Packing Lite -- Doing Laundry? (GASP!)

[NinaCO]

I have never done laundry on board the ship. But, the airlines have really gotten strict about weight limits of luggage, and I'm sick of having several heavy suitcases. Plus, I'm hoping to do "Self Assist" at debarkation. So, I'm considering packing lite and doing one or two loads of laundry on board the ship.

 

This is something I've never even contemplated before. I know Carnival has laundry rooms for passengers to use, and I'm guessing they don't take S&S cards.

 

I have some newbie-type questions:

 

-- Do they sell little single-load boxes of detergent? I use a liquid detergent at home, and I don't plan on packing any.

 

-- Is there a best time to do laundry? I'm assuming the machines will be busy on the days when the evening attire is formal.

 

-- Do you stay with the laundry while it's in the washer & dryer or trust that your cherished shorts & t-shirts won't be stolen?

 

-- Do the laundry rooms usually have just one set of machines or two? I've looked inside them a time or two (feeling sorry for the people who took time of their cruises to use them ), but I don't recall the layout.

 

Thanks!

 

Sleazy 3 on Conquest in Just:

[steveNcindy]

On our cruise, on port days, you could have an entire bag of laundry done for $15. We did not do it on this cruise due to our overpacking but next cruise will take advantage of this.

 

Carnival Legend 02/04

 

Our Cruise Pics

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[Catrin]

Well.. I was the laundry queen on our latest cruise!

 

We were lucky enough to be right down the hall.. so going in and out was a breeze!

 

The machines are 2.00 each. The detergent is 1.00. Normally, the later in the week, the more crowded the machines were... but I always did the laundry very early in the day.. with no problems.

 

I have to learn though.. I did not need to pack as much! And no one cares if you repeat an outfit!

 

One hint... a lifesaver the last two cruises was our pop up mesh hamper. IT folds flat in the suitcase and fit right in the closet. I cannot tell you how many people commented on me bringing it along.

 

Cathy

 

Ecstacy October 1992

Destiny October 1999

TRIUMPH May2003

 

 

Triumph May 2004

http://community.webshots.com/user/catrin0917

 

[KellyJean]

On the Paradise in 2001, I packed four days of clothes and then did my laundry on the night of the grand buffet whatever night that was. Wasn't very busy at all. I was fortunate to only be one deck up and near the stairs from the laundry room so yes, I left mine but made note of what time I started and was sure to be back before the end of each cycle. It seems like I had to get my detergent from the pursers desk.

 

Kelly

 

My Cruise Pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/kfrancis5

 

Cruise Critic Partae Pirates Cruise

 

Mariner of the Seas Reali-Tini Cruise 10/16/05

 

Sovereign of the Seas, Cabin #4057 - 9/21/03

Brilliance of the Seas, Cabin #8670 - 11/09/2002

Paradise, Cabin E194 - 09/01/2001

Atlantic, 12/1991

[Ms Belvedere]

We've done laundry every cruise but the first one. It makes me feel cleaner to know I'm not toting dirty clothes around and cuts down on the laundry that needs to be done when we get home.

 

The days at sea when the sun is out and everyone is on deck seem to work best because everyone is out there enjoying the sun not thinking about doing laundry. I pop a load or two in and, like someone else mentioned, time it while sunning. One of us runs in and moves it to the dryer when it's time.

 

We get quarters in the casino and take our own laundry detergent and fabric softener sheets. In the past I've used the laundry tablets from Wisk or Tide but can't seem to find them anywhere. They packed so easily and worked well, I guess I'll fill snack size zip locks with a few scoops for next cruise.

 

No one has ever "messed" with our clothes.

 

HTH

[GottaLuvCruising]

Unfortunately I always end up doing laundry too. Anticipating the inevitable, I bring a few baggies with detergent and a couple dryer sheets.

 

I prefer to undertake the task on a port day, when almost nobody else is on board. We usually come back to the ship early (fear of it sailing without us). Those quiet afternoons I never have to wait for a machine.

 

Most of the time there are two - four washers & dryers, plus an iron & ironing board. Folks will pull your clothes out and set them on top of a machine if you aren't there when they finish.

[marklodi]

Here is a link to a few pictures I took of the Laundry Room on the Pride (just click next to few the other pictures.)

 

Carnival Pride Laundry Room - Deck 6 Forward

 

Mark ºoº

 

 

5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!

