This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.
People cruise for all kinds of different reasons. Some people love the adventure of visiting different ports, some love to just relax and sunbathe, and some people want to enjoy a lot of fun activities onboard.
But everyone – everyone – cruises for the food, or at least part of them does.
It’s great being able to enjoy quality food every night of your cruise, and during the day too of course, in a variety of restaurants that are all just a few minutes’ walk from your cabin.
And in this guide, I’m going to break down all of the Marella Cruises dining options for anyone considering a cruise with this all-inclusive British cruise line.
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Marella Cruises Are All Inclusive – Here’s What That Means…
Marella Cruises advertises its sailings as being all-inclusive, because you don’t have to pay anything extra onboard. You get a range of dining options included along with some alcoholic drinks and your tips. However there are optional extras you can pay for, including some speciality restaurants.
Read more: What’s Included with Marella Cruises
This is common across all cruise lines – you have some venues that you can eat in for free, and others where there’s a small charge to pay, either as a set fee or a la carte, depending on what you order.
You don’t have to visit these venues if you don’t want – and there’s plenty of great food to enjoy in the included venues – but if you like variety, then it’s worth checking out the options available, especially since you won’t be paying super-high prices for the privilege.
The Different Types of Dining On Marella:
- Main Dining Room – Classic and contemporary dishes served in an elegant yet relaxed setting, with full table service
- Buffet Restaurant – A casual, help-yourself option with a wide variety of international cuisine, perfect for quick dining
- Other Included Dining Options – Depending on the ship, you’ll find extra spots like poolside snack bars, tapas cafés or Italian restaurants serving tasty meals and snacks at no extra charge
- Speciality Restaurants – For a special treat, these venues offer gourmet dishes with a more intimate atmosphere, for a small extra fee.
- Room Service – Enjoy breakfast in bed or simple meals delivered straight to your cabin for ultimate convenience.
Marella Cruise Restaurants
Here’s a full look at all 21 dining venues available across the Marella Cruises fleet, including which ship they are featured on:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Cost | Marella Discovery | Marella Discovery 2 | Marella Explorer | Marella Explorer 2 | Marella Voyager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47° | Main Dining Room | Included | YES | YES | |||
| Abuelas | Mexican | Included | YES | ||||
| Beach Cove | BBQ | Lunch included, Dinner charge | YES | ||||
| Gallery 47° | Italian | Included | YES | YES | |||
| Islands | Buffet | Included | YES | YES | |||
| Italian @ The Mediterranean | Pizza & Pasta | Included | YES | ||||
| Kora La | Pan-Asian | Charge | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Latitude 53 | Main Dining Room | Included | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Nonna’s | Pizza & Pasta | Included | YES | YES | |||
| Platter | Charcuterie | Charge | YES | ||||
| Silver Fork | Fine British | Charge | YES | ||||
| Snack Shack | Snacks | Included | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Surf & Turf | Steakhouse | Charge | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Sushi Bar | Sushi | Charge | YES | YES | |||
| Tapas @ The Mediterranean | Tapas | Included | YES | ||||
| The Dining Club | Fine Dining | Charge | YES | YES | |||
| The Glass House | Tapas & Light Bites | Included | YES | YES | |||
| The Kitchens | Food Hall | Included | YES | ||||
| The Market Place | Buffet | Included | YES | YES | |||
| Umi Sushi | Sushi & Seafood | Charge | YES | ||||
| Vista | Italian | Included | YES | YES | YES |
There are three dining venues that appear on every ship in the Marella Cruises fleet – these are Snack Shack, Surf & Turf Steakhouse, and Kora La.
Every cruise ship has a main dining room too, and a casual venue that’s either a buffet or a food hall, so you can grab a plate and help yourself to a range of different dishes.
This is a quick summary of each ship and the dining options available:
| Ship | Included Venues | Chargeable Venues | Total Dining Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marella Discovery | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Marella Discovery 2 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Marella Explorer | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| Marella Explorer 2 | 5 | 4 (including one which is free at Lunch) | 9 |
| Marella Voyager | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Now let’s look at each restaurant, so you can see exactly what you get:
47°
Available on: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2
Cost: Included
A contemporary main dining room that serves a mix of international dishes, named after its unique location at the ship’s 47-degree latitude.
Abuelas
Available on: Marella Voyager
Cost: Included
A homely eatery that offers traditional, comfort dishes reminiscent of grandmother’s cooking, with a focus on hearty and familiar flavours.
Beach Cove
Available on: Marella Explorer 2
Cost: Included for Lunch
A relaxed, beach-themed eatery that serves light meals and snacks, ideal for a casual bite in a laid-back atmosphere.
