5 minute read
Afternoon Tea
AFTERNOON tea at se a
From attentive waiters to self-service selections, there is an afternoon tea to suit any sailor. Marc Shoffman selects some of the best so all you have to decide is what to put on your scone – jam fi rst or cream?
BEST FOR SERVICE
Cunard
Trust a British cruise line to do afternoon tea properly. Cunard passengers can enjoy finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes, chocolate and a choice of plain or fruit scones served on fine china crockery at 3.30pm every day in the stately Queens Room.
A pianist or harpist entertains as white-gloved waiters serve and top up your treats as part of the standard package.
Cunard also offers a chocolatethemed afternoon tea on the Queen Mary 2 that includes Godiva treats such as pralines and white chocolate key lime scones. It’s served between 2pm and 5pm on sea days for £14.95 per person in the Godiva Chocolate Café at Sir Samuel’s.
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Princess Cruises
Similar to Cunard, Princess Cruises’ white-gloved waiters serve premium teas, coffee, cookies, sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and cream. Afternoon tea is served daily at 3.30pm in the main dining room on its standard fare. Attentive servers regularly top up your treats as many times as you, or indeed your stomach, will allow.
BEST FOR COUPLES
Viking
Afternoon tea can sometimes taste better without children running around. One adult-only cruise option is on Viking’s ocean ships, where guests can enjoy afternoon tea in The Wintergarden.
It’s a Scandinavian-designed setting so expect chic furniture and tidy shelves while you tuck into sandwiches, tartlets, scones and macarons presented on a tiered pastry cart. Serving times vary depending on the sailing, but are between 3pm and 5pm for an hour.
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Virgin Voyages
The Sip champagne lounge serves afternoon tea for $19 per person or $35 with a glass of bubbly from 1pm to 4pm every day. It includes loose leaf teas, quirky sandwiches, two plain scones with jam and cream and five small treats, including a slice of rainbow cake.
From top: Godiva treats served on the Queen Mary 2; Virgin Voyages’ Sip champagne lounge; Viking’s Wintergarden
From top: Tea in MSC Cruises’ Top Sail Lounge; Marella Cruises; Disney princesses
BEST FOR EXCLUSIVE AREAS
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises’ premium Yacht Club passengers can experience a traditional afternoon tea as they admire the sweeping sea views in its luxury panoramic Top Sail Lounge. Served by butlers between 3.30pm and 4.30pm every day as part of the Yacht Club package, it includes a three-tiered stand with sweet treats, scones and sandwiches as well as champagne and alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, with plenty of top-ups.
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Celebrity Cruises
Afternoon tea is available for suiteclass guests in The Retreat lounge, part of the high-end resort-style area on Celebrity Cruises’ ships, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm every day, serving premium tea, scones, tarts, cakes, pastries, fruit and sandwiches. It can also be served in your suite if you want more privacy.
BEST FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Marella Cruises
Afternoon tea doesn’t only have to be about traditional scones. Marella’s ships have a West End-themed tea served in the late afternoon with dishes inspired by famous musicals such as the On My Own petit choux and I Like to be in America New York cheesecake. The location depends on the ship but it costs £14.95 per person and is served in a speciality dining room decorated in show posters and memorabilia, where you can choose from six teas and a cocktail.
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Disney Cruise Line
Disney holds a Royal Tea for little princes and princesses on its ships. You’ll have to really love your children though, as it costs $220 for kids and $69 for adults. It’s served at 3pm, and each young guest is sprinkled with pixie dust on entry to the Royal Court with their own crown. Lady Chamomile and Chef Brule entertain with stories and songs as they serve pastries and sandwiches. Little ones also get gifts, and there may even be a visit from a Disney princess.
Left: Service on Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess This page: Afternoon tea on P&O Cruises’ Britannia, designed by master patissier Eric Lanlard
BEST FOR THE BUFFET
P&O Cruises
You can get your afternoon tea fix in many cruise buffets at no extra cost. P&O Cruises serves afternoon tea from 3.45pm in the main dining room and buffet on all its ships, offering finger sandwiches, cakes, pastries and freshly baked scones with jam and cream. A more formal afternoon tea is served in P&O Cruises’ Epicurean Restaurant on Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura and at The Ocean Grill on Arcadia, costing £17.50 per person on board or £14 if you book ahead.
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Royal Caribbean International
There isn’t a traditional tea on Royal Caribbean but it does have an afternoon snack session between 4pm and 5pm, where you will find tasty chocolate cake and treats.
BEST FOR VEGANS
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Most cruises cater for dietary requirements such as vegetarian or gluten-free options for afternoon tea. Fred Olsen, however, has its own dedicated vegan menu as part of its traditional premium afternoon tea, including basil and avocado on white bread, and scones with plant-based cream. Served on sea days, it costs £11.99 per person.
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Saga Cruises
Over-50s cruise line Saga provides regular themed afternoon teas in the buffet and has its own gluten-free and diabetic sections. You may also find Victoria sponges, pavlova or even a chocolate fountain.
