Ocean Cay is MSC Meraviglia’s seafood-forward specialty restaurant, and it’s one of the easiest ways to turn a normal cruise night into a “we should probably take a photo of this” dinner. It’s quieter than the main dining rooms, more polished than the Main Dining Room, and built around a three-course dining format that makes the whole experience feel intentional instead of random.
One quick note before we dive in: Ocean Cay (the restaurant) is onboard the ship. It’s not the same thing as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (the private island), even though the names are confusingly similar. For more info on the menu of Ocean Cay Restaurant fleet-wide and a review, check out our Ocean Cay Menu and Review page.
Where Ocean Cay Is Located on MSC Meraviglia
Ocean Cay is located on Deck 6 in the ship’s central public-venue zone (the same general area where a lot of Meraviglia’s dining, shopping, and entertainment lives). Ocean Cay is typically staffed all day and serves as the de facto “restaurant desk”, so if you have any issues to cover with the MSC Specialty Dining staff or to book reservations, check out the front desk of Ocean Cay.
It’s also a relatively small venue by cruise ship standards – the Meraviglia technical sheet lists 68 seats, which is a big reason why prime dining times can disappear fast.
Atmosphere and What It Feels Like
If you’re looking for “specialty dining” that leans more calm and intimate than loud and flashy, Ocean Cay fits the bill.
- Pace: Typically a slower, multi-course rhythm (in a good way)
- Vibe: Upscale-casual seafood dinner, not stuffy, not a party
- Best use case: A date night, a celebration meal, or a “let’s do one nicer dinner” strategy for your sailing
Because the room is smaller, it tends to feel more personal than the main dining rooms, and service can feel more attentive when the kitchen isn’t trying to feed half the ship at once.
Menu Overview
Ocean Cay uses a three-course setup – you pick one from Starters or Soups & Salads, one Main Course, two sides, and one dessert. Menus can change, so always re-confirm once you get onboard.
Starters (the “this is why we came here” section)
If you want Ocean Cay to feel like a true specialty night, start here:
- Seafood Platter (for two) – shrimp, blue crab, Maine lobster, scallops, clams, mussels (the most “special occasion” starter on the menu)
- Seasonal Oysters (½ dozen) – with mignonnettes and lemon (simple, classic, very “seafood restaurant”)
- Tuna Tartare – yellowfin tuna, avocado, microgreens (light, clean, and a great lead-in to heavier mains)
- Seared Crab Cake – lemon aioli (the safe pick if someone at the table is seafood-curious but not seafood-committed)
- Octopus – roasted, hummus, semi-dried tomatoes, parsley caper sauce (Mediterranean-leaning and flavorful)
- Vitello Tonnato – veal with tuna sauce and greens (a classic Italian-style starter that fits Ocean Cay’s vibe)
Soups and salads (lighter, fresher options)
Good picks if you want to keep things bright before the seafood mains:
- Niçoise Salad – olive oil-poached belly, anchovies, French beans, egg, potatoes, olives, plus a garbanzo pancake base
- Santorini Salad – tomato, mint, barrel-aged feta, cucumber, red onion, capers, olives, oregano dressing
- Ligure – deconstructed minestrone with homemade pesto and San Marzano tomato pulp
- Gazpacho (vegetarian) – chilled Spanish-style tomato soup with cucumber, peppers, onion, sherry vinegar, olive oil
Main courses (signature “Ocean Cay” choices)
This is where Ocean Cay earns its name:
- Seabass (for two) – salt-crusted with braised fennel and ladolémono (this is the showpiece order)
- Grilled Seafood Platter – shrimp, lobster, tuna, seabass, calamari, garlic-parsley oil (great if you want variety without overthinking it)
- Black Cod – roasted with eggplant purée, tomatoes, Taggiasca olives (rich, Mediterranean, and a little more “foodie”)
- Dover Sole – roasted with braised artichoke hearts, porcini mushrooms, veal jus (more classic, more refined)
- Salmon – pan fried with charred cauliflower, corn, parsley oil
- Seafood Pasta – calamarata pasta, seafood, tomato, basil, toasted breadcrumbs (comfort food option that still stays on-theme)
Not everyone wants seafood – Ocean Cay actually gives you a few solid non-seafood mains:
- Mushroom Polenta – creamy polenta, roasted mushrooms, goat cheese
- Veal – tenderloin, confit shallot, carrot purée
- Cockerel – boneless, marinated in garlic confit then grilled, aioli, chunky fries
Sides (pick two)
- Garlic wilted baby spinach
- Mashed potatoes
- Greek lemon roasted potatoes
- Provençal tomatoes
Desserts (simple, classic finish)
- Crumble – golden apples, ginger, fior di latte ice cream
- Pavlova – meringue, light cream, berries, coulis, mint
- Crème brûlée – bourbon vanilla
- Tiramisù – “The original!”
