What do you do about laundry?

[el820]

The last cruise we went on, there was self laundry service on board the ship. We'll be cruising aboard the Pride of Aloha next month, but the ship does not have self laundry service. It's a 10 day cruise, and we'll be staying an extra two days in Honolulu after the cruise.

 

What does everyone do about their dirty laundry during the cruise?

 

Thanks

[Disneyworld]

As far as I know, some ships do offer laundry service, but some say it is exp. and others say it isn't. There have been posts on this issue before with some saying that one day a special offer was made that the ship charged a certain amt. for a bag full.

What we are planning on doing is this. For underwear, etc. we are bringing what we have, and going to a dollar type store locally and buying some cheap underwear and actually throwing it out after we are done ( we saw a package of 3 pairs for $3.)we are doing this for socks too.

For shirts we are bringing llight weight that dries fast and a small hand wash bottle of detergent (woolite) and wash and hang dry.

We are going on an 11 day cruise and doing 3 days precruise and 1 post cruise, so we are packing as light as we can and don't want to have all that dirty laundry around either, that's why the "disposable" underwear and socks.

I'm sure others have some great ideas.

[HiloSunshine]

While in Hilo, there is a laundromat directly across the street from the pier.

[el820]

Hilo is only our second port of call. I don't think we would have accumulated much dirty laundry then. Any laundry mat close to the pier at Kona, or even Lahaina Maui?

[Duffys wife 1957]

I was thinking the same about the laundry.. Has anyone been on Pride of Aloha and have been offered a bag of laundry for a certain price..We also are arriving 3 days earlier for our 10 day cruise....:confused:

[el820]

I was thinking the same about the laundry.. Has anyone been on Pride of Aloha and have been offered a bag of laundry for a certain price..We also are arriving 3 days earlier for our 10 day cruise....:confused:

 

 

Are you on the Sept 9th cruise?

[LakeErieLady]

I thought I was getting all my ducks in a row, and then this post comes up:) I don't like the idea of using some of my shore time at the laundromat:eek:

So I will be monitoring this for ideas one more thing to add to my list.....

[happy888]

Hi all,

 

We are a family of 6 (Parents in 70s, kids - 2 & 5, DH and me). We just came back from PoAm. The following is what I did, hope it helps -

 

1) we brought 3 days clothes that made with light weight and dry quick fabric

2) we only brought couple socks. Since we worn sandals most of the time, so socks are only needed for the formal night (for DH, kids and Dad), exercise and in Hilo. Note - it is better to wear socks and gym shoes if you are planning to walk around a bit in VNP.

3) There is a coin laundry mat in Maui by Lahania. We started the laundry, and then go to shopping around Lahania. It is by Dickens and the main highway - close to Pizza Hut. Sorry I didn't have the exact address.

4) We bought T-shirt at Walmart and Hawaii outfits at local shops that we like, as our changing clothes

5) Bring couple swim suits per person. Thus, if the one is wet, wear the other one

6) There is also a laundry mat at Kauai we found. It should be by the Coconut Beach Marketplace. We didn't use it. As after Maui, we washed our clothes and hang them dry. BTW, there is a laundry line in the bathroom.

 

EL:)

[shell03]

I packed small ziploc bags with powder laundry detergent and washed the absolute necessities (bathing suits and rash guards) in the sink and hung them in the shower on the "clothesline". Surprisingly, everything dried by the morning. I also pack a few wire hangers to use, since the ones on the ship have no "hook" portion.

 

The rest went into a big hefty bag and into one of the empty suitcases (unpacked). Today, I've washed 8 loads so far and still going :eek: . Worth every cycle!!

[Duffys wife 1957]

Are you on the Sept 9th cruise?

 

We are sailing on Feb 13, 2008...

I think washing a few items is a great idea... ( I really do not want to go to a laundry mat on vacation):( ....... Maybe just sucking it up and paying is the answer......

[LakeErieLady]

Does anyone know what the cost is on the ship?

[ZOO]

I have heard POH has a laundry room, haven't she?

[Heytoots]

I'm with Shell03!!! That is exactly what I do, and it works great! :D

[riandei]

we are staying at the marriott waikiki 3 days precruise ... they have laundry facilities there so we figured we would wash whatever we have on the last day there ... it will reduce our luggage somewhat

[Desert Cruizers]

The only time we have had our clothes washed, was on the BOS. That was out 2nd cruise so were still learning and with hubbies shirts, some of my shorts, etc etc etc, $ 35. I will try and do more room washing the little things. We are going on a 15 day Cruise so am sure we will have something washed.

[cajunprincess1285]

I agree doing laundry at a laundry mat on vacation is no fun. I leave in 3 weeks and just happend to find yesterday at Wal Mart on the isle with the travel size items a Tide packet with three packets of liquid detergent. Its about the length of a credit card and probably 1/4 in thick. Real easy to pack. This lets you wash a few items in the sink at a time and hang to dry. It beats trying to bring powder in a baggie (which I have done many times) and was only .99 - that solved my issue with where do i wash clothes?

