If you’re heading off on a cruise onboard the Marella Discovery sometime soon, you might be wondering what the food options are like. Here’s a low down on all the eateries on the ship, and what we thought of them!
Main Dining Room
The main dining room on the Marella Discovery is a beautiful and elegant space where you can enjoy delicious meals in a formal setting. The menu features a variety of dishes, including classic favorites and international cuisine, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a decadent dinner, the main dining room has something to offer.
There are no specific sittings for your evening meal onboard the Marella Discovery. So you can dine at a time to suit you every night. Perfect for if you have a long day ashore and want a rest and a change of clothing before eating. We enjoyed all the meals we ate in the MDR, though we often ate elsewhere on the ship – so that we could try a variety of places and also due to our tastes.
Specialty Restaurants
If you’re looking for something a little more special, the Marella Discovery also has a number of specialty restaurants to choose from. The ship features a Steakhouse, a Mediterranean restaurant, and an Asian-fusion restaurant, each with its own unique menu and atmosphere. Dining at one of these specialty restaurants is the perfect way to treat yourself to a special meal on your cruise.
Gallery 47
Gallery 47 is an Italian themed restaurant situated at the top of the main dining room which is included in the cruise fare. There are two menus that are rotated throughout the cruise, so there’s plenty of choice if you choose to dine here more than once. We thoroughly enjoyed eating in Gallery 47 – particularly as we had enjoyed some days in Italy as part of our itinerary.
The Glass House
Similarly, The Glass House is a Mediterranean themed restaurant which is included in the cost of the cruise. This is situated to the side of the indoor pool and serves dishes such as tapas, pasta and pizza. Tables are limited and can’t be booked in advance so do be prepared to show up early or wait to be seated. We could not fault the food in The Glass House at all but the service was some of the worst we had ever experienced at sea. Unfortunately, it put us off so much that we didn’t eat here again during our 14 night cruise.
Surf and Turf
This is Marella Discovery’s steakhouse restaurant. It’s somewhere we’d usually avoid due to me being vegetarian. However, Mr Wright is a big meat eater so we decided to give it a go. From the outset, we had great service. The vegetarian options were incredible so it’s a pity that we hadn’t tried the Surf and Turf on previous cruises. One thing I would say is if you’re eating here then you should definitely turn up hungry! As well as the usual three courses, we were served a lot of bread and other extras! It was well worth the extra cost.
Kora La
We first experienced the Kora La restaurant on the Dream so we were quick to book in again for our trip on Discovery. Again, this restaurant carries a small surcharge but it is well worth it. It’s a pan-asian themed menu with loads of great options. Another benefit of the Kora La is the view. Located on deck 11, the restaurant is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows – great for watching the sunset while you eat! Our second outing to Kora La did not disappoint – again we both came away stuffed, having tasted the best curries we had ever tried!
Kora La also boasts a small sushi bar. We didn’t try the sushi as this is not to our liking – but it’s worth knowing about if sushi is your thing!
Casual Dining
For a more casual dining experience, the Marella Discovery has a number of options to choose from. The ship features a typical self-service buffet restaurant, a snack shack and during the day (and late at night) The Glass House offers casual dining options.
The buffet restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes from around the world, including a selection of hot and cold items, and a selection of desserts. Each night takes on a different theme so you won’t encounter the same thing day in, day out. Many foods on offer are similar to those in the main dining room – giving you the chance to enjoy the meal in a more casual setting.
Meanwhile The Glass House offers a lighter lunch option. Here you can find a range of salads, rotisserie chicken and pizzas, as well as some sweet treats. The carrot cake is a must! Late at night, The Glass House is the place to go if you have the munchies when everywhere else has closed!
The Snack Shack
This is situated on deck 9, tucked away outside near the pool. On a morning, it’s the place to go for a takeaway hot breakfast sandwich, yoghurt pot or fruit. As the day progresses, there are lots of grab and go sandwich or salad box items (handy for when you’re going on shore) as well as hot foods such as burgers, hotdogs, fish & chips and even Mac & cheese! You can even find a few sweet treats here.
Drink Options
No dining experience is complete without a refreshing drink. The Marella Discovery has a variety of bars and lounges to choose from, including a coffee bar, a pool bar, and a champagne bar. Whether you’re looking for a coffee to start your day, a cocktail to enjoy as the sun sets, or a glass of wine to pair with your meal, you’ll find plenty of options on board. Many drinks are included in the price of the cruise as it’s all inclusive as standard. Though you can upgrade to a premium drinks package for an extra fee. We have never needed to do this as there’s more than enough choice on the standard all inclusive for us. Where we have wanted a premium drink, it’s been more cost effective to pay for them individually as opposed to taking the premium package.
In conclusion, the Marella Discovery offers a wide range of dining options to suit every taste and occasion. From the elegant main dining room to the specialty restaurants, casual dining options, and various bars and lounges, you’ll never go hungry or thirsty during your cruise. With so many delicious options to choose from, you’re sure to find something you love on the Marella Discovery.