- Ice cream & sorbet (daily selection)
- Seasonal fruit
Quick “What should I order?” combos
If you want a couple easy plug-and-play recommendations:
- Big night, shareable, memorable: Seafood Platter (starter) + Salt-crusted Seabass for two + Greek lemon potatoes + Provençal tomatoes + Crème brûlée
- Lighter and modern: Tuna Tartare + Black Cod + spinach + Provençal tomatoes + Pavlova
- Safest crowd-pleaser: Crab Cake + Grilled Seafood Platter + mashed potatoes + spinach + Tiramisu
A quick note on dietary needs
The menu includes a standard advisory about raw or undercooked items and asks guests with allergies/sensitivities to notify staff before ordering. The staff is always cautious to check on allergies or sensitives upon check-in and to offer alternatives.
What It Costs and How the Pricing Works
Ocean Cay is a specialty restaurant, so it’s an extra-cost experience compared to the included main dining room and buffet options.
MSC has moved toward a flat-fee, choose-your-courses model across specialty dining, which matches the way Ocean Cay’s three-course structure is presented.
Pricing can vary by sailing and promotions, so the best practical advice is:
- Check your pre-cruise planner pricing first (it’s often discounted vs onboard)
- If you’re unsure, stop by the specialty dining desk (located in Ocean Cay) early in the sailing and ask what promos are running that week
For more information about specialty restaurants, check out our guides on MSC Specialty Restaurants and Dining Packages.
Ideal Guests for Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay tends to make the most sense for:
- Seafood lovers who want something beyond “salmon again”
- Couples looking for a quieter dinner with a more elevated vibe
- Celebrations where you want specialty dining without committing to a steakhouse
- Food-focused cruisers who like Mediterranean flavors and seafood-forward menus
It’s also a great pick if you want specialty dining that feels refined, but not heavy.
Tips for Booking and Enjoying Ocean Cay
Book early (small room problem)
With only 68 seats, Ocean Cay can fill up quickly, especially on shorter sailings or sea days when everyone decides they “should probably do specialty dining tonight.”
Pick your time based on your goal
- Want a relaxed meal? Book earlier and take your time.
- Trying to pair with a show? Aim for a slot that gives you buffer. MSC service pace can vary, and Ocean Cay is not usually a 45-minute dinner. We would plan an hour for dinner with a small group and longer for a large group.
Go in with a strategy
Two simple approaches work really well:
- The “share one wow item” plan: order a showpiece dish (like a for-two option) and build around it
- The “raw bar starter” plan: oysters or tartare to start, then something simple for the main
Dress Code Notes
MSC’s guidance for evening dining in specialty restaurants is pretty straightforward: no shorts, flip flops, or tank tops for Evening Wear or Gala Night in specialty restaurants.
Most nights, “smart casual” is the safe target. You don’t need to go full formal, but you’ll feel better if you look like you meant to be there.
Final Thoughts
Ocean Cay is one of those restaurants that fits perfectly into a Meraviglia sailing: it’s intimate, seafood-forward, and structured in a way that feels like a real restaurant experience instead of “cruise food with a surcharge.” The three-course format keeps ordering simple, and the small venue size makes it feel calm and elevated compared to the ship’s bigger dining rooms.
If you’re picking just one specialty dinner on MSC Meraviglia and you’re even moderately into seafood, Ocean Cay is an easy contender.