Explora Journeys Dining Guide: Every Restaurant, Bar and Menu
Dining is where Explora Journeys quietly separates itself from every other luxury line at sea. There is no main dining room here, no fixed seating, no assigned table. Instead there are six distinct restaurants, each with its own identity and its own kitchen, alongside a food hall, a café, a lounge serving afternoon tea, and a bar programme that becomes part of the rhythm of your evening.
I am not alone in thinking so. Explora Journeys took the number one spot on Food and Wine's Top 10 Cruises for Food and Drink in its 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards, and the line has been named Best Ocean Luxury Cruise Experience at the Virtuoso Awards two years running, in both 2025 and 2026. Cruise Critic has also awarded it Best Dining in the luxury category. For a line that only launched in 2023, that is a remarkable run, and I understand why.
I have sailed both Explora I and Explora II, and across those journeys I have eaten at nearly every venue on board, most of them several times over. This guide is everything I have learned: what to order, when to go, how the reservation system actually works, and the small details that make a real difference. I also have a significant dietary restriction, which turned out to reveal one of the most impressive things about how this line operates.
A note on the fleet: Explora III entered service in July 2026, with three more ships to follow. This guide is based on my time aboard Explora I and Explora II, which share the same restaurants, so everything here applies to either ship.
If you are new to the line and want the wider picture first, from the suites and the service to what sets Explora apart at sea, you may want to start with my full Explora Journeys review. This guide picks up where that one leaves off and focuses entirely on the food and drink.
If you are considering a voyage with Explora Journeys, I would be delighted to help you plan it, and to extend the benefits I can offer as your advisor. You can begin the conversation here.
How Dining Works on Explora Journeys
Nearly everything is included in your fare. All six restaurants, the Emporium Marketplace, in-suite dining around the clock, afternoon tea, the café, and a generous selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails come as part of your journey. The only dining venue carrying a surcharge is Anthology, the line's signature fine dining experience, along with the optional Chef's Kitchen cooking class.
Two restaurants, Fil Rouge and Med Yacht Club, do not require reservations. Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill do take reservations for dinner, though they are generally easy to secure, and Sakura's sushi counter operates on a first come, first served basis during dinner hours, which is a wonderful option if you want something lighter without committing to a full evening.
Booking Your Dining in Advance
This is where a little planning pays off, and where the details are not especially well publicised.
Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, and Anthology operate with assigned tables and seating times, so these are the ones to book. Fil Rouge and Med Yacht Club are open seating, though reservations can still be made if you prefer the certainty. The Emporium Marketplace is always open seating.
Reservations open in advance through the Explora Journeys website once you have created an account and can access your booking. You are able to book more than one dining experience ahead of your voyage, though repeat reservations at the same restaurant may be limited so that availability is preserved for all guests. If you change your mind before you sail, you can modify your booking online, and once on board the hosts will happily assist with changes, waitlists, and alternative times.
Two practical notes. Reservations are held for fifteen minutes, so if you are ashore and running late, let them know. And if you are travelling as a group and want to dine together, group table reservations are arranged through your travel advisor rather than online.
Does Your Suite Category Affect When You Can Book?
Yes, it does, and this is worth understanding before you sail.
Priority dining reservations are among the benefits attached to the higher suite categories. Guests booking Ocean Residences and the upper suite tiers receive earlier access to reservations at select restaurants, ahead of guests in the entry-level Ocean Terrace and Ocean Suite categories. The same principle applies to Destination Experiences, where Ocean Residence guests can book before general release. This is one of the things I confirm for my clients based on their specific suite category and sailing, so they know precisely when to be ready. If Anthology or a particular evening at Sakura matters to you, knowing your booking window in advance genuinely makes a difference.
Knowing when your reservation window opens, and being ready for it, is one of the small things that shapes a voyage. I am happy to sort this out for you.
The Dress Code
Explora Journeys has the most relaxed dress code in the ultra-luxury market, and I think it is one of the nicest things about sailing with them.
