shinyshoes

And have to wash everything new before wearing, and be careful what detergent is used, so buying new does no good, will have to be washed anyhow - and it's better to take a known good detergent with you.

 

To us, a few minutes doing socks and undershorts two or three times during a 3 week vacation is no big deal. Throw in a few of the wifes, bras and panties, first thing you know, you've got a load.

 

Not a big deal.

But therein lies the rub ( or the rubadubdub if you like). The earlier premise was, I believe, that one should take along a book to the laundry in order to constructively pass the time while waiting. This implies surely that the time spent in the said laundry is going to be rather more than a few minutes. War & Peace anyone? And whilst you may have certain sensitivities, that will be the exception rather than the general rule. The magic laundry bags are the way to go for most of us, or the 'Wear, Dump and Buy route for those with the means. And don't underestimate the entertainment value to had be from buying cheap clothes in foreign parts and the endless hilarity when one unwraps one's purchases back aboard.

Shiny

Um, so the time we'd spend doing laundry is now taken up by searching for a store that carries socks, etc. Of course, we would get the experience of buying them in a foreign country, which I suppose is worth something.

 

Maybe I should just take all my old socks, underwear, etc., and simply throw it out after I wear it? That would give me space in my suitcase for more souvenirs.

That is the best suggestion so far and is exactly what we did some years ago when touring Germany using public transport. It was actually quite cathartic to take off one's socks and put them straight in the bin.

Shiny

dear shiny,

i have just had a wasted journey to the opticians, who informed me that my eyes are fine, but that you are suffering from small font syndrome (sfs).

sir martin

who approves of mr ss's posts, but now needs a hubble telescope to read them.

apologies

ss

I came home with one of those bags in my luggage, I did eactly what you have described and nothing happened to it, it was still there on my bed in the evening. Very disappointed so I returned it to Cunard complaining that it was defective. I heard two years later that it was working perfectly. I will try it again next time I'm on board.

It's probably because household laundry deities are usually Godesses. A notoriously temperamental species of divine entity. They require a great deal more supplicating than the ones aboard cruise boats.

Shiny

And if my personal observations from my last few trips are any criterion the daytime dress and general turnout of the passengers reveals that a great many of them have but a fleeting relationship with either washer or iron and in some cases shampoo and even deodorant.

 

So I presume you would be happy for some to use the laundry at the very least....

 

My husband will be taking a suit and an extra jacket so that problem is solved, thanks.:)

Not so JC, not so. Hidden in the wardrobe are nice little bags. These are for offerings to the great god Lavabo. These bags when placed on one's bed mysteriously disappear only to reappear two days later with the contents beautifully clean and pressed to within an inch.

I class it as a modern miracle I truly do. There is no excuse for outward crumpledness. And I'm sure your husband will look absolutely spiffing.

Shiny

My Dear Shiny, I am afraid that I, even without clothes am "a bit crumpled about the edges". I have tried ironing myself, and even some starch, but gravity still takes over as soon as I stand up.:eek::D:D:D

The crumpled Au Naturel* look is true for me also but I do admire your 'Never Surrender' approach.

SS

* Should that be Naturelle, I forget.

My suggestion (especially for the men) is simply buy some new socks, shorts etc. at a port. (if one is concerned by the cost of laundry onboard). Or we could all cut down on 1 less alcoholic beverage per day and that would cover at least 5 pairs of socks! Or if one gave up gambling, the spa, overpriced souvenirs onshore, all laundry needs would be covered.

Personally I just carry extra, as they take up so little space!

That idea has some merit. Unless you live totally isolated there will be a market near you where you can purchase multi packs of socks (and pants). These may contain 5 or even 7 pairs of socks for less than the cost of having two pairs laundered on board. Of course they will not be the silk and cashmere mix to which one is accustomed but as the man said,'Twill suffice'.

