MSC’s Meraviglia Class and Meraviglia-Plus ships don’t have “the” Main Dining Room (MDR)- they have a set of complimentary dining rooms that work together as the ship’s included sit-down dining option. The names change from ship to ship, but the setup is remarkably consistent: you’ll usually find one Dining Room on Deck 5 and a cluster of Dining Rooms on Deck 6 in the same general aft area. On several Meraviglia-Plus ships, there’s also a Deck 7 dining room (often Il Campo) that can be tied to Aurea dining depending on the sailing.
If you’re trying to plan your days, avoid buffet crowds, or just figure out “where are we eating tonight?” this guide is your cheat sheet.
Quick layout: where the MDRs are located on Meraviglia Class ships
While the names differ, the locations are similar across the class:
- Deck 5: one large main dining room (often the most common spot for MDR breakfast and lunch)
- Deck 6: three MDRs clustered in the same zone one deck up
- Deck 7 (Meraviglia Plus): an additional MDR like Il Campo, used for Aurea Experience dining
Below is the ship-by-ship breakdown of the main dining rooms by ship:
MSC Meraviglia
- Waves Restaurant (Deck 5)
- Panorama Restaurant (Deck 6)
- L’Olivo d’Oro (Deck 6)
- L’Olive Dorée (Deck 6)
MSC Bellissima
- Posidonia Restaurant (Deck 5)
- Il Ciliegio (Deck 6)
- Le Cerisier (Deck 6)
- Lighthouse Restaurant (Deck 6)
MSC Grandiosa
- Purple Crab (Deck 5)
- La Loggia (Deck 6)
- La Perla Grigia (Deck 6)
- Le Perle Grise (Deck 6)
- Il Campo Restaurant (Deck 7)
MSC Virtuosa
- Blue Danube (Deck 5)
- Minuetto (Deck 6)
- The Opera (Deck 6)
- The Symphony (Deck 6)
- Il Campo Restaurant (Deck 7)
MSC Euribia
- Green Orchid (Deck 5)
- Colorado River (Deck 6)
- Aurora Boreale (Deck 6)
- Aurora Borealis (Deck 6)
- Il Campo Restaurant (Deck 7)
MDR hours: when they’re typically open
These are the typical patterns for Meraviglia Class sailings (always confirm in the MSC app or daily program once onboard, since timings can shift).
Breakfast
Breakfast in the MDR is usually offered in one dining room (often the Deck 5 venue) and is typically open around 7:30 am to 9:30 am. This offers a more relaxed version of breakfast compared to the buffet and features a fixed menu.
Lunch
Lunch in the MDR is most commonly available on sea days, typically 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, but it’s subject to change based on itinerary, port times, and onboard scheduling. MSC also notes that breakfast and lunch hours can vary onboard and should be checked during the sailing.
Dinner
Dinner is the main event in the MDRs and runs nightly with multiple seatings. Exact start times vary by sailing and ship, but Meraviglia-class dinner typically follows a clear “early and late” rhythm (with some sailings offering a third late seating).
How dinner seating works on Meraviglia Class ships
For most guests, dinner is either:
- Assigned dining – you’re assigned a dining room, table, and dining time – For Bella and Fantastica guests.
- My Choice / flexible dining – Commonly for Aurea guests.
Even if your dining room name sounds fancy or mysterious, don’t stress too much. The MDRs are designed to deliver a similar core experience, and the nightly menu structure is consistent across the dining rooms.
Menus: “Always Available” classics vs nightly specials
One of the best things about MDR dining on MSC is that you’re not locked into “hope tonight’s menu works for you.” Most nights you’ll see two layers:
Always Available classics
These are dependable standby options that tend to stick around, like:
- grilled chicken
- salmon
- steak
Daily Specials
These rotate each night and are where you’ll see the fun stuff: themed dishes, regional options, seasonal specials, and different desserts. This is what makes MDR dinner feel different from night to night, even if you’re sitting at the same table.
Dress code: what’s expected in the MDR
MSC keeps this pretty simple, but it’s worth spelling out because people get tripped up, especially on sea days. For more details on dress code in eating venues, check out our dress code guide.
Daytime (breakfast and lunch)
Casual is fine – shorts and t-shirts are generally OK – but swimwear is not allowed in the MDR for any meal. MSC’s own guidance is clear that swimwear isn’t permitted in formal dining venues, including breakfast and lunch.
Evening (most nights)
“Smart casual” is the standard. Think:
- trousers or nice jeans with a polo/button-down
- blouse, sundress, or a clean smart casual outfit
MSC also notes restrictions like no shorts, flip-flops, or tank tops for evening dining in main dining rooms (enforcement can vary a bit, but it’s the stated standard).
Gala Night
Most 7-night sailings have 1–2 Gala Nights, where guests are encouraged to dress up a bit more. You’ll see everything from “nice outfit” to full formalwear. MSC’s dress guidance includes stricter rules for Gala Night.
A note on the Aurea dining room (Il Campo and similar)
On several ships in this class, one MDR is often reserved for Aurea Experience guests. The menu is generally the same MDR menu, but the feel is more boutique and the experience is typically more flexible, with “dine at your own pace” service.
On Meraviglia-Plus ships like Grandiosa, Virtuosa, and Euribia, Il Campo Restaurant is listed on the ship maps as a dedicated dining room on Deck 7.
Tips that make MDR dining smoother on the Meraviglia Class
If you want the calmest sit-down meal of the day, MDR breakfast is often a better experience than battling the buffet at peak time. Lunch can be a great sea-day reset, but don’t build your day around it without checking hours first, because MSC can adjust lunch availability.
For dinner, the simplest win is to treat it like part of your entertainment plan. If you’re aiming for the main theater show, your assigned seating time matters. If you want more flexibility, the maitre d’ desk is the best place to ask early in the cruise.