AfternoonTea

[yankeenurse]

What is afternoon Tea like on the Ecstacy?

[Garth2]

It's pretty much the same on all of the ships.  It's a chance to meet new people and sample finger sandwiches and deserts and it's relatively quiet.

[obx_fintoo]

On most of the Fantasy class ships, Tea is in the Piano Bar on Sea Day around 3-3:30.  When my daughter was little, this was one of her favorite things to do.  She would dress up and get finger sandwiches, tea and yummy sweets.  

 

Now, most people don't dress up.  I don't think there is a dress code, but it can be a nice, quiet relaxing break.  Enjoy!

[crewsweeper]

However, tea isn't as "high tea" as it used to be.  Tea is bag tea like you get on the lido buffet. Desserts vary but are small. DW said no finger sammies on Dream last week.

[xDisconnections]

11 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

However, tea isn't as "high tea" as it used to be.  Tea is bag tea like you get on the lido buffet. Desserts vary but are small. DW said no finger sammies on Dream last week.

It’s still closer to a traditional high tea on the more upscale cruise lines.

[bury me at sea]

56 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

However, tea isn't as "high tea" as it used to be.  Tea is bag tea like you get on the lido buffet. Desserts vary but are small. DW said no finger sammies on Dream last week.

 

No cucumber sandwiches?  They were my favorite.

[brookeq]

There were cucumber sandwiches on the magic a few weeks ago.   

They also have a selections of better teas to pay for.   Under $2.   

[Butterbean1000]

We have always meant to do this, but never seem to make it.  Is it every day or just on sea days?

 

[bury me at sea]

2 minutes ago, Butterbean1000 said:

We have always meant to do this, but never seem to make it.  Is it every day or just on sea days?

 

Sea days, in my experience.

[GradUT]

It's a pale imitation of its former glory.  If you have nothing better to do, it's fine.  But I suggest packing a few of your own favorite teas and taking them to afternoon tea with you as you will be charged for anything that's not a bag of plain black tea.  

[Clarasgrandma]

We thought it was relaxing and enjoyable.  My favorite thing was the fresh strawberries....most of the sweets weren't very good imo.

[Markmom18]

12 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

However, tea isn't as "high tea" as it used to be.  Tea is bag tea like you get on the lido buffet. Desserts vary but are small. DW said no finger sammies on Dream last week.

 

  I was on the Dream first week of April. My son & I got there late, only about 45 minutes left. But, he had the free time from work, so off we went.  

 

I figured we were too late for the finger sandwiches. Well, it really didn't matter ... these were the desserts I chose. I'm sorry but 2 out of the 3 were SO hard, they were inedible. The larger cake looking dessert ----eh?! 

 

  I'd never gone, but wanted to. Well, I can cross that experience off the list!

  🌸🌸 Bobbi 

[mosiegirl]

8 hours ago, brookeq said:

There were cucumber sandwiches on the magic a few weeks ago.   

They also have a selections of better teas to pay for.   Under $2.   

Yes.. and be wary of this..  we used to enjoy the tea time on the ships years ago.. but on our last cruise last year, we both picked a tea, ripped open the packet, dunked it in our hot water,  and THEN the waiter came asking for our room cards.. yikes!   we had no idea the bags we picked had the "surcharge".. until it was too late.. so be wary.. and ask first.

[naxer]

We finally got around to doing one on the Splendor last year.  We decided we won't do it again.  Oddly, we found it not relaxing.  And yes, the way they charge for the tea bag is kind of tacky.  

[leela8]

Typical cruise line scenario Something was real nice, they get cheaper with it and make it not nice anymore and the people will not like it then they can cancel it. No more tea time all those costs disappear. Using yesterdays stale desserts will keep people away for sure

[leela8]

Even Holland is getting CHEAP with the afternoon tea.

[mek]

13 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

 

  I was on the Dream first week of April. My son & I got there late, only about 45 minutes left. But, he had the free time from work, so off we went.  

