Before commencing any vacation, there will be a host of decisions to make. A lot of time will be spent deciding how much to pack. Some decisions will be guided by weight allowances, especially if your holiday involves connecting flights with baggage limits. The type of clothing you pack will also be determined by the climate of your destination. No one likes to be seen wearing the same clothes over and over, yet it’s impractical to bring your entire wardrobe on a cruise. What is the alternative?
Remaining clean and presentable can be a logistical nightmare for holidaymakers, especially those with families or large tour groups to consider. The cost of washing, drying and dry cleaning can soon mount up and takes funds away from other more enjoyable pastimes. Fortunately, many cruise ships provide a range of laundry services designed to make your voyage easy. Facilities range from express cleaning services to self-service laundry rooms that include washing powder. Although convenience is key to many travellers, some passengers still prefer the hands-on approach to care of personal belongings.
It can actually be quite a grounding experience to do your own washing while onboard a cruise ship, especially on longer journeys. Unexpected situations also arise from time to time, and it won’t take long to get sweaty on a day trip at a tropical port. From sand, salt, sauce to ice cream, all can be expected to find their way onto your clothing, so here are some cruise ships that offer the convenience of self serve laundry facilities. Costs are in American dollars.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Every ship has a self-service laundry located on each cabin deck. The laundrette consists of two or three washers and dryers plus an ironing board. A load of washing costs $3.25, as does the dryer. Detergent and water softener can be purchased from vending machines for $1.50 per box.
Disney Cruise Line
A 24 hour laundry room contains washing machines, dryers, irons, boards and detergent. The washers and dryers cost $2 per load and detergent or fabric softener costs $1 per box.
Princess Cruises
All Princess Cruises ships have self-service laundry facilities. Washers and dryers are $2 per load. Detergents and softeners are available for $1.25. All equipment accepts quarters or onboard tokens. Irons and ironing boards are also available.
American Cruise Lines
Self-service laundry facilities are available onboard Queen of the Mississippi.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines’ new fleet of ships offers self-serve launderettes for complimentary use. However, they don’t have a send-out wash and press service or dry cleaning.
Azamara Club Cruises
Every ship on Azamara Club Cruises has self-service laundry rooms on Deck 7 (midship). The facilities are free to use and detergent is provided.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Every ship has a self-service laundromat on each of the stateroom decks. The laundrette consists of two or three washers and dryers plus an ironing board. A load of washing costs $3.25, as does the dryer. Detergent and water softener can be purchased from vending machines for $1.50 per box.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises offers complimentary self-service laundry facilities, which include detergent, fabric softeners, dryers, washing machines and ironing boards. The launderettes are located on decks 8, 9 and 10 on Crystal Symphony and decks 7 to 11 on Crystal Serenity.
Cunard Line
Cunard’s three ships offer complimentary self-service washing facilities which include washing machines, dryers, irons and detergent. Laundry rooms are available for use from 7:30 am to 9 pm (subject to change). The Queen Mary 2 provides two washers and dryers on Decks 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth laundry rooms are on Decks 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Each self-service laundry room on these ships has washing machines, washing powder, dryers and ironing facilities.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s 24-hour laundry rooms contain washing machines, dryers, irons, boards and detergent. The launderette costs $3 per load, for washing or drying, while detergent costs $1. Disney Wonder and Disney Magic have self-serve laundry facilities on decks 2, 6 and 7. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have launderettes on decks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Holland America Line
Self-service launderettes with washers, dryers and ironing facilities are available on the Veendam, Amsterdam, Maasdam, and Prinsendam. A washing load costs $2 while a dryer load costs $1. Ironing facilities are available at no cost.
Oceania Cruises
All of their ships offer self-service laundry facilities. Washers and dryers cost $2 per load. Detergent and softeners are preloaded in the machines.
Princess Cruises
All Princess Cruises ships have self-service laundry facilities. Washers and dryers are $2 per load. Detergents and softeners are available for $1.25. All equipment accepts quarters or onboard tokens. Irons and ironing boards are also available.
Regent Seven Seas
Complimentary self-service laundry machines are onboard all Regent Seven Seas ships, located on select decks. Self-service facilities are complimentary, including the detergent.
Viking Cruises
Viking Star has a self-service laundrette with ironing facilities available for use by all passengers. The service is complimentary.
Sometimes it’s the little things that count, even on huge cruise ships. Cruise lines are constantly upgrading facilities to lure passengers, and self-service laundry rooms can make or break the booking plans of some potential passengers.
Featured image by Robert Pratt
