Dining is an important part of the onboard experience with Explora Journeys, with a collection of restaurants, casual dining venues, cafes, and in suite dining options available throughout each voyage. The cruise line offers a range of cuisines, from French inspired international dishes and Mediterranean favorites to Japanese specialties, sushi, and European steakhouse classics.
One of the biggest features of Explora Journeys dining is that most restaurants are included in the cruise fare. Guests can enjoy several different sit down restaurants without paying an additional dining fee, along with casual dining, specialty coffee, gelato, afternoon tea, and 24 hour room service. There are also additional experiences available for guests looking for a more personalized or exclusive dining experience.
This guide covers all of the Explora Journeys restaurants, what each venue serves, which dining options are included in the cruise fare, and what guests can expect from the menus. We have also included the current Explora Journeys restaurant menus, giving travelers an opportunity to see the food and drink selections before sailing.
How Does Dining Work on Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys takes a different approach to cruise ship dining than many traditional cruise lines. Rather than assigning guests to a specific dining time or main dining room, the cruise line offers several restaurants with different menus and dining styles.
The majority of Explora Journeys restaurants are included in the cruise fare. This means guests can visit the main dining venues throughout their voyage without paying an additional charge for each meal. There are no traditional fixed dining times, and guests have the flexibility to choose where and when they would like to eat.
The cruise line identifies nine inclusive culinary experiences across its fleet. These include Emporium Marketplace, Fil Rouge, Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, Med Yacht Club, Explora Lounge, Crema Café, in suite dining, and either Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory or Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory, depending on the ship.
There are also additional dining experiences that carry an extra fee. These include Anthology, The Chef's Kitchen, and The Chef's Table. These experiences are separate from the restaurants included in the standard cruise fare.
Reservations are not required at every restaurant. Emporium Marketplace operates on a free seating basis, while Fil Rouge and Med Yacht Club generally accept walk in guests, although reservations are recommended. Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill are more likely to require advance planning, particularly on busy sailings.
Guests can make up to two dining reservations before embarkation, one each for Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill. Additional reservations can be arranged onboard through the Dining Reservations Desk on Deck 5. Anthology reservations can be made before embarkation or once onboard.
The reservation window depends on the suite category. Guests staying in Ocean Terrace Suites can begin making reservations 75 days before sailing, while Ocean Penthouses have a 90 day window. Ocean Residences can make reservations 120 days before sailing, and Owner's Residences have a 180 day window.
It is also worth noting that the restaurant lineup is not exactly the same across every Explora Journeys ship. Explora I and II feature Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory, while Explora III and subsequent ships introduce Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory.
Explora Journeys Complimentary Dining
Explora Journeys has four primary sit down restaurants included in the cruise fare, each offering a different cuisine. Guests can choose from French inspired international dishes, Pan Asian specialties, steakhouse favorites, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Fil Rouge
Fil Rouge is Explora Journeys' French inspired international restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast selections include Swiss Bircher muesli, Belgian waffles, fresh pastries, omelets, and brioche with poached eggs and Baeri caviar.
Dinner features dishes such as duck foie gras terrine, beef consommé, Dover sole meunière, and slow braised beef short rib Rossini. The restaurant also features a dessert trolley with selections including mille feuille and crêpe cakes.
Fil Rouge is included in the cruise fare. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Fil Rouge Breakfast Menu
Fil Rouge Dinner Menu
Sakura
Sakura is Explora Journeys' Pan Asian restaurant, serving Japanese specialties alongside dishes inspired by other Asian cuisines. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner, with menus featuring sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and other regional dishes.
Lunch selections include bento boxes, salads, and wok prepared specialties. Dinner highlights include Galician cod dim sum with caviar, crispy duck confit, miso roasted black cod, and beef Panang short ribs.
Sakura is included in the cruise fare, although dinner reservations are recommended. The sushi counter may operate on a first come, first served basis.
Sakura Lunch Menu
Sakura Dinner Menu
Sakura Sushi Menu
Marble & Co. Grill
Marble & Co. Grill is the onboard European style steakhouse, specializing in premium aged beef and traditional steakhouse dishes.
The menu features selections such as 45 day aged French Jersiaise beef and Bavarian ribeye, alongside seafood, appetizers, and sides. Other offerings include grilled prime rib, lobster brioche, and crushed fingerling potatoes with Oscietra caviar.
