Afternoon tea on board?

[melsdt]

melsdt, You could become one in a flash.. It's fun!

I belong to the Red Hat Society and we do Afternoon Teas plus High Teas. Once you tried it, I think you would enjoy it!

High Tea= High, regular tables at dinnertime, where meats are included in a light meal, plus pastries or pies, and tea are served.

Afternoon Tea= Low tables, (like a coffee table) filled with pastries, dainty sandwiches, and tea.

The afternoon tea is more formal and is served mid-afternoon.

It's the ambiance, the conversations, and the quiet music that we enjoy. Dressing up for tea is part of the fun. You don't need to REALLY dress up...slacks are always fine!! :)

Let's hope they bring back afternoon tea aboard all ships!

 

Sounds like fun! I like to dress up!!! Let's start a petition!! :D

[sea-cruise]

Sounds like fun! I like to dress up!!! Let's start a petition!! :D

ok!!! We're a team!

[raina*faith]

Having tea onboard sounds so wonderful! I wish they did do this on the Explorer of the seas! I wanna sign the petition too! My bridal shower was an afternoon tea and I loved it!!

[BunkerVA]

As someone who *LOVES* tea (and drinks anywhere from 3-8 cups a day!) I would love to see RCI do proper afternoon or high tea!!! They did it on NCL when we sailed on the Norway...

 

i agree. The afternoon snack in the Windjammer is good, but it just isn't the same as an afternoon or high tea. It's about the atmosphere.

 

My second recommendation to RCI would be to SERVE A DECENT TEA! Lipton does not a good cup of tea make. (In my opinion) Then I won't have to bring my own! (I have gotten a funny look or two when asking for a cup of hot water after dinner and producing my own tea bag!) Also proper teapots would be nice too...I've always been delivered a carafe of hot water...that tasted like coffee. Yes, you can wash it, but you just can't get that taste out when it is used for coffee all day, every day!

 

Ahhh...glad to get that off my chest :D

 

Safe Travels,

Sam :D

[mommabean]

I checked my not so great pictures of Tea time on Carnival. There were no white gloves used. And the tea WAS Lipton - various types. I do have to give them credit for trying.

 

The Tazo brand from Starbucks or the Might Leaf brand served at the Ritz would be better selections for me. There might be some better teas from the UK but that might be asking a bit much. I would settle for Lipton though if RCI would just serve a proper tea.

 

Sam, What brand of tea would you suggest?

 

Gina

[BunkerVA]

The Cafe on Majesty served Tazo brand, but you had to buy the bags. The freebies are Lipton. (sorry...ick.) I enjoy the tazo Chai and Calm. I'd even bring my own tea bags if RCI would do a proper tea!!!! (with teapots!!!!!)

[dellas1000]

The best afternoon tea i experienced was on Silversea. You walked into a room and were greeted by staff wearing white gloves. They escorted you to a table and then offered you tea and scones with fresh clotted cream. Over the other side of the room was a guy playing a piano but not loud just background music. Then you could get up and go to a table with finger sandwiches and you pointed to what you wanted and a staff member held your plate and carried it back to the table for you.

 

To be honest it was a bit too much as after the cruise I was dying to do something for myself and pick my own food.

 

I do love afternoon tea though and wish RCI would offer this in the dining room around 4pm even twice during a cruise.

[BunkerVA]

As for brands: Tazo would be fine. I also enjoy Republic of Tea, Adagio, Golden Moon, Mighty Leaf, Harney and Sons, Choice Organic... (Honest Tea is yummy iced tea!)

 

No Lipton, no Red Rose!!

 

I like a strong (but not bitter) black tea and also *REALLY* enjoy Chai. Check out Upton Imports for some unique blends http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/home.asp

 

I think, as not many are tea drinkers, all we will get is Lipton.

 

What are your favs Gina?

 

Sam :D

[BunkerVA]

The best afternoon tea i experienced was on Silversea. You walked into a room and were greeted by staff wearing white gloves. They escorted you to a table and then offered you tea and scones with fresh clotted cream. Over the other side of the room was a guy playing a piano but not loud just background music. Then you could get up and go to a table with finger sandwiches and you pointed to what you wanted and a staff member held your plate and carried it back to the table for you.

 

To be honest it was a bit too much as after the cruise I was dying to do something for myself and pick my own food.

 

I do love afternoon tea though and wish RCI would offer this in the dining room around 4pm even twice during a cruise.

 

I doubt I would ever be able to afford a Silversea cruise, but it sounds divine!!!!

 

We should all write a letter to RCI. Tea drinkers of the world UNITE!

 

Sam :D

 

Yes, I really am the tea freak I seem to be...I even collect teapots :)

[constantcruiser]

They still do it on Holland America, too...but there it's called a Dutch Tea. Not sure what difference it makes. We love it, too. That used to be one of our favorite parts of the cruise when my daughters were little -- a real tea party! And yes, the first cruiseline to serve Republic of Tea will capture my heart (and my $).

[BunkerVA]

And yes, the first cruiseline to serve Republic of Tea will capture my heart (and my $).

