Ice Buckets!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

What do you all think of HAL's ice buckets? I know they have had them for several years now. But do you like them?

[SanDiego Single]

THey seem very nice to me. I had mine filled 3-4 times a day. Is there something wrong with them?

[nhgover]

The ice buckets are VERY attractive, but DO NOT hold nearly enough ice, nor keep the ice cold enough. The ice melts in no time, and I for one, find it frustrating when I want ice, having to ring room service or ask the concierge in the Neptune. There's got to be a better solution!!

[RuthC]

I would like it if they were larger, but they do what I need them to do. I use the melted ice for medication and like it to be still cold. There just isn't enough of it.

I was perfectly happy with the old-style when they added the chrome sleeve. It was large, and kept the ice for a very long time. When I went to use the melted ice water with morning meds there was still some ice in it!

[earl_m]

I find them okay.It can hold 6 beers and lots of ice. what more could
I ask for!!!!

[peaches from georgia]

Don't drink beer, but we've never had an ice bucket on a HAL ship that could hold 6 beers and lots of ice!

[Tinknock50]

I think the size stayed the same, but I did like it when they adopted the fancier chrome ones (as on Celebrity) than the former brown plastic ones.

Much more elegant now.:)

[gizmo]

NO

They may look nice but I prefer the old style. They were 100% better. They held more ice and it didn't melt as fast.

[SanDiego Single]

I just asked the steward to please change my ice 3 times a day. I have never had a problem with this. If wanted more he just put another bucket in the room.

[scrapycruiser]

I have a roll-on soft sided cooler. I fill it with carry-on items, then once in my cabin I take everything out, give our cabin steward a $10 tip and ask him to please keep it filled with ice. I've never been without ice. Disembarking, I fill it with bags of dirty clothes and check it on the plane.Just an idea....

[Tinknock50]

I just asked the steward to please change my ice 3 times a day. I have never had a problem with this. If wanted more he just put another bucket in the room.

True...no big deal...thats what stewards are there for.....keep ya well supplied. And if he can't keep you supplied with ice, chances are his service isn't that good about other things either.

[kryos]

The ice buckets are VERY attractive, but DO NOT hold nearly enough ice, nor keep the ice cold enough. The ice melts in no time, and I for one, find it frustrating when I want ice, having to ring room service or ask the concierge in the Neptune. There's got to be a better solution!!
The ice bucket I had on the Amsterdam this past January was fine. I had an inside cabin (so I didn't get any special service) and the ice bucket held the ice through the better part of the day. And, when the steward refilled it during his evening rounds, the ice was fine anytime I wanted a cold soda during the night (no refrigerator).

Now Celebrity was another story. The ice bucket I had in my low rent cabin on the Zenith was absolutely chintzy. If the ice stayed intact for two hours after filling, it was a lot. I can't tell you how many times during that five day cruise that I woke up wanting a glass of cold water, and the best I could do was the melted ice in that bucket.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[elmorejj]

I hate the new ice buckets. At a pinch it would hold one beer! When the steward services the room in the morning, fills the ice bucket, and then we are out most of the day, it is useless for a pre dinner drink. The first thing I tell our steward is that I want ice delivered at 5pm. Sometimes I even have him fill the wine cooler as well. Any ice left, i usually sit the bucket in the fridge, at least it will hold it an additional couple of hours:cool:

[sail7seas]

The ice bucket is fine by us. We never mix drinks in our cabin. We only drink in the lounges. For the rare soda we may have or a glass of water, the new ice buckets suit us fine.

But.......we don't smuggle liquor on board and have never wanted to put any beer into any ice bucket.

[Krazy Kruizers]

All right - I started this thread and it my turn to speak out.

I HATE THESE ICE BUCKETS!!!

I drink lots of ice water - even during the night I like to have a glass of ice water.

But these new small buckets don't keep ice after about 1 AM and then it is just ice water cooling down quickly.

I would to see HAL get some really big ice buckets that will keep ice for longer period of time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There have been times when we have gotten back from either a tour or out on our own and the ice is completely melted down.

Fortunately we able to go to the Neptune Lounge and get the ice replaced.

