Royal Caribbean
Explorer of the Seas
Date : 21 August 2014
Price: Complimentary
Afternoon Tea by Invitation
High Tea on
the Sea!
This was a
first for me. Afternoon tea aboard the
Royal Caribbean ship Explorer of the Seas – what could be better sailing along on
the high seas while eating cake and supping tea?
We were
invited along to the tea by the ship’s sous chef who popped along to our table
one evening and told us to expect an invitation. The surprise invite was posted under our cabin
door when we returned later and being as there was tea and cake involved,
naturally I couldn't turn it down.
The tea was
held in the main dining area with about a hundred or so other invited guests. All the tables were elegantly laid out ready with
white linen table cloths and crockery and there was a huge spread of sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and all manner
of sweet treats. Having made friends
with some Canadians while on board, we all shared a table to tuck into the tea.
Along with
the traditional afternoon tea selection of sandwiches and scones we had the
added bonus of pasties, sausage rolls, shortbread biscuits and small individual
trifle sponges. The sandwiches consisted of cream cheese and onion (which was
extremely strong!), tuna and mayonnaise, smoked salmon and cucumber, all
beautifully garnished and presented. I
actually found the sandwiches a little too fancy for my liking but then I
always like things plain! Everyone else
seemed to like them apart from the fresh smoked salmon which was sadly left as
usual. The sausage rolls and pasties
were definitely a hit and the pastry on the sausage rolls was delightfully light
and flaky. It’s a shame there were only a few to go around. There was also some delicious chutney and
sour cream to go with all of the sandwiches and pastries.
There was
plenty of choice for dessert with everything from traditional plain and fruit
scones with fresh strawberry jam and peaches and cream, to buttery shortbread
biscuits which just melted in your mouth, fruit tarts, profiteroles, vanilla
and strawberry sponge cake, all washed down with some traditional English Tetley’s
tea.
As we were
sharing amongst the table I didn't get to sample all of the desserts (which was
probably a good thing in hindsight), but I did try the profiteroles and the
scones with fresh strawberry jam and cream. Needless to say they were delicious. |
| Some of the delicious desserts |
Unfortunately
there wasn’t anything gluten free, but after consulting the chef he did bring
us a strawberry mousse and custard pudding.
The gluten free food is usually very good on the ship but on this
occasion they didn't know we were attending otherwise they would have probably
put on a good spread. We will know next
time to let the chef know.
 |
| Gluten Free Dessert |
All of the
food served on board was excellent so it was no surprise that the spread they
put on for afternoon tea was equally as tasty. Unfortunately it’s lethal for
your waistband – a few more laps around the deck are in order I think.
Ratings: Gluten
Free:
Tea: 8/10
Sandwiches: 6/10
Cakes: 8/10 Dessert: 7/10
Scones: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
Would I return? Yes
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