High Tea - a must do or nice to have?

[Evans Family]

From reading the boards I get the impression that eating dinner at Palo is a must do and Brunch is a must do....what about High Tea?

When I have gone to tea it's been for special occasions and have gone to local tea rooms and the Ritz Carlton. How does the tea on the Magic compare?

Is it also only offered on "at sea" days?

 

[SeaSpray]

I've done High Tea at various hotels including the Grand Floridian. I'd probably rate the High Tea at Palo just slightly below that, but it still was very nice, tasty, and well worth our time. We enjoyed the slow pace of it and quiet break in the middle of the afternoon We'll do it again if it fits into our schedule.

 

[lbgraves]

While I enjoyed the high tea on our first cruise, it was before there was a charge & we all felt rushed thru it to get out of the dining room. It did ruin my dinner that evening since I was stuffed from everything that we had eaten at high tea. I think that I will stick with brunch & dinner at Palo.

 

[sopandbass]

We thought High Tea was a relaxing, pleasant time. My husband and I had a chance to just sit and talk together and the atmosphere was nice. But compared to other teas that I've been too, I wouldn't categorize it as a "must do". The tea selection was nice and you get finger sandwiches, scones and devon cream (I'm sort of a scone snob and the ones on the Magic were just okay), eclairs and trifle. The whole event lasted about 1/2 hour. We had main seating for dinner, though, so we weren't hungry at all by the time we had to head to the dining room.

 

[laujac]

On the western 7 day High teas is at 3:00 on the two sea days. This happens to also be the same as the formal and semi-formal evenings.

 

[allears]

We can't compare teas at hotels, we haven't ever done those yet. But Hight Tea at Palo is a must for us when we crusie. We love the view from Palo, at night it's hard to see the ocean, but at 3 it is beautiful. We have found the pace very relaxed, not overly formal but elegant. It's a nice time for two or with other adults in your party.

Like every single thing from the cruise itself to the music on board, opinions vary. I think it's a good idea to get information from this board, but try stuff yourself so you can decide what you think are the must dos. Our vote is for trying High Tea for sure.

 

[inkkognito]

I see high tea as a "must do," but that is because I love REAL tea, served as strained leaves rather than in a tea bag. That's rare to find (the other place I love is Sherlock's, a tea room in downtown Celebration, FL). The finger sandwiches are good, but the scones are absolutely to die for! I am happy they charge for high tea now because it was terrible to see how many people did not show up. Once it was only us and one or two other couples. I knew people who had wanted reservations and could not get them due to the rude people who made ressies and then just didn't bother to show. People take things more seriously when they have to pay.
Barb

 

[webray]

We see the tea as a must do also. Hubby and I both enjoy wonderful teas and Palo has a very, very nice selection. We found the treats also wonderful as well as the service.

 

[WDWLVR]

Count us in as glad they are now charging for it. We did High Tea for the first time on our honeymoon at the Grand Floridian and love to recapture that on the cruise. I love real tea as well and agree that the scones are wonderful.

Is it a "must do"? For us yes, but I don't think it is for everyone.

 

[Evans Family]

How much is tea? Is it $10 per person like dinner/brunch?

 

[Suzanne74]

I think it is $5 a person.

I plan on booking it for the last day at sea if I can but I will probably end up canceling it w/ 24hrs notice. It all depends on what you want. For me, it will be nice if the weather isn't that great or my dd loves the kids club so much she rather not be with us, LOL. I am going to try and do Palo's for dinner and brunch and I would like a nice night after dinner w/ just DH too so they are priority "dd in kids club times" and don't know if I will get anymore time. Also my dd likes to nap around 3pm so it would kinda be hard to go anyway. I myself, rather spend some time lounging on the decks and not have to take a shower until later. I really think it would cut your day time lounging really short. Also formal nights tend to have the best food so I want to be HUNGRY when I get there, LOL. Without any kids I probably would do it for sure - at least just to try it. It's only 10 bucks!

 

[wendym]

I love the High Tea on the Magic. I was very disappointed by the "event" at Sherlocks in Celebration. I was treating a friend from Texas who thought this was what we did every afternoon - I only ever have tea on the Magic! Sherlocks was way overpriced (and I have done it at the Ritz in London!!!) and the scones were awful - I make way better ones.
Wendy

 

[BobandLee]

O.K. here's my opinion. It is not really a "must do". It was interresting. The tea was good, but I am not into scones and/or finger sandwhiches.
Having said all that, Lee has stated that we will do this again on our next cruise.