Marble & Co. Grill is included in the cruise fare, but dinner reservations are recommended.
Med Yacht Club
Med Yacht Club serves Mediterranean cuisine inspired by Italy, Spain, Greece, France, and North Africa. The restaurant offers dinner nightly, along with lunch on select days.
Lunch selections include Spanish tapas, Ibérico ham, patatas bravas, gazpacho, burrata caprese, and handmade ricotta tortelloni. Dinner features dishes such as grilled octopus, Dover sole alla puttanesca, Lebanese roasted chicken, and osso buco Milanese.
Med Yacht Club is included in the cruise fare. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Med Yacht Club Lunch Menu
Med Yacht Club Dinner Menu
Explora Journeys Casual Dining
In addition to its main restaurants, Explora Journeys offers several casual dining venues where guests can enjoy lighter meals, snacks, coffee, desserts, and other options throughout the day. These venues provide alternatives to traditional sit down dining and are all included in the cruise fare.
Emporium Marketplace
Emporium Marketplace is the primary buffet style restaurant on Explora Journeys, located on Deck 11. The venue features several food stations serving freshly prepared international dishes, including handmade pasta, wood fired pizza, seafood, salads, charcuterie, and pastries.
Breakfast includes traditional favorites, fresh fruit, yogurt, and made to order options, while lunch and dinner menus change throughout the voyage. The restaurant also features indoor and outdoor seating.
Emporium Marketplace is included in the cruise fare, and reservations are not required.
Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory
Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory is a casual dining venue introduced with Explora III. Located on Deck 11, it offers lighter meals and coastal inspired dishes in a setting near the outdoor pool areas.
The restaurant provides another option for lunch and casual daytime dining and is included in the cruise fare. Explora I and Explora II instead feature Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory.
Explora Lounge
The Explora Lounge serves more than drinks, with a menu of light meals, snacks, and desserts. Selections include tuna tataki poke bowls, club sandwiches, Mediterranean mezze platters, crème brûlée, and tiramisu verrines.
The lounge also hosts daily afternoon tea, with a selection of teas and accompanying treats. Food and afternoon tea are included in the cruise fare.
Crema Café, Gelateria & Crêperie
Crema Café is the onboard coffee shop, serving specialty coffees, espresso drinks, pastries, and other light refreshments.
EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II also feature Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory, serving freshly prepared crepes and gelato. These casual dining options are included in the cruise fare.
In Suite Dining
Explora Journeys offers 24 hour in suite dining, allowing guests to order food directly to their suite at any time. The room service menu includes antipasti, club sandwiches, Roman style pinsas, Black Angus burgers, pasta, grilled steaks, and cheese plates.
In suite dining is included in the cruise fare and is available throughout the day and night.
Explora Journeys Specialty Dining
In addition to its included restaurants, Explora Journeys offers several additional culinary experiences for an extra charge. These include Anthology, The Chef's Kitchen, and The Chef's Table.
Anthology
Anthology is Explora Journeys' signature fine dining restaurant, featuring a seven course Italian tasting menu created in collaboration with guest chefs and the cruise line's culinary team.
The menu focuses on regional Italian cuisine, with dishes such as Sicilian red prawns with burrata foam, vitello tonnato, butter poached lobster, king crab pasta, and Japanese Wagyu beef.
Optional wine pairings are also available. Anthology carries an additional fee, with the cruise line listing its tasting menu at €165 per person and wine pairing at €70 per person. Pricing may vary by sailing and booking market.
The restaurant is located on Deck 5 and requires a reservation.
The Chef's Table and Chef's Kitchen
The Chef's Kitchen is an interactive cooking experience where guests prepare dishes alongside onboard chefs. The oceanfront private kitchen features 12 cooking stations, with participants learning about ingredients and cooking techniques before enjoying the food they have prepared.
The Chef's Table is a separate private dining experience where guests work with the culinary team to create a personalized menu for a meal with family or friends.
Both experiences carry an additional fee and are separate from the included restaurant program. Availability varies by ship, with The Chef's Table currently listed on Explora III and IV.
Explora Journeys Dining FAQ
Are restaurants included on Explora Journeys?
