Laundromat

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

My DW and I have never used the laundromat on Princess ships, but our next cruise will be 15 days long and we may need to do so. How much do the washers and dryers cost? Is laundry soap available and, if so, how much does it cost? Are there long waits to use the laundromat? Thanks for your help.

[wwinfl91]

I can't remember what the cost was for the wash and dry but I say that the laundermats can get crowded on sea days especially in the middle of a cruise. You may expect to wait to get a machine so bring a book to read if you plan on staying. Also you may end up sitting in the hallway with your book.

 

That said it is still better than not having any laundermats like some cruise lines.

 

Sometimes there are machines that sell soap but it is better to just plan on bringing some with you especially if you may be allergenic to some brands.

 

Have a great cruise and enjoy even the laundermat experience.

[Islandvirgin]

:D My first cruise is in November, but I have been reading other threads about the same thing, and everyone is saying that the washers and dryers are each $1.00, and the powdered soap and fabric softener is also $1.00 each. But if you like your own powder soap, bring it from home. My girlfriend brings her own soap, and she packs it individually in those snack size zip lock bags.

I hope that this helps.

I will be bringing my own soap too.

[baron45]

On the Diamond Princess, wash (37 minutes) & dry (20 minutes) were $1 each. They are vending machines with packets of detergent for $1 but I brought my own.

 

There were 8 sets of W/D near my stateroom laundromat and the one time I did laundry, only one other person was doing laundry so no lines.

[BLS]

$1.00 to wash and $1.00 to dry. (we always bring our own detergent and fabric softner sheets)

Even on busy sea days if you go early or late you can snag a machine.

Just be sure to be back before the machine stops (times are posted) or someone may remove your items.

That said, we always do some laundry and have never had a problem.

[WWCJR]

On the Caribbean Princess on our May 08 cruise the price for washer and dryers were $1 each. The soap and dryer sheets were also $1. Cycle time for washer is 30-40 minutes, and dryer 35-45 minutes. There is also a change machine but don't count on it always having change. As you can see by clicking on the thumbnails below there are four washers, four dryers, four ironing boards with irons, and two laundry sinks.

 

Usually the laundry rooms alternate between fore and aft from deck to deck. So the closest one might be up or down one deck depending on where your cabin is located.

 

You can find small 2-3 load size laundry soap at stores such as Walmart and Target.

[paul929207]

On the Star in April, it was $1 a load to wash and $1 per load to dry.

[JerseyGuys]

Try these....not too expensive and very easy to pack...clean well too

 

http://www.dropps.com/

[Pia1913]

Bed Bath and Beyond sells little liquid Tide packets which I much prefer over any powder.

[ggprincess2004]

We use the laundry on just about every cruise. We bring our own quarters since the change machines do not always have change available. Most ships are $1.00 per load, but you could find a $1.25 washer and dryer occasionally. I bring my own detergent (All Small and Mighty in two load little tiny bottles that I find at Target), bounce fabric softener sheets for the dryer, a stain stick and a stick of Tide to Go.

There are also irons and ironing boards in the laundry rooms. Comes in handy.

I know there are some who cannot imagine doing laundry while on vacation, let alone ironing. But, I must just be a clean nut - I like to pack clean clothes both ways in our suitcases.

Most of the time we have not had difficulty finding a pair of washers and dryers available to use, but sometimes you could encounter a crowded situation.

The laundry service on the ship is fine for sturdier items - all my DH 's items, but I prefer to take care of the delicates myself in the passenger laundry. Laundry service is free for Elite and suite passengers, and it is a nice elite perk which we do take advantage of, but I just don't trust them with everything.

[Pia1913]

We use the laundry on just about every cruise. We bring our own quarters since the change machines do not always have change available. Most ships are $1.00 per load, but you could find a $1.25 washer and dryer occasionally. I bring my own detergent (All Small and Mighty in two load little tiny bottles that I find at Target), bounce fabric softener sheets for the dryer, a stain stick and a stick of Tide to Go.

There are also irons and ironing boards in the laundry rooms. Comes in handy.

I know there are some who cannot imagine doing laundry while on vacation, let alone ironing. But, I must just be a clean nut - I like to pack clean clothes both ways in our suitcases.

Most of the time we have not had difficulty finding a pair of washers and dryers available to use, but sometimes you could encounter a crowded situation.

The laundry service on the ship is fine for sturdier items - all my DH 's items, but I prefer to take care of the delicates myself in the passenger laundry. Laundry service is free for Elite and suite passengers, and it is a nice elite perk which we do take advantage of, but I just don't trust them with everything.

 

Exactly. We are Elite and I pick and choose what I give them. I don't usually have the need to wash and dry, but there are always one or two items that need "touching up" with the iron.