The suggested style is elegant resort casual throughout, and there are no formal nights on any voyage. You can leave the tuxedo and the gown at home. Jackets are welcome but never required, even in the signature restaurants. Daytime is genuinely resort wear, and evenings lean smart casual to refined.
There are a few sensible boundaries worth knowing so you pack accordingly. Swimwear and bathrobes are not permitted in the restaurants or the indoor bars and lounges at any time. At dinner, shorts and sleeveless t-shirts are not permitted in Anthology or Fil Rouge. And baseball caps and sportswear are not worn in Anthology, Fil Rouge, Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, or Med Yacht Club.
In practice, this is easy. A pair of good trousers or a dress, a nice shirt or blouse, and comfortable shoes will carry you through every evening on board. Many guests do dress a little more elegantly for Anthology, not because it is required, but because the occasion invites it.
Fil Rouge
Fil Rouge is the closest thing on board to a traditional dining room, all crisp white linen and quiet sophistication, and it serves both breakfast and dinner.
Let me be straightforward: dinner at Fil Rouge is not my personal favourite on the ship. The cooking is accomplished and the room is lovely, and if classic French dining is what you are after, you will be very happy here. The roasted beets to start and the 72-hour slow-braised Black Angus beef short rib with sautéed foie gras and black truffle sauce are both excellent. It simply is not where I would choose to spend my evenings when Sakura and Med Yacht Club exist.
The soufflé, however, is a different matter entirely. A different one is prepared each evening, and it is so good that I would come to Fil Rouge for dessert alone, even on nights I had dined elsewhere. This is my best tip in the entire guide: ask the maître d' during the day which soufflé is being served that evening, so you can plan your night around it. The salted caramel, the Poire Williams, and the chocolate are my absolute favourites.
Breakfast here is genuinely lovely, and worth knowing about. The Eggs Benedict is delicious, and I had mine without seafood. Friends who could eat the caviar version told me it was outstanding. One small detail I loved is that Fil Rouge, along with the Emporium Marketplace, serves real French butter, which tells you a great deal about the standards on board.
Med Yacht Club
Med Yacht Club is a relaxed celebration of the Mediterranean, and on sea days it opens for lunch as well as dinner, which makes it one of the most versatile venues on board.
The starters are where this restaurant shines. The Iberico de Bellota ham croquetas, the patatas bravas, and the tapioca and Manchego cheese fritters are all excellent. The pintxos change nightly and can often be adapted, as I had both vegetarian versions and versions without seafood. The beef carpaccio and the caprese are both lovely.
The pasta course is so good that I frequently had it as my main. The Pietro Massi calamarata pasta n°25 alla carbonara is superb, but my all-time favourite dish here is the tortelloni di ricotta e spinaci.
For mains, the Amarone beef fillet is wonderful, and I have it without the blue cheese. The roasted pumpkin ballotine is a beautiful plant-based option. Finish with the Piemonte hazelnut semifreddo, which is the standout dessert here.
Sakura
Sakura is my favourite restaurant on Explora Journeys, without hesitation. I ate here more than anywhere else across both sailings, and I would happily do so again.
It is open for lunch on port days, which is a lovely way to return to the ship, and during dinner hours you can drop in for sushi alone without a reservation, first come, first served. That flexibility is one of the things I appreciate most.
At lunch, order from the sushi menu. The vegetarian options are genuinely excellent, and the shrimp tempura is very good. The Black Angus sirloin steak teriyaki is available at both lunch and dinner and is worth ordering at either.
At dinner, my favourites are the dim sum, and then the Wagyu beef tataki, which is non-negotiable for me and much of the reason I love this restaurant so much. The lobster pad Thai is beautiful, and for a main the 72-hour slow-cooked short rib beef Panang is exceptional. For sides, the flashed aubergine with hot and sour sauce and the fried rice are both very good.
One insider note: Sakura carries a range of sake that does not appear prominently on the drinks menu, so do ask. The plum wine and sake selection on board is lovely, and I would have missed it entirely had I not enquired.
Marble & Co. Grill
Marble & Co. is Explora's European steakhouse, and it is an elegant, handsome room with an open kitchen.