Gallery 47°
Available on: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2
Cost: Included
An upscale, art-themed dining venue located above 47°, serving a range of inventive dishes in an elegant and artistic setting.
Islands
Available on: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2
Cost: Included
An informal, buffet-style restaurant with an emphasis on international cuisine, offering a relaxed dining experience with a wide range of choices.
Italian @ The Mediterranean
Available on: Marella Explorer
Cost: Included
A restaurant dedicated to Italian cuisine, featuring classic dishes from various regions of Italy, in a Mediterranean-themed setting.
Kora La
Available on: All Ships
Cost: £27 per person
An Asian-inspired restaurant featuring a range of dishes from various Eastern cuisines, known for its exotic flavours and spices.
Latitude 53
Available on: Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Voyager
Cost: Included
A traditional main dining room offering a variety of international dishes, known for its welcoming atmosphere and diverse menu.
Nonna’s
Available on: Marella Explorer 2, Marella Voyager
Cost: Included
A cosy Italian eatery that serves homestyle pasta dishes, pizzas, and other Italian favourites in a warm, family-friendly setting.
Platter
Available on: Marella Voyager
Cost: £5.95 to £13.95
This venue specializes in assorted platter servings, offering a variety of cold cuts, cheeses, and other finger foods perfect for casual dining.
Silver Fork
Available on: Marella Voyager
Cost: £37 per person, or £47 per person for the tasting menu
A fine dining venue with a sophisticated ambience, offering an exquisite menu with an emphasis on silver service.
Snack Shack
Available on: All Ships
Cost: Included
A casual spot on the ship for quick bites, offering a range of snacks like sandwiches, fries, and other easy-to-eat treats.
Surf & Turf
Available on: All Ships
Cost: £32 per person
A high-end steakhouse with a menu focusing on premium cuts of meat and fresh seafood, perfect for a special dining experience.
Sushi Bar
Available on: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2
Cost: Included
A dedicated bar for sushi lovers, offering a wide range of sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi in a sleek and modern setting.
Tapas @ The Mediterranean
Available on: Marella Explorer
Cost: Included
A vibrant venue serving a selection of Mediterranean-style tapas, ideal for sharing and trying different small plates.
The Dining Club
Available on: Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2
Cost: £35 per person (regular menu), £45 per person (food and wine pairing menu)
An exclusive, reservation-only venue offering a gourmet dining experience with a focus on avant-garde cuisine and exceptional service.
The Glass House
Available on: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2
Cost: Included
A light and airy venue offering a menu focused on fresh, healthy options, along with a wide selection of wines and cocktails.
The Kitchens
Available on: Marella Voyager
Cost: Included
A dynamic and interactive dining experience where guests can watch their meals being prepared in open kitchens featuring a variety of cuisines.
The Market Place
Available on: Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2
Cost: Included
A buffet-style restaurant with a variety of stations offering international dishes, perfect for guests who enjoy sampling a little bit of everything.
Umi Sushi
Available on: Marella Explorer
Cost: £12
A speciality sushi restaurant offering a range of traditional and innovative sushi and sashimi options prepared fresh to order.
Vista
Available on: Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Voyager
Cost: Included
An elegant Italian-style restaurant with a panoramic view, serving a menu that combines classic dishes with modern culinary techniques.
Do You Need To Book Dining?
Marella operates an open-seating policy, so you can dine whenever you like during opening hours.
It is possible to book a table in the speciality restaurants. These are often quite small, so doing so is advisable. You can do this onboard on the Marella App or at guest services.
How To Order Room Service
You’ll find the room service menu on the Marella app. A copy of it is below. You can use the telephone in your room to place your order.
If You Have A Special Diet…
Marella Cruises caters very well for anyone with special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other allergies and intolderances.
Its advisable to let the cruise line know of your requirements when you book so that they can make sure that you’re well catered for.
You’ll find clear labelling in the buffet and on menus. The crew are also very helpful if you require any further clarificaton.
What To Wear
Dinner on a Marella cruise is generally a relaxed affair, with a casual dress code in most restaurants.
Shorts and flip-flops are fine for the buffet, but in the main dining room and speciality restaurants, guests tend to wear polo shirts, blouses, dresses or trousers.
Most cruises feature a dress to Impress night, where many guests choose to dress up in cocktail dresses or suits, but it’s entirely optional. Overall, comfort is key, but if you enjoy dressing up, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so!
Final Word
As you can see – everyone is well catered to on a Marella cruise, no matter which ship you choose. There are always plenty of options when it comes to venues and also to the choices within each restaurant too – you’ll never get bored.
Are you someone who prefers the sit-down formal dining experience, or do you tend to stick to the buffets when you cruise?
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Marella Cruises offers…
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
