Afternoon Tea On Cruise Ships

[HookedonCruising 21]

P&O certainly did afternoon tea on Arcadia a couple of years ago but I wouldn't be in a rush to try it again. It was not the relaxed affair you expect. It was served in a small area of the MDR and staff couldn't wait to get rid of you as they were busy setting up for evening service. Scones , cakes and sandwiches were all of the 'chunky' variety and we had the impression they were just getting rid of stuff that had been left over from the self service restaurant. 

[Shar 0]

Princess cruises do afternoon and I think it would be a shame if they stopped them. It's great to go to when on a sea day and also when you've been off the ship for the day and you are too late for lunch

[John1942 6]

P & O serve the worst afternoon tea of all the ships, in their main dining room you have a side plate and along comes the waiter with sandwiches, immediately followed by the waiter with hot tea cakes and then the waiter with the scones and  all to stack on a small tea plate. If you want to meet fellow passengers for a chat over a cup of tea fine, but that's about it.

Eric Landlard's  afternoon tea on P & O is quirky and very expensive, once was enough!

Much prefer Cunard's afternoon tea but there is usually a long queue/line to get seated.

[Dozydo 18]

On second sitting for dinner where it can be 9.0pm before you get any food, afternoon tea is essential.  We don't want burgers etc - just something to help out until our mealtime 

[Lynn Connelly 4]

I personally am very impressed with Fred Olsen's afternoon tea. It is a self service buffet as against white glove service but the selection of sandwiches and cakes is really good. I would certainly miss this as I rarely have lunch, so find this a pleasant way to spend an hour in the afternoon, especially on at-sea days.

[MB alone 22]

On 2017-6-8 at 10:23 AM, Furby said:

I was only aware of cunard doing a seperate served afternoon tea as such, I know p&o have afternoon tea options in the buffet but not a served afternoon tea? I think fred olsen do it too, but dont think any of the big american ones do? correct me if i am wrong lol, its a very british tradition.

Fred Olsen do a White Glove served Afternoon Tea certain days in the  Observatory Lounge. Every day there is afternoon tea in the buffet area. self service.

[Lolacat 16]

I agree with several others; Cunard do the best afternoon tea! We have it once per cruise, and skip lunch on that day! Regent Seven Seas also do a good afternoon tea, but sweet things only. no sandwiches or other savouries!

[DottieAnne 1]

I just love afternoon tea on the Princess ships.  It's a special part of the day for me but I don't have it every day and I try to miss lunch if I'm going to have tea.  Just love the lovely little sandwiches/rolls and cakes and of course, those delightful mini scones with cream and jam. 

[Sunseeker 1]

Afternoon tea on P & O ships is essential for us on sea days. Would be very sorry to see the tradition disappear.

[Deeps 0]

Oceania Cruises do a very nice afternoon tea - better than Cunard

[Ketteringhamc 4]

We always try to have one afternoon tea I'm MDR on PO but as we always go for first sitting then when we have afternoon tea we either miss our evening meal at 6.30 and have a late snack in the cabin or book for a later meal in the beach house.

i must say though the once we were on Queen Vicoria and had afternoon tea there it was superb and we were not rushed, whereas we find that PO seem to want to get it over with as quickly as possible.  So therefore afternoon tea. On Cunard is a grander affair than on PO.

iIt would be a shame if it was discontinued.

[Nimrod 34]

Afternoon tea on Ciunard ships is just one more of those lovely traditions I would really hate to see disappear and makes the whole experience just a little bit more special. Although it is not something we do every day while on a cruise it is well worth sacrificing breakfast and/or lunch for.  When we went ashore on our first day in Australia we had sailed and landed in a cyclone we tried to make the most of it despite hideous weather but how nice it was to come back to the ship and sit in the ballroom, although windswept and wet and be served a delicious afternoon tea while a excellent pianist played as if nothing at all was happening outside!!! Maybe eccentrically British and a bit reminiscent of that 'Carry On' film where they continued with 'Tiffin' while the Embassy was attacked but sometimes       being "eccentrically British" is not such a bad thing I feel.

