Laundry Question

[Figsgrandma]

I know that some, if not all, of the Princess ships have laundries that passengers can use. While doing laundry is not really how I would like to spend my time on a cruise, I'm thinking that for our upcoming (May 29th) Alaska cruise on the Sapphire I may have to plan on doing at least one load, in order to cut down on the amount of clothes we bring with us (I understand that the airlines are much stricter regarding weight limits for checked bags, and the clothes we would bring for Alaska are heavier than what we'd take to a warmer location).

 

So my questions are:

 

I assume that I have to bring quarters for the washers and driers - that I can't just swipe my room card and charge it to my shipboard account. How much does each load cost?

 

Do I have to bring laundry detergent, or can it be purchased?

 

Is there a particular time when the laundry rooms are less crowded?

 

Is there anything else I should know about?

 

Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

Laurel

[SaylorGirl]

Laurel, In my normal life I despise doing laundry, I put it off always. But when I'm on a cruise it seems more like an adventure, go figure. On a 7 or 10 day cruise I will run a couple of loads through twice. I have had some great conversations in the laundry room and its a very busy place.

 

You do need to use quarters for the machines. You can either take detergent or buy it from a vending machine. They also have irons set up in the room. The sea days in the afternoons are the busiest time. I would image they are very empty on port days, but I wouldn't want to waste my time when I could be in port. They do close in the evenings so you don't disturb other passengers.

[UKLady]

Hi

 

We have just come back off the star and unfortunately I had to do some laundry.

 

The washing machine was $1 and the dryer 50cents

 

Washing powder was $1 so were softner sheets for the dryer (2 in a box)

 

There was a change machine on the wall as you do have to insert coins not swipe your card.

 

When you put your money in the change machines you get princess tokens rather than quarters so Im not sure if actual quarters work.

 

They are the same tokens as the slots in the Casino so I just pinched a few off my other half :D

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Toto2Kansas]

But, they are open until late in the evening and that is sometimes the best time to go. We take a few laundry tablets or a bit of our own detergent as I didn't like what they sold in their vending machines. Also, they don't sell dryer sheets so if you are used to using them, take a few along. (they will also make your clothes in your luggage smell good so throw in a couple extras. )lol

 

Quarters can be purchased at the Purser's Desk or in the Casino so that isn't a problem. Last time it was $1 to wash and $1 to dry. But often if you have a heavy load, some of the dryers take a bit longer and it might take a second time to dry heavy things. The use of irons is free, and there are usually several with ironing boards in each laundry area.

 

So nice to have this option, especially in Alaska where dressing in layers is the only way to go.

[not Cozumel again cruiser]

Yes the airlines are very strict with weight of luggage now and it is really easier to go with less. I measure and pre pack zip lock bags with powder detergent- it is lighter than liquid to bring along- you also need a lightweight mesh laundry bag to carry the stuff- some people use their luggage but it is easier with a laundry bag. (and always bring a few extra lightweight hangers) The laundries can get really crowded at times and you may have to wait for a machine and the irons are busy on formal night. If you travel a lot some clothing that is made for travel is very helpful. I have some things that can be washed in the sink and dry overnight if necessary. Things that are 100% cotton are the worst- like jeans will take forever to dry if you do not have acess to a machine dryer. Fabrics like tencel, coolmax and fleece are great for travel. After 23 cruises I have refined my packing skills- take notes during your cruise on what you should have brought along and what you did not use. It will be helpful for the future. Have a great trip!

[Figsgrandma]

Thanks to everyone. It's also good to hear there are irons. Some of my blouses are 100% cottong which tend to wrinkle badly, even just in the suitcase. It's nice to know I could touch them up if necessary.

 

Really looking forward to our cruise, 4 weeks from today!

[Figsgrandma]

Thanks, everyone. It's also good to know about the irons.

 

Just 4 more weeks to our cruise! Can't wait.

[Toto2Kansas]

I have a lightweight travel hamper, takes up just about the same amount of room as a laundry bag. It is perfect on Princess as it can pop open and stand alone in the closet or bathroom and holds the laundry. Totally solves the problem on where to put the dirty clothes without having to drag a suitcase in and out to store them. There are also small pockets in the sides to carry laundry detergent and dryer sheets. When it gets full, all I have to do is grab it up and head for the laundry room. It folds up to a small circle or flat to slip into the zipper part of a suitcase. Comes in very hand, especially for longer cruises when there is no way to pack enough to get you through.

