Afternoon tea – Is it just for a special treat?

Have you ever been out for afternoon tea?

I recently received a gift for afternoon tea in the Radisson Edwardian hotel in Manchester.

What a lovely surprise! I took my mum and daughter so we made a girly day of it. First a little shopping, a nice walk in the squares of the city and then afternoon tea! What a wonderful day!

The hotel is beautiful and the room was bright with tables for 2 and a few for larger groups. I didn’t realise how popular it was until we arrived to find every table was occupied!

We had a choice of traditional or gentleman’s afternoon tea. We had one of each!

Traditional was a selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes and macaroons.

Gentleman’s was fish and chips, beef in a Yorkshire pudding and pork pie (all miniature size).

Funnily enough I then switched on the TV the other night and Master Chef was on and one of the challenges was to prepare the perfect afternoon tea for a group of ladies from the women’s institutes who are all experts at making cakes and not shy when it comes to saying what they think! It’s not as easy as it looks creating the perfect mouth size piece of heaven!

This tradition dates back to the early 19^th century when most people only dined twice a day. A big breakfast in the morning and then nothing until early evening when diner was served. Anna the duchess of Bedford was said to have invented afternoon tea because she would experience an afternoon lull and the perfect ‘pick me up’ was a lovely cup of tea with a small selection of snacks!

Don’t be misled by the wording ‘small selection’ it is a feast like no other and before you know if your indulgence has taken over!

So what is it like on board a cruise ship?

Most cruise lines offer afternoon tea at least once a week, some every day.

On my MSC Transatlantic cruise to Rio, about 4pm snacks were served. Small sandwiches, cakes and treats. It was perfect after returning back from a day visiting Lisbon or Barcelona and just enough before diner at 8.45pm. You have to be very disciplined as you help yourself to the treats! It was more like a buffet service really, but still I enjoyed every mouthful!

Now Cunard is much more traditional. You will be served by waiters wearing white gloves. It’s lovely! Even though you are served a collection of sandwiches and cakes, the volume is much more than a light bite so be prepared. I dined on the Queen Victoria and was not disappointed. This tradition is very popular on the transatlantic sailing on the Queen Mary 2. A very British experience loved by every nationalities!

Azamara had just started to trial afternoon tea when I sailed with them just over 4 years ago. There was a British officer on board who I think had a strong influence in this new venture. They really went to town with sculptures and a magnificent buffet all in the looking glass which is located on the top deck! The setting was perfect with spectacular views.

We soon tired of tea so treated ourselves to a little cocktail!

Have you ever had afternoon tea on a cruise line?

What did you think?

Is afternoon tea and indulgence or something you do quite often?

I would love to hear from you

[email protected] or 0800 408 6135

Rosie xx