Celebrated French chef to set stylish tone for onboard dining

The special dining experience awaiting future guests of MSC’s newest ship MSC Divina will be celebrated in appropriate style at the cruise ship’s christening ceremony in Marseilles, France, later this month.

Much-loved French chef, Christian Constant, who is a favourite figure on the jury of popular American program Top Chef andruns three stylish Parisian restaurants, will create two signature menus especially for the May 26 gala event which will be officiated by screen legend and the cruise line’s popular godmother Sophia Loren.

A sneak preview of Chef Constant’s christening menus reveals culinary gems such as Medallion of Spiny Lobster accompanied by diced Niçoise vegetables flavoured with horseradish, and Crispy Supreme of Mediterranean Sea-Bass with almonds accompanied by caper Ravigote sauce and a salad of spinach sprouts. An impressive selection of France’s best wines has been chosen to accompany the menu.

And for dessert guests will savour the delicious Christian Constant mille-feuille Divina with half-salted butter caramel.

“MSC Cruises believes that delicious, authentic cuisine lies at the heart of a wonderful holiday and that a cruise should always be a gastronomic tour of discovery,” explained Lynne Clarke, managing director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand.

“MSC Cruises also knows that for guests to make the most of MSC Divina’s many attributes and the ports of call, they must dine on the finest dishes made from the freshest, quality, ethically sourced, and locally inspired ingredients,” she said.

“That’s why, when the christening ends and guests board the ship herself, they will be truly dazzled by the multiple dining options available and by MSC Divina’s ability to provide something delectable to meet all tastes and moods.”

A highlight of the new MSC Divina will be Galaxy, a fashionable new panoramic restaurant in the disco. Based on the style of famous 1950s Italian nightclubs, such as La Capannina and Forte dei Marmi, Galaxy takes La Dolce Vita and the “theme of light” as its inspiration and appeals to all of the five senses.

“Adapting its menu to the time of day, Galaxy’s theme of light also means that the overall space has been created around specially designed lamps,” said Mrs Clarke. “Refined, elegant, and reflecting modern minimalism, the stylish black, grey and Bordeaux colour scheme means that the fabulous cuisine will look, as well as taste, wonderful whatever time of day.”

Also available on the new cruise ship will be a tantalising brunch menu for late risers, including eggs Benedict, maxi-savoury croissants and Parma ham, a selection of fresh juices, and the ‘bubbles’ menu including spumante, champagne and rosé.

In the evening, diners will indulge in Mediterranean fusion cuisine such as roasted scallops on a cream of courgette and basil soup with porcini mushrooms and fried leeks, or succulent sea bass tartare with fresh goat’s cheese, crispy sesame seed wafers and liquorice sensation.

“The emphasis is on sampling the food, enjoying the music in red, grey and black surroundings, while watching the stars and sipping a Galaxy cocktail, or a high quality wine from the sommelier selection, which can be purchased by the glass,” said Mrs Clarke.

“It could be difficult to come back to earth after tasting one of Galaxy’s delightful meals, but luckily MSC Divina’s six other restaurants, including the exclusive MSC Yacht Club restaurant

Le Muse, the Sacramento Tex Mex and the Sacramento Hamburger House, offer a whole range of exciting and sumptuous dining options to keep guests’ taste buds entertained for the whole length of their cruise.

The newcomer, which measures more than 330 metres long with a gross tonnage of 138,000 and capability to cater for 4363 passengers, will follow that with a series of seven-night East Mediterranean cruises, prices starting at $939 per person, twin share.