On MSC’s Meraviglia Class (and Meraviglia-Plus) ships, the buffet is refreshingly simple to find and surprisingly easy to use once you know the layout. It’s called the Marketplace Buffet, it’s on Deck 15 across the class, and it’s designed like a modern “open kitchen” food hall where you can actually watch the chefs working at multiple stations.
It can get busy during the peak sea-day windows, but it’s not a nightmare if you go in with a plan. Timing helps, and so does one underrated trick: keep walking. Even when the front looks packed, there are often open tables deeper in the seating area.
Where it is and what it’s called
Marketplace Buffet – Deck 15 is the standard setup on the Meraviglia Class and Meraviglia-Plus ships. This applies to the MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia.
Hours: the buffet is basically always open
Buffet hours can shift a bit depending on port times and the ship’s daily schedule, but on Meraviglia Class ships the Marketplace Buffet is designed to be available most of the day – often stretching from around 6:00 am until about 2:00 am. The easiest way to think about it is by “meal windows,” because what’s offered late at night is usually a slimmer selection than the main meal periods.
Breakfast (early morning to late morning): The buffet is typically open starting around 6:00 am until transitioning to lunch between 10 and 11. The busiest times on seadays is typically 8:00 and 9:30 am. Port days can sometimes be hit or miss. If the boat is arriving at a port at 9 or 10AM, expect the buffet to be at peak business between 8AM and 9AM. However, if you are visiting Ocean Cay and arrive overnight, the buffet will be calmer as passengers will leave the ship in a more spread-out time. This is when you’ll see the full breakfast spread and the most variety.
Lunch (late morning through early afternoon): Lunch service generally ramps up by late morning and runs through the early afternoon. On sea days, 12:00 to 1:30 pm is usually the peak crowd window, so going a little earlier or later can make the experience much smoother.
Dinner (early evening through later evening): Dinner service usually begins in the early evening and runs later into the night. The buffet will never feel crowded during dinner and typically only uses half of the actual serving area.
Late night (after dinner until close): Later in the evening the buffet typically shifts into a lighter late-night setup. You’ll usually still find pizza and a smaller mix of snacks and desserts, but not every station stays fully staffed or fully stocked all the way to closing. On many sailings, this late-night window is what carries the buffet through to its typical around 2:00 am close.
The layout: open kitchens and a fresh mozzarella station
The Marketplace Buffet on this class is built around an somewhat-open-front kitchen concept, so you can see food being prepared at multiple stations. Some food is prepared from the back area, but you can see the lively kitchen as you walk past.
One standout detail that feels very “MSC” is the mozzarella production area. When you first enter the buffet area, you walk past the mozzarella production area behind the glass where a machine churns out fresh mozzarella balls. The machine is only operated for a short time each day, but it’s a mesmerizing activity to watch.
Drinks: there’s a buffet bar, but it’s not a full cocktail bar
The Marketplace Buffet has its own small bar, which is handy if you want a quick drink without leaving the buffet area – but it’s not a full cocktail bar.
In most cases, the buffet bar focuses on the basics: soda, beer, and wine, plus simple non-alcoholic options. If you’re looking for mixed drinks, frozen cocktails, or a wider liquor selection, you’ll usually need to step out to the nearest full bar on the pool deck, which is typically just a short walk away.
The good news is that your drink package works the same here as it does everywhere else on the ship. If a beer or glass of wine is within your package’s limits, it’s covered. If it’s a premium brand or priced above your package tier, you may see an upcharge – just like you would at any other bar onboard.
One small tip that makes buffet meals smoother: if you want a “real” espresso drink, grab it from a buffet bar. The buffet coffee gets the job done, but the café coffee is the upgrade your future self will appreciate.
Signature stations to look for
The Marketplace Buffet is set up like a food hall – lots of stations, lots of choices, and a few “anchors” that tend to be the most consistent and most popular. If you’re new to Meraviglia Class buffets, these are the stations worth learning early, because they’ll save you time when you walk in hungry and the place is buzzing.
Pizza Station
This is the headline act. MSC’s buffet pizza is authentic, freshly made, and often available late into the night. When you’re dealing with picky eaters, a late return to the ship, or just want a reliable win without thinking too hard, the pizza station is the safest bet on the whole deck.
The Roast (Carving Station)
When you want something that feels more like a plated meal, head here. The Roast is where you’ll typically find carved meats with rotating sides. It’s a great option on sea days when you want protein and a “real dinner” feel without committing to the Main Dining Room. The selection will change every meal and will tie into any theme in the buffet that day.
Ethnic Corner
This is where the buffet gets fun. The Ethnic Corner rotates international dishes daily, so it’s often the best spot to try something new. If you like variety, this is the station to check first – even if you still end up grabbing pizza after.
Dessert and Bakery
Save room. This section usually includes a wide range of pastries, cakes, cookies, and breads baked onboard. It’s also one of the easiest places to build a quick “snack plate” – especially later in the evening when you want something sweet but don’t want a full meal.
Vegan and Gluten Free
On Meraviglia Class ships, the Marketplace Buffet typically includes a small dedicated area for vegan and gluten-free items, set up as its own little station rather than having you hunt across the entire buffet.
You’ll usually find a rotating mix of plant-based dishes and gluten-free-friendly options in this section, making it a good first stop if you’re trying to build a meal without playing ingredient detective. The selection is smaller than the main hot lines, but it’s designed to give you a few reliable choices each meal period.
Seating and crowd tips that actually work
You don’t need a battle plan, just a couple habits:
- Walk to the back first. When it looks slammed near the entrance, tables are often available deeper in the seating area.
- If you’re with a group, the easiest move is to send one person to find seats while the rest grab food.
- Sea-day lunch is the busiest window on most cruises. If you can eat a little earlier or a little later, the experience improves fast.
The buffet vs the MDR: when to choose which
The Marketplace Buffet wins when you want flexibility and speed: early breakfast, quick lunch between activities, casual dinner, or late-night snacks.
If you want a calmer meal (especially breakfast), the Main Dining Room can be a better experience when it’s open and you want a quieter pace.