Craving some of that delicious pasta served in Eataly restaurant on the MSC Divina?

Now you can buy some in the restaurant shop to take home and prepare yourself.

I knew that the MSC Divina had a top-notch Italian restaurant known as Eataly and I was looking forward to eating there. However, I was surprised at the restaurant’s mini emporium that sells authentic Italian and artisan products, including olive oils, dried pastas, regional sweet and aged balsamics.

“We want to give you a taste of Italy, not just feeding you but showing you where the food comes from, ” said Enrico Borniotto, general manager of Italia Catering.

“This is dedicated to our American passengers,” he said. “It is like a trip within a trip.”

I can certainly agree with that. Sitting in Eataly restaurant, I could easily imagine that I am in Italy. The décor is simple but elegant. White tablecloth, white flowers, wooden floor, exposed brick walls.

And the food. Oh, my goodness, the food.

After the first two Eataly restaurants at sea proved a big hit on sister ship MSC Preziosa, the cruise line decided to offer one on the new MSC Divina, which is now based in Miami. It is the first MSC ship to sail year round from North America.

The popular Turin-based Eataly chain was founded by Oscar Farinette in 2007 and opened in the U.S. in 2010 in partnership with celebrity chefs Marion Batali and Lidia and Joe Bastianich. Eataly now has 16 locations around the world.

“Much like MSC, Eataly is taking its Italian roots and expanding in North America,” said Ken Muskat, senior vice president of sales and marketing for MSC Cruises USA.

By Jackie Sheckler Finch