Also if one does not mind rustling as one walks there is always the option of paper pants. A little thought and there are many stratagems one can adopt to keep one from the horrors of the laundry room. And if my personal observations from my last few trips are any criterion the daytime dress and general turnout of the passengers reveals that a great many of them have but a fleeting relationship with either washer or iron and in some cases shampoo and even deodorant. So if you are a little crumpled about the edges take heart, you will not stand out.

Shiny

Surely once they have been worn inside out, they are back to being as good as new and with a judicious application of some eau de cologne or similar the whole process can start again. Just a money/effort saving suggestion/observation.

An excellent thought Cap'n. There remains of course the ultimate in space/money/time-saving - Go Commando.

Shiny

I am a little concerned.... by pants do you mean pants? 2 pairs might be considered frugal by some wihout overnight washing every day and the use of a drying line on the balcony, as an inside dweller I couldn't be doing with soggy underwear hanging in the bathroom. But then it occurs to me that as an international playboy, you might have been using the vernacular for trousers. I would feel much more relaxed if that were the case.

Cap'n, I take to my keyboard a chastened man. Too much exposure to the linguistic aberrations from across the water have had a dire effect. 'Trousers', it should indeed have been. With regard to pants as 'pants' I find that my critical number is 4 pair. However even with 2 pairs, a little ingenuity can make them do for 8 days without washing. i.e. normal, back to front, inside out, back to front and inside out. I hope my apology leaves you suitably relaxed.

Exit pursued by Indesit.

SS

Thanks for that. I guess we will take an extra jacket for him....:)

Or, you could travel in a suit and pack just the dj and a jacket. And even at a pinch travel in the suit and take a spare pair of pants with which you could wear the suit jacket for elegant casual nights. And to go even more schooner rigged you could just travel in the suit take a spare pair of pants and don't take the DJ. Depends entirely on how you want to play it. With any of those combinations you will be OK.

SS

That the laundry machines are free is a guarantee that they are popular. I recommend taking a book since the best way to get a machine is to camp out in the laundry room until someone's cycle finishes.

I am obviously missing something vital here but is this a good way to spend time for which you have paid $kk, standing in a laundrette reading a book?

As this is the second 'Laundry' thread in the past week it must figure very large in some peoples' lives. Now what I don't get is this:-

On any trip lasting 7 days or less it is easy to pack enough washable kit to obviate the need for any laundry at all even if you fly to the ship. Laundry addicts can get their fix using the bathroom basin for their 'smalls' or by treading the offending article underfoot in the shower.

On trips of longer duration, with the possible exception of a complete world cruise the amount you spend on the cruise itself would make the extra expense of having the laundry done on board a comparatively trifling amount. And if you have any loyalty perk at all then it's even cheaper. So there must be some other reason which I do not comprehend which makes people disdain the pleasures of the cruise to hang around in a tiny, hot, noisy room with, if stories are to be believed, the occasional outbreak of verbal and sometimes physical violence. And don't forget folks in the room you save in the luggage by not bringing the spray starch and softening stuff you can pop an extra pair of pants or three pairs of socks.

A Puzzled Shiny

. Did I mention that I've been 'round the Horn too, but I forget what that's called?

So have I and I remember exactly what it was called. Not for the ears of those of a delicate disposition I assure you sir.

SS

When we were in SPB we took 2 Cunard Ship tours - One was a trip around all the sights which was very good but we also took one which gave us an opportunity to ride on the underground trains. It was really great and we stopped at a cafe and had a local tea and cakes (3 each!!) we visited a church and an indoor market then back on the underground train - it was one of the best tours I have ever done!!

My wife took two similar tours (I was laid up in the ship's hospital with some mysterious ailment). She had a great time and said she wouldn't have missed the underground journey for the world.

She had no complaints about overcrowding due to the coach numbers and thought the tours were good value. Of course lots of people prefer to be in a smaller group and it does save some time getting in and out of the coach. 50 people can take some time getting organised. Pays yer money .....

Shiny

Napkin folding has changed my life.

And a good thing too. You have far far too much fun.

Shiny