Royal Dutch Tea

[happytotravel]

Hi,

I just read on Cruise industry news that HAL is introducing their royal dutch tea.  See https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/05/holland-america-line-introduces-new-royal-dutch-tea/

Looking forward to it.

happytotravel

[Cruise Suzy]

Of the sandwiches, only the shrimp one is new - and I don't care for any of them! (Coronation Chicken was developed for Queen Elizabeth II's 1952 coronation.) I do like Afternoon Tea and go nearly every Sea Day.

Edited May 23 by Cruise Suzy

[QuattroRomeo]

This new focus on the Afternoon Tea holds out some hope for improved quality. The last 2 times we tried it, it wasn't very good. Years ago it was. Of course it can vary from ship to ship, like all of the food offerings! Thanks for the information!

[foodsvcmgr]

Along with Dutch Night menus, glad to see HAL attempting in some ways to capitalize on their heritage.

With the near total homogenization of the superior mass market that has occurred since the ‘70s when the national flag carriers (French Line, Italian Line, Swedish America etc.) disappeared it’s not a bad marketing idea to resurrect.

[FlaMariner]

on our Oosterdam cruise last month, the afternoon tea's (on sea days) had a different theme ......Dutch, Queen Elizabeth, Indonesian....and other themes I cannot recall....

 

We enjoy the Dutch heritage on Holland America Line....and glad to see them promote it more frequently.....

 

 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

It sounds good.

[syesmar]

I am so glad to read that Royal Dutch Tea is being revived on HAL! The new menu looks delicious. THANK YOU, HAL, for listening to our feedback!

 

Here’s a Thread about Afternoon Tea on HAL.

[Blackduck59]

Thanks for the link. We tried what they called "Afternoon Tea" on our Zaandam cruise, late summer last year. It really didn't live up to my idea of what "Afternoon Tea" should be. The Tea stands were already on the table, service was not what I would expect. We had a couple seated late at our table which was fine, but they didn't bring out a fresh stand for them, they were just expected to make do with the picked over stands already on the table. It was just lame really. Guests should be seated, shared tables are fine. Then bring the goodies, one stand per 2 people. If there is a late addition to the table get them a fresh serving. I just hope that along with the "Improved" menu, they get a more appropriate level of service.

Edited May 24 by Blackduck59
typo

[Sir PMP]

Enjoy:

[POA1]

While I appreciate Dutch High Tea, I really long for Dutch Low Lunch with all the deep fried Holland Health Foods.

 

And mayo for my fries, of course.

[happytotravel]

Hello Sir PMP,

 

Love the photo.  Those were the days.  The fashions were quite different on board then.

Thanks again, happytotravel

 

[Sir PMP]

16 minutes ago, POA1 said:

While I appreciate Dutch High Tea, I really long for Dutch Low Lunch with all the deep fried Holland Health Foods.

 

And mayo for my fries, of course.

I don't know about health..

[ItsJulesYo]

Tried the tea today. It was kind of different because everyone filed in at 3pm but not all of the tables had tea treats. Maybe half? Less than half?

 

Waited 20 minutes, no other tea trays seemed forthcoming and two different waiters (why no waitresses?) were unable to say anything about ETA so I left and got fries at the Dive In. Nice fries!

 

I asked the guest services desk when I was getting a non-functional card fixed and they couldn't tell me if this was the first time for the Royal Dutch Tea or not but I suspect it'll get better as it gets more routine.

 

 

Edited May 26 by ItsJulesYo

[happytotravel]

Hi ItsJulesYo,

 

What ship are you on? happytotravel

[Nancy&Frank]

We were very disappointed with Afternoon Tea on the Nieuw Statendam in February.  What happened to scones and clotted cream ???

[SilvertoGold]

On 5/24/2024 at 7:40 AM, POA1 said:

While I appreciate Dutch High Tea, I really long for Dutch Low Lunch with all the deep fried Holland Health Foods.

 

And mayo for my fries, of course.

"Of course" and I agree. And then, a nap, please.

[syesmar]

On 5/27/2024 at 10:37 PM, Nancy&Frank said:

…What happened to scones and clotted cream ???

What items did they serve instead in February? I wonder if scones and clotted cream would be available upon request, given their popularity?

[Nancy&Frank]

They weren't available when we were on in February as we did ask.  They served very pedestrian cookies.

[syesmar]

@Nancy&Frank thanks. I would have wanted the scones and cream as well! I hope something has changed since then in that regard.

Edited May 29 by syesmar

[Overhead Fred]

Pate de Choux Tea on Nieuw Statendam in April 2024.

 

From the Rotterdam in April 2023:

Dutch Tea

 

Indonesian Tea

 

"Regular" Afternoon Tea (maybe?)

 

It seems like the bottom sandwich layer doesn't change a whole lot, the middle layers vary somewhat, and the top layer changes completely to go with the tea "theme".

 

[hummingbird_206]

Where is the Dutch High Tea served?  MDR?

[Haljo1935]

11 minutes ago, hummingbird_206 said:

Where is the Dutch High Tea served?  MDR?

Yes

[JeffElizabeth]

4 hours ago, Overhead Fred said:

Pate de Choux Tea on Nieuw Statendam in April 2024.

 

From the Rotterdam in April 2023:

Dutch Tea

 

Indonesian Tea

 

"Regular" Afternoon Tea (maybe?)

 

It seems like the bottom sandwich layer doesn't change a whole lot, the middle layers vary somewhat, and the top layer changes completely to go with the tea "theme".

 

Thanks for the pictures.