I cannot eat fish, so I have not tried the signature crushed fingerling potatoes with Normandy butter, though I have heard rave reviews from fellow guests and clients alike. My own favourites to start are the roasted beets in salted crust, the slow-cooked pork belly, and the classic Caesar salad prepared tableside, which I have without anchovies.
For mains, the "Terre et Mer" pairs grilled veal medallions with Maine lobster tail, truffle mashed potatoes, bisque jus, and béarnaise. Alternatively, the French Aubrac beef fillet, aged twenty days, is superb, and I usually ask for a lobster tail on the side. The side casseroles are where this restaurant becomes memorable: the fried Brussels sprouts with ricotta cream and roasted shallots, and the Swiss chard gratin with Mornay sauce, aged Gruyère, and crispy Parmigiano Reggiano.
For dessert, the yuzu cheesecake is my go-to, as I cannot eat Explora's signature chocolate brownies, though I have heard wonderful things about them.
Every guest I work with receives my personal recommendations before they sail, tailored to their tastes and any dietary needs. Let us plan your Explora Journeys cruise together.
Emporium Marketplace
I love the Emporium Marketplace concept, and I dined here regularly on both sailings. Calling it a buffet does it a disservice. It is a food hall with individual stations, everything prepared fresh, and the quality is remarkable.
The highlights across my journeys have included the lobster mac and cheese, the sushi bar, lobster and prawns from the seafood section, grilled antipasto, cheeses and cold cuts from the charcuterie station, an excellent range of pizzas, and the fresh pasta station with rotating ravioli including short rib, lobster, and burrata. For breakfast, the shakshuka and the avocado toast are both very good.
One evening on Explora II, while sailing in Greece, they staged a Greek feast that was genuinely incredible: Greek salad, souvlaki, moussaka, and a dessert table laden with baklava, loukoumades, and every Greek speciality you could hope for. These destination-inspired evenings are a real highlight and worth watching for.
The outdoor seating at the aft is a wonderful place to eat, both in the Caribbean and through the Greek islands.
Anthology
Anthology is Explora's signature fine dining restaurant and the only one carrying a surcharge. It is an intimate venue serving a multi-course Italian tasting menu created by the line's Head of Culinary, Franck Garanger, with an optional wine pairing. The menu does change from time to time.
A few practical details worth knowing. The tasting menu and wine pairing are each charged separately. Pricing is in US dollars when the ship is sailing Canada, New England, the Caribbean, or Alaska, and in euros elsewhere, so the figure you see will depend on your itinerary. At the time of writing, Explora lists the tasting menu at EUR 165 per person with the wine pairing at EUR 70 per person. Prices do change, so I always confirm current pricing for my clients before they sail.
One detail that surprises people: the included house wines are not served at Anthology, which is why the wine pairing exists. However, you can still order included cocktails from the bar, so you are not obliged to purchase the pairing if you would rather not.
Anthology is also, in my view, the perfect way to use Journey Experience Credits, which is what Explora Journeys calls its onboard credit. When clients book their Explora Journeys sailing through me, I am usually able to extend these credits as part of their booking, and a dinner at Anthology is exactly the sort of thing it is lovely to put them toward.
Journey Experience Credits are something I can usually extend to clients booking their Explora Journeys voyage with me. Certain sailings are also designated Virtuoso Voyages, which carry their own distinct benefits, and I am happy to talk you through which applies to the itinerary you have in mind. Let us talk about your voyage.
Chef's Kitchen
For those who enjoy a hands-on experience, the Chef's Kitchen is one of the most rewarding things you can book on board, and it is quite different from a demonstration where you sit and watch.
This is an ocean-front cooking studio with individual workstations, limited to around twelve guests, so it stays intimate and everyone gets real attention from the chefs. Sessions run roughly two and a half hours. You begin by learning about the provenance of the dishes and the ingredients, then you put on an apron and cook, and the experience culminates in the adjoining private dining room where the whole group, chefs included, sits down together to enjoy what you have made, with wines to match. Guests also leave with the recipes and techniques, both printed and digital.
