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
Most Carnival ships still offer self-service laundrettes on each stateroom deck, equipped with two or three washers, dryers, and an ironing board. However, newer ships like the Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee no longer include self-service laundry facilities. For ships with laundrettes, a load of washing costs $3.50, and drying is $3.50 as well. Detergent and water softener can be purchased from vending machines for $2.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line maintains 24-hour self-service laundry rooms on all ships. These facilities include washers, dryers, irons, ironing boards, and detergent dispensers. The cost for washing or drying a load has increased to $3 per load, and detergent or fabric softener is $1 per box. Newer ships, such as the Disney Wish, have a single, consolidated laundry facility on Deck 2, while other ships retain laundrettes across multiple decks.
Princess Cruises
Self-service laundry facilities are available on all Princess ships, equipped with washers, dryers, irons, and ironing boards. The cost of washing or drying a load is $3, and detergents or softeners are $1.50 per use. Machines accept tokens or quarters available onboard.
American Cruise Lines
All newer American Cruise Lines ships feature complimentary self-serve laundry facilities, including washers, dryers, and detergent. However, there is no send-out laundry, press service, or dry cleaning option.
Azamara Club Cruises
All Azamara ships provide complimentary self-service laundry rooms located midship on Deck 7. These include washers, dryers, ironing facilities, and detergent at no additional cost.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises continues to offer complimentary self-service laundry facilities on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. These are equipped with washers, dryers, detergent, fabric softeners, and ironing facilities. Launderettes are located on decks 8, 9, and 10 on Crystal Symphony, and decks 7 through 11 on Crystal Serenity.
Cunard Line
Cunard’s ships—Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth—offer complimentary self-service laundry rooms. Each facility includes washers, dryers, detergent dispensers, and ironing stations. Operating hours are typically 7:30 am to 9 pm, though these may vary. The Queen Mary 2 has facilities on decks 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11, while the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth have laundrettes on decks 4 through 8.
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 laundrettes remain available on select older ships, such as the Veendam, Amsterdam, Maasdam, and Prinsendam, though newer and refurbished ships may not include them. Costs are $2 for a wash and $1 for a dryer load, with ironing facilities provided free of charge.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania ships offer self-service laundry rooms, which include washers, dryers, and ironing stations. These facilities are complimentary, with detergent and softeners preloaded in the machines.
Regent Seven Seas
All Regent Seven Seas ships provide complimentary self-service laundry facilities. These are fully stocked with washers, dryers, ironing boards, and detergent, available to passengers at no charge.
Viking Cruises
All Viking Ocean ships, including the Viking Star, feature complimentary self-service laundrettes. These facilities include washers, dryers, ironing stations, and detergent, ensuring passengers can conveniently maintain their wardrobe during their cruise.
While many self-service laundry rooms operate 24 hours, some have specific hours. For example, Cunard’s facilities are available from 7:30 am to 9 pm, though these times are subject to change.
Featured image by Robert Pratt
