High Tea

[VMax1700]

A nice cup of tea means only one thing - Mrs Doyle (and Father Ted!)

 

[cabland]

Like others we were summarily unimpressed with our bland tea on the Koningsdam this year.  Having said that, it was still a better value than the overrated tea we had at the Empress in Victoria.  While the sandwiches and deserts had actual flavor at the Empress, the whole experience was underwhelming....especially for the price.

[Blackduck59]

37 minutes ago, cabland said:

Like others we were summarily unimpressed with our bland tea on the Koningsdam this year.  Having said that, it was still a better value than the overrated tea we had at the Empress in Victoria.  While the sandwiches and deserts had actual flavor at the Empress, the whole experience was underwhelming....especially for the price.

You won't find many locals shelling out for "Afternoon Tea" at the Empress. There are better options, but the Empress has "The Room" it is (or was) a grand space. I don't think much of the renovations.

I actually built the large roll top tea carts in The Empress, I have never gone to the Empress for "Tea", the price is simply prohibitive.

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

23 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

You won't find many locals shelling out for "Afternoon Tea" at the Empress. There are better options, but the Empress has "The Room" it is (or was) a grand space. I don't think much of the renovations.

I actually built the large roll top tea carts in The Empress, I have never gone to the Empress for "Tea", the price is simply prohibitive.

 

 

They didn't comp you a tea as a thank you? I know they must have paid for the carts, but still...

[Blackduck59]

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

They didn't comp you a tea as a thank you? I know they must have paid for the carts, but still...

 

Maybe they comped my boss I don't know. I know I never got anything except my pay, and the satisfaction that I built them.

[neeuqdrazil]

On 9/19/2023 at 12:37 PM, BigMattT said:

The mass market vs premium vs luxury line distinctions are increasingly blurry since COVID. I think HAL is much more of a “serene and steeped in tradition mass market” than Premium or Luxury these days. (Not necessarily a bad thing.)

 

I haven’t sailed on Cunard, but it strikes me as a premium or luxury line than mass market.

 

I've sailed on both Cunard and HAL, and they're relatively similar in terms of the overall offering. Cunard does definitely position themselves as a premium line, but when you're on board, the differences are minimal. (I may have a different opinion after I sail on Queen Victoria (which is a Vista class, just like Zuiderdam and her sisters) this coming winter, as I've only sailed QM2 thus far.) 

 

HAL does do more of the mass market 'multiple daily announcements of what's going on' than Cunard does, and there does seem to be more of a focus on shopping and the casino on HAL than there is on Cunard. 

[BobbiSox]

Dragged husband to his first 'tea' and sorry I did. We were seated next to a table of four tank-topped men. Never saw so much underarm hair, and chest hair peeking out in any dining venue. A dress code of some kind may exist, but HAL being HAL, it's never enforced. We got up and left. If I wanted to see hairy men I would have gone on Carnival. 

[BigMattT]

48 minutes ago, BobbiSox said:

Dragged husband to his first 'tea' and sorry I did. We were seated next to a table of four tank-topped men. Never saw so much underarm hair, and chest hair peeking out in any dining venue. A dress code of some kind may exist, but HAL being HAL, it's never enforced. We got up and left. If I wanted to see hairy men I would have gone on Carnival. 

 

Oh no! Why did you have to ‘drag’ your husband to tea? Why didn’t he want to spend time with you? 
 

Thank goodness you were able to excuse yourself and get back to depilating.

[SargassoPirate]

7 hours ago, BobbiSox said:

Dragged husband to his first 'tea' and sorry I did. We were seated next to a table of four tank-topped men. Never saw so much underarm hair, and chest hair peeking out in any dining venue. A dress code of some kind may exist, but HAL being HAL, it's never enforced. We got up and left. If I wanted to see hairy men I would have gone on Carnival. 

When there is no enforcement and the lack of enforcement becomes known, chaos results.  Speed limits, shoplifting, dress codes, you name it.

 

On HAL several years ago I saw a guy who had obviously come down from the Melanoma Deck to get a "to go" plate from afternoon tea.  Thankfully he was turned away.

