Tell me about "Afternoon Tea"

[Roboat]

I was on the Zuiderdam last year but I never went to the afternoon tea.
What is it like?
I seem to recall reading that if you want to go, go early, so it must appeal to plenty of folks.
Any special tips?

[Vicar]

Its this place where they give you tea.


I think they hold in the afternoon :)


i am sorry I am just in a goofy mood *LOL*

[Roboat]

I can see why! Congrats!

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is usually around 3:30 in the afternoon. The location varies among the ships.

Royal Dutch Tea is the best - lots of different pasteries - is usually held in the main dining room.

[Vicar]

I can see why! Congrats!



Thanks :)

[marybeach]

On the Zaandam last year, we also had small sandwiches and a hot creamed chicken served on puffed pastry swans, on the buffet as you walked in, along with many wonderful sweets. Only regular tea was served, not choices of the gourmet kinds, poured by the waiter as you sat down. It is nice, but I didn't find it intimate, as you are put on the last seat available as they fill the dining room. I did not find it a "social" type tea, just a nice something to do on a day at sea.

[Lisa63]

On Maasdam last month, the afternoon tea was served nearly every day around 3:30, 4:00 in the Explorer's Lounge. A waiter came around with a selection of teas, followed by another waiter who poured the hot water. Then yet another waiter offered finger sandwiches -- the usual salmon, cucumber, etc. About 20 minutes after that, we were offered dessert. The swan cream puff is great. The whole tea lasted 1/2 hour.

Dutch High Tea was held one afternoon in the main dining room. There was a larger choice of finger foods, including hot selections as mentioned above by marybeach. All were served at a small buffet upon entering, and I was then escorted to a seat by one of the waiters. There was a brief lesson on the history of Dutch High Tea.

There was a line for Dutch Tea, so get there early. The regular afternoon tea was a bit less popular and the setup required no lines. Still, I'd recommend getting there close to when it starts, as the regular afternoon tea is pretty brief.

[SHIVERMETIMBERS]

My wife and I sailed on the Zuiderdam in June. The Afternoon High Tea is held 3:30 daily. On our cruise it was usually attended by no more than 10-15 passengers. It was a nice break in the afternoon to sit back, relax with a cup of tea. Finger sandwiches and pasteries were also served.

Chuck

[mattR]

They don't serve you it's a buffet:( Dosen't sound to formal:(

[Ziggy7]

Hi my parents are going on the Maasdam in July for 35 days and is wondering if the cabins are in nice shape or not as that is one of the HAL ships they havent saided on yet :)
Thanks !

ooops sorry posted in the wrong place, I will repost :)

[peaches from georgia]

There is daily Afternoon Tea and then there is the once- a- week Royal Dutch High Tea, a real event and what most people are talking about when they ask questions on cruise boards about The Tea. HAL ships hold the Royal Dutch High Tea in the dining room (upper on the ones we've been to), it is beautifully done with lovely finger sandwiches and all kinds of luscious pastries, and a beautiful presentation with ice sculpture. A nice event to attend for an hour or so and a little bit of genteel luxury liner cruising which I hope HAL keeps. :)

[kryos]

I was on the Zuiderdam last year but I never went to the afternoon tea.
What is it like?
I seem to recall reading that if you want to go, go early, so it must appeal to plenty of folks.
Any special tips?
It goes great right after afternoon nap! :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[clopaw]

Does this mean there isn't a spread in the Lido buffet in late afternoon?

[gizmo]

Does this mean there isn't a spread in the Lido buffet in late afternoon?The Lido not not have food available all afternoon. You can get hamburgers, and tacos at the Grill in the Lido Pool area and there is always room service.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On some of the ships, after the main lunch buffet is closed down, you can still get pizza, pasteries, and sometimes pre-made sandwiches in the Lido.

[Lisa63]

Does this mean there isn't a spread in the Lido buffet in late afternoon?
The tea is held elsewhere so the Lido buffet is unaffected. The Dutch Tea is held in the main dining room, and the buffet is nothing like that found in the Lido. It's short, has finger foods mostly, and waiters serve each item to you as you pass by.

[Roboat]

Thanks for all the info on the Afternoon Tea. I'll suggest to DW that we try it. We shall commence our training today, that we may be well received.

"Pinky UP and 2 and 3 and 4 and DOWN ... feel the burn, darlin'!" ;)