What makes it special is that the classes follow the ship. The menus shift with the region you are sailing, so a Mediterranean itinerary might explore local seafood, regional spices, and traditional techniques, while an Asian sailing leans into the flavours of that part of the world. Past sessions have ranged from focused, playful themes such as mussels prepared six different ways, through to pasta making, regional specialities, and dishes inspired by the markets and producers visited in port that very day.
An experience fee applies, and at the time of writing it sits at roughly USD 160 or EUR 150 per person, though as with everything, prices change. Reservations typically open around ninety days before departure, and because sessions are capped at a dozen guests, they can fill. This is one of the things I flag to clients early so they do not miss it.
In-Suite Dining
In-suite dining is available around the clock and is included, and I used it more than I expected to, particularly on mornings before an early excursion.
For breakfast, the avocado toast with poached eggs is my order. At lunch, the flatbreads are excellent, especially the Fior di Latte with cherry tomato, Parma ham, arugula, and Parmigiano Reggiano. The vegetable spring rolls, the antipasti plate with prosciutto, marinated artichokes, pecorino Romano, and grissini, and the jumbo shrimp are all very good. For dessert, the vanilla crème brûlée and the tiramisu verrine are both lovely.
Afternoon Tea in the Explora Lounge
The Explora Lounge is a luminous space with sweeping ocean views, and afternoon tea is served here daily. I would recommend making time for it at least once during your voyage.
The tea itself comes from Palais des Thés, the respected French tea house, which tells you a great deal about how seriously Explora takes this hour. Palais des Thés is known for sourcing single-estate teas directly from the finest gardens in China, Japan, India, Korea, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka, alongside its own flavoured blends and caffeine-free infusions, so the selection on board spans greens, blacks, whites, oolongs, and herbal infusions. There is genuine range here, and it is worth asking about what is available rather than defaulting to the familiar.
The small sandwiches, tartlets, and sweets are all beautifully done, and the scones with clotted cream and jam are exactly as they should be. I paired mine with rosé champagne and a sencha green tea, which was lovely. Live music accompanies the hour, and the whole experience is quietly wonderful.
Worth knowing: the Explora Lounge also serves a light bites menu through the afternoon that overlaps considerably with the in-suite dining menu, so it is a useful option between meals.
Enjoying Afternoon Tea on Explora I in the Explora Lounge.
Crema Café
Crema Café is the ship's European-style all-day café, and the offering shifts from morning through afternoon and into the evening. The chocolate barks change daily and are a small delight.
The most useful thing to know about Crema Café is that when the Emporium Marketplace closes for changeover, this is where to go for a coffee and something small. It is a genuinely handy piece of ship knowledge.
Gelateria and Creperie at The Conservatory
Tucked into The Conservatory beside the pool, and sheltered from the weather, this is one of the loveliest small pleasures on board and a venue I think is underrated.
The gelato and sorbet are made on board and are genuinely excellent, properly Italian, creamy without being cloying. What I particularly appreciate is the range: alongside the classic flavours there are vegan options and sugar-free options, which is thoughtful and far from standard at sea. Fresh crepes and waffles are made to order as well, with a generous array of toppings.
It is the perfect stop on a sea day afternoon, and a genuine gift for anyone travelling with dietary restrictions who is used to being handed a bowl of fruit while everyone else has dessert.
The Bars and Lounges
Between them, Explora I and Explora II each offer twelve bars and lounges, eight of them outdoors, and they each have a distinct personality. These are the ones worth knowing.
The Lobby Bar
The Lobby Bar became part of the rhythm of my evenings, a place to gather before dinner and to return to afterwards ahead of the nightly entertainment.
On Explora II we were fortunate to have two wonderful mixologists, and Francisco in particular was a highlight. He is a flair mixologist, throwing bottles and putting on a genuine show each evening, and he brought real energy to the space. More than that, he took the time to learn your tastes, and he created a custom cocktail just for me. That kind of personal attention is precisely why my friends and I found ourselves returning night after night.