 

 

[Heidi13]

14 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

You won't find many locals shelling out for "Afternoon Tea" at the Empress. There are better options, but the Empress has "The Room" it is (or was) a grand space. I don't think much of the renovations.

I actually built the large roll top tea carts in The Empress, I have never gone to the Empress for "Tea", the price is simply prohibitive.

 

 

Lyle - we went to the Empress during a quick trip over in February, as it was the only one available at short notice. Totally underwhelming and grossly overpriced.

 

In August, we booked our prefered White Heather Tea Room in Oak Bay, so our grandson could experience Afternoon Tea, as well as pub fare. Sadly, they have new owners and the quality and service have deteriorated significantly. Won't return, so now looking for a new tea room for our next trip to the Island. 

[Blackduck59]

34 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Lyle - we went to the Empress during a quick trip over in February, as it was the only one available at short notice. Totally underwhelming and grossly overpriced.

 

In August, we booked our prefered White Heather Tea Room in Oak Bay, so our grandson could experience Afternoon Tea, as well as pub fare. Sadly, they have new owners and the quality and service have deteriorated significantly. Won't return, so now looking for a new tea room for our next trip to the Island. 

That's too bad Andy, we really enjoyed White Heather. We will keep an eye out for other options. Or you may find a local who can lay on tea 😉

[Heidi13]

22 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

That's too bad Andy, we really enjoyed White Heather. We will keep an eye out for other options. Or you may find a local who can lay on tea 😉

 

Will fill you in offline on the experience.

[ladyj1138]

It's such a shame how little attention HAL pays to their afternoon tea.  There is so much they could do to make it much more of an event, something to be truly looked forward to, at very little extra cost to them.  Improvements to the food, an actual selection of teas (one of which could be a HAL specific blend), more attention to the table settings/atmosphere, and tie-ins to the locations the ship is visiting.  

 

It's also disappointing that a table for two and a table for four both receive a single set of (very) small bites to share, no duplicates.  Hard to split those little finger sandwiches four ways... 

 

Lots of room for improvements.  We have so many ideas at our house after our Alaska sailing a couple of weeks ago, I wish they'd listen. 

[Vict0riann]

We enjoy afternoon tea more at Butchart's than at the Empress.  But the Alaska cruise ships are coming in so late these days (lower speeds required to protect the whales) that there probably isn't time to go out there, or too late in the day.  Dinner is nice there, too.

[Kristal Blade]

28 minutes ago, ladyj1138 said:

It's such a shame how little attention HAL pays to their afternoon tea.  There is so much they could do to make it much more of an event, something to be truly looked forward to, at very little extra cost to them.  Improvements to the food, an actual selection of teas (one of which could be a HAL specific blend), more attention to the table settings/atmosphere, and tie-ins to the locations the ship is visiting.  

 

It's also disappointing that a table for two and a table for four both receive a single set of (very) small bites to share, no duplicates.  Hard to split those little finger sandwiches four ways... 

 

Lots of room for improvements.  We have so many ideas at our house after our Alaska sailing a couple of weeks ago, I wish they'd listen. 

These are terrific ideas. You need to get on the board of directors, Ladyj. Or maybe get a position as F&B consultant.

This is a great thread, so many terrific suggestions for tea time venues in ports.

[ladyj1138]

16 minutes ago, Kristal Blade said:

These are terrific ideas. You need to get on the board of directors, Ladyj. Or maybe get a position as F&B consultant.

This is a great thread, so many terrific suggestions for tea time venues in ports.

Thank you! I'd LOVE to do that.  But I don't think they're interested... Anyone know who I should talk to at HAL? 

[Vict0riann]

I don't know why the selection of teas is not automatically offered on HAL any more, but it is easy enough to ask!  I always request a decaffeinated tea, and am brought a selection.  As far as the goodies,  that also is just a matter of requesting another stand, or two!  They usually also have GF, vegetarian, etc., if requested.

[robotpony]

40 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

As far as the goodies,  that also is just a matter of requesting another stand, or two!

 

We were at a shared table last week and one couple ordered 3! The items were all good (and a few of the desserts great), though nothing compared to tea at various Fairmont hotels and teahouses in Victoria. 

