If you’re wondering whether afternoon tea on the Queen Mary 2 is worth doing, here’s what it’s really like, from the Queen’s Room setting and service to the food, atmosphere and how busy it can be.
If, like me, you love a proper cuppa, then afternoon tea aboard the Queen Mary 2 is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Few cruise lines do tradition quite like Cunard, and their famous afternoon tea at sea is one of those moments that feels quintessentially British from start to finish. Served daily in the grand Queen’s Room, it brings together white-gloved service, live music in the ballroom, and the simple pleasure of watching the ocean roll by, with unlimited tea on offer. Best of all, it’s included in your cruise fare.
Often described as a must-do on Queen Mary 2, I was keen to see whether it really lived up to the hype. So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth setting aside an hour of your cruise for, here’s exactly what it’s like.
Queen Mary 2 Afternoon Tea Experience
It’s no secret I love a good cuppa, so when I was looking for things to do during my cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the famous Cunard afternoon tea was right at the top of my list.
Afternoon tea is served daily between 3.30pm and 4.30pm, with the only exception being embarkation day. As befits such a tradition, it takes place in the grand Queen’s Ballroom, with its magnificent dance floor, tall ceilings, and glittering chandeliers.
How busy does afternoon tea get?
The room can hold around 550 people so just over a quarter of the ship at full capacity. I’d done a bit of research beforehand and saw that people were recommending getting there early, particularly on a sea day, to ensure you got a table.
Let me say, they were not wrong.
I arrived just after 2.30pm (on a sea day) expecting to find a bit of a queue. Instead, the room was open with almost half the tables already been taken. I grabbed one by the window. While the tables by the dancefloor were popular, I was keen to be able to look out to sea with my cuppa.
By 3pm the room was pretty much full with people wandering around looking for a spare table hidden away. Not long after a queue started to form at the door.
As I was cruising solo and sitting at a table on my own, a couple asked if they could share with me. I didn’t mind at all. A waiter noticed and came over to check that I was happy with the arrangement. Of course I was, but it was a lovely touch and a great example of the attentive service Cunard is known for.
Setting a table for afternoon tea is an art form. It is designed to be special and an occasion. Here was no exception. First, the white tablecloth was placed over the table, followed by white fine china cups and saucers topped with a napkin and cutlery. All were perfectly placed.
As all the tables were full of people eagerly waiting the waiters had to set up around everyone. They did an amazing job and the room looked great.
Just before 3.30pm, a string trio on the dance floor struck up as white-jacketed and white-gloved waiters entered the room carrying sparkling silver trays with the all-important tea. The theatre of it all gave a real sense of occasion to the proceedings.
What is served at a Cunard Afternoon Tea?
The tea is served first. You have a choice of different types of Twinings (another British institution) fine leaf tea and throughout the hour there are unlimited refills. Definitely my idea of heaven.
Unlike the afternoon tea you may experience in a hotel where you are often presented with a stand of sandwiches, cakes and scones, here waiters walk around offering them. This actually works much better. You just take what you can manage, whether that is a little or a lot! Hopefully, it helps to reduce some waste too.
First to arrive was the dainty finger sandwiches. Crustless, the choices included salmon, roast beef, ham and cucumber. Honestly, it was hard to choose between them, they all looked delicious.
Next up were the cakes. Choices here included fruit cake, profiteroles and chocolate eclairs. I’ve got a bit of a confession to make here. I’m not really a fan of cakes and desserts. I much prefer the sandwich part of an afternoon tea. That said, I still managed to try a couple and they were all as delicious as they looked.
Finally, some freshly baked scones with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserves appeared. Or should that be strawberry preserve and Devonshire clotted cream? Has the debate of what goes on the scone first ever been settled? Either way, they tasted great and were the perfect way to finish off the afternoon.
The sandwich and cake menu changes each day so you can go more than once on your cruise and have a slightly different experience – or taste – each time.
Other afternoon tea options
While afternoon tea in the Queen’s Room is well worth doing at least once on a Cunard cruise, it isn’t the only way to enjoy a mid-afternoon cuppa on board. If you’d prefer something more relaxed, or want to mark a special occasion, there are a few other options to choose from.
For a more casual take on afternoon tea, you can head to the Lido or Kings Court, depending on the ship you’re sailing on. This is ideal if you fancy a cup of tea and a slice of cake without the formality of the Queen’s Room. Grill guests also have the option of afternoon tea in the Princess Grill restaurant, which offers a quieter, more intimate setting than the grand ballroom.
If you’re celebrating something special, or simply feel like treating yourself, you can upgrade to a champagne afternoon tea. On Queen Mary 2, this is served in the Champagne Bar, while on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria it takes place in The Verandah. This can be booked via My Cunard before you travel or once you’re on board.
The last word
Afternoon tea aboard the Queen Mary 2 perfectly blends tradition, elegance, and, of course, some very tempting cakes. The attentive service, majestic setting of the Queen’s Room, and unmistakable sense of occasion all come together to make it one of the standout moments of a Cunard cruise.
Whether you prefer gazing out to sea with a cup of tea or soaking up the atmosphere near the dance floor, it’s a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an hour at sea. With a rotating selection of sandwiches and cakes, no two afternoons feel quite the same.
I really enjoyed the experience and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. It’s one of those small but memorable pleasures that Cunard does exceptionally well, and something I’d happily make time for on every future sailing.
More on Cunard and the Queen Mary 2
- Cruising on the Queen Mary 2
- Sheltered balcony cabin review
- Cunard dress code: What to wear on your cruise