Sky Bar on 14
Perched at the very top of the ship, Sky Bar is a gem, and it is my recommendation for sailaway. What I love is that it is never quite the same twice. From some ports there is a DJ and real energy, and the sailaway becomes an occasion. From others it is a quiet oasis, almost empty, with nothing but the view and the sea breeze as the ship pulls away.
Either version is wonderful. If you do only one sailaway from up here, you will understand why I keep returning to it.
Malt Whisky Bar
Set within the Explora Lounge, Malt is a refined tour through the world's great whisky regions, including some genuinely rare bottles, with a walk-in humidor, a cigar expert on hand, and a dedicated outdoor cigar terrace. The atmosphere is club-like without being stuffy, and everyone is welcome.
Worth knowing: Malt regularly hosts tasting events at an additional cost, and these are among the most interesting enrichment experiences on board. If whisky is your thing, ask about the schedule early in your voyage, as the best ones fill.
The Other Bars Worth Finding
Part of the pleasure of these ships is that there is always another space to discover.
The Astern Lounge is the social heart of the ship, transitioning through the day from live music and enrichment sessions into a nightly golden hour aperitivo ritual, and later into a DJ set for those who want to dance.
The Journeys Lounge is the main entertainment venue, with panoramic views, live music, and amphitheatre seating.
Then there are the pool bars, each with its own mood. Helios Pool and Bar on Deck 12 is adults-only, forward-facing, and the sunniest spot on board. The Atoll Pool Bar at the aft is more intimate and relaxed. The Astern Pool Bar brings a beach club feeling by day and live acoustic music as the sun sets. And the Conservatory Pool Bar looks after you under the retractable glass roof, whatever the weather is doing outside.
Beverages: What Is Included
This is one of the most common questions I am asked, and the answer is refreshingly simple. Explora Journeys includes essentially all of your drinks in the fare.
Unlimited beverages come as part of your journey, including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, craft cocktails, speciality coffees, teas, fresh juices, and soft drinks, available anywhere on board and at any hour, including in your suite. There are no cruise cards to sign and no bar tabs to settle. You simply order what you would like and enjoy it, which does a great deal for the relaxed feeling on board.
Your suite adds to this. Every guest arrives to a chilled welcome bottle of champagne, along with a bottle of wine and a bottle of spirits of your own choosing. The minibar is fully stocked at no charge and replenished daily, and still and sparkling water are topped up throughout your journey. Guests in Ocean Residences receive Dom Pérignon as their welcome champagne.
The wine programme deserves a particular mention. The selections are chosen by the onboard sommeliers and rotate to reflect the regions you are sailing through, so the included list is genuinely interesting rather than a fixed house pour. I would encourage you to ask the sommeliers for their recommendations, as they know the list intimately.
One small thing I love: the bartenders will happily make you something that is not on the menu. Some of the best drinks I had were simply the result of telling a bartender what I enjoy and letting them create something. This is exactly how Francisco came to invent a cocktail for me at the Lobby Bar.
What Is Not Included
There is a separate connoisseur list, and it is worth understanding what sits on it. This covers a small selection of ultra-premium labels: vintage champagnes, fine Bordeaux and Burgundies, rare aged single malts and rums, and exceptional spirits such as Louis XIII cognac. These are available by the glass or the bottle at prices comparable to a five-star hotel, and they are clearly marked on the list so there are no surprises.
The honest position is that the included selection is one of the most generous at sea, and the great majority of guests never need to look at the connoisseur list at all. It exists for those celebrating something significant or for genuine collectors, not because the standard offering falls short.
Also worth noting: gratuities are entirely included in your fare, so there is nothing to tip at the end of your voyage and no awkwardness around it.
How Explora Journeys Handles Dietary Restrictions
This deserves its own section, because it is one of the most impressive things about the line and something I have not seen covered elsewhere.