But I know others can't do this. I feel sorry for those who have to call room service and wait for some ice.

[earl_m]

maybe the bucket of beer that they sell on deck that holds 6 beer is not the same as the buckets in the stateroom

[Copper10-8]

As ice buckets come, they're OK

[cruzincurt]

Yuck, do you folks actually ingest the ice from these buckets? How sanitary can they be; fill them over and over, stagnant water sitting in there all day, all night. Do they ever get sanitized? Do they ever clean out the ice making machine? Does the steward just wipe each one out with the same rag?

We use them to keep the botttle of water or wine cold if we don't use the refrigerator. Certainly never eat the ice.

[serendipity1499]

The ice is there to put in your drinks..so what is wrong with drinking the Ice Water..The water is pure & steralized And yes I do believe the steward rinses the bucket out each time he refills them...I'm with you
Krazy Kruizers...We never seem to have enough Ice & cold water when we really need it around 5 at night..My DH found the Ice Machine last time on board & refilled our bucket...

And no one suggesting smuggling liquor...I use the Ice for my Pepsi & Wine which I bring a board in addition to taking my pills at night & drinking the water during the night..Never even occurred to us to put our Pepsi's & wine in the bucket.

Happy cruising all..Betty.

[sail7seas]

What I said was that we do not smuggle. I have no idea (and don't care) if anyone else is smuggling.

It is entirely possible to pre-order liquor delivery to your cabin from Ships Services before you board and you can certainly order it from Room Service, if you wish. You can easily have liquor in your cabin without smuggling.

[jjruiz]

I solved the problem by buying an inflatable ice bucket and asked that it be kept filled at all times.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/338370117.htm

[Copper10-8]

The ice is there to put in your drinks..so what is wrong with drinking the Ice Water..The water is pure & steralized And yes I do believe the steward rinses the bucket out each time he refills them...I'm with you
Krazy Kruizers...We never seem to have enough Ice & cold water when we really need it around 5 at night..My DH found the Ice Machine last time on board & refilled our bucket...

And no one suggesting smuggling liquor...I use the Ice for my Pepsi & Wine which I bring a board in addition to taking my pills at night & drinking the water during the night..Never even occurred to us to put our Pepsi's & wine in the bucket.

Happy cruising all..Betty.

Hey Betty, h'bout letting us know where the ice machine is located onboard? wink, wink, nudge, nudge;)

[u4ea]

Actually, the ice machine is usually in the steward’s work room, and usually left unlocked. (wink wink, nudge, nudge) I have always had the steward bring me a wine ice bucket on the first day, to keep beers/soda cold without a fridge. I won’t need it next cruise as I am told all staterooms on the Noordam have a fridge. I would do self service ice if the steward is not around. I make sure my hands are clean, and if there was noro virus onboard, I wouldn’t do it.
Mark…

[serendipity1499]

Hey Betty, h'bout letting us know where the ice machine is located onboard? wink, wink, nudge, nudge;)

Gee I goofed again:o ..DH just said that it was on our Panama Canal trip on the Crown Last Nov. (shhh don't tell anyone we jumped ship) that he found the Ice Machine..He said he found the steward on the Prinsendam & had our bucket filled...But I know he's found the Ice Machine on HAL before, he just doesn't remember it...He's always good at finding Ice for me, because I hate lukewarm wine, soda & water..

Since we will not have a frig. on the Ryndam I'm thinking about bringing something to keep the Pepsi cold..(Can't stand Coke!)..We have a collapsable cooler & someone suggested using it as our carry on & have it filled with ice daily, but with my luck the darn thing would leak..Looked at that blow up ice bucket on line..Perhaps I'll look in our local Boaters World for it..Wonder how hard it is to blow up..

Anyway as u4ea said you can probably find the Ice in the Stewards work room...

Happy Hunting...;) ;) Betty

[hammybee]

Fisrst off, I cannot beleive that I am responding to an ice bucket post but here goes.....if you are real nice to your room steward, he may get for you, a champagne bucket that you can use for ice/beverages. It easily holds a 6 pack of my nectar, Dr. Pepper. Now don't go spreading the word, else there will not be a bucket for me.

