Victoria - Tea at the Empress

[Darlee50]

Hi guys. My time in Victoria is from 8 am to 2 pm. Victoria tea at the empress starts at 11 am which is what I booked. I always wanted to try afternoon tea. Do you think I should cancel this because it is cutting too close or would I have enough time to get back to the ship. 

[Heidi13]

If starting at 11:00, you should have plenty of time to get back to Ogden Point by 13:30.

[martincath]

Agree with Andy - the timing isn't an issue at all. Despite the hefty cost, the amount of nibbles means unless you deliberately linger you'll be in and out in an hour or less - it's not a meal, just a little carb-heavy 'pick me up' that's supposed to give you the energy to keep up witty banter with your guests until a civilized dinner time! The issue with Tea at the Empress is that they just keep racking the price up higher and higher - it's $89 per person now, and that's the No Booze/No Cheese version!

 

As well as being all significantly better value, there are also other options that might serve you earlier if you're genuinely worried about timing - Murchie's or White Heather tearooms serve all day and are both better-rated on Yelp etc. than the Empress at a fraction of the price; Abkhazi Garden is much less well-known than Butchart so should be nice and quiet and again scores better than Empress teas for way less cash and in a delightful garden not a hotel lobby... Even Butcharts tearooms, if you're visiting the garden, offer more substantial portions than the Empress and at less than half the cost.  Unless you enjoy being in a large, loud room with a crapload of other tourists, you'll likely enjoy yourself more in one of these other venues - Pendray Manor fits even better with the authentic Ye Olde Englishe vibe for taking tea than the Empress does if you would prefer a building to a garden/greenhouse type surrounding.

[Darlee50]

Thanks for letting me know that the timing would not be an issue. I would look up the ones you mention Martincath to see if I would prefer to go to those instead. 

[cruiseryyc]

Abkhazi Gardens gets my vote, do make a reservation (this applies to any of them).

 

Actually any of the ones Martincath win over the Empress for all the reasons they stated.