I already tried this on the ports boards....

[GORDONCHICK]

I am looking for information on specifically NCL excursion in Victoria BC for tea at the Fairmont Empress.  Many on the port board talked about the experience from not being on an exursion.  I'm trying to find out what the experience is on the excursion.  Is it a skimpy tea or a full tea experience?  The excursion info says iced tea, so I would like to know if it's been altered in other ways from their regular afternoon tea experience.  The excursion is in the evening - after the Empress offers afternoon tea.  Can anyone who has done this excursion through NCL post their experience please?

[littlegit]

The Fairmont Empress does have a lovely afternoon tea. https://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/tea-at-the-empress/  It is only about 4 km to the Empress so it would be an inexpensive cab ride. If the Empress charges $95CAD that is about $70USD.

[littlegit]

1 minute ago, littlegit said:

The Fairmont Empress does have a lovely afternoon tea. https://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/tea-at-the-empress/  It is only about 4 km to the Empress so it would be an inexpensive cab ride. If the Empress charges $95CAD that is about $70USD.

If you go in the evening, it is not an afternoon tea!!

[Pitzel]

14 minutes ago, GORDONCHICK said:

I am looking for information on specifically NCL excursion in Victoria BC for tea at the Fairmont Empress.  Many on the port board talked about the experience from not being on an exursion.  I'm trying to find out what the experience is on the excursion.  Is it a skimpy tea or a full tea experience?  The excursion info says iced tea, so I would like to know if it's been altered in other ways from their regular afternoon tea experience.  The excursion is in the evening - after the Empress offers afternoon tea.  Can anyone who has done this excursion through NCL post their experience please?

Could you contact the hotel and ask them directly? There should be someone on the staff who is familiar with what they offer as a group "excursion" and how that does or does not differ from their typical tea offering.

[GORDONCHICK]

1 minute ago, littlegit said:

The Fairmont Empress does have a lovely afternoon tea. https://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/tea-at-the-empress/  It is only about 4 km to the Empress so it would be an inexpensive cab ride. If the Empress charges $95CAD that is about $70USD.

Yes, that's the info I got from the port board.  What I'm asking is what is the tea experience from the NCL excursion.  They normally only have afternoon tea until 4pm.  The ship doesn't dock until 6:30.  So do they open for tea on ship days or is this just for cruise passengers on an excursion and how does the food differ from the regular afternoon tea?

[GORDONCHICK]

Just now, Pitzel said:

Could you contact the hotel and ask them directly? There should be someone on the staff who is familiar with what they offer as a group "excursion" and how that does or does not differ from their typical tea offering.

I might end up doing that but I would have preferred to get a personal observation.

[littlegit]

I can phone the Empress for you if you have a date and specific questions.

[GORDONCHICK]

12 minutes ago, littlegit said:

I can phone the Empress for you if you have a date and specific questions.

That would be very helpful.  We will be on the Norwegian Sun and in Victoria on 9/17.  Thanks for your help.

[littlegit]

I called the Empress hotel and the "tea" lady said she doesn't know anything about a tea on September 17 evening so she was unable to give me any information.  She said they only have teas in the afternoon. Sorry I couldn't find out any details for you.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Ala Seinfeld...."No tea for you!" 😄

[www3traveler]

I would double check on both The Empress's website and any social media website they may have.

[TashaB]

I think your arrival time in Victoria on the 17th is 7:30pm according to the Victoria Harbour Authority website and also the NCL website.  I would imagine that this is a package exclusive to NCL especially since the Sun is the only ship docking that day.  It's possible it will be served in the lobby where the afternoon high tea is served.  However it could also be in one of their event rooms.  

 

Regrettably, since your arrival time is so late most,  if not all,  of the traditional places for tea are closed.  If you really want to enjoy the Empress why not taxi or take a pedicab from the pier?  Enjoy a drink or even possibly a pot of tea in the Q Bar which has a wonderful view of the Inner Harbour.

 

BTW...it is walkable from the dock to the hotel.  Around 30 minutes if you follow the waterfront.

 

 

[lepidoptera]

I am on the Sun in July. I was researching it as well. I think it is a different menu. Looking at the things they said could be available none are on the tea menu. I found pics of “tea to go” which includes iced tea on their website, I’m afraid it might be something closer to that than the full tea experience. 

[bonvoyagie]

in reading the NCL description of the tour it flat out says iced teas and savory treats that are very different from the afternoon tea offerings.

[GORDONCHICK]

On 4/7/2024 at 6:03 PM, bonvoyagie said:

in reading the NCL description of the tour it flat out says iced teas and savory treats that are very different from the afternoon tea offerings.

Yes, this is what concerns me.

[GORDONCHICK]

On 4/5/2024 at 3:59 PM, lepidoptera said:

I am on the Sun in July. I was researching it as well. I think it is a different menu. Looking at the things they said could be available none are on the tea menu. I found pics of “tea to go” which includes iced tea on their website, I’m afraid it might be something closer to that than the full tea experience. 

This is what I thought as well and why I cam to ask specifically on the NCL board.

[GORDONCHICK]

On 4/5/2024 at 2:19 PM, TashaB said:

I think your arrival time in Victoria on the 17th is 7:30pm according to the Victoria Harbour Authority website and also the NCL website.  I would imagine that this is a package exclusive to NCL especially since the Sun is the only ship docking that day.  It's possible it will be served in the lobby where the afternoon high tea is served.  However it could also be in one of their event rooms.  

 

Regrettably, since your arrival time is so late most,  if not all,  of the traditional places for tea are closed.  If you really want to enjoy the Empress why not taxi or take a pedicab from the pier?  Enjoy a drink or even possibly a pot of tea in the Q Bar which has a wonderful view of the Inner Harbour.

 

BTW...it is walkable from the dock to the hotel.  Around 30 minutes if you follow the waterfront.

 

 

As far as I can see, The Empress doesn't serve high tea, which is in the evening and has savory pieces as well as the sweets (an evening meal, tea style, and at a table instead of off a coffee table).  I'm good with either experience but I want it to be the full experience - especially for the price.  I brew my own tea all the time, so it's not really about just the tea part.  If the full tea experience isn't available, then I'll just go find a beaver tail, call it good and head back to the ship.