Marella Cruises Dining Guide: Inclusive Dining and Standout Speciality Restaurants
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 19 September 2026
Tom catching up with the fantastic crew at Silver Fork on Marella Voyager
🚢 Sponsored by Marella Cruises
One of the reasons we keep returning to Marella Cruises is the simplicity. Once you are on board, most holiday essentials are already taken care of, so there are no surprises when it comes to dining. Whether you are enjoying a 3-course dinner in the main restaurant or tucking into the Marella fan favourite fish and chips by the pool, food forms a central part of the onboard experience.
Having sailed on nearly every ship in the fleet over the years, we have found that Marella strikes a practical balance between value and variety. Alongside the generous complimentary dining included in your cruise fare, each ship offers speciality restaurants that feel like a genuine treat without carrying the steep cover charges often seen elsewhere at sea. Whether you are travelling as a couple, with friends, or as a family, Marella Cruises' relaxed approach makes it easy to eat where you want, when you want, and with whoever you choose.
See the Discount Codes & Terms & Conditions page for full terms.
Marella Cruises Dining at a Glance
Dining with Marella Cruises centres around flexibility and ease. Rather than locking guests into traditional schedules with rigid sittings and designated tables, Marella operates an open-seating approach across all included dining rooms, letting you choose when and where you wish to eat each day.
Your cruise fare covers an extensive selection of dining options from early morning until late evening. Multi-course waiter-service dining rooms serve regional classics, international flavours, and contemporary British dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fleetwide, guests can also enjoy Piccadilly's, a dedicated British gastropub concept tucked within the main restaurant spaces, serving elevated pub favourites like steak and ale pie, roast chicken dinners, and nostalgic puddings as part of the all-inclusive fare.
Alongside the waiter-service dining rooms, spacious buffets offer relaxed casual dining throughout the day, whilst poolside grab-and-go spots serve classic fish and chips, sandwiches and burgers just steps from your sun lounger.
More from Tom and Dom Travel
Our Marella Voyager SILVER FORK REVIEW! Did It IMPRESS?
We were fortunate to be invited to dine in the Silver Fork on Marella Voyager. This is a premium speciality dining venue available exclusively on Marella Voyager. There are two menus to choose from and we opted for the Taster Menu and were surprised by the unique and innovative courses that were on offer.
Settling in for dinner at Vista's restaurant on board Marella Voyager
Fleet Dining Breakdown: Highlights by Ship
While signature favourites appear across multiple vessels, every ship in the Marella fleet retains its own distinct culinary personality.
Marella Voyager: Showcases an innovative food hall concept alongside traditional waiter-service venues. Latitude 53 acts as the grand main dining room, featuring sweeping wake views and daily changing 3-course menus, while Vista occupies the mezzanine level, celebrating authentic Italian pastas and regional specialities. The Kitchens introduces a stylish food hall presenting eight distinct stations spanning freshly carved roasts, hearty curries, hand-crafted pies, and light noodle bowls. You also have Nonna's for made-to-order pizzas, Abuela's for vibrant Mexican street food, and the Snack Shack for poolside classics. Speciality venues aboard Marella Voyager include fleet favourites Surf & Turf Steakhouse and Kora La, plus a unique venue to the ship: the elevated British dining room Silver Fork.
Marella Explorer: Pairs lively eateries with sophisticated signature venues. Latitude 53 and Vista deliver the central two-tier main dining experience, pairing contemporary evening dishes downstairs with regional Italian cooking on the upper gallery. The Market Place serves as the primary buffet restaurant for casual breakfasts, lunches, and themed dinners, while The Mediterranean provides a versatile glass-roofed space splitting into an Italian pizza kitchen on one side and a Spanish tapas bar on the other. Quick bites are always on hand at the poolside Snack Shack. Speciality options include Surf & Turf Steakhouse, Kora La, handmade rolls at Umi Sushi, and multi-course dining at The Dining Club.
Tom browsing the delicious steak options at Surf & Turf on board Marella Discovery
Marella Explorer 2: This adults-only vessel offers a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere across all its dining spaces. Latitude 53 and Vista provide elegant open-seating dinners with scenic views, while The Market Place features live omelette stations at breakfast and evening carvery cuts. For daytime grazing, Nonna's pizzeria bakes fresh pizzas throughout the afternoon, and the Snack Shack serves fast-food favourites, grab-and-go wraps, and salads right by the sun loungers. Speciality dining onboard centres around the seared cuts and lobster tails at Surf & Turf Steakhouse, the fragrant Asian flavours of Kora La, and the elegant tasting menus at The Dining Club.
Marella Discovery: Celebrated for its airy layout and expansive glass walls, this ship's iconic two-storey dining room features 47° downstairs serving international menus, while Gallery 47° upstairs serves antipasti, fresh pastas, and regional Italian favourites, with the gastropub concept Piccadilly's also on hand nearby for British classics. Islands provides a bright, spacious buffet area complete with show-cooking demonstrations and daily afternoon tea. The Glass House serves deli sandwiches and rotisserie chicken inside a sunlit conservatory by day, transforming into evening tapas and hot-stone sharing boards, with the Snack Shack covering quick poolside bites. Speciality dining includes Surf & Turf Steakhouse, Kora La, and a dedicated Sushi Bar.
Marella Discovery 2: From November 2026, this ship becomes a dedicated adults-only vessel alongside Marella Explorer 2, giving it a more grown-up atmosphere throughout. It shares Discovery's dining line-up (the two-tier 47° and Gallery 47°, Piccadilly's, Islands buffet, and The Glass House), with the same speciality options: Surf & Turf Steakhouse, Kora La, and a dedicated Sushi Bar.
