Taking culinary excellence to new depths with Explora Journeys
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Explora Journeys is the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group.
With remarkable itineraries that blend renowned destinations with lesser-travelled ports, Explora Journeys inspires discovery in all its forms, including gastronomy.
Guests aboard Explora I can enjoy six restaurants and 12 bars and lounges that draw inspiration from around the globe.
With hundreds of beautiful pink cherry blossoms suspended through wood-panelled ceilings, Sakura is a fusion of Pan-Asian cuisine that spotlights Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian flavours and ingredients.
An open-concept kitchen lets guests see their dishes come to life, as chefs artistically assemble everything from prime grade 5 Japanese wagyu beef tataki to a zesty lime pavlova. A sake sommelier and a curated menu of Japanese liquors round out the offerings.
Craving a meticulously marbled steak? Marble & Co. Grill draws inspiration from the finest European steakhouses featuring some of the rarest cuts of meat at sea. Grilled prime rib aged on-site for 30 days, as well as elevated sides like crushed fingerling potatoes cooked in Normandy butter are just some of the mouth watering options available at this dinner-only spot, found on deck five.
In case the porthole windows didn’t already give it away, the Med Yacht Club was inspired by lazy, sun-soaked days spent seaside in the Mediterranean. Dishes on the family-style menu pay homage to the ingredients and flavours found in Italy, Spain, Greece, France and North Africa. Try the grilled octopus atop a bed of green beans and San Marzano tomato, or opt for the restaurant’s sweet take on a caprese salad—cherry tomatoes, strawberries, pesto and a generous hunk of creamy burrata.
On deck two, guests will discover the Emporium Marketplace, a culinary hub of all-day dining experience. Sample a range of cuisines from around the world for breakfast, lunch or dinner, from freshly-caught seafood pulled straight from the Mediterranean Sea, to hand-rolled tortelloni generously stuffed with ricotta cheese.
At Fil Rouge, haute French flair comes alive. Indulge in French favourites like the signature dish: a tuna tataki finished with crispy tomato-olive tart, grilled vegetables and vanilla white pepper. Fil Rouge is located on deck four and is open for breakfast and dinner. A sophisticated wine menu, as well as an à la carte dessert cart done tableside add to the romance of this intimate restaurant.
For those seeking an immersive dining experience, Anthology is not to be missed. From March through June 2024, diners will indulge in a seven-course tasting menu curated by chef Claude Le Tohic, who is part of Explora’s rotating guest chef program. The set menu, which costs an additional EUR 190 (plus EUR 75 for optional wine pairings), focuses on modern French cuisine inspired by the Californian coast, a nod to Le Tohic’s own culinary training and technique.
Sample dishes include the Citrus, a mandarin sorbet served with silky lemon cream and grapefruit compote, and the Caviar Composition, featuring hamachi tartare.
Additionally, for an extra fee, at the Chef’s Kitchen, guests can hone in on their own cooking skills alongside Explora’s most-celebrated chefs.
Restaurant reservations can be made up to two months (60 days) in advance and booked with a Travel Ambassador. For guests seeking comfort and convenience, in-suite dining service is available 24/7 at no extra charge.
For more information, or to plan your own culinary journey with Explora Journeys, visit www.explorajourneys.com.