Most restaurants and dining venues on Explora Journeys are included in the cruise fare. The four main sit down restaurants, Fil Rouge, Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, and Med Yacht Club, do not carry an additional dining charge.
Emporium Marketplace, Explora Lounge, Crema Café, in suite dining, and the ship specific casual dining venues are also included.
Anthology, The Chef's Kitchen, and The Chef's Table are additional cost experiences.
How many restaurants are on Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys describes its onboard dining program as nine inclusive culinary experiences, along with additional specialty dining experiences.
The four primary sit down restaurants are Fil Rouge, Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, and Med Yacht Club. Other included options consist of Emporium Marketplace, Explora Lounge, Crema Café, in suite dining, and a ship specific venue at The Conservatory.
The total number and names of dining venues can vary depending on the ship.
Is there a buffet on Explora Journeys?
Yes. Emporium Marketplace is the buffet style dining venue onboard Explora Journeys. It offers all day dining with a variety of international dishes, freshly prepared food stations, handmade pasta, pizza, seafood, salads, pastries, and other selections.
Is room service free on Explora Journeys?
Yes. In suite dining is included in the cruise fare and is available 24 hours a day. The menu includes sandwiches, burgers, pasta, steaks, antipasti, and other dishes that can be delivered directly to a guest's suite or private terrace.
Do you need reservations for restaurants on Explora Journeys?
Reservations are not required at every restaurant. Emporium Marketplace operates on a free seating basis, while reservations are recommended for Fil Rouge and Med Yacht Club.
Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill are the two main restaurants for which guests can make advance reservations before embarkation. Guests can make one reservation at each restaurant before sailing, with additional reservations subject to availability.
Anthology reservations can be made before embarkation or onboard. The Chef's Kitchen and The Chef's Table have their own reservation arrangements.
Does Explora Journeys have a steakhouse?
Yes. Marble & Co. Grill is the onboard steakhouse. The restaurant specializes in European steakhouse cuisine, with premium aged beef, grilled meats, seafood, and traditional steakhouse sides.
The restaurant is included in the cruise fare, although reservations are recommended.
Does Explora Journeys have a sushi restaurant?
Yes. Sakura is the onboard Pan Asian restaurant and serves sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and other Japanese and Asian specialties.
The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner menus, along with a dedicated sushi selection.
Is specialty dining included on Explora Journeys?
The main specialty style restaurants, including Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill, are included in the cruise fare. However, Anthology, The Chef's Kitchen, and The Chef's Table carry additional fees.
It is important to distinguish between restaurants that require reservations and restaurants that charge an additional fee. A reservation at an included restaurant does not mean there is an extra dining charge.
Does Explora Journeys offer afternoon tea?
Yes. Afternoon tea is served daily in the Explora Lounge. Guests can enjoy tea and accompanying treats as part of the onboard dining program.
Are restaurant menus the same on every Explora Journeys ship?
The main restaurant concepts are consistent across the fleet, but some dining venues and offerings differ by ship.
For example, Explora I and Explora II feature Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory, while Explora III and subsequent ships feature Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory.
Menus can also change throughout the year, depending on seasonal ingredients and updates to the onboard culinary program.
Final Thoughts on Explora Journeys Dining
Explora Journeys offers a dining program that includes several distinct restaurants, casual dining venues, and additional culinary experiences. With four main sit down restaurants included in the cruise fare, guests have access to French inspired international cuisine, Pan Asian specialties, European steakhouse dishes, and Mediterranean favorites without paying an additional charge for each meal.
The availability of casual dining at Emporium Marketplace, the Explora Lounge, Crema Café, and 24 hour in suite dining also gives guests several alternatives throughout the day.
For those looking for something beyond the included restaurants, Anthology, The Chef's Kitchen, and The Chef's Table provide additional dining experiences for an extra fee.
Overall, the variety of Explora Journeys restaurants means guests have several different dining options to choose from throughout their voyage. Whether planning breakfast at Fil Rouge, lunch at Emporium Marketplace, sushi at Sakura, or dinner at Med Yacht Club, there is a range of menus and cuisines available onboard.
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Explore all Explora Journeys restaurants and menus, including Fil Rouge, Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, Med Yacht Club, Emporium Marketplace, Anthology, room service, and more. See which dining options are included in the cruise fare, specialty dining costs, and what to expect from each onboard restaurant.