 

 

They do make some yummy tea!!!!! :)

 

Not sure about "Dutch tea" but any tea party would be fine with me! I will be going to Alice's Tea Cup in NYC this weekend. http://www.alicesteacup.com/enter.html

 

I'm pretty excited about it!!!!!!!!! Hopefully they serve a yummy tea!

[dellas1000]

The Silversea cruise was a trip of a lifetime probably not to be repeated LOL....unfortunatley.

 

The only tea is this ::: http://www.twinings.com/home.php :D

[Matt&Heather]

My hubby was kind enough to do a tea with me on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Grand Floridian in Disney and they had a wonderful afternoon tea. The tea specifically made for the hotel was fabulous...served in all Royal Daulton...amazing! I bought a few boxes but of course they didn't last long...and my Harrod's tea just ran out, so I'm looking for some good tea today!

[mommabean]

As for brands: Tazo would be fine. I also enjoy Republic of Tea, Adagio, Golden Moon, Mighty Leaf, Harney and Sons, Choice Organic... (Honest Tea is yummy iced tea!)

 

No Lipton, no Red Rose!!

 

I like a strong (but not bitter) black tea and also *REALLY* enjoy Chai. Check out Upton Imports for some unique blends http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/home.asp

 

I think, as not many are tea drinkers, all we will get is Lipton.

 

What are your favs Gina?

 

Sam :D

 

I love the Mighty Leaf and will take any type. I won't do black or green at night though. I don't even drink tea daily since dh likes to start with a big pot of coffee. If I have an urge to drink tea late in the day I'll stick with an herbal variety. I haven't found Mightly Leaf locally. That's where the Tazo tea comes in. It's easy to find a starbucks. And finally there is one, or two...let's make that three near me. :)

 

I do have a box of Green Earth Chai that I bought on impulse at the grocery store. I'm not sure of the quality of that brand but it's easy to find.

 

Gina

[dellas1000]

My hubby was kind enough to do a tea with me on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Grand Floridian in Disney and they had a wonderful afternoon tea. The tea specifically made for the hotel was fabulous...served in all Royal Daulton...amazing! I bought a few boxes but of course they didn't last long...and my Harrod's tea just ran out, so I'm looking for some good tea today!

 

Harrod's tea is lovely and surprisingly good value. They have a duty free shop even in Heathrow airport now!!! I recently invested in a special edition Royal Doulton tea set. It is the pride of my kitchen now in a special cabinet. Only comes out for best. :) If your ever in England try Devonshire clotted cream on warm scones with Strawberry jam(preserve)!!! It really is the best in the world. They have a tea room opposite Windsor castle and it is just amazing.

[manuelstar]

There was a wonderful "Afternoon Tea" on Cunard`s QM2 in the "Queens Room". It only lasted one hour but this was for sure one of the best parts of cruising with Cunard.

I would love to have these on board the RC ships as well.:)

[sea-cruise]

OMG!! ;) I can just picture all of us having our own "Boston Tea Party" revolt onboard a ship!!! YIKES! :D :D :D

[Nliedel]

I have to admit, I loved my afternoon tea on the Crown. I do wish RCI did that.

[ChristieNJ]

A few years back on the Nordic Empress there was a tea time around 2 or 3 PM. Guess they did away with it.

 

I remember that as well! I always LOVED the idea and always wanted to go, but to actually PULL myself out of the sun & get dressed seemed to put the kabosh on that idea. :p

[BunkerVA]

The Silversea cruise was a trip of a lifetime probably not to be repeated LOL....unfortunatley.

 

The only tea is this ::: http://www.twinings.com/home.php :D

 

 

Twinnings tea is pretty good...I like their English Breakfast :)

 

Now I really want some tea :)

[dellas1000]

If you ever come across ''Whittards of Chelsea'' stock up. They do teas and coffee's and are very high quality.

[sea-cruise]

BunkerVA & MotherHen...Okay I have a plan. We can all bring our favorite tea aboard & beg good china from the staff. Won't everyone think we've gone batty if we have our own afternoon tea? There must be someone on our roll call who will play the piano for us.

[sea-cruise]

If you ever come across ''Whittards of Chelsea'' stock up. They do teas and coffee's and are very high quality.

Now THERE'S one I haven't tried. I'll look for it in our shops. :)

[Matt&Heather]

I loved London when I went ........(gasp) 10 years ago during my senior year in high school.

 

Oh boy, that means a reunion invite must be coming soon. I'll have to avoid that like the plague.

 

There is actually a fantastic tea manufacturer near me called Blue Moon Tea Company. I had it at a local restaurant and fell in love.

 

Someday I will own a nice, Royal Daulton tea service. I didn't have the foresight to register for something like that when I was married. :)

 

Please, RCI....get an afternoon tea going before my '08 cruise!!!

[BunkerVA]

I love the UK...I would move in a heartbeat were it not so expensive!!! :)

 

I'll have to check out the tea Heather. (It sounds like we are about the same age so, I'm right there with you avoiding the reunion!)

 

Sam :D

 

PS- Love your souvenier announcement! Congratulations! :)