 

I figured we were too late for the finger sandwiches. Well, it really didn't matter ... these were the desserts I chose. I'm sorry but 2 out of the 3 were SO hard, they were inedible. The larger cake looking dessert ----eh?! 

 

  I'd never gone, but wanted to. Well, I can cross that experience off the list!

  🌸🌸 Bobbi 

That looks much better than what we have been served on our last two Celebrity cruises.

[Markmom18]

Well that's the key word here "looks" 😂😂!!

 

[AAAAmerican]

If they do not provide a Good CupA Tea , tell your Travel Agent as well in the Comment Cards. Ask for Quality Teas before you Book and PAY.

 

Why should we have to Bring Our Own Teas?

 

Cunard part of Carnival does have them and do not charge extra.

[linbobky]

the last afternoon teas we have been on with carnival has been a real treat. they also have a veterans reserved table for the tea. very nice and very good. carnival does the most for the veterans.

[Elaine5715]

22 hours ago, mek said:

That looks much better than what we have been served on our last two Celebrity cruises.

They look great but are tasteless.  I save tons of calories.

[Elaine5715]

10 hours ago, AAAAmerican said:

If they do not provide a Good CupA Tea , tell your Travel Agent as well in the Comment Cards. Ask for Quality Teas before you Book and PAY.

 

Why should we have to Bring Our Own Teas?

 

Cunard part of Carnival does have them and do not charge extra.

I would be happy if they brought hot water at the proper temp to make tea

[nybumpkin]

10 hours ago, AAAAmerican said:

Cunard part of Carnival does have them and do not charge extra.

DH and I will be aboard QM2 for 3 weeks in July. For what it costs I would hope they don't charge extra for tea.😮

 

I wouldn't mind the extra charge if I liked the tea selection.  I tried one of their "Art of Tea" choices and really didn't care for it, and thereafter opted for plain old Lipton. I'd be perfectly happy with an Earl Grey or Darjeeling. As for food, I've always enjoyed the scones.

[sanmarcosman]

1 hour ago, nybumpkin said:

DH and I will be aboard QM2 for 3 weeks in July. For what it costs I would hope they don't charge extra for tea.😮

 

I wouldn't mind the extra charge if I liked the tea selection.  I tried one of their "Art of Tea" choices and really didn't care for it, and thereafter opted for plain old Lipton. I'd be perfectly happy with an Earl Grey or Darjeeling. As for food, I've always enjoyed the scones.

I like the scones as well. They are supposed to be plain. Some people seem to think they are a sweet dessert food. We think scones are used as a means to put the sweet, freshly prepared clotted cream on 😉 I hope for your sake Cunard - Carnival does a good job with afternoon tea. In May of '88 on a QE2 crossing we found their tea lackluster but to be fair after spending two weeks travelling the U.K. by car we got somewhat spoiled enjoying good afternoon teas. 

Bon Voyage

[AAAAmerican]

2 hours ago, nybumpkin said:

DH and I will be aboard QM2 for 3 weeks in July. For what it costs I would hope they don't charge extra for tea.😮

 

I wouldn't mind the extra charge if I liked the tea selection.  I tried one of their "Art of Tea" choices and really didn't care for it, and thereafter opted for plain old Lipton. I'd be perfectly happy with an Earl Grey or Darjeeling. As for food, I've always enjoyed the scones.

Dear nybumkin,

 

Yes the QM2 is great , the only Oceanliner afloat.

 

They have 24 Kennels and a great Kennelmaster. In the Pub acropss from the no CRAPS Casino it has greeat Pub Food/Fish and Chips/ Smashed peas etc..

 

The TEAS normally held in the Queens Room are some of the very best on any of the lines.

 

 

I normally appreciate the Earl Greys at tea. They never charged us extra.

 

Lipton BTW used to have a unique tatse but they must have changed the Tea Leaves.. egh...