When these things are clearly laid down for all to see why do we get so may: "Well, my instructor said..." posts?
Because there the only laid down limit for VFR cruising height is actually 0' assuming no structure/people etc so there is in truth no minimum height for VFR flight until you start taking into account structures, built up areas etc. what then happens is instructors bring in the en route MSA without explaining properly why you should know this (in case you lose VMC) and hence the confusion. What
should happen is a proper explanation of why MSA is noted and a better briefing of what are sensible minimum heights to continue when VFR.