Is self serve laundry ever coming to NCL?

[Aquahound]

If I'm on vacation I am not going to do laundry. I pack accordingly.

 

That's what I used to say until I went on a Princess cruise. It's amazing how ones views change when something their not used to comes available. Even if it's just for the ironing.

 

What baffles me is the people who say they hope not. I really don't get that. What the hell difference does it make if it's on board if they don't intend to use it?

Edited June 30, 2014 by Aquahound

[dam64]

I hope not! I do enough at home and I pack accordingly so I don't have to do it on vacation!:rolleyes:

[SuiteCruisin14]

I certainly understand wanting to save baggage fees and long cruises where doing laundry saves those fees. I was on a ship where this was still possible several years ago and I spent 3 hours in the laundry room waiting for machines, protecting my clothes and spending vacation time doing all this. It is NOT worth it, too much is going on while I am doing exactly what I wanted a vacation from!!!

 

I now pack a lot of black and khaki bottoms to pair with bright colored tops. No one remembers what you wore to dinner last night, especially on NCL.

 

It is down time for me, not time to do laundry.

 

Lynda

[Single Cruiser]

So many reasons not to have self-service laundries.

 

Wastes space

Creates fire risks

Creates potential passenger conflicts (when full / clothes left after cycle completed)

Creates more pollution (detergents etc..) save the waves, wash at home where the waste water can be better treated! - the same reason for re-using that cabin towel.

You're on vacation!

 

I always seem to overpack, even on 2wk cruises and come back with some clothes not worn. First thing in the case is clean underwear for however many days of cruise then after that outerwear dependant on weight (if flying) or size of case! :D

[don't-use-real-name]

I'd rather see a FedEx drop box on board... that way I can box up the dirty clothes and send them home instead of packing them. ;)

 

That's the bestest idea yet - only amplify it have fresh clothing shipped to a port

somewhere in route and then use the (FedEx) shipping box to return

dirty clothes to home - should not be necessary on 7 day cruises but 10 or more

and the break point is reached.

Remember if flying to or from the sailing port the baggage drill the airlines put

you through Weight Pieces Fees number of Carry-Ons.

 

Another note those ships with self-service laundry better have a casino cause

you are going to need a boat load of quarters to run the darn things.

If one of the machines - washer or dryer is out of service that does pose problems royal.

 

A solution for payment in lieu of quarters just swipe your stateroom card.

When the laundry is finished a part-time attendant could query the machine for whose

laundry it is and drop it off at your cabin - not so nicely folded and wrapped.

 

It is a good thing that NCL is FreeStyle cruising wearing dirty 2nd time around

clothing sure would fit the bill here.

 

But Egads - Avast what's a cruiser to do when out of presentable clothing ?

 

Didn't yo mama tell you to wear clean underwear ! LOL !

[jkgourmet]

That's what I used to say until I went on a Princess cruise. It's amazing how ones views change when something their not used to comes available. Even if it's just for the ironing.

 

What baffles me is the people who say they hope not. I really don't get that. What the hell difference does it make if it's on board if they don't intend to use it?

 

Especially for those of us who don't ever check luggage anymore. Amazing how much you can stuff into carryon when you pack properly.

 

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Edited July 1, 2014 by jkgourmet

[luddite]

First World problems.

[emcelh]

I also wish they had laundry. I usually will do it once halfway through a trip. When you have 5 people to pack for it is nice to have the option so you don't have to pack as much. I don't mind paying to have it done but everything I read says they throw it all in one load and dry it all. I don't machine dry a lot so it doesn't work for me ....

 

You wouldn't use the dryers? Where would you dry your laundry then? That little clothes line in the shower wouldn't hold much.

[don't-use-real-name]

You wouldn't use the dryers? Where would you dry your laundry then? That little clothes line in the shower wouldn't hold much.

 

Do a little at a time (think a sink full).

Yes the little string line in the shower ain't much but it will suffice.