I have a significant dietary restriction, as I cannot eat fish or seafood, and Explora handled it beautifully. The team sends the following day's menus to your suite the evening before, so you can review them, make your selections, and confirm that everything is suitable for your needs. Nothing is rushed, nothing is awkward, and there is no need to have the same conversation at every meal.
Across both sailings, dishes were adapted thoughtfully rather than simply removed. The pintxos at Med Yacht Club were prepared in vegetarian and seafood-free versions. The Caesar salad at Marble & Co. was made without anchovies. The eggs Benedict at Fil Rouge came without seafood. In every case the alternative felt considered rather than apologetic.
Vegetarian and plant-based travellers are also very well served, and not as an afterthought. Every restaurant carries genuine vegetarian and plant-based options that have been properly developed rather than improvised. The vegetarian sushi at Sakura is excellent, the roasted pumpkin ballotine at Med Yacht Club is a beautiful main course in its own right, and the Emporium Marketplace always has a strong plant-based offering. Even the Gelateria carries vegan and sugar-free options.
If you or someone in your party travels with allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences, this is something I always communicate to the ship in advance on behalf of my clients, so it is in place before you step on board.
What Is Different on Explora III and Explora IV
Explora III entered service in July 2026, and Explora IV follows in 2027, with Explora V and VI to come. If you are sailing one of the newer ships, most of this guide still applies, as the six signature restaurants carry across the fleet unchanged. There are, however, some genuine additions worth knowing about.
Shore Club on 11 is the headline. This is a relaxed, beach club style venue beside the Conservatory Pool on Deck 11, inspired by carefree summer days by the sea, and it is exclusive to Explora III and IV, and the two ships to follow. It is designed for easy poolside bites between swims, and it takes the newer ships from six restaurants to seven.
A new private dining venue appears on Explora III, an intimate contemporary space hosting private dining experiences created in collaboration with the chefs. A surcharge applies.
The Wine Cellar is a brand-new space dedicated to wine, and on the newer ships it sits alongside a redesigned Anthology and the relocated Chef's Kitchen, all gathered together on Deck 5. On Explora I and II, the Chef's Kitchen is up on Deck 11, so if you have sailed before, this is a change worth noting. Bringing the three venues together thematically makes a great deal of sense.
Crema Café and The Lobby Bar has been restyled on both new ships, and the wellness spaces have been reimagined.
Beyond dining, Explora III and IV are the first LNG-powered ships in the fleet, they are roughly twenty metres longer than their sisters, and they carry a second Owner's Residence, one of which has been designed by Patricia Urquiola. Guest capacity remains at 922, so the ships feel just as spacious.
If you are weighing one ship against another, I am happy to talk you through the differences and which suits you best. Begin with my travel consultation form here.
My Honest Recommendations
Having sailed twice and eaten on both Explora I and Explora II, here is exactly how I would spend my evenings, and what I would do differently.
If you book only one restaurant, make it Sakura. It is my favourite on board without hesitation, and the Wagyu beef tataki alone justifies the reservation. I would happily eat here three times in a week, and on my sailings I came close.
Go to Fil Rouge for the soufflé, not necessarily for dinner. The room is beautiful and the cooking is accomplished, but there are stronger evenings to be had elsewhere. Ask which soufflé is on, then arrive for dessert.
Do not skip Med Yacht Club at lunch on a sea day. The starters are the best on the ship, and a plate of croquetas, patatas bravas, and the tortelloni is one of my favourite meals at sea. Many guests only ever visit at dinner and miss this entirely.
Marble & Co. rewards ordering properly. The steak is very good, but the side casseroles are what make the evening. Order the Brussels sprouts and the Swiss chard gratin, and share them.
Do not underestimate the Emporium Marketplace. It is easy to dismiss it as the casual option, but the quality is genuinely excellent and the destination-inspired evenings are among the best food on board. That Greek feast on Explora II in Greece was better than several sit-down dinners I have had at sea.
Anthology is worth it for the right occasion, not for every voyage. My honest view is that on a shorter sailing, with excellent food included everywhere else, it is a genuine consideration rather than an automatic yes. On a longer journey, or if you are celebrating something, it makes far more sense. It is also the ideal use of Journey Experience Credits (onboard credits).
