MSC Seashore’s New Free BBQ and Chicken Spots: What Guests Are Saying
MSC Seashore recently added two new complimentary restaurants, and early feedback suggests they are filling one of the biggest gaps in the ship’s dining lineup.
The Chicken Man and Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs were added during MSC Seashore’s recent dry dock. Both are casual, walk-up venues included in the cruise fare, giving passengers more places to grab a quick breakfast or lunch without heading to the Marketplace Buffet.
That last part may be the most important. MSC Seashore already had plenty of food, but most complimentary meals were centered around the buffet and main dining rooms. The addition of two free outdoor restaurants gives passengers more flexibility, especially during busy pool and sea days.
What Is The Chicken Man?
The Chicken Man is located on Deck 18 near MSC Seashore’s main pool. It is a casual poolside lunch spot serving crispy chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, fries and a selection of dipping sauces. The venue also has its own themed, shaded seating area.
The location makes a lot of sense. Instead of leaving the pool deck and walking into the buffet for lunch, guests can order something quickly and eat outside before returning to the pool.
This also gives families and picky eaters another easy option. Chicken tenders may not be the most adventurous cruise food, but they are exactly the kind of familiar poolside meal MSC Seashore was previously missing.
What Are Early Guests Saying About The Chicken Man?
The first passenger reactions to The Chicken Man have been somewhat mixed but generally encouraging, especially considering some reviews came from the venue’s first days of operation.
Early guests have said the chicken tenders were good but felt the fries could have been a bit crispier! Others described the tenders as decent bit did note that the staff was willing to customize orders, including preparing a plainer chicken sandwich when requested. This is a big plus for guests who like to customize orders.
Some of the sandwiches lean toward spicy or heavily topped combinations, which may not appeal to everyone. However, early reports suggest guests can ask the crew to simplify certain items.
The Chicken Man may not be receiving rave reviews just yet, but passengers seem happy to have another complimentary place to eat outside the buffet. It is a convenient addition that should be especially popular with families, teenagers and anyone looking for a quick poolside lunch.
What Is Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs?
Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs is located on Deck 8 near MSC Seashore’s aft infinity pool. Like The Chicken Man, it is a walk-up restaurant with its own shaded seating area. Unlike the chicken venue, Red Cactus is open for both breakfast and lunch.
The breakfast menu includes items such as a barbecue breakfast burrito, pulled pork hash, eggs, country grits and biscuits.
At lunch, the menu expands to include pulled pork, barbecue chicken, beef brisket, pork ribs and sausage. Sides include baked beans, buttermilk coleslaw and burnt-end macaroni and cheese. Guests can also finish with banana pudding or cookie pecan butter pie.
This is a surprisingly substantial menu for something MSC describes as a grab-and-go venue. It sounds much closer to a complete barbecue meal than a simple poolside snack.
Red Cactus Breakfast Is Becoming an Early Favorite
So far, Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs appears to be receiving the stronger reviews of the two new restaurants.
One recent MSC Seashore passenger called Red Cactus the best breakfast option on the ship. They praised the selection of brisket, pulled pork, sausage, bacon, eggs, grits, biscuits and gravy, along with the quieter atmosphere and shorter lines compared with the buffet. The guest enjoyed it enough to return almost every morning.
Another early passenger who tried both new venues also preferred Red Cactus over The Chicken Man.
The breakfast service may end up being the venue’s biggest advantage. The Marketplace Buffet can become crowded in the morning, especially before a port day. Red Cactus gives guests another included option where they can sit outside near the aft of the ship and have food served without navigating the main buffet.
It may also remain something of a hidden gem for a while. Early guests have said many passengers walked past without realizing Red Cactus was open for breakfast or that it was included in the cruise fare.
Both Restaurants Are Completely Free
The Chicken Man and Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs are both included in the standard cruise fare. Guests do not need a specialty dining package and there is no additional cover charge.
That makes these venues more meaningful than simply adding two more restaurants to a ship that already has several specialty options.
Cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean have made complimentary poolside restaurants a major part of their newer ships. MSC has traditionally relied more heavily on its buffet, main dining rooms and paid specialty restaurants.
These additions make MSC Seashore’s dining lineup feel better suited to the American cruise market, particularly now that the ship is sailing from Port Canaveral.
MSC Is Still Fine-Tuning the New Venues
Because both restaurants are new, a few early passengers have reported inconsistent hours or food that was still being adjusted during the first sailings. Those reports came shortly after the venues opened, so it is not unusual for MSC to make changes as the kitchens and crew settle into their routines.
Menus and operating hours may also vary depending on the itinerary, port schedule and weather. Guests should check the MSC for Me app or the daily program while onboard rather than assuming both venues will be open all day.
The encouraging part is that the basic concept seems to be working. Passengers wanted more complimentary dining choices, and both restaurants give them alternatives in convenient outdoor areas of the ship.
Are MSC Seashore’s New Restaurants Worth Trying?
Based on the early reviews, Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs should be near the top of the list, especially for breakfast.
The combination of barbecue meats, traditional breakfast sides, shorter lines and outdoor seating makes it a much more relaxed alternative to the Marketplace Buffet. Lunch also offers enough variety to create a full barbecue plate rather than just a quick snack.
The Chicken Man seems more straightforward. It is a convenient place to grab tenders or a chicken sandwich by the pool, although some of the recipes may appeal more to guests who enjoy spicy flavors and heavier toppings.
Overall, these are smart additions to MSC Seashore. They give passengers more complimentary choices, spread crowds away from the buffet and bring the ship closer to the casual dining variety many American cruisers already expect.
Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs may be the early standout, but both venues make the everyday dining experience aboard MSC Seashore a little easier.