To accelerate the drying time sans self service dryer in laundry use the

cabin provided hair dryer*** on a low setting also bring along a few pinch type

clothes pins and pin some of the heavier items to the deck chairs if you have

balcony cabin - caution keep the clothes well back from the railing and being

blown overboard - the NCL Laundry police will be looking for you.

Another method wrap your wet laundry in a bath towel or two for awhile -

hang over something like a cabin chair then place on a closet hanger in the

open. There are other imaginative and inventive methods of drying clothes.

 

*** Careful using the hair dryer on fine items such as lingerie and delicates

no direct application just a fanning of the blowing heat on low off the side to

create air movement. Hang a towel over a chair and place the item on top

to self dry. Items not so risk'que take up top side and place on an empty

deck chair next to you while you read a book and or soak up some sun. Don't

do this during prime time when deck chairs are needed.

 

Obviously some climates that the ship sails thru are not going to be conducive

to outdoor drying.

 

Self service laundry without machine assistance can be done and is manageable

just plan and think ahead you don't have to use caveman methods.

[Prince George]

This is our first NCL cruise and we will be on the 31 day South America cruise so I am not too happy that there is not laundry facilities available. How much can you pack with airline weight restrictions?? and not excited about washing in the sink for 31 days. We have cruised many times with Princess and every ship has had a laundry facility, never saw a problem with mess, laundry being left behind (just put it on top of the machine) or any other issues. Still really looking forward to this cruise......and I guess I will have to consider the laundry issue!

[negc]

This is our first NCL cruise and we will be on the 31 day South America cruise so I am not too happy that there is not laundry facilities available. How much can you pack with airline weight restrictions?? and not excited about washing in the sink for 31 days. We have cruised many times with Princess and every ship has had a laundry facility, never saw a problem with mess, laundry being left behind (just put it on top of the machine) or any other issues. Still really looking forward to this cruise......and I guess I will have to consider the laundry issue!

Simple solution is to let them do your laundry. It might be more costly but certainly better than washing clothes in the bathroom sink or over-packing. Frequent guests of a line often get free or discounted laundry service. (BTW placing left behind laundry on top of the machine was a frequent source of disputes among passengers on some cruises we were on. Apparently the owner of the clothes objected to someone handling their clothes even if they were late in returning to the laundry room:rolleyes:)

However, the bottom line seems to be that the return of self-service laundries on NCL is pretty unlikely.

Edited July 2, 2014 by negc

[dwjoe]

This is our first NCL cruise and we will be on the 31 day South America cruise so I am not too happy that there is not laundry facilities available. How much can you pack with airline weight restrictions?? and not excited about washing in the sink for 31 days. We have cruised many times with Princess and every ship has had a laundry facility, never saw a problem with mess, laundry being left behind (just put it on top of the machine) or any other issues. Still really looking forward to this cruise......and I guess I will have to consider the laundry issue!

I guess if you're used to having laundry facilities it is an adjustment. We're used to it, none of our cruises had self service laundry available. We fit everything needed for a 7 day cruise into the 50lb airline checked baggage limit so if you are stick within that limit I think you should be OK. We've also sometimes taken less clothes and used the laundry service for socks and underclothing mid-cruise.

[Mimosa09]

Simple solution is to let them do your laundry. It might be more costly but certainly better than washing clothes in the bathroom sink or over-packing. Frequent guests of a line often get free or discounted laundry service. (BTW placing left behind laundry on top of the machine was a frequent source of disputes among passengers on some cruises we were on. Apparently the owner of the clothes objected to someone handling their clothes even if they were late in returning to the laundry room:rolleyes:)

However, the bottom line seems to be that the return of self-service laundries on NCL is pretty unlikely.

