Passengers aboard the Queen Mary 2 savor a classic afternoon tea in the elegant Queens Room on deck three of the iconic ocean liner. Each day at 3:30 p.m., white‑gloved waiters in alabaster jackets and burnished buttons make a stately entrance, processing from a long sloping hall while carrying silver teapots. Live music accompanies the service as staff circulate among tables around the dance floor, moving with a near‑choreographed grace. Trays arrive heaped with tiny finger sandwiches, warm scones and delicate cakes, and servers keep a careful eye on teacups in need of refilling.
Afternoon tea is a cherished element of Cunard’s White Star Service. The custom traces back to Britain in the 1840s, credited to Anna Maria, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, who introduced a light mid‑afternoon meal to bridge the gap until a late dinner. Cunard has upheld this tradition for more than a century and a half, making it a signature part of the passenger experience.
Onboard the Queen Mary 2, afternoon tea is served using a bespoke blend called Traditional Afternoon, created especially for Cunard by Twinings. The blend combines high‑quality Assam, Kenyan and Ceylon teas for a pleasantly robust flavor. Guests may also select alternatives such as a malty Assam or a bergamot‑scented Earl Grey, both supplied by Twinings to complement the selection of pastries and savories.
Twinings’ story dates back to 1706, when Thomas Twining began selling tea in London. For more than three centuries the company has been associated with its original Strand address at 216 Strand. Sipping a carefully brewed cup at sea adds an extra layer of refinement to the ritual, enhancing the atmosphere of tradition and hospitality that defines afternoon tea aboard the Queen Mary 2.