 

Pia

[mississauga]

On the Emerald, the washing machines and dryers were $1.50 each. There are change machines in each laundry room but they are aften out of change so bring quarters with you.

[FLACRUISER99]

Just go to the Casino if you need Quarters.

[silvercruiser]

Very large machines were on EMERALD and CARIBBEAN. Smaller ones on SAPPHIRE and SEA.

I bring sheets of WASHEZE that I buy over the internet...cheapest price is at asseenontv.com Don't take up any space in your suitcase and one sheet provides both detergent, softener and then used as a dryer sheet. Also sold at Campers World, if you happen to live near one.

[windsor26]

All helpful information but please advise the 75 day cruise from Sydney to Sdney is spoken of as australian moneys so what dollars are we going to use in the laundromate as someone mentioned quarters? do they change the slots for each cruise or is it always US dollars/?

[Pia1913]

All helpful information but please advise the 75 day cruise from Sydney to Sdney is spoken of as australian moneys so what dollars are we going to use in the laundromate as someone mentioned quarters? do they change the slots for each cruise or is it always US dollars/?

 

Always US $$$ if you're on a "US" ship

[hotmike98]

Many people have found you need to run the dryer cycle twice, especially if you have heavier items like jeans or sweatshirts, so get plenty of quarters from the pursers' desk or the casino. (You can always drop any leftovers in the slot amchines-- perhaps you can win enough to pay for the cleaning). Another "cheer" here for washeze. Easy to pack, no weight, and no chance of spills in the suitcase.

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

Thanks all for your speedy and helpful responses.

[kitcruiser]

Also keep in mind that if your nearest laundry room is busy, you may be able to find a less crowded room on the opposite side of the ship (I don't know about the Crown, but the CB had one laundry room on each side of each deck) or another deck if you don't mind walking. In addition, some laundry rooms only have 2 washers and 2 dryers, while others have 4 x4.

 

On my CB cruise last week, for some strange reason every laundry room, especially the two on my deck (Caribe), was PACKED, but the port side Riviera deck facility was completely empty, so I schlepped my stuff up there (it helps to pack a laundry bag).

 

I agree with the previous poster that you will likely need to run the dryer for two cycles for heavy or even medium loads, jeans, etc. as the humid environment in the Caribbean is not conducive to fast drying!

 

Also, many of the change machines were empty ('cept the one on Riviera), and the other pax said the purser's desk was out (I didn't think to check the Casino) so you may want to bring quarters...just be aware that if you bring a roll or two oddly enough the TSA finds them absolutely fascinating for some reason so your bag will likely be searched weather you check it or carry it on :rolleyes:

 

BTW how are all the RV's doing up in Poulsbo? :p

[Romy40]

We did laundry on our 15 day cruise to Hawaii on board the Diamond Princess. Never anyone else in the laundry room, and plenty of machines. Soap available included TIDE. Dryer sheets were name brand too (but can't remember which).

We laundered right after early dining, and again one night around midnight.

Irons were great too.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

[Floflegs]

On our Island Panama cruise we found the laundry very busy first thing. No wonder - some people had 3, yes, 3 washers on the go at one time. However we did end up with a "party atmosphere" as people waited and chatted. As ourcabin was forward we had a long walk to the laundry as all the laundry rooms seemedd to be aft.

[silvercruiser]

On our recent 31-day SAPPHIRE cruise, Sydney to L.A. one woman didn't get back to the laundry room to remove her wet laundry from the washer and, since there were no other machines available, a man who needed her washer simply took her wet laundry out and set it down on the counter. When she returned she started screaming "No one touches my laundry" and called her husband in to settle the matter. Her husband took a punch at the guy who had removed the wet load and security had to be called.

Result? This couple were put off at the next port.

[PescadoAmarillo]

On our recent 31-day SAPPHIRE cruise, Sydney to L.A. one woman didn't get back to the laundry room to remove her wet laundry from the washer and, since there were no other machines available, a man who needed her washer simply took her wet laundry out and set it down on the counter. When she returned she started screaming "No one touches my laundry" and called her husband in to settle the matter. Her husband took a punch at the guy who had removed the wet load and security had to be called.

Result? This couple were put off at the next port.

That happened to my husband on our 29 night Diamond Princess Sydney to SF cruise! Except my husband didn't even take her laundry out of her washer. He simply put his into the dryer above her washer while her washer cycle was still running. She had a FIT...said it was her dryer. Unfortunately, this episode (along with the fights over elevators and theater seats) permanently cured my husband from ever wanting to take a month long cruise again.

 

:mad:

[Tina G]

Never, never, never leave your laundry unattended!!!!!!!:eek:

[Sandytoes]

Never used the laundry room while on my cruise.

 

I bet a lot of passengers will start using them,

being with the new airline fees for checked baggage and all. :rolleyes:

 

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