Indochine

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Indochine Review: Southeast Asian Flavors Worth the Surcharge

Introduction. Indochine is MSC's pan-Asian specialty restaurant, found on Meraviglia-class and newer vessels. The concept draws from Vietnamese, Thai, and broader Southeast Asian cuisines, offering a welcome departure from the Italian-leaning complimentary dining. The cover charge runs approximately $25-$35 per person, making it one of MSC's more affordable specialty options. For guests craving bold flavors and aromatic spice, it fills a genuine gap in the fleet's dining portfolio.

Food & Drinks

The Vietnamese pho is the best dish on the menu — a deeply aromatic broth that has clearly simmered for hours, served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and your choice of protein. It's the real thing, not a cruise-ship approximation. The Thai green curry delivers proper coconut milk richness and a gentle heat that builds without overwhelming. Spring rolls (both fresh and fried) are well-executed starters with vibrant dipping sauces. The wok-tossed noodles with prawns are satisfying, with good caramelization and toasted sesame notes. Where it falls short: the pad Thai can be overly sweet, lacking the tamarind tang and fish sauce depth that defines the authentic version. Some dishes feel toned down for a European-heavy passenger base — guests who prefer genuine spice levels may need to ask the kitchen to dial it up. The Asian-inspired cocktail list (lemongrass mojito, sake sangria) is creative but occasionally gimmicky, with some drinks tasting more like themed sugar than balanced cocktails.

Service

Service is attentive and well-paced. Staff are knowledgeable about the menu's spice levels and ingredient compositions, which matters for allergen management in Asian cuisine. The team can advise on dish selection based on preferences, and they're accommodating of customization requests. Pacing follows the specialty restaurant model — unhurried, multi-course, and designed for a 75-90 minute experience.

Atmosphere

Indochine's design commits to its concept — dark woods, Asian-inspired lanterns, silk textures, and muted lighting create a genuinely distinct atmosphere from the rest of the ship. The room feels like stepping into another world, which is exactly what specialty dining should deliver. It seats a moderate number of guests, keeping noise manageable and service personal. The design works better in evening lighting; lunch service (where available) loses some of the atmospheric magic.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.8/5. Indochine is one of MSC's more compelling specialty restaurants — the pho and green curry are genuine standouts, the atmospheric design is immersive, and the price point represents reasonable value for the experience. It misses a higher mark because some dishes are toned down for mass appeal and the cocktail program prioritizes novelty over quality. Tip: don't hesitate to ask for extra spice — the kitchen can accommodate, and the authentic heat levels make several dishes noticeably better.

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