"Adventure on the High Teas"

     As one nears the pier where she is berthed, one can hear the distinct whistle blowing two octaves below middle C note, welcoming passengers on board and announcing her imminent departure. When one crosses the gangway and steps aboard the floating palace known as the Queen Mary 2, one has the definite impression of entering another world.
     A vast lobby with its six-deck high atrium, almost surreal in scope, is laid out before your eyes. With two impressively sweeping staircases, the Grand Lobby towers over three decks and features a spectacular Bronze Relief. As you linger, you will hear appropriately elegant music, from harpists to string quartets. 
     At a cost of almost $800 million, the Queen Mary 2 is the most expensive passenger ship in the world.
     Guests book passage not only for the lure of sailing the high seas in first-class style, but also to enjoy the epicurean rewards as well. Featuring ten lavish dining venues, you can savor culinary creations from lobster bisque to lingonberry torte. But for those who prefer the decidedly British tradition of Afternoon Tea, there is no other place on earth like the high seas to relish the formal white-gloved pageantry.
     The Queen Mary 2 offers three settings for Afternoon Tea. For those who crave the fresh sea air, full tea is served on the Promenade Deck each afternoon from a classic tea trolley, weather permitting of course. 
      Another unique locale to sip your favorite brewed variety is the elegant, colonial-style, garden-like setting of the Winter Garden where greenery and flowers scent the air year-long. From a trompe l’oeil painted ceiling to a cascading waterfall, your senses will be tempted not only by your surroundings but by servers offering a selection of sweet and savory treats, including Salmon Cream Cheese sandwiches, Sliced Roast Beef with Mayo Mustard and Horseradish sandwiches, Black Forest Cake, Chocolate-dipped Madeleines, and Mandarin Cream Pastry to name but a few. And, of course, a generous selection of freshly brewed tea is offered to accompany the artfully prepared repast. 
     And, for the piece de resistance, Afternoon Tea can be experienced on the high seas in the elegant ambiance of the Queen’s Room, the largest ballroom at sea. Spanning the full width of the ship and featuring double-height ceilings accommodating exquisite crystal chandeliers, the Queen’s Room is unparalleled in its beauty and service. Passengers can enjoy the pampering of white-gloved servers for Afternoon Tea while seated in this multi-tiered grand ballroom, with vistas of white caps and sea foam just outside the expanse of windows lining both sides of the room.
     When the choreography of waiters begins, you will find yourself being treated to a selection of fine Wedgwood Teas poured from Wedgwood tea pots and served in Wedgwood tea cups. On the tea menu are Darjeeling Pure, English Afternoon, Jasmine, Lapsang Souchong, Queen Ann and Wedgwood Original along with a variety of other blends. And in keeping with British tradition, you will also enjoy finger sandwiches without crusts such as Egg Mayonnaise with Chopped Chives, Sliced Cucumber and Butter, and Shrimp Marie Rose Salad. And for the perfect ending to a perfectly marvelous Afternoon Tea, a tray laden with an artful assortment of sweet treats is brought to your table by your formally-clad waiter. You will have the great pleasure of selecting from Mocha Cream Pastry, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Chocolate Millefeuille, Madeira Cake and Chocolate Eclairs to name just a few.
     The pastry chef on board the Queen Mary 2 has graciously provided us with the recipes for two favorite sweet treats -- Dundee Cake and Madeleines. Now you can prepare the delicacies that are enjoyed by the many transatlantic passengers that have booked passage aboard this magnificent liner.
     Afternoon Tea on the high seas is like none other. And the sheer joy and decadence of this stately tradition is only magnified by the majestic surroundings and gourmet offerings on board the Queen Mary 2. 

     A debt of gratitude goes to Chris Hodek, Public Relations Coordinator and Fallon Buckelew, Public Relations Intern at Cunard Line for their invaluable input and assistance with the preparation of this newsletter. 


Source: www.cunard.com
Photos:  © Cunard Line