Explore the trials and tribulations faced by vegans aboard the MSC Seascape. Where dining options fall short of expectations, and staff are equally as dissapointing.

The Main Dining Hall Experience: Vegan Struggles

In the main dining hall, our waiter has absolutely ZERO knowledge of veganism despite MSC’s website stating that there would be vegan options available. After explaining that I do not eat meat, dairy, or eggs; the waiter recommended the Southern Country Fried Chicken with Mashed Potato’s (WTF!). After explaining I do not eat literally either of the items (fried chicken, obviously) (mashed potatoes made with dairy) he then proceeded to recommend a fish dish… Fortunately the assistant waiter came over and was from India and understood vegetarianism, so I made it clear I am vegetarian but also can not eat dairy or eggs. He then elaborated with the main waiter and they discussed with their superiors. They were unable to accommodate me on the first day of the cruise but the head waiter of the whole “green wave dining room” came over to me and said the chef would try to accommodate me on future days.

Fortunately, the chef was able to prepare me a Vegan Tofu dish the following day which I thoroughly enjoyed. The kicker here is when our waiter came to take our order (for those not familiar with cruises, you have the same waiter in the main dining hall the whole voyage), I again explained I was vegan and he recommended the steak to me? Again I had to wait for the assistant waiter to come over, who understood my requirements and he went and spoke with the head waiter who promised I would be made a meal. They informed me they could prepare a vegan tofu dish.

Buffet Blunders: Mislabeling and Limited Choices

In the buffet, there was a vegan corner which ONLY had Indian food available that was mediocre at best. It would always be some sort of a masala or super watery dal that was next to rice. One night one of the Masala’s gave me killer food poisoning that had me in absolute misery the next day, puking over 7 times. There was also Vegan burgers sometimes available, but they would be snatched up by non vegans. There were also nights that clearly NON Vegan dishes smother in dairy such as a baked pasta with REAL CHEESE were listed as Vegan. This is REALLY BAD MSC! When employees would be asked about Veganism in the buffet most would not understand! In Ocean Cay there were NO VEGAN OPTIONS and NO ONE UNDERSTOOD THE TERM VEGAN!

Expect to spend your days talking to 10+ employees explaining what you can eat, surviving on fruit and salad, and getting food poisoning from there Indian dishes (that severely lack protein). Do better MSC!

MSC You really screwed up! Some serious employee training is needed.

Recommendations for Improvement

Based on my experience of being vegan on the MSC Seascape, there are several recommendations for improvement to enhance vegan options on cruises. First and foremost, MSC Seascape should prioritize comprehensive employee training on veganism. This would ensure that all staff members, from waiters to chefs, have a thorough understanding of vegan dietary requirements and can offer suitable options to vegan passengers.

Additionally, there should be a dedicated vegan section in the buffet that offers a wide variety of vegan dishes, beyond just Indian food. This would provide more choices for vegan passengers and eliminate the need for them to constantly explain their dietary restrictions to multiple staff members.

Furthermore, proper labeling of dishes is crucial to avoid any confusion or risks to the health of vegan passengers. MSC Seascape should ensure that all dishes are accurately labeled, clearly indicating whether they are vegan or non-vegan.

By implementing these recommendations, MSC Seascape can greatly enhance the dining experience for vegan passengers and demonstrate their commitment to catering to the needs of all passengers, regardless of their dietary preferences. I hope my next experience onboard is a better dining one!