A Broiled Cold Water Lobster Tail is listed at $19.99 and served with hot drawn butter.
The Linz Heritage Angus selection is also $19.99, with a choice of an 8-ounce grilled filet mignon or 14-ounce bone-in New York strip steak with a choice of sauce.
Available side dishes include steak fries or baked potato, sautéed mushrooms or grilled asparagus.
The menu states that an 18% restaurant gratuity is automatically added to purchases.
MSC Gala Dinner Desserts
The dessert menu offers several classic cruise dinner choices.
Royal Cake combines dark chocolate mousse, crunchy praline and vanilla anglaise. Grandma’s Chocolate Cake features layers of dulce de leche and chocolate fudge, while New York Cheesecake is served with strawberry compote.
Baked Alaska also appears on the full dessert menu and consists of ice cream-layered sponge cake with caramelized meringue.
Passengers can alternatively choose Ice Cream & Sorbet from the available assortment. A No Sugar Added Ice Cream option is also listed, with passengers instructed to ask their waiter about the daily selection.
The vegan Banana, Chocolate & Peanut Butter Slice provides another dessert alternative.
What the MSC Gala Dinner Menu Is Like
The Gala Dinner menu is designed to provide a broad range of choices rather than requiring everyone to order the same special-event meal.
Seafood is particularly prominent, with smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, Alaskan salmon, lobster tail and jumbo shrimp appearing across the menu. Steak and chicken dishes provide alternatives, while pasta, vegetarian and vegan selections expand the choices further.
Passengers interested in premium steakhouse selections also have the option of paying extra for lobster tail or Linz Heritage Angus steak.
For anyone planning an MSC cruise, this menu offers a useful preview of what an MSC Gala Dinner can look like and the variety of dishes that may be offered during the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is served at an MSC Gala Dinner?
The photographed MSC Gala Dinner menu includes seafood, steaks, chicken, pasta, vegetarian and vegan dishes, soups, salads and desserts. Specific options include lobster, jumbo shrimp, Alaskan salmon, filet mignon and Baked Alaska.
Is lobster available on the MSC Gala Dinner menu?
Yes. The photographed menu includes a Duo of Broiled Lobster Tail & Grilled Jumbo Shrimp among the regular entrées. A Broiled Cold Water Lobster Tail is also offered as a $19.99 Steakhouse Selection upgrade.
Is steak available?
Yes. Filet Mignon and New York Strip Steak appear among the entrées. The separate Steakhouse Selection also offers Linz Heritage Angus filet mignon or bone-in New York strip steak for $19.99.
Does the MSC Gala Dinner have vegetarian options?
Yes. Wild Mushroom Pappardelle is marked vegetarian on the menu.
Are vegan dishes available?
Yes. The menu includes a dedicated Vegan Selection featuring Eggplant Parmigiana, Baked Vegetable Lasagna and a Banana, Chocolate & Peanut Butter Slice.
Is Baked Alaska served at the MSC Gala Dinner?
Yes. Baked Alaska appears as both the Chef’s Suggested dessert and among the regular dessert choices on this photographed menu.
Are there additional-charge items?
Yes. The Steakhouse Selection lists Broiled Cold Water Lobster Tail and Linz Heritage Angus steak for $19.99 each. The menu also states that an 18% restaurant gratuity is automatically added to purchases.
Are MSC Gala Dinner menus always the same?
Menus and individual selections can change between cruises, ships and sailings. This page shows the specific MSC Gala Dinner menu pictured above and should be used as a guide to the type of dining experience passengers may encounter.
Conclusion
The MSC Gala Dinner menu combines traditional special-occasion cruise dining with a surprisingly broad range of choices. Lobster, shrimp, salmon, filet mignon and New York strip provide the centerpiece options, while pasta, chicken, vegetarian and vegan dishes give passengers plenty of alternatives.
The Chef’s Suggested Menu of Alaskan Smoked Salmon Dip, lobster tail with jumbo shrimp and Baked Alaska provides one ready-made three-course combination, but passengers can select from the wider menu instead.
For travelers researching MSC Cruises restaurants, menus and dining before sailing, this Gala Dinner menu offers a detailed preview of the food and choices that may be available during one of the cruise’s more distinctive dinner services.
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