 

Visit our Webshots Gallery

[Lady_K]

On the Glory, there were probably 3-4 washing machines and 4-6 dryers. More than enough for the floor, since I rarely saw many anyone using them. I liked that they were brand new and even had a digital timer that told us how long the wash cycle was and how long to dry. We just popped the clothes in, made note of when to return, and came back just in time. Worked great.

 

The only problem I had with the laundry facilities was there was only one iron per floor. We ended up ironing stuff almost every day and a few times someone else was using the iron. It wasn't a big deal, we just came back later, but it would have been nice if there had been a 2nd iron.

 

Doing laundry worked out fine for us... it certainly didn't interrupt our vacation, yet it did allow us to pack fewer clothes.

 

And I also looked all over for those laundry tablets... no luck. I guess they stopped making them, which is a shame because they were so easy to pack.

 

 

Carnival Glory - 5/15/04

Imagination - 4/00

[jleq]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Plus, I'm hoping to do "Self Assist" at debarkation. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Are they doing it with the "Conquest" now. Last info I had was Customs there wasn't doing it.

 

[dbauknight]

We had the laundry room right across the hall on our last cruise. Lengend, Valentines Week 2003. We only saw a "line" the last day of the cruise.

My wife did a load or two during the week with no problem at all. My wife recalls bringing a small zip lock bag of detergent with us for a few loads. We don't recall having any boxes that you could buy.

We did have a problem with useing the iron on formal nights. After the first night, I did our ironing first thing in the morning or the night before. Yes, the man of the house does the ironing. (The wife claims I do a better job.) ;-P

Just booked two cruises TODAY!

 

October 1998 - Carnival Imagination

November 1999 - Carnival Triumph

Valentines Week 2001 - Carnival Victory

Valentines Week 2003 - Carnival Legend

 

Our Last Trip To Paradise...Carnival Legend

Carnival Fantasy Weekend Getaway!

Valentines Week Cruise On The Carnival Glory!

[June Bug]

I know that some of you have mentioned that you do laundry coming back early from port...but I would swear that the laundry rooms were locked when we were in a couple of ports due to regulations about safe water, etc. I could swear it happened in Grand Cayman...also maybe in Jamaica...anyone else remember this, or was it just me??

 

June

Until We Leave on the Conquest, AGAIN !!

 

 

Conquest 2003

Pride 2002

Inspiration 2001

[NinaCO]

Thanks for the responses! If I can get a bag of laundry done for $15, I'll take advantage of it. Since I'm not planning to iron (don't do at at home, sure as heck not doing it on a cruise!), doesn't sound like they'll be any problem. The only items that ever need ironing are the formal clothes, and I have them done by the cruise line. The rest of the stuff I hang in the bathroom and steam while I'm unpacking.

 

Sleazy 3 on Conquest in Just:

[DonBurns]

I am also considering packing light this time. I have a stupid question. Where is the laundryroom most likely to be found? I do not recall seeing it on the Celebration. We will be on the Ecstacy (I'm already ecstatic! ) so where might it be?

 

Don Burns

Celebration 3/23/2001

Ecstacy 11/1/2004

 

Sailing on Ecstacy 

[CanTex]

That's my experience as well -- washing machines were locked in port and for about 2 hours after departing (the sign I saw on the Elation mentioned that the machines are unavailable until the ship is in "international waters.")

 

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by June Bug:

I know that some of you have mentioned that you do laundry coming back early from port...but I would swear that the laundry rooms were locked when we were in a couple of ports due to regulations about safe water, etc. I could swear it happened in Grand Cayman...also maybe in Jamaica...anyone else remember this, or was it just me??

 

June

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;06;13;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

Until We Leave on the Conquest, AGAIN !!

 

 

Conquest 2003

Pride 2002

Inspiration 2001<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[marklodi]

They were definitely open while in port on the Pride. Could be depending on the Ports I guess.

 

We did our one big load of laundry around noon while docked in Puerto Vallarta.

 

Mark ºoº

 

 

5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!

 

Visit our Webshots Gallery

 

[Boston6]

You can buy detergent tablets at the supermarket. Individually wrapped tablets are great for travelling.

 

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Monarch of the Seas (8/99)

Norwegian Sea (7/02)

Carnival Glory (4/17/04)

Carnival Glory (12/25/04)

 

[mohavemommy]

I suggest bringing your own detergent. The one I used from the ship caused a rash on my DD and me. Doing laundry was a breeze. I used both washers at the same time and just sat there and read a book. It didn't take long.

 

As for disembarkation, we were allowed to carry off our own luggage as soon as the first color was called even though it wasn't our color.

