Laundry visits

[minncruisers]

For those who prefer to pack lite, how often do you do laundry on the ship? I know we'll be very near the laundry and I'm thinking we might pack as lite as possible and just pop over to do laundry once or twice. We're cheapskates and would rather do a load or two rather than spend the extra $30-$40 for one more bag.:o I've only ever done laundry once and I think that was because one of our kids spilled something that needed immediate removal.

[crzndeb]

When I was on the Splendor in Oct. the wash was $3.00 and the dryer was $3.00....this was the first time I had done laundry on 18 previous cruises, but my daughter and I ziplined and rode horses, so we did need to wash some things. I still noticed dirt spots, so wasn't real pleased with the wash. After you buy detergent, and pay for the wash and dry, I don't think bringing an extra suitcase will be that much different. But it's really up to you. and Southwest still allows 2 free bags per person, if that's an option for you.

[toledo_cruiser]

I usually do two loads of laundry while cruising... whites and colors. I pack the laundry/fabric softener sheets as they take up no room in the suitcase. I just hate to pack dirty clothes in with the clean. Oh, and the dryer usually runs long enough that I get both loads out of the $3 charge. YMMV... Not that I'm a cheapskate, just saving dollars for the casino. :D

 

Jim

[unionville3]

We were on the Glory the week of Thanksgiving. We always pack light and do a load or two of laundry while on board. It is so nice not to have to come home to piles and piles of dirty clothes. On our Thanksgiving cruise, we did a load on the 3rd day of the cruise (it was a sea day) because we had about one load at that point. I'm not real picky with my laundry on a cruise. It's usually underwear, PJ's, shorts, tshirts, and swimsuits. I just throw it into one load and wash on cold. It is $3 a load and there is a timer. We usually drop it off and go to the pool while it's washing. Return to the laundry a few minutes early and then throw in the dryer. The dryer on the Glory was super hot and it doesn't take the whole time. We also did a load of our sandy swimsuits and coverups when we returned from our St. Maarten and St. Thomas beach days. I just didn't want all of those sandy clothes in my cabin. I am one of those people that do a load of laundry each and every day at home, so it's not a big deal to wash a load or two on the ship. I buy those small bottles of detergent in the travel section of Target and bring lots of quarters from home.

[cruisinmeme]

For those who prefer to pack lite, how often do you do laundry on the ship? I know we'll be very near the laundry and I'm thinking we might pack as lite as possible and just pop over to do laundry once or twice. We're cheapskates and would rather do a load or two rather than spend the extra $30-$40 for one more bag.:o I've only ever done laundry once and I think that was because one of our kids spilled something that needed immediate removal.[/quot

we leave next saturday for a 7 day cruise. we are across the hall from the laundry and i don't have to pay extra for luggage (we drive 1 1/2 hr to port) but i am still going to wash clothes. i have one large suitcase and one carry on (for 2 people) now for all the time it would take to unpack and sort that stuff i can do laundry. i have done it before and it so far has not been a big deal. i no longer haul heavy sack of quarters, just get it on the ship.

[deborahjo]

We took advantage of their "10.00 bag special" on the Splendor in April. For that we got 2 pair of jeans, 2 dress shirts, 2 pair of dress slacks and 4 t shirts. Not bad and will gladly pay it again so I do not have to do my own laundry.

[minncruisers]

Unfortunately we're flying Northwest/Delta and they charge $15 per bag each way. I have 1 package of sample detergent and DH has 1 leftover package he got from traveling. The only thing we'll be paying for is the washer and dryer. If all goes well, I should be spending no more than $9 for 2 loads. That certainly beats paying $30.:)

[mexicobob]

In my experience the very last thing I want to do on a cruise is wash clothes. Too much else going on. You can say you will do it before you get on the ship, but not going to happen. Been there, tried to do that.

 

MexicoBob

[GlendaleCruiser]

We did laundry on the Dream and just took turns. I took the Purex 3-in-1s which have the detergent, anti-static and softener all together so when it was my turn, I just took a book to read while they ran. I don't like to go off and leave my clothes. Then, I met a nice lady who was pressing her husband's shirts and didn't even read my book. Had a nice visit instead. Didn't miss anything but one of the port talks and my roommates went.

[gargoyle999]

We did 2 loads for our 8 day cruise to get clean clothes. ($3 for wash, $3 for dry). DW then did a couple more last day so she wouldn't have to wash clothes when we got back. Even though I reminded her we could do it at home for about 50 cents. :rolleyes:

 

We used the Purex 3 in 1 things too. Seemed to work fine.

[TPCRUISER2]

Does anyone remember if the immagination has self laundry, been several years! Thanks

[TPCRUISER2]

Should i saw does anyone remember if this class of ships has self laundry? Thanks

[Indyrobb]

Does anyone remember if the immagination has self laundry, been several years! Thanks

 

We did our laundry on the Imagination in September. We were towards the back of the ship, and it was probably about 10 doors towards the front from us.

[dclark]

I am plat now so I don't have to worry about i! But there was a time we did, so here is my advice.

1) Pack prepared- I'd bring a roll of quarters and a small box of concentrated soap from the dollar store. That is important as it takes up less room and weight in your bags.Also, bring clean plastic garbage bags for the clothes. Should you run a little low on detergent, go back to the room and squirt out a handful of shower shampoo into something and toss that into the wash.

2) Pick the right time! As the week goes on, the machines get busy/used. Early morning (8-10) is best.

3) Clean both lint screens on the dryers!!! Yeah, everyone knows about the one in the dryer (duh!), but there is also a secondary one behind it and because no one cleans it, it gets restricted. Look behind dryer for a long steel handle. I think from handle to screen it is three feet long. Pull it out, clean it, slide it back in, now the dryer will work better!

4) If the dryer still doesn't do a good job and you don't want to spend your sea day watching clothes spin, take the damp clothes back to your cabin, hang'em up and turn the room temp up to highest setting.

[TPCRUISER2]

Indyrobb: Thanks for the information. You know it's an ironing issue. Hey i lived in indy for 6 yrs, is that where indyrobb comes from?

[buckirj1]

I did a load of laundry about midway through the cruise. It was pouring in Saint John and I didn't have anything else planned, so...

 

I put a load in, went to the buffet for breakfast, came back to the laundry room, threw my stuff in the dryer. Then I went back to the cabin to get ready for the day (raingear and such) and read for awhile. The rain finally slacked off, so I stashed the folded laundry, got my gear and headed off the ship (no crowds!).

 

I had plenty of time to enjoy Saint John: wandered around City Market, took the escalators to the upper part of the town to gawk at some churches, then meandered my way back to ths ship, stopping at the merchant's tents set up in the port area.

 

It turned out to be a very nice day after all. But I got carried away reminiscing. To answer the original question, laundry didn't take long at all. At most 1 1/2 hours from start to finish, and I spent most of that time doing other stuff.

[beckymomof2]

I think I did laundry twice on a 7 day cruise for my husband and I. It was probably because we didn't pack enough of the right stuff and we didn't think about how our excursions were going to get us so dirty. We went on some dune buggies and were a mess afterwards.

[Indyrobb]

Indyrobb: Thanks for the information. You know it's an ironing issue. Hey i lived in indy for 6 yrs, is that where indyrobb comes from?

 

Yup, I've lived here for 8 years or so, but have always been a hoosier!

[joebat1]

For those who prefer to pack lite, how often do you do laundry on the ship? I know we'll be very near the laundry and I'm thinking we might pack as lite as possible and just pop over to do laundry once or twice. We're cheapskates and would rather do a load or two rather than spend the extra $30-$40 for one more bag.:o I've only ever done laundry once and I think that was because one of our kids spilled something that needed immediate removal.

 

Not a lite packer, but experiences on our 18 day T/A, Western Mediterranean with both pre & post land vacations. It was a necessity with DD having to have two formal dress and my Tux.

1. sorted clothes into dark & white in the cabin
   
2. Layered the clothes into a duffel bag
   
3. Loaded up two washers & went to pool for sun & relaxing
   
4. Set alarm on watch to come back and put cloths into dryers
   
5. back to pool.. set alarm to remove the perm-press and put them on cloths hangers to finish drying
   
6. Folded and packed balance of cloths, and pressed a few items
   

It was all pretty painless, and beat paying for all the extra luggage fees.

Next fall a 22 Alaska - Trans/Pacific, Asia cruise with a week to 10 day land/river cruise in China. No way can I afford the excess baggage fee for all the cloths & shoes needed for the 2 of us for a month.