Get Your Free Printable Cruise Packing Guide
Take the stress out of preparing for your next sailing. Grab our comprehensive cabin checklist, tried and tested to make sure you never leave an essential behind.
You will also receive our latest honest ship reviews, practical cruise tips, and destination guides delivered straight from Tom and Dom to your inbox.
Whether it is your first cruise or your fiftieth, travel smarter with Tom and Dom. Unsubscribe at any time.
The fantastic galley team taking centre stage during the traditional chefs' parade in 47°
Standout Speciality Dining & Pricing Guide
While complimentary dining comfortably caters for your entire cruise, reserving a table at a speciality restaurant makes an evening at sea feel extra special. Rather than unpredictable dynamic rates, Marella standardises its speciality cover charges across the fleet.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse: A fleet-wide favourite catering to meat and seafood lovers alike. In our experience, the 28-day aged cuts, grilled lobster tails, and selection of flavoured salts and compound butters are consistently well-executed. Typical cover charge: £32 to £37 per person.
Kora La: Showcasing fragrant dishes created in partnership with chef Ian Pengelley. The menu journeys through South and East Asia with duck and watermelon salad, slow-cooked beef rendang, and spiced king prawns. Typical cover charge: £27 per person.
Silver Fork: Exclusive to Marella Voyager, this venue delivers an upscale tribute to contemporary British gastronomy, featuring imaginative interpretations of beef Wellington and roasted game. Typical cover charge: £37 per person.
The Dining Club: Available on Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2, this refined venue serves dishes like chateaubriand and seared scallops in champagne butter, with a wine-pairing option offered on Dress to Impress night. Typical cover charge: £35 to £45 per person.
Sushi Bars / Umi Sushi: The go-to spot for Japanese artisan bites across the fleet. Typical cover charge: £15 to £25 per person.
Note: Speciality dining prices can vary according to itinerary, date, availability, and time slot, so it is best to check the current rates when booking.
Sail with Us! Our First Ever Group Cruise 🚢
After years of sharing our adventures on YouTube, we’re hosting our very first group cruise, and we want you there!
Join us aboard Cunard’s stunning new ship, Queen Anne, for a 7-night Spain & Portugal voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton on 24 October 2027.
Expect exclusive Tom & Dom Travel events, beautiful ports, and the chance to cruise with fellow channel fans.
Tom and Dom at Lisbon's iconic Portas do Sol viewpoint, with Queen Anne anchored on the glittering Tagus
Tom relaxing in the poolside beach huts whilst waiting for lunch at Snack Shack
Our Top Dining Tips
Pre-Book in Advance: Marella recommends reservations, and many can be booked approximately 6 months before departure through Marella Cruise Control to avoid disappointment.
Plan Around Key Evenings: Speciality restaurants fill up quickly on sea days and during Dress to Impress night, so booking during your first 24 hours on board is sensible.
Enjoy Included Afternoon Tea: Daily afternoon tea is served in the buffet venues across the fleet, complete with finger sandwiches, warm scones, clotted cream, and cakes. If you fancy something special for a small supplement, try the highly rated Musical Afternoon Tea.
Relaxed Daytime Dress: Shorts, t-shirts, and casual resort wear are completely welcome across all buffet and open-deck eateries, keeping daytime packing simple.
Our Verdict on Marella Cruises Dining
Dining remains one of Marella Cruises' greatest strengths. While some cruise lines lean heavily into extra cover charges, Marella continues to provide a dependable variety of included dining options across its fleet.
The balance of flexible open-seating times, diverse venues, and sensibly priced speciality options helps make holiday dining straightforward. Having enjoyed memorable meals across Marella Voyager, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, and Marella Discovery, one of the reasons we continue recommending Marella to our community is the genuine value it delivers. Whichever ship you choose, you will find far more choice than many first-time cruisers expect.
Ready to taste it all for yourself? Browse the latest Marella sailings and book your next cruise getaway today. Explore Marella Cruises Deals
See the Discount Codes & Terms & Conditions page for full terms.
Before you go... check these out next:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book dining venues in advance on Marella Cruises?
Main dining rooms like Latitude 53 and 47°, along with Piccadilly's and all buffet venues, operate on an open-seating basis, allowing you to walk in whenever you wish during opening hours. For speciality restaurants like Surf & Turf Steakhouse or Kora La, we recommend reserving via Navigate once you embark.
Are dietary requirements catered for on board?
Yes. Marella caters for a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, sugar-free/diabetic, and dairy-free diets. Menus clearly indicate allergens, and the restaurant teams will happily arrange bespoke options if you speak with the maître d' on embarkation day.
Is there a formal dress code for dinner?
Evenings are smart-casual in the waiter-service dining rooms, meaning swimwear and sportswear are not permitted after 6:00 PM. Each 7-night cruise includes a Dress to Impress night where guests can dress in formal attire if they wish, though taking part is entirely optional. The regular restaurant dress codes are Beachwear, Casual, and Smart, with Smart venues requiring guests to avoid sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts.
Can children dine in the speciality restaurants?
Yes, children are warmly welcomed across all speciality venues fleet-wide, with early-sitting arrangements applying to younger children in some (with the exception of Marella Explorer 2, and Marella Discovery 2 from November 2026, as dedicated adults-only ships). Smaller portions or children's menus can be prepared by the galley teams upon request.
Can I upgrade my drinks package to pair with dinner?
Standard all-inclusive fares include a wide range of wines, beers, spirits, and soft drinks with meals. Guests seeking premium branded spirits, upgraded cocktails, and speciality coffees can opt for the Premium All Inclusive package, which is typically around £12–£14 per person, per day.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
