Afternoon Tea at Sea……

Did you know its Afternoon Tea Week from 14 August??   No?  nor did I to be honest……….

Afternoon tea has become more popular than ever as hotels get huge boost in business thanks to the brew.  After years of coffee shops springing up on high streets across the country, the humble brew is fighting back. In fact, afternoon tea has become such big business for hotels and cruises , that sittings are often found to be full. My Wife has been nagging me to take her for afternoon tea, maybe I should see what all the fuss is about when were on a cruise later this year! Below I have listed what you would expect on the following cruise lines.

Fred Olsen – A traditional afternoon tea service – a further enhancement of the on board cruise experience, offers just that. Guests who take advantage of this service will enjoy views from our stylish Observatory Lounge with musical accompaniment from our on board pianist and other classical musicians, while a selection of premium teas from Taylors of Harrogate will be offered, served in porcelain pots, along with elegant finger sandwiches, dainty pastries and warm scones with jam and cream.

P&O Cruises – Afternoon Tea is available on all our ships. Afternoon tea is included in the fare and is served in the one of the restaurants on board. On board their newest ship Britannia, award-winning master patissier ‘Cake Boy’ Eric Lanlard will be part of the new Market Café and create Britannia’s new Champagne afternoon tea which will be held in the Epicurean Restaurant on sea days.  Afternoon tea with Eric Lanlard will start from £15 (subject to change) and will be bookable from 120 days prior to your sailing date on the Cruise Personaliser.

Oceania Cruises – As a classical string quartet plays softly in the background, the staff glide through the room presenting bountiful four-tiered pastry carts filled with freshly made finger sandwiches, colorful petits fours, richly textured scones with clotted cream, and wonderfully sinful desserts. Of course, a tempting selection of traditional and herbal teas is the essential centerpiece of this splendid afternoon pastime.

Princess Cruises – All ships offer Princess’ trademark British-style afternoon tea daily, complete with tablecloths, gleaming Samovars, easy listening music in the background, and tea boxes for herbal and specialty teas. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cookies, biscuits and cakes served by white-gloved waiters in smart, formal attire. Tea service can also be enjoyed al fresco on the Promenade Deck as waiters stroll the deck with a fully stocked tea cart.

Thomson Cruises Afternoon tea is complementary to all guests and served daily, with the exception of your embarkment and disembarkment days.

And finally Cunard traditional cruising at its best, delivers a legendary afternoon tea service. Best of all its complimentary and served daily on all Three Queens, from 3:30 pm till 4:30 pm. (expect embarkment days) The on-board tea sommelier will help you choose your perfect brew of Twinings. The menu includes – mint, celon, jasmine, orange pekoe and the classic English breakfast tea. The choices of sandwiches include – salmon cream cheese, roast beef with horseradish and prawn salad. The afternoon tea service is topped off with the scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, fruit tarts and éclairs.

I like sandwiches and cake as much as the next person but are there better or other things I could be doing on board?? Let me know your thoughts. Afternoon Tea or poolside Barbecue?

I’m hungry!

Haydn