Marella Cruises Dining Options: What’s Included and What Costs Extra

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

Most people book a cruise for the destinations or the ship, but let’s be honest, the food is a huge part of the decision.

Marella Cruises is known for its all-inclusive pricing, which sounds simple on the surface. But when it comes to dining, what’s actually included isn’t always as obvious as people expect.

I’ve cruised with Marella and spent a lot of time figuring out which restaurants are genuinely included, which ones cost extra, and which are worth paying for. Some are an easy yes. Others look tempting but don’t always deliver the value you’d hope for.

In this guide, I’ll break down every Marella Cruises dining option, what you can eat without paying a penny more, and the places you might want to think twice about before booking — because there’s one dining detail that catches a lot of cruisers out.

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 à 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:

1. Main Dining Room – Classic and contemporary dishes served in an elegant yet relaxed setting, with full table service
2. Buffet Restaurant – A casual, help-yourself option with a wide variety of international cuisine, perfect for quick dining
3. 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
4. Speciality Restaurants – For a special treat, these venues offer gourmet dishes with a more intimate atmosphere, for a small extra fee.
5. 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
Picadilly’s	Gastropub	Included	YES	YES	YES	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		YES
Vista	Italian	Included			YES	YES	YES

There are four dining venues that appear on every ship in the Marella Cruises fleet – these are Snack Shack, Surf & Turf Steakhouse, Kora La and Picadilly’s.

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	6	3	9
Marella Discovery 2	6	3	9
Marella Explorer	7	4	11
Marella Explorer 2	6	4 (including one which is free at Lunch)	10
Marella Voyager	7	4	11

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: £18.95

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.

Booking Dining on Marella Cruises

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.

Some items are included as part of your cruise fare, while others may carry a small delivery or menu charge depending on the ship and time of day.

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 intolerances.

It’s 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 clarification.

Special dietary needs can also usually be accommodated in speciality restaurants, but it’s best to speak to the venue staff in advance.

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

Marella Cruises offers one of the strongest all-inclusive dining experiences at sea, especially for British cruisers who value variety, flexibility and good value for money. Whether you prefer relaxed buffet dining, casual snack venues or the occasional speciality restaurant, there’s plenty of choice on every ship.

With most food included in your fare and speciality restaurants priced reasonably, it’s easy to mix things up without constantly checking your onboard account. Add in open seating, flexible dining times and good options for special diets, and it’s a setup that works well for couples, families and first-time cruisers alike.

If food matters to you on a cruise, Marella delivers far more than many people expect.

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