[cool change]

I always wanted to just get the ice for myself during off hours if needed. I thought I was the only one that wanted to check out the ice machine. We will definately take note as to where the cabin steward goes to fill it up and just get it ourselves when needed. One thing we have done in the past is just ask room service to get it for us when we order something and need it. And yes, we do tip.

[hammybee]

I solved the problem by buying an inflatable ice bucket and asked that it be kept filled at all times.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/338370117.htm

This is cool. Thanks.

[Copper10-8]

This is cool. Thanks.

Yep, agreed - would go very well with an inflatable dartboard!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We do not smuggle alcohol on board.

We pre-order it before we leave home.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We also know where the ice is whenever our concierge isn't available. And as said, usually the door is kept unlocked.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The ice making machines on most of the ships are the same as those in restaurants.

[gizmo]

What does asking a question about an ice bucket have to do with smuggling booze ?

[SnorkelBear]

Is it okay to smuggle ice onboard. ;) I prefer the entire deck of passengers not to have access to my ice. That is why the door is closed. Now I will have to smuggle some booze onboard to sterilize my ice. Darn!

Hey Copper, maybe some inflatable dancing girls for that other thread.:eek:

[Sea King]

Ice buckets?

never really thought about them

then again, really don't think much about anything while aboard:)

[Copper10-8]

Is it okay to smuggle ice onboard. ;) I prefer the entire deck of passengers not to have access to my ice. That is why the door is closed. Now I will have to smuggle some booze onboard to sterilize my ice. Darn!

Hey Copper, maybe some inflatable dancing girls for that other thread.:eek:

I think you're on to something Bear!;)

[Namvet4]

Yep, agreed - would go very well with an inflatable dartboard!

This is headed towards the inflatable, blow up dolls post...Soon I think! :) :o

Oops... Just saw SnorkelBear's post......

[SnorkelBear]

Incredible minds do think alike. Extra flotation never hurts on a boat.;)

[ekerr19]

Don't drink beer, but we've never had an ice bucket on a HAL ship that could hold 6 beers and lots of ice!

LOL, I was trying to get a visual as the current bucket holds maybe one can of beer, if that.... I was trying to imagine "mini beers" or something, before I realized the poster was most likely thinking of the bucket o' beer, which is sold in many of the lounges. :)

[crystal808]

Buckets o' beer are now 4 cans...at least, they were on the Noordam in July....

[ekerr19]

Buckets o' beer are now 4 cans...at least, they were on the Noordam in July....

I though DH got more than 4 on our Noordam cruise, but I don't drink it anymore - only DH does, so I'm not certain the number, but thinking of it - you may be right... he only bought it once or twice and brought the extras back to the cabin to have on the balcony. We had asked the steward to remove the other brands of beer so there would be room.

It used to be that a bucket meant six beers, but it was probably too many for most people unless you were with a group - we shared more than a few with friends over the years. :)

[earl_m]

On the Ryndam, it was 6 beers in a bucket.What you couldn`t finish you could bring to your room.

[Copper10-8]

This thread is starting to remind me of Keeping Up Appearances on BBC America. "Good morning Mrs Bucket" - "That's bouquet, Hyacinth Bouquet"

[serendipity1499]

This thread is starting to remind me of Keeping Up Appearances on BBC America. "Good morning Mrs Bucket" - "That's bouquet, Hyacinth Bouquet"

LOL :) How about the classic one, when Hyacinth & "Mr. Bucket" err Bouquet were on HAL ;) ;) & her Bother-in-law, Arlow, (not sure of his name) was invited to the Capt.s Table.. :eek: :eek:

[Copper10-8]

LOL :) How about the classic one, when Hyacinth & "Mr. Bucket" err Bouquet were on HAL ;) ;) & her Bother-in-law, Arlow, (not sure of his name) was invited to the Capt.s Table.. :eek: :eek:

Unfortunately, I missed that one but I can imagine it was a funny one with Onslow sitting there in his tank-top/undershirt but wait, that's the dress code thread

[RuthC]

John, don't start! :eek:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hey Guys!!

All I wanted to know was what some of you thought about those tiny, fancy, ice buckets on the silver tray in your cabins.