They are about $5-$6 at WalMart and I even found one in one of the ports for a friend while we were sailing through the Panama Canal last month $2. She admired ours and so I bought it for her for a gift.

[Figsgrandma]

Toto2Kansas,

 

We're bringing a portable hamper. We bought it last year in a local "bargain" store. We haven't used it yet, but it should work fine. By the way, it's still in its original wrapper, and the price tag says $1.34!

[Cruisin' Chick]

Yes, port days are the best time to do your laundry. If you have a chance to do some shopping before boarding, go to a grocery store, target, Walmart, etc. and pick up a travel size of detergent. Or previous to your trip, get a sample size (go to the website of one of the brands and see if they'll send you some). Or just take a ziplock bag and put in a washload worth in.

 

That's right about the dryers. Expect to need more than one cycle worth. Also don't trust the minutes on the machine. They're not that accurate.

[Toto2Kansas]

One heck of a deal on the hamper Figsgrandma, never seen them that cheap before.

[Hate 2 W8t]

I have never used a public laundry except once in college (bad experience), so I am unsure of how it works exactly. Do you have to "hang out" while your clothes wash/dry or is there a lock on the machine? I imagine it is the former, since I know there are some rude people out there who would lock it up and not come back in a timely manner. Is there a place to sit while you wait? How many machines are in the laundry? Do the machines have adjustment for temperatures, delicates, etc?

 

These may be overkill on questions, but I don't want to be expecting something that doesn't come through and find myself without enough clothes. :eek:

 

Thanks,

[Toto2Kansas]

There are no locks on the machines. Most people put in their things and then just come back in 20-30 minutes. IF it is busy and you don't come back you may find your clothes sitting on top of the washer or dryer and someone else using it. I have never seen any chairs or places to sit in the laundry rooms, there just is not enough space. Some do just hang out there until their laundry is finished.

Different ships have different sized laundry rooms and even on the same ship, they can be different sizes depending on which one on which deck you use.

I have seen as few as 4 machines each and as many as 12 machines each per laundry room.

 

There are adjustments on the machines for different temperature settings etc.

[stoneharborlady]

I think there were 6 washers, 6 dryers and 6 sets of boards and irons on the Caribbean Princess. It was immaculate, and not another soul in there at ten at night.

[Tarheelbelle]

I usually take a few dryer sheets and a small ziplock bag of detergent. I also travel with a lot of "travel" clothing, meaning lightweight and quick dry, as well as non-wrinkling.

I too am going to Alaska on my next cruise [less than 4 weeks now!] and am packing differently.

[SaylorGirl]

I should also mention, it really depends on what ship your on. The Grand class has much larger laundry facilities. On the Dawn they only had two washers and two dryers and they were FREE but that was in 2003 I'm sure they have put coin slots in by now. And on that ship at least on that floor they did close them at night.

[Figsgrandma]

Thanks again to everyone for your replies. Now I don't feel so stupid even thinking about doing laundry on the cruise, and can plan my packing accoridngly. I almost always end up bringing too much clothes on vacation, so I can hopefully "lighten up" this time.

 

Laurel

[bjboothman]

On the Dawn they only had two washers and two dryers and they were FREE but that was in 2003 I'm sure they have put coin slots in by now.

 

Yes, that would be correct! Another tip is that if they are in use on your deck, just keep going up or down until you find a room that is free - every passenger deck (at lease most of them) have facilities, some are busier than others.

[cruisingbug]

Same as above, or just pick a deck from the deck plans that doesn't have as many cabins, usually they have the same amount of machines no matter how many cabins are on the deck...

[negc]

I don't take my wife on a cruise so she can do laundry. For what I consider to be a reasonable cost, we send our dirty clothes out and let the ship's laundry do the work. We had tablemates on one of our Dawn Princess cruises who were treated quite rudely by other passengers because they didn't get back to the machine exactly as their laundry was finished (and I'm not talking about inconsiderate people who might not come back for hours) :)

[shygnome]

I understand that Laundry service is included in the price of a Suite? Has anyone used this?