Make time for the small things. Afternoon tea at least once. A sailaway from Sky Bar. The gelato at the Conservatory. These are not filler, they are among the moments I remember most clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dining on Explora Journeys
Is alcohol included on Explora Journeys? Yes. Unlimited beverages are included in your fare, covering fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, craft cocktails, speciality coffees, teas, juices, and soft drinks, anywhere on board and in your suite. There are no bar tabs to sign. A separate connoisseur list of vintage champagnes, rare wines, and exceptional aged spirits is available at an additional cost, though most guests never need it.
How many restaurants are there on Explora Journeys? There are six restaurants: Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, the Emporium Marketplace, and Anthology. Alongside these you have the Chef's Kitchen cooking experience, twenty-four hour in-suite dining, Crema Café, the Gelateria and Creperie at the Conservatory, and afternoon tea in the Explora Lounge, which Explora counts together as eleven culinary experiences.
Do you need reservations for dinner? Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, and Anthology have assigned tables and seating times, so these are the ones to reserve. Fil Rouge and Med Yacht Club are open seating, though you may book if you prefer certainty. The Emporium Marketplace never requires a reservation, and Sakura's sushi counter operates first come, first served during dinner hours.
When can I book my dining reservations? Reservations open in advance through the Explora Journeys website once you have created an account. Guests in higher suite categories receive earlier access, so your booking window depends on your suite. I confirm the exact timing for my clients so they are ready when their window opens.
Is there a buffet on Explora Journeys? Not in the traditional sense. The Emporium Marketplace is a food hall with individual stations where everything is prepared fresh, and the quality is genuinely excellent. Many guests, myself included, end up eating here far more often than expected.
Is there a dress code, and are there formal nights? The suggested dress code is elegant resort casual throughout, and there are no formal nights on any voyage. Jackets are welcome but never required. Swimwear is not permitted in restaurants or indoor lounges, and shorts, sleeveless t-shirts, baseball caps, and sportswear are not worn at dinner in the main restaurants.
Are gratuities included? Yes, entirely. All onboard gratuities are included in your fare, so there is nothing to tip at the end of your journey.
Is in-suite dining included, and is it available all day? Yes to both. In-suite dining is included in your fare and available twenty-four hours a day. Guests in Ocean Residences also have access to an expanded in-suite menu drawing from the onboard restaurants.
How much does Anthology cost? Anthology is the only restaurant carrying a surcharge, with the tasting menu and the optional wine pairing charged separately. Pricing is in US dollars on Americas itineraries and euros elsewhere. At the time of writing, Explora lists the tasting menu at EUR 165 per person and the wine pairing at EUR 70. Prices change, so I always confirm current figures for my clients.
Can Explora accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies? Exceptionally well, and this is one of the things that impressed me most. The team sends the next day's menus to your suite the evening before so you can make your selections in advance. I travel with a significant restriction and was looked after beautifully throughout both sailings.
Are there vegetarian and vegan options? Yes, and they are properly developed rather than improvised. Every restaurant carries genuine vegetarian and plant-based dishes, and even the Gelateria offers vegan and sugar-free choices.
Does Explora Journeys have a main dining room? No, and this is deliberate. There is no main dining room, no fixed seating, and no assigned table. You dine where you like, when you like, which is one of the most liberating things about sailing with them.
Let Me Plan Your Explora Journey
Having sailed both Explora I and Explora II, I know these ships well, and I love helping clients experience them properly. When you book your Explora Journeys voyage through me, I handle the details that make a difference, from communicating dietary needs and securing the right suite to arranging your dining and sharing the recommendations in this guide tailored to your own tastes. I am also usually able to extend Journey Experience Credits, and for sailings designated as Virtuoso Voyages there are additional benefits we can discuss together.
I am a travel advisor specializing in luxury travel and cruising, and a proud member of Virtuoso. You can begin planning your Explora Journeys voyage with me here.
Safe travels and I hope you have an amazing cruise,
Ariane
