Explora Journeys Sets the Foodie Standard for Luxury Cruises in 2026

Pritam Nath

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As the only cruise line chosen by Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards in the category of Top 10 Cruises for Food and Drink, Explora Journeys has proven its exceptional culinary excellence. The awards showcase Explora Journeys’ ability to provide customers with experiences focused on food and cruise. Such experiences combine travel with dining, which draws increasingly discerning clientele. Explora Journeys has restaurants that serve food in a variety of styles from French to Italian and from Asian to International, in addition to broad in-suite dining and included beverages. A lot of the experiences that customers interact with are incorporated into the cruise, resulting into a more seamless enjoyable luxury experience.

Explora Journeys has incorporated sustainability and quality ingredients in its food based on regional and local influences and varied and specialized dietary needs. Franck Garanger, a Maître Cuisinier de France, is Explora Journeys’ Head of Culinary. With the launch of Explora III and subsequent planned ships, Garanger’s culinary team will maintain the luxury yacht focus and expand the culinary experiences.

Explora Journeys Builds Its Luxury Cruise Identity Around Food

Founded as a luxury cruise brand within MSC Group, Explora Journeys entered the market with a different proposition from the large-scale cruise model associated with mainstream ocean travel. Explora I began sailing in 2023, followed by Explora II in 2024 and Explora III in July 2026.

The ships are designed around spacious accommodation, personalised service and a relatively intimate passenger environment. Explora I, II and III can accommodate up to 922 guests while employing around 640 staff, supporting the brand’s emphasis on attentive service.

Food plays a central role in that positioning. Rather than relying on a single main dining room, the ships offer several distinct restaurants and informal venues, allowing passengers to change their dining experience throughout a voyage.

Six Dining Experiences Give Guests Broad Culinary Choice

Explora Journeys’ restaurants cover a wide range of culinary styles, giving travellers considerable flexibility during their cruise.

Emporium Marketplace provides the broadest selection, with stations offering dishes ranging from oysters and sushi to pizza and burgers. The open preparation concept allows guests to watch chefs working at individual stations, adding an element of theatre to the casual dining experience.

Marble & Co. Grill provides a more traditional premium steakhouse atmosphere, while Fil Rouge focuses on French-inspired dishes and sophisticated pastries. Its breakfast offering includes caviar served with a poached egg, while dinner brings an elegant dessert service.

At Med Yacht Club, the menu draws from Mediterranean traditions, with dishes such as grilled octopus, Spanish tuna salad and Rhodes-style lamb shank. Sakura takes the culinary journey towards Asia, offering dishes including crispy duck leg confit, black cod and dim sum-style sharing plates.

Anthology represents the most exclusive dining concept among the core restaurants. The venue offers an Italian-inspired seven-course tasting menu created by Garanger and carries an additional charge. Reservations are required for Anthology, Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill.

Local Ingredients Strengthen the Culinary Experience

Explora Journeys’ culinary strategy extends beyond offering multiple cuisines. The cruise line has emphasised the importance of using local produce when circumstances allow.

Garanger has highlighted a philosophy centred first on taste, followed by sustainability and price. Regional sourcing can therefore influence menus according to a ship’s itinerary, creating stronger connections between the destination and the onboard dining experience.

This approach is particularly relevant to luxury travellers who increasingly expect their meals to reflect the places they visit. A Caribbean itinerary, for example, can provide opportunities to incorporate regional produce, while voyages in South America can inspire chefs to work with fresh local ingredients.

Vegetarian and plant-based choices are also incorporated into the dining programme, broadening the appeal for guests with different dietary preferences.

New Dining Concepts Expand the Experience

The expansion of the Explora fleet is bringing additional food and beverage concepts. Explora III and Explora IV introduce The Chef’s Table, a private dining experience where menus can be customised for guests seeking a more personalised occasion.

Another addition is Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, where passengers can enjoy lighter treats such as gelato, crepes and salads. Beyond the restaurants, the ships feature multiple bars and lounges serving coffee, beer, wine and cocktails.

In-suite dining adds another layer of convenience. Guests can order food directly to their accommodation, allowing them to enjoy meals without leaving their suite.

Cooking Classes Add An Interactive Culinary Dimension

For travellers interested in learning rather than simply eating, Chef’s Kitchen provides an interactive alternative. The private kitchen accommodates 12 guests and offers cooking sessions overlooking the ocean.

The classes carry an additional cost, but they give food-focused travellers an opportunity to engage directly with culinary techniques and dishes while at sea. This experiential element complements the restaurant programme and reflects the broader shift towards immersive luxury travel.

Luxury Accommodation Complements the Food Programme

The culinary offering is supported by an accommodation concept designed around space and privacy. Explora Journeys does not operate interior cabins, and even its smallest suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces.

The ships also provide spas, pools, hot tubs and entertainment, ensuring that dining forms part of a broader luxury holiday rather than the sole attraction.

For travellers who experience discomfort at sea, the presence of windows and outdoor space may also make accommodation feel more open and connected to the ocean, although individual experiences with seasickness vary.

Explora III Brings the Foodie Proposition to Alaska

Now, the food-focused traveler has the first glimpse of Explora Journeys’ Alaska tour with a planned launch for 2027. Explora Journeys’ first ship to sail Alaska will be the first of its kind to launch in the summer of 2027.

Alaska has many distinctive landscapes that will complement the cruise line’s offerings. With different kinds of seafood and a delicious local food and drink culture, passengers will enjoy the Dutch luxe offerings in an intimate atmosphere.

This recognition from Food and Wine in 2026 is a good addition to the line’s identity. With new ships and more extensive dining options and itineraries, Explora Journeys offers an elevated culinary experience consistent with luxury cruise offerings.

FAQs

1. Which luxury cruise line was ranked best for food in 2026?

Explora Journeys took the No. 1 position in Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards ranking of the Top 10 Cruises for Food and Drink.

2. What makes Explora Journeys attractive to food-focused travellers?

The cruise line offers several restaurants covering international, French, Mediterranean, Pan-Asian and Italian-inspired cuisine, alongside in-suite dining and numerous bars and lounges.

3. Is dining included on Explora Journeys cruises?

Much of the dining programme is included within the cruise fare, including in-suite dining and most drinks, although selected experiences such as Anthology carry additional charges.

4. Which Explora Journeys restaurant offers a tasting menu?

Anthology offers an Italian-inspired seven-course tasting menu created under the direction of Head of Culinary Franck Garanger.

5. Does Explora Journeys offer vegetarian food?

Yes. Vegetarian and plant-based choices form part of the cruise line’s culinary programme.

6. What is Emporium Marketplace?

Emporium Marketplace is the most casual dining venue, offering a wide selection of international dishes prepared across different food stations.

7. Does Explora Journeys offer cooking classes?

Yes. Chef’s Kitchen provides cooking sessions in a private kitchen designed for small groups of up to 12 guests.

8. What is special about Explora III?

Explora III entered service in July 2026 and is scheduled to become the first Explora Journeys ship to sail Alaska from summer 2027.

9. Are Explora Journeys ships designed for large crowds?

The ships are designed around a relatively smaller passenger capacity and a high staff-to-guest ratio intended to support personalised service.

10. Are there interior cabins on Explora Journeys ships?

No. Explora Journeys’ accommodation concept features suites with windows, and even the smallest suites include floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces.