laundry fights?????

[ready2travel54]

Going to Alaska this coming summer. Since we are trying to keep luggage light we thought we could do laundry our first day on board. ( or even second day) This way we can wear the same clothes we wore for our land portion once more. In another thread about fighting over theater seats someone mentioned laundry fights. How busy does the laundry usually get. Will I need to bring more clothes and forget about doing laundry? I'm not about to fight over the laundry.

[Pam in CA]

Going to Alaska this coming summer. Since we are trying to keep luggage light we thought we could do laundry our first day on board. ( or even second day) This way we can wear the same clothes we wore for our land portion once more. In another thread about fighting over theater seats someone mentioned laundry fights. How busy does the laundry usually get. Will I need to bring more clothes and forget about doing laundry? I'm not about to fight over the laundry.

When I did laundry on the ship, I usually started it at between 4:00-4:30pm, and never had to wait for a washer or dryer. I'd be done by 5:30-6pm. It always worked out. Never saw a fight although I've heard of them and on one cruise, a man punched a woman because she'd removed his laundry from the dryer. He was removed from the ship (he should have been literally thrown off) at the next port; not sure about the woman.

[Rejeana]

Coming off the land tour, we were some of the first people to board the ship. I went straight to the laundry and there was 1 busy washer. By the time my load was dry, every washer was going.

[DougandEric]

We've used the laundry on several occasions and never had a fight. I usually find it easier to get a machine later in the afternoon or if you get back to the ship on a port day early. I always leave a bag or basket with my cabin number on it so if I don't get there immediately when the washer/dryer is done, someone has a place to put my clothes (other than floor!) so I don't hold them up. We also travel with a $10 roll of quarters so we don't have to rely on the change machines or go to the front desk for change. We also set an alarm in the cabin to remind us to check on the washer/dryer - usually a couple of minutes early. Once on the Cunard Caronia, we forgot to get our laundry out of the washer until a few minutes past 8PM. The room closed at 8PM - and they meant it! Our wet laundry stayed there overnight!

[carolugolini]

Going to Alaska this coming summer. Since we are trying to keep luggage light we thought we could do laundry our first day on board. ( or even second day) This way we can wear the same clothes we wore for our land portion once more. In another thread about fighting over theater seats someone mentioned laundry fights. How busy does the laundry usually get. Will I need to bring more clothes and forget about doing laundry? I'm not about to fight over the laundry.

If I have to go to the laundromat, I go during 1st seating dinner; most of the pax choose 1st seating, so competion is less.

There was a terrible fight on our trans-pacific cruise....two wives, then brought in the husbands.... We were still in port, so they ALL got ejected! Then, they started arguing on the pier, so the cops toted them off to jail. Now, how ya gonna fix that in Suva, Fiji???

Certainly not worth it!!!!

[Molly's Mum]

We've used the laundry on several occasions and never had a fight. I usually find it easier to get a machine later in the afternoon or if you get back to the ship on a port day early. I always leave a bag or basket with my cabin number on it so if I don't get there immediately when the washer/dryer is done, someone has a place to put my clothes (other than floor!) so I don't hold them up. We also travel with a $10 roll of quarters so we don't have to rely on the change machines or go to the front desk for change. We also set an alarm in the cabin to remind us to check on the washer/dryer - usually a couple of minutes early. Once on the Cunard Caronia, we forgot to get our laundry out of the washer until a few minutes past 8PM. The room closed at 8PM - and they meant it! Our wet laundry stayed there overnight!

 

I love the idea of putting your cabin number on your basket/ bag! ( and

I'll pinch it if I may?)

 

I've heard about fights in the laundry here, but never come across one!

In my experience, it's a great place to chat!

[Molly's Mum]

When I did laundry on the ship, I usually started it at between 4:00-4:30pm, and never had to wait for a washer or dryer. I'd be done by 5:30-6pm. It always worked out. Never saw a fight although I've heard of them and on one cruise, a man punched a woman because she'd removed his laundry from the dryer. He was removed from the ship (he should have been literally thrown off) at the next port; not sure about the woman.

 

Totally agree re " The man!"

BTW I just wanted to say that your Mum looks beautiful in that picture.

[long cruiser]

Become elite and you will get free laundry.

long cruiser

[Infi]

I haven't seen any laundry fights per se, though I have seen people steal machines from others and dump others' clothes on the floor. That's enough to make me want to avoid the laundry room and the rude people that often inhabit it. :rolleyes:

[LaCal]

Never saw any fights or had any problems on Princess doing laundry....

 

I always do mine first thing in the morning and have never even had to wait for a machine.....

 

We just got off Norwegian and there we had a problem as they dont have a Laundry room.....

 

They did a Full Bag of our Laundry for $25.00 but I dropped it off on Wednesday morning and it was suppsoe to be done that day by 6pm....

 

Never got it back till Thursday afternoon......:eek:.....But atleast it came back....lol

[gooch47]

Not a fight, but I was there when a man came into a laundry room full of women once and announced he needed three machines immediately.

 

He got laughed out of the place.

[LoriPhil]

We make sure to be in the laundry room a few minutes before the end of the cycle for both washer and dryer to avoid delaying someone else, though sometimes it takes focus to remember to watch-the-watch, particularly if there is lovely scenery passing by! If there is a chance we will be busy and might be delayed, we wait until we do have the open time.

[hiworldtraveler]

Here is a tip to doing your laundry. During your land tour, if you are staying at a Princess Lodge, they do have laundry mats. On the last night of your land tour, collect your dirty laundry and pack it in your carry-on baggage in addition to your laundry detergent (travel size) and dryer sheets. When you board the ship with your carry-ons, head for the laundry mat on your deck first, before going to your room. Since you have your own detergent, you don't have to worry if the detergent machine is not functioning, etc. and just start your laundry. There is usually a sign on the machines or in the room that states how long the load will wash and dry. Keep track of time and go back to your room. At the end of the cruise, I give my favorite crew member the extra detergent since they have personal items to wash too. I am an Elite member for several cruises so have my laundry is done for me. I don't think much has changed at the laundrymat. I still use the same method only now stuff my laundry bags when I get to the room versus going to the laundrymat. :)

[Cruisin' Chick]

We've used the laundry on several occasions and never had a fight. I usually find it easier to get a machine later in the afternoon or if you get back to the ship on a port day early. I always leave a bag or basket with my cabin number on it so if I don't get there immediately when the washer/dryer is done, someone has a place to put my clothes (other than floor!) so I don't hold them up. We also travel with a $10 roll of quarters so we don't have to rely on the change machines or go to the front desk for change. We also set an alarm in the cabin to remind us to check on the washer/dryer - usually a couple of minutes early. Once on the Cunard Caronia, we forgot to get our laundry out of the washer until a few minutes past 8PM. The room closed at 8PM - and they meant it! Our wet laundry stayed there overnight!

 

The key word is consideration. It sounds as if you have some good practices. ON our cruises, we've often met some nice people in the laundry room. Every once in a while, there is a jerk. Or a machine hog (they try to use all the machines at once and then not come back in time to take out their clothes). We did go to another deck and find some free machines once when our deck's room was busy with passengers waiting for free machines. On our last cruise, there were a couple of people who were hogging the machines.

 

At least on most Princess ships (and most itineraries), you can use the room on port days. That would be the easiest time to find a machine. Baring that, being first to the room when the room is unlocked may be another strategy as long as several others didn't think of it first.

[jlp20]

We have cruised several times with the intention of doing laundry on the ship. It is my observation that most who go this route pack for 3-4 days. The demand for washing machines hits a peak on whatever day is the closest sea day to the mid-point of a 7 day cruise. Knowing this, we wash the 2nd of 5th day and never had a problem

 

While I have never seen any type of altercation, I have seen “forgotten” loads of laundry unceremoniously removed from a machine and deposited on a table.

[sunsetbeachgal]

OP,

 

I was the one who mentioned fights in the laundry room...the one reported on these boards took place on the Ocean Princess, and that ship has only one laundry room (for 680 passengers) and the ship does mostly longer cruises, therefore many folks use the laundry. We usually do laundry on a cruise, and have never had any problems, but we usually try to get there when the room opens up (I think it is 8AM?).

[CFD130]

Here is a tip to doing your laundry. During your land tour, if you are staying at a Princess Lodge, they do have laundry mats. On the last night of your land tour, collect your dirty laundry and pack it in your carry-on baggage in addition to your laundry detergent (travel size) and dryer sheets. When you board the ship with your carry-ons, head for the laundry mat on your deck first, before going to your room. Since you have your own detergent, you don't have to worry if the detergent machine is not functioning, etc. and just start your laundry. There is usually a sign on the machines or in the room that states how long the load will wash and dry. Keep track of time and go back to your room. At the end of the cruise, I give my favorite crew member the extra detergent since they have personal items to wash too. I am an Elite member for several cruises so have my laundry is done for me. I don't think much has changed at the laundrymat. I still use the same method only now stuff my laundry bags when I get to the room versus going to the laundrymat. :)

Great advice- plus I always bring a little bag with $6-10 of quarters and a couple of dryer sheets. I also bring a dry cleaning sheet (Available at grocery strores) to freshen up and get rid of the wrinkles in our formal clothes

[Toddy709]

I've had some of my best conversations on a cruise ship in the laundry room. I always leave a hamper and a note that if I am not back by the time the washer or dryer stops to feel free to dump my stuff in the hamper.

 

One of my favorite laundry room stories: My sister and I had cash in our zipper pocket on a snorkeling excursion. She took all the wet bills to the laundry room to iron and dry out. Two guys came in and she said, don't mind me, I'm just laundering money!:eek:

[VT Hokie Cruiser]

I saw a woman go bonkers in the laundry room once when she didn't show up promptly and sombody needed her machine. After waiting a few minutes, they were setting her stuff aside on a table and she came in and kept screaming "you TOUCHED my laundry." Well, yeah. Get over it. Your lease ran out. Leaving a note and a bag behind is a great idea. And so is setting a timer.

[DesertDaisy]

I also commented on Laundry room fights, sorry if I mis-lead. I have never seen anything physical, just some nasty, uncomfortable comments. We are elite, but I still do our own personal clothes, usually just one load. In my experience, it's the last 24 hours that are difficult. The first two days no problems. I also like the idea of a note and basket or bag. I do not sit and wait, it can be a bit warm. If I have been late, which I believe I must have been once, I found my wet clothes on an ironing board. Never did it again!

[julia]

After reading this thread (and the one about the nasty altercation in the theater), I seriously want to HURL. Why can't people just lighten the heck UP?!!

 

Laundry advice: There are plenty of washers and dryers. None available? Be patient, check back, and wait your turn. Keep an eye on the clock. Remove your clothes promptly. Never, EVER be so presumptuous to remove others clothes! (just because THEY are inconsiderate doesn't mean YOU should be. Take the high road!) ;) Bring Purex sheets. Get quarters from the casino.

 

To the OP: Enjoy your first day onboard. Your laundry can wait.... :)

[Loonbeam]

Another thing that could be easily handled by following the same rules most land laundromats use.

 

"All persons must be present while using machines for length of cycle(s)."

[PescadoAmarillo]

We used to have good luck by going to the laundry rooms on the decks that don't have a full length of cabins. I've also had laundry in two different laundry rooms at the same time.

[dakacz]

If clothes are finished and people are waiting it makes no sense to have an idle machine. It could be hours before someone returns. If a person would be upset that someone removed their clothes then they should be sure to return in a timely manner.

[goodroe]

We did a land tour for a week before boarding in Whittier. As a previous poster mentioned, late afternoon seems to be a good time. I used the laundry the first afternoon on board and there was no else there. Since I would think the majority of people are just starting the cruise, there shouldn't be much demand for the laundry.