 

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next cruise ???? hhhmmmmm.....

[serene56]

We did laundry on a port morning. Before getting off- and before breakfast we threw the loads into the washers-then went and ate at the buffet. After breakfast we threw the clothes in the dryer...by the time we were done getting dressed for the shore excursions the clothes were all done. Not a bad way to waste that time. (that is how I am able to pack lightly- it was hard on the ROyal ship since they dont have a self laundry service.)

 

Going NOWHERE

 

 

 

Miracle, February 13, 2005

Legend, October 22,2004

Voyager August 31,2003

Victory September 22,2002

Regal Empress,June 2001

Sensation,August 2000

 

 

[QTPieRye]

My mother and I have recently had this discussion. She feels the need to bring a different outfit for each day, plus a different outfit for dinner, 2 formals.... something like 5 pairs of shoes, etc. etc. I told her I was bringing the minimal amount of clothes possible, to be placed in 1 suitcase and then do 1-2 loads of laundry mid-week. In a second small suitcase I plan on bringing my 20oz sodas, bottled water, shoes, collapsable cooler, etc. I figure I can use this suitcase to pack for things I purchase in port, etc.

 

My mom says there is no way I will feel up to doing laundry while on the ship. I told her that if doing 1-2 loads of laundry during the cruise means I don't have to drag 3 suitcases around, I opt for the laundry. Besides, I will have to prove her wrong! Even after all these years. lol

 

You can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl!

Girls Only Conquest!

 

Sensation Family Cruise

 

[1tonysmom]

Hi. My family of 5 went on the Glory last year, so we had to do laundry or the amount of luggage would have been unmanagable. Port days are a good time. We brought our own detergent in the form of tablets (Purex, I think) and dryer sheets. I even packed a Chlorox gel pen. Another good time to wash is late at night. No crowds. Try to avoid the laundry room on formal night, as there are a lot of people trying to get things ironed. Next cruise, I am also bringing a bottle of Downy wrinkle releaser. That stuff works miracles and if I can avoid ironing, I surely will.

 

Joanne

 

11/27 Carnival Glory Cruise

Carnival Glory 11/03

Sovereign of the Seas 5/01

Paradise 10/00

The Big Red Boat 5/98

Emerald Seas 3/90

[NinaCO]

This might be slightly OT. But, has anyone else noticed the ads that display on the right side of the screen? I usually don't much pay attention to them. But, I just noticed that the links coming up on this topic are for laundry detergents.

 

Sleazy 3 on Conquest in Just:

[dmfriedman]

I try to do laundry at least once on each cruise to reduce what I have to pack. I usually manage to do it twice, actually. Most often, I'll do it on a port day -- I'll get back to the ship at some point for a break while others are still out, and I'll have no problem getting machines.

 

Nina, the ads use Google's AdWords technology, which associates the ads which appear to the content of the page they appear on. It's the same technology behind the advertising which will appear in google's email service -- ads based on whatever is in the email you are reading.

 

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[sedbandmom]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by marklodi:

Here is a link to a few pictures I took of the Laundry Room on the Pride (just click next to few the other pictures.)

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/145490204/145511128LBAkZv

 

Mark ºoº

 

It looks like the iron and board are set up for right handed people. What about us lefties?

 

 

_5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!_

 

Visit our http://community.webshots.com/user/marklodi<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Ms Belvedere]

Originally posted by Boston6:

You can buy detergent tablets at the supermarket. Individually wrapped tablets are great for travelling.

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We used to be able to find the laundry tablets easily at all the grocery and discount stores. For some reason they are not available anywhere around here, we've checked in two states (PA & MD) and can't find them anymore. I see that Lady K said she was unable to find them either.

 

You'd think they'd be a hit with travelers, so convenient, small packaging, no spillage, premeasured. You could use just one tablet for a small or delicate wash load.

 

Ms B.

 

Celebration Oct '97

Triumph Dec '99

Sensation Nov '00

Spirit Nov '01

Pride Nov '02

Miracle Apr '04

Glory Sept '04

[mohavemommy]

I have the tablets right now, and found them at my local Super Wal-Mart.

 

See my past cruise pics here:

mohavemommy's Cruise Pics

 

 

 

__ /7__/7__/7____

\:::::::::::::::::::/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"THE WORLD'S BEST ISLANDS ARE ONES THAT FLOAT AND MOVE. THEY'RE CALLED CRUISE SHIPS."

 

next cruise ???? hhhmmmmm.....