Justin Feldstein Independent travel advisor Book a call →
Dining · Explora Journeys

Every Explora dining venue, what's included, and what's worth paying for.

Explora ships carry nine included culinary venues and a handful of extra-charge experiences. Most of what other luxury lines charge for (the steakhouse, the Japanese room, specialty coffee) is included here. Here's the whole map, with what each one actually serves.

Venue details from Explora's published Ship Guide materials, summarized for advisor reference. Photography: Explora Journeys.

Included with every fare

Fil Rouge, Explora's French-influenced main restaurant

Fil Rouge

All-day main restaurant · French-influenced All ships

The everyday main dining room. French-influenced à la carte, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The default, and on most nights, plenty.

The Mediterranean Yacht Club, Explora's all-day Mediterranean dining venue

Mediterranean Yacht Club

All-day · Mediterranean All ships

Relaxed Mediterranean dining, indoor-outdoor, near the pool. The lunch venue most guests gravitate to on a sea day.

Marble & Co, Explora's steakhouse

Marble & Co. Grill

Steakhouse All ships

The steakhouse. Dry-aged cuts, a marble-topped room, the closest thing to a classic chophouse at sea. Included, which is unusual; most lines charge for the steakhouse.

Sakura, the Japanese sushi bar aboard Explora

Sakura

Pan-Asian · Japanese All ships

Pan-Asian with a sushi bar. Multiple early reviewers name it the strongest specialty room on the ship, ahead of the steakhouse. Worth a standing reservation.

Emporium Marketplace

Market-style · all-day All ships

The market-hall buffet, reimagined. Chef stations rather than steam trays. Breakfast and lunch workhorse, far better than the word 'buffet' implies.

Crema Café, Explora's coffee and pastry bar

Crema Café

Coffee & pastry All ships

Espresso, pastries, and the gelato-and-light-bites stop between meals. Included specialty coffee, no per-cup charge.

Explora Lounge

Afternoon tea · light bites All ships

Afternoon tea and light all-day bites in the main lounge. The civilized in-between option.

In-Suite Dining

24-hour room service All ships

Full 24-hour in-suite dining, included. On the Residence tiers, courses can be served sequentially by your Host.

Gelateria & Crêperie / Shore Club on 11

Casual · ship-dependent I & II: Gelateria & Crêperie · III–VI: Shore Club on 11

The ninth included venue changes by ship. Explora I and II have a Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory; Explora III onward replaces it with Shore Club on 11, a beach-club-style restaurant. You don't choose, the ship does.

Worth paying extra for

Four experiences carry a charge. None is a markup on something you'd otherwise expect free. They're genuinely separate experiences. Anthology is the one most guests choose.

Anthology, Explora's chef-hosted tasting-menu restaurant

Anthology

Signature Italian fine dining · extra All ships

The chef-hosted signature room, led by Head of Culinary Franck Garanger. A seasonal Italian tasting menu with optional wine pairing. Tasting menu and pairing are the only dining charges most guests will see, priced in EUR even on the US site; live USD on inquiry.

The Chef's Kitchen

Hands-on experience · extra All ships

An immersive, hands-on session for twelve guests, guided by the chefs. Ingredients, techniques, traditions. Booked as an experience, not a meal.

The Chef's Table

Private dining · extra Explora III & IV only

Private dining where you build the menu with the chefs from scratch. Sized for an intimate group; usually booked for a celebration. Exclusive to Explora III and IV.

The Cellar

Wine bar · extra Explora III onward

A wine bar guided by Cellar Masters. Old World classics, New World favourites, rare vintages by the glass. New from Explora III.

Bars & lounges

The Malt Whisky Bar aboard Explora

The Malt Whisky Bar

Whisky & cocktail bar All ships

A serious whisky list and a quiet room to drink it in. Pours are included up to the premium tier; rare bottles priced separately.

Lobby Bar

All-day bar All ships

The central all-day bar. Coffee in the morning, aperitivo in the evening. Included.

Astern Lounge

Aft lounge & bar All ships

The aft-facing lounge with the wake view. The sunset-drink spot. Included.

Sky Lounge

Observation lounge & bar All ships

The high, forward observation lounge. Quiet by day, a nightcap room after dinner. Included.

Want a dining-forward voyage recommendation?

If the food is the reason you're considering Explora, and for a lot of Aman and Belmond buyers it is, I can point you to the voyages and suites that make the most of it, and get you the Anthology and Sakura reservations that book out first.

Book a 30-min Pre-flight or see the full inclusions breakdown →