 

[Femeu 0]

On 08/06/2017 at 10:23 AM, Furby said:

I was only aware of cunard doing a seperate served afternoon tea as such, I know p&o have afternoon tea options in the buffet but not a served afternoon tea? I think fred olsen do it too, but dont think any of the big american ones do? correct me if i am wrong lol, its a very british tradition.

I sailed round Mexico  last year on  a Carnival ship. And they served afternoon tea each day, in the restaurant, served to you by the waiters. Lovely. 

[Davybe 529]

On 6/11/2017 at 10:47 AM, HookedonCruising said:

P&O certainly did afternoon tea on Arcadia a couple of years ago but I wouldn't be in a rush to try it again. It was not the relaxed affair you expect. It was served in a small area of the MDR and staff couldn't wait to get rid of you as they were busy setting up for evening service. Scones , cakes and sandwiches were all of the 'chunky' variety and we had the impression they were just getting rid of stuff that had been left over from the self service restaurant. 

I have a fond memory of afternoon tea on Arcadia ,we were sat on the Promenade in the Caribbean when the waiters  came with a trolley loaded with Cake and sandwiches, and a nice cup of tea   ,wonder if they still serve it on the prom deck .. we did try the afternoon tea in the MDR ,never went back for another Ok  but as you say a bit rushed.Davybe 

Edited June 13, 2017 by Davybe

[graphostar 10]

As a second sitting diner, I would really miss my served afternoon tea. I don't particularly enjoy the buffet option as much - it doesn't have the same 'afternoon tea' feel about it. 

For first sitting diners I can appreciate it wouldn't be a miss because I wouldn't be able to manage to eat dinner so soon after afternoon tea either....is this just another rumour or has it been confirmed yet? 

Graphostar

[shirvic 11]

As we have first sitting, I enjoy the cakes or tarts and a drink  in the buffet at 4pm.  Afternoon tea would be too much for me.   Arcadia tarts were beautiful, the pastry so crisp.   April to May 14th this year.

[micradot 21]

Never do afternoon tea

[BobTroll 43]

Princess still offer afternoon tea every sea day in one of the restaurants.  Furthermore, they serve gluten free sandwiches and scones upon request.

Edited July 2, 2017 by BobTroll

[Grill Britannia 0]

Agree with Jenjen, Dancing Queen and Davybe. Always a big dilemma on Cunard.. whether to have lunch or Afternoon Tea and to my shame.. sometimes both? (We are always 2nd dining.) We did enjoy the experience in the dining room on P&O as well but it is really not to be missed on any of the Cunard ships as in addition to the buzz and atmosphere in the Queen's Room, there is always a musical accompaniment. I am sure that this is a tradition that will be maintained on Cunard at least. Fred Olsen photos also look good. Still to experience that. Have also experienced the wonderful Betty's in Harrogate which is absolutely excellent. Much bigger portions all round there. Also recommend the Willow (Mackintosh) Tea Rooms up here in Glasgow if any of you make it up our way? Looking forward to my Afternoon Tea(s) later on this month on the QM2.

 

[Grill Britannia 0]

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2017 by Grill Britannia
Duplicate post due to inactivity on the site I mistakenly thought my post had not been uploaded.

[Grill Britannia 0]

Duplicate post due to inactivity on the site I mistakenly thought my post had not been uploaded.

Edited July 2, 2017 by Grill Britannia
Duplicate post due to inactivity on the site I mistakenly thought my post had not been uploaded.

[mehravs 9]

On 6/8/2017 at 10:41 AM, Furby said:

maybe I have missed that on P&O then as in recent years I have not noticed it being served, will look out for it on the 24th august when im on Oceana

We were on Oceana, early this year, and they did afternoon teas in the Adriatic restaurant.

[bigrog 10]

We would definitely miss it,it is an excellent feature on any cruise.

[micradot 21]

Don't do afternoon tea. Too much stodge. Prefer early dinner.

[Nelderwoman 0]

Maybe stop it on port days

but nice on Sea Days if ur on late dinner