 

Many people on many of the threads relating to laundry always seem to think this is the answer - let them do your laundry. It just doesn't work if you do some (not all) of your laundry in cold water and hang to dry. It doesn't work if the cost of the laundry is going to impact your budget ($75 for 3 bags of laundry! :eek:)

I have to say, we are going to take our first NCL cruise and if they removed the launderettes because of fighting going on, who am I cruising with? Vikings? LOL! But seriously, I can see them removed because of possible fire hazard.

Yes, it is very convenient to have a self-service laundry onboard when you want to use it, especially on a longer cruise or if your cruise is in the middle of your vacation - part of my vacation memories is a conversation with an Australian woman while ironing a blouse on a Princess ship. And on another trip, we boarded a ship with two bags of laundry after doing our own 'land tour' for 10 days. Popped them in the machines, did the unpacking in our cabin, came back - put some of the clothes in dryers and hung the pants to dry in the room. Nobody took the clothes out of the machine - no fighting occurred.

For those of you who can use a ship's laundry for your clothes - hooray for you! I still cannot find pants that will not shrink - I still must hang to dry. And no ship's laundry is going to wash them in cold water and return them to our cabin wet so I can hang them to dry.

 

-Rose

[negc]

Many people on many of the threads relating to laundry always seem to think this is the answer - let them do your laundry. It just doesn't work if you do some (not all) of your laundry in cold water and hang to dry. It doesn't work if the cost of the laundry is going to impact your budget ($75 for 3 bags of laundry! :eek:)

I have to say, we are going to take our first NCL cruise and if they removed the launderettes because of fighting going on, who am I cruising with? Vikings? LOL! But seriously, I can see them removed because of possible fire hazard.

Yes, it is very convenient to have a self-service laundry onboard when you want to use it, especially on a longer cruise or if your cruise is in the middle of your vacation - part of my vacation memories is a conversation with an Australian woman while ironing a blouse on a Princess ship. And on another trip, we boarded a ship with two bags of laundry after doing our own 'land tour' for 10 days. Popped them in the machines, did the unpacking in our cabin, came back - put some of the clothes in dryers and hung the pants to dry in the room. Nobody took the clothes out of the machine - no fighting occurred.

For those of you who can use a ship's laundry for your clothes - hooray for you! I still cannot find pants that will not shrink - I still must hang to dry. And no ship's laundry is going to wash them in cold water and return them to our cabin wet so I can hang them to dry.

 

-Rose

Like it or not, your only options, if you choose to sail with NCL or other lines which do not provide self-service laundries, will be to use their laundry service, wash your clothes in the bathroom sink, or pack sufficient clothes to meet your needs for the duration of your cruise.

[biker@sea]

Airlines create the laundry problem with bag limitations !!

 

We drove to the port with a total of 7 bags .

No need for laundry .

The cruise line will give you all luggage tags you want for FREE . :D:D

 

Don't Hate the Cruise-line cuz the Airline screwed ya . :eek:

 

J.M.H.O.

[mfinster007]

I haven't read all the replies, but only speaking for myself why on earth would I want to do laundry on my vacation? I can do that at home. I am also much too busy to be wasting my time on laundry. Just one woman's opinion.

 

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[cle-guy]

Great post.

 

But it looked to me like they overstuffed our clothes with a bunch of others and nothing got clean. Just seems like you have a choice of paying ridiculously high per garment rates (and getting a good job done) or using that bag and getting a poor job done.

 

Exactly how dirty can one get while on a cruise?!!? I can wear the same pair of shorts or jeans for 7 days without feeling bad about them. Seems like I change 3 times a day (pool time, special gathering, dinner time) so even shirts can got multiple days use.

 

I've done 2 13 night transatlantics, and never had to send laundry out, other than requesting pressing for formal night. traveling with kids? Get the kids the biggest suitcase you can and fill with the extras you need (rather than the small and cute little kid suitcases), then stuff cases as full as you can using the extra room than adult clothes so fill 'em all up to the hilt. When I pack, I roll socks and stuff in my shoes, fill in all the little holes and spots in the suit case. Underware in the toiletry bag empty spaces.