[SnorkelBear]

Krazy,

If that is the case, you need to start fishing with a barbless hook. You need to always be wary of infantile fun spreaders like myself. Sometimes that Copper guy too.

Without humor, we have despair.:(

[sail7seas]

Hey Guys!!

All I wanted to know was what some of you thought about those tiny, fancy, ice buckets on the silver tray in your cabins.



DH likes the tray. He can carry back to our cabin a coffee for each of us and a plate of nibbles without needing a third hand. :)

[ekerr19]

Hey Guys!!

All I wanted to know was what some of you thought about those tiny, fancy, ice buckets on the silver tray in your cabins.



KK-

I think I like the bigger bucket - at least one to cool a bottle of wine. We had a hard time getting the comped bottle of wine cooled, but even more so, the ice seemed to melt very quickly.

[earl_m]

KK why didn`t you say so.. There OK!!!!

[gizmo]

LOL How about the classic one, when Hyacinth & "Mr. Bucket" err Bouquet were on HAL & her Bother-in-law, Arlow, (not sure of his name) was invited to the Capt.s Table.. :eek:

Unfortunately, I missed that one but I can imagine it was a funny one with Onslow sitting there in his tank-top/undershirt but wait, that's the dress code threadUnfortunately, I missed that one but I can imagine it was a funny one with Onslow sitting there in his tank-top/undershirt but wait, that's the dress code thread

She was on the QE2 not Hal.

Onslow was actually dressed up. The funny part was Hyacinth trying to get into the Queen's Grill (or whatever the suite class is called )Dinning room, being turned away, and then spotting Onslow and Daisy there. :D

[bepsf]

After years of traveling to hotels and making the "ice run" one of the first things that I always do, on my first cruise I immediately rang the steward and asked for him to come bring ice.

When he arrived, I reached for the ice bucket and it seemed awfully heavy - and of course there was already ice in there! :o

I never liked the brown plasticky ones - the newer ones are prettier. I usually also keep a bottle of bubbly chilling in the stateroom too, so have never lacked for ice...

[Orlandocruiser]

Brian your post reminds me of something and I'm probably going to get jumped on here. How do you ring for the steward? Once we called to front desk and they said to call room service - we now either lie in wait for the steward or :eek: just go to the ice machine ourselves. We have been on HAL 5 times and have never figured that one out (I usually put a post it on the mirror and hope for the best)

[bepsf]

OC--

I think there's a button in the phone marked "Service"?
It covers pretty much anything you need, including food

[GrammyPL]

If you have a frig in your room---empty their stuff and then the Ice bucket will fit in the frig just fine. Sometimes-depending on where the shelf is in the frig- you have to put the top on upside down. That way your ice stays cold all night. Just remember to take it out for the room stewert in the morning. Penny

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have had a couple of refrigerators that didn't work very well. Tried putting the ice bucket in there (like Princess used to do - don't know if they still do) and the ice was melted by morning.

[Cruising Illini]

Ask for TWO -- we especially ask for two buckets when we entertain in the room (a large suite) and also emphasize to the cabin steward to make sure we have plenty. DH often finds the source in the hall to refill himself so that helps but I really think the new ones are too small.

[serendipity1499]

She was on the QE2 not Hal.

Onslow was actually dressed up. The funny part was Hyacinth trying to get into the Queen's Grill (or whatever the suite class is called )Dinning room, being turned away, and then spotting Onslow and Daisy there. :D

Yes, I knew it was not HAL, but could not remember which line it was...That's why I put the two ;) ;) in there...

That segment & the one where a friend loaned them his Cabin Cruiser were two of my favorite ones! :) :)

Thanks's for the memories! Betty

[michmike]

Can't, for the life of me, remember WHY DW wanted lots of ice last trip, but do know that she got the steward to bring us a champagne bucket as well, in addition to the regular ice bucket. She asked steward to replenish it frequently and he did. Think it is really a communication issue. Let your steward know what is important to you and our experience has been that they go out of their way to accommodate.

[gizmo]

I posted I didn't like the new ice buckets, they were smaller and the ice melted faster. I preferred the old ones.

I don't think there is a communication problem. KK asked if you liked the new ice buckets.

I never had an issue with getting ice.