Where to Enjoy Afternoon Tea at Sea
Beccy Miller
Cunard
The quintessentially British line Cunard is famed for their afternoon tea, with white-gloved waiters delivering that ‘White Star Service'. You can savour afternoon tea in a variety of restaurants, but we would recommend the opulent Queens Room for the ultimate experience.
Tea is served every day between 3:30 and 4:30. Butlers circulate the ballroom with a special tea blend, created for Cunard by Twinings, while a harpist or quartet plays in the background. Trays arrive with finger sandwiches, followed by scones with clotted cream and plenty of jam. Afternoon tea is included with your cruise fare and you can upgrade to a Champagne afternoon tea for a small supplement.
Oceania
Oceania never disappoints when it comes to serving up an extraordinary afternoon tea. Held each day at 4pm, usually in Horizons, this observation lounge is transformed into a beautiful tearoom setting laid out with linen topped tables, fine china and silver.
The floor-to-ceiling windows provide fantastic panoramic views as you enjoy a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, colourful petits fours, richly textured scones and a choice of sinful desserts. A classical string quartet nestling into the background of this charming location rounds off the experience perfectly.
Regent Seven Seas
Ultra-luxury brand Regent Seven Seas offer a glamourous take to afternoon tea. All ships in the fleet will provide an afternoon tea service from 4 pm onwards and the events are held in various lounges onboard. Regent includes a “signature” musician to accompany those enjoying the experience.
The selection of food is always fantastic and includes tantalising finger sandwiches, pastries and an excellent choice of tea and coffee. Regent enhances the experience for guests by also incorporating theme days - such as their chocolate teatime, famous for its tremendous choice of chocolate desserts.
P&O Cruises
As you would expect, afternoon tea is hugely popular on the British P&O Cruises fleet. Each ship does serve its own version of afternoon tea, but in The Epicurean restaurant, food hero Eric Lanlard offers his take on an afternoon on it for a small supplement, turning sandwiches and scones into an extravagant feast.
Smartly-dressed waiters present cake stands full of items that are pure food theatre. What may look like a chocolate eclair, is actually a savoury choux bun with a cheesy, pancetta and porcini filling. The scones are infused with orange blossom, or raspberry and raw cacao, and the salmon tarts are delicately flavoured with beetroot and vanilla. A chocolate sphere sprinkled with gold breaks open to reveal chocolate mousse and raspberries macerated in framboise liqueur. Pure heaven!