 

I pack a small duffle bag in the outer pocket of my large suitcases so in case they are overweight at the airline counter, remove a bit and stuff in the duffle bag then carry it on. Sometime the airlines don't weigh sometimes they do.

 

I have read on some roll calls where people do seek out laundromats in some ports, this is an option if laundry without paying the ship to do it is a real issue.

 

But end of the day, most mass market lines are meant to be all inclusive resorts, and the last thing most people want to do at an all inclusive resort is their own laundry. I imagine the number of lines that DO provide laundry is far smaller than those that don't, mass market or niche market.

[cle-guy]

This is our first NCL cruise and we will be on the 31 day South America cruise so I am not too happy that there is not laundry facilities available. How much can you pack with airline weight restrictions?? and not excited about washing in the sink for 31 days. We have cruised many times with Princess and every ship has had a laundry facility, never saw a problem with mess, laundry being left behind (just put it on top of the machine) or any other issues. Still really looking forward to this cruise......and I guess I will have to consider the laundry issue!

 

Is it a single 31 day itinerary, or a combination of B2B's.

 

On Celebrity, I've read they provide laundry service for B2B cruisers often times. Not sure if NCL does.

[cle-guy]

Here's a good resource for those looking for ships with self serve laundry.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1614

 

Lines WITH self-serve Laundry:

• Azamara
  
• Carnival
  
• Crystal
  
• Cunard
  
• Disney
  
• Oceania
  
• Princess
  
• Regent Seven Seas
  
• Seabourn
  
• Uniworld Boutique River Crusie Collection
  

 

 

Lines WITHOUT Self Serve Laundry:

• AmaWaterways
  
• Avalon Waterways
  
• Celebrity
  
• Costa
  
• Island Windjammers
  
• Lindblad Expeditions
  
• MSC
  
• NCL
  
• Paul Gaugin Cruises
  
• Royal Caribbean
  
• Windstar
  

 

 

Lines with Some ships WITH and Others WITHOUT-See the link above for more info:

• American Cruise Lines
  
• Holland America
  
• Viking
  

[vols_159]

Who wants to do landury while on vaca not me

 

 

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[NMLady]

This is our first NCL cruise and we will be on the 31 day South America cruise so I am not too happy that there is not laundry facilities available. How much can you pack with airline weight restrictions?? and not excited about washing in the sink for 31 days. We have cruised many times with Princess and every ship has had a laundry facility, never saw a problem with mess, laundry being left behind (just put it on top of the machine) or any other issues. Still really looking forward to this cruise......and I guess I will have to consider the laundry issue!

 

We cruised for 33 days plus three days before the cruise, only had one suitcase each and one carryon, never washed clothes in the sink. The cruise changed climates from cold of Iceland, across Atlantic to heat/humidity of Caribbean.

 

The trick is to only pack enough for only 10 days, using mix and match tops and bottoms. Send laundry to ships laundry once per week on their bag special day.

[sjbdtz]

Who wants to do landury while on vaca not me

 

 

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Apparently, the OP. What's your point?

 

 

 

.

[cle-guy]

Apparently, the OP. What's your point?

 

My guess is to add a data point as to how in demand self service laundry on a ship is (Or perhaps isn't).

[Laszlo]

The #1 complaint is no laundry? LMAO Really????

 

Can't anyone go a week without doing laundry?

[Mimosa09]

The #1 complaint is no laundry? LMAO Really????

 

Can't anyone go a week without doing laundry?

 

7 days yes, but not on longer cruises or trips. As for the $75 for 3 bags of laundry, I was quoting someone traveling with children - I am not traveling with children, but I can sympathize with someone on a tight budget.

 

- Rose (who is now leaving on a 7 day cruise & is not washing any clothes, 'cuz I packed enough - longer cruises & trips I do wash)

 

 

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