 

The tea is fairly typical, and there are other selections if you ask. For us, though, tea time is more about a quiet moment in the afternoon, or to meet new people. The snacks and tea are a medium for that and not a destination. 

[DE Solo]

3 hours ago, ladyj1138 said:

It's such a shame how little attention HAL pays to their afternoon tea.  There is so much they could do to make it much more of an event, something to be truly looked forward to, at very little extra cost to them.  Improvements to the food, an actual selection of teas (one of which could be a HAL specific blend), more attention to the table settings/atmosphere, and tie-ins to the locations the ship is visiting.  

 

It's also disappointing that a table for two and a table for four both receive a single set of (very) small bites to share, no duplicates.  Hard to split those little finger sandwiches four ways... 

 

Lots of room for improvements.  We have so many ideas at our house after our Alaska sailing a couple of weeks ago, I wish they'd listen. 

One can always request a second tiered stand of tea sandwiches/cakes/scones. I have never been turned down. Agree that options of types of tea would be greatly appreciated.

[syesmar]

15 hours ago, DE Solo said:

One can always request a second tiered stand of tea sandwiches/cakes/scones. I have never been turned down….

I have a funny story (at least to me:>) about tea time at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria. It was 2007 and we spent time in BC prior to our very first cruise. We had heard so many good things so we wanted to go (I even had a coupon so how could I resist!). We had been warned it was a hearty meal so we decided to go later in the afternoon so the Tea would be both our lunch and dinner.

 

We had been told it was all-you-can-eat and our server told us that he would be happy to refill items as needed. We “cleaned house” so to speak of the first Tea Tier as we hadn’t eaten in 7 hours and were extremely hungry. When the server returned later, my husband said, “we’ll take another one!” The server then dramatically proceeded to gasp, grab his chest in disbelief and took a step back. We then realized we had committed a faux pas. The server said he would be happy to bring items one at a time but he couldn’t bring out another tray all at once. So we ordered our seconds one by one. We still get a good laugh when we think about that day at the Empress. Although the cost was considerably less then than it is now it was a splurge for us and we quickly realized the value in cruising, as back during those years, HAL’s Royal Dutch Tea was excellent and actually comparable to what we experienced that day at the Empress.

 

Fun times!

[paulco]

Tea at the Empress last fall, did not indulge, twas $95, had  a beer and an app for $20 in the elegant bar instead.  Loved it!

[Blackduck59]

The whole concept of what most people think of as "Afternoon Tea) is that it should be an "event" with the price some purveyors charge the service should be impeccable. This is what changes a plate of sangys, biscuits and sweets into something grand. They become elegant morsels with flavourful fillings artfully displayed to engage the eyes. The biscuits are now "scones" (hopefully without raisins) freshly baked, soft and buttery melt in your mouth good. Each sweet should be a little creation that looks as good as it tastes. Each person at the table should be offered a selection of teas which should come in a pot and the first cup poured by the server who would leave the pot at the table. These are the things that make a plate of sandwiches "afternoon tea"

[Vict0riann]

And for what you pay for tea at the Empress plus tip, you can have a whole day on a cruise ship!

[Blackduck59]

2 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

And for what you pay for tea at the Empress plus tip, you can have a whole day on a cruise ship!

That depends on where your cabin is on the cruise ship, we have yet to cruise for $110.00 (CDN) per person per day. That being said afternoon tea at the Empress must be a cash cow because many people seem to be willing to pay the tariff for the experience (as locals we don't get it). I can spend a fraction of the price and create tea for four and enjoy an afternoon of conversation and good food for ourselves and a couple of guests. I can also set a very nice table with vintage china, silverware and fine crystal.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm a little jaded about the price of Afternoon Tea because I sail Cunard a lot and a very nice afternoon tea is free. Okay, I paid for it in my fare, but it feels like it's free. 

 

I do understand that preparing a tea is labor intensive, with multiple kind of sandwiches and sweets, as I've done it. But I find it hard to justify paying the high prices charged by the Empress, Fairmont, Grand Hotel (on Mackinac Island, smallest scones I have EVER seen), etc. They charge what the market will bear. It's a thing to do, a special experience for a special day or a vacation treat. 

 

My idea of a travel treat is finding a really good patisserie. Or a bar with local beer.