[Angsa]

I have heard POH has a laundry room, haven't she?

 

Yes she does. It is free of charge as well for both washing and drying machines. All you need is your own washing powder. If you don't have your washing powder with you, you can buy at $1 a pack (small pack just enough for one wash.) The one we used was on the 9th floor if I remember right.

 

We brought our own disposable underwear for the trip to minimise the problem. Still, other items needed to be washed.

 

We spent one evening doing our laundry on POH. It wasn't fun but someone had to do it...

[Sally Forth]

I save my old undies and socks during the year and toss as I go. Then I go home to drawers full of new ones. DH is a runner and he does the same with his running shirts. His running shorts are nylon and he rinses them out in the sink and hangs them to dry. My sister and I usually wear twill shorts, but for this trip we bought nylon board shorts for the pockets and washability.

 

I have no problems with sending out a bag of laundry (pants, shirts) during the cruise and budget $30 for that. My next cruise is 12 days. I've never been on a ship with self-serve laundry before and will probably do a load of tshirts, pjs and such with my sisters.

 

It's definitely a YMMV topic and I would have handled it differently when my kids were small (when I'd purposely go do laundry on vacation so I could read in the laundromat by myself!) , but I'm not going to waste shore time on laundry.

 

Viv

[sevenoclock]

Thanks for the info on the Tide packets.

 

We're on Pride of Aloha - Feb 13 2008, with no self laundry service available, we shouldn't count on an iron being available either?

 

Time for Downey Wrinkle Reducer?

:confused:

[Sally Forth]

You might find that it's humid enough that when you hang your stuff in the closet a lot of the wrinkles fall out anyway.

 

Viv

[cheddarcat]

We were on the Pride of Aloha in November and the laundry service was VERY expensive. There was no "clothes line" in the shower in our room just a metal rod. We just bought more underwear and a couple of cheap T-shirts at Wal Mart while we were there.

[realtor1126]

Thanks for the info on the Tide packets.

 

We're on Pride of Aloha - Feb 13 2008, with no self laundry service available, we shouldn't count on an iron being available either?

 

Time for Downey Wrinkle Reducer?

:confused:

 

You might invest in a small, inexpensive fabric steamer. Be sure to take a hanger, in case the closet ones don't have hooks. Hang your garment up and steam away!

 

I think we will be using the Woollite and sink method for washing.

[whale-watcher]

We used the laundry service on the POAM. It was expensive, but our port time was more valuable to us.

[ByDZign]

Yes she does. It is free of charge as well for both washing and drying machines. All you need is your own washing powder. If you don't have your washing powder with you, you can buy at $1 a pack (small pack just enough for one wash.) The one we used was on the 9th floor if I remember right.

 

We brought our own disposable underwear for the trip to minimise the problem. Still, other items needed to be washed.

 

We spent one evening doing our laundry on POH. It wasn't fun but someone had to do it...

 

 

Angsa, you can verify that in the past few weeks, PoH still has laundry rooms? I have seen very mixed info about that since we booked. CruiseDiva said no, and a 2008 "cruise ships" book at the bookstore said no (although it listed the ship as Jade). Others have said yes.

 

Just wondering because that would influence how much and what we pack (no access to laundry room = no access to irons = wrinkle-free clothes). I was thinking maybe they are converting the laundry rooms to cabins when it becomes Jade and maybe have already done so. I have been on some ships that lock up the laundry rooms when in port, due to environmental regs. Was that the case on PoH?

 

We usually pack light and do late-night laundry after the show, though Downy wrinkle releaser works miracles. Even if PoH, indeed, still has laundry rooms, it would be a bit of a challenge because I usually use the slot machines in the casino for change (the change machines in ship laundry rooms are ALWAYS out of order), but no casino on PoH. :(

 

Any way you look at it, laundry rooms sure beat sending out laundry on ships, which I am so hoping to avoid.

[beachchick]

ByDZign: I can't tell you with any certainty, but can say that all the ships in that class (Jewel, Gem, Pearl, PoH soon to be Jade) have self-serve laundry facilities. I seriously doubt they would be changing this during the switch to Jade, and it's doubtful they'd be changing it while the ship is still PoH.

 

The washing machines and dryers are available for use free of charge. You will have to bring your own laundry detergent and fabric softener or buy (with quarters) the small boxes of Tide they sell onboard (in machines in the laundry rooms). Hint: The machines are European front loaders and do not need the full box of Tide. Use 1/2 or less or you're likely to end up with soap still in your clean clothes. We always travel with small packets or containers of perfume-free, dye-free laundry soap and dryer softener sheets. I think the Tide boxes cost $1 each, but didn't buy any.

 

beachchick