Afternoon Tea anyone……..

There are lots of fantastic dining options on board many cruise ships now a days and you have so much choice it can make your head spin sometimes.

Do you opt for Italian , the buffet restaurant or a touch of Teppanyaki or go all out for the steak house. These are all great but I have to say one of my favourite spreads on board a cruise has to be afternoon Tea.

I have experienced a few different ones through the years but by far the best service was when I went on a short cruise with Crystal.

The white glove service and classical choir in the background gave the whole experience such a touch of class. The servings were perfect and a selection of teas and sandwiches made it so special.

It almost felt like being transported back in time when cruising was all about the food and service and grandeur of it all.

Well luckily for those of us who don’t quite have the purse strings to afford six star luxury like Crystal lots of mainline cruises also offer high tea .

If like me you fancy a little treat on-board and would love to spend your afternoon nibbling away on cucumber sandwiches then here is my top guide of cruise lines who will offer you this.

HOLLAND AND AMERICA – offers two different afternoon tea events, each occurring once during 7- to 10-night sailings: Royal Dutch Tea and Indonesian Tea. You’ll head to the dining room for each event. Additionally, a regular, more casual afternoon tea service takes place every day.

PRINCESS – Princess serves up ‘British-style afternoon tea’ everyday, across the whole fleet. Complete with special touches –  white tablecloths, hot water served from Samovars, and tea boxes filled with herbal and specialty teas. Your finger sandwiches, cookies, biscuits and cakes are served to you by white-gloved waiters in smart, formal attire – to really give you a sense of occasion.

CUNARD – Tea is held daily, with the exception of embarkation day, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in various locations across its fleet, including its crystal chandelier-clad ballrooms and intimate Grill lounges.

OCEANIA – Teatime every day at 4 p.m. in Horizons, an observation lounge with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that afford inspiring, panoramic views. Waiters transform this venue into a traditional tearoom with linen-topped tables, fine china and silver. A classical string quartet plays discretely in the background.

DISNEY – Disney offers the Royal Court Royal Tea on Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic sailings.Families gather for an afternoon snack while princesses tell stories, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Little ones don tiaras or swords and shields (which they get to keep at the end) for the royalty-inspired multicourse tea service.

P&O – During the complimentary daily tea, P&O waiters serve a wide selection of finger sandwiches, traditional homemade British cakes, biscuits and fruit tartlets, as well as plain and flavoured scones with jam, butter and Devonshire clotted cream. You’ll also enjoy toasted teacakes and warm English crumpets. Twinings specialty loose-leaf teas are served, including traditional afternoon, English breakfast, Earl Grey, assam, darjeeling and lapsang souchong.

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