Dorset Cruises

When you have a once in a life time opportunity come up you must grab it by the horns right? Well meeting Dorset Cruises was one of those moments for me. After messaging them and not expecting much of a response I was seriously amazed when I was offer the opportunity to go on board for High Afternoon Tea.

Dorset Cruises are found on Poole Quay opposite the Poole Arm’s pub. They offer a range of different cruises around Poole Harbour and all of these happen with the help of a vintage motor yacht call Dorset Queen. She has had many a job over the years since being made in 1938 and a few name changes along the way. She is now the only vintage motor yacht on the south coast of England.

A group of up to 20 of us waited to board the Dorset Queen opposite the Poole Arms on Poole Quay. Jon welcomed us on board at 1.15pm and gave us a VIP token for those having prosecco. The bottom desk was beautifully laid out with china cups and plates, scones and cakes. We were shown to our seats and then invited up to swap our tokens for prosecco when ready to do so. The boat left Poole quay at 1.30pm and our high afternoon tea cruise started. Sandwiches were brought round to each table, something I personally thought was better than being given sandwiches and not liking them, this meant I got to choose what I liked from the sandwich menu. The staff on board came around and offered us tea and coffee so it didn’t spill while in the boat. Perfect! Each person was given a scone with jam and clotted cream and then we could all help ourselves to the cakes. The cruise was 90 minutes long starting at Poole quay, onward to Sandbanks and around to shell bay, passing the harbour islands before heading back to Poole Quay.

What a splendid afternoon, on board an old motor yacht, eating afternoon tea and being able to sit on the top desk in the beautiful weather we have had this summer! The views were amazing.

I was given the chance to find out a bit more about Dorset Cruises from Jon while onboard and found out where his love of the sea and Dorset comes from.

Dorset Cruises have a wide range of different cruises that they offer in the Dorset area ranging from high afternoon tea, to a gin cruise. I know which one I’m going on next!! Not only this but they have also been able to brew their own pale ale – Dorset Pale ale thanks to the Brewhouse and Kitchen. I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

I look forward to boarding the Dorset Queen again sometime soon and keeping in touch with the Dorset Cruise team.

Visit http://www.dorsetcruises.co.uk if you want to go on a Dorset Cruise of your own.