After 40+ cruises, I've done laundry on ships more times than I care to count. From wrestling with broken washers on Deck 8 of the Carnival Vista at 2 AM to discovering the hidden gems of MSC's launderettes, I've learned what works (and what definitely doesn't). Let me walk you through everything you need to know about keeping your clothes clean at sea without breaking the bank.
Let's cut through the marketing fluff and talk real numbers. I tracked my laundry expenses across my last 12 cruises, and the results might surprise you.
Self-Service Laundromats:
Royal Caribbean charges $4.00 per wash and $4.00 per dry cycle. Norwegian is slightly cheaper at $3.75 each, while Carnival sits in the middle at $3.95. Here's what those prices really mean: a full load (wash + dry) runs you about $8, but here's the kicker – their machines are smaller than what you're used to at home.
On the Symphony of the Seas last month, I could barely fit 4 days' worth of clothes for two people in one machine. The dryers on Deck 9 took two full cycles to actually dry our jeans, turning my $16 laundry day into a $24 adventure.
Valet Laundry Services:
This is where cruise lines make their real money. Royal Caribbean's valet pricing starts at $3.95 per shirt and jumps to $8.95 for pants. A typical 7-day cruise load for one person? Easily $75-$100. Norwegian's slightly more reasonable, but you're still looking at $60+ for basic items.
The one exception I've found: Celebrity's laundry packages. On the Celebrity Edge, I paid $29.95 for unlimited valet laundry on a 7-day cruise. That's genuinely a steal if you're cruising for more than 5 days.
Royal Caribbean:
Their newer ships like the Wonder of the Seas have fantastic launderettes on Decks 8, 10, and 12. Each has 8-10 machines and they're usually well-maintained. Pro tip: Deck 12 is always the least crowded because most people don't think to go that high.
The older ships? Avoid the Deck 6 launderette on the Mariner of the Seas if you can – half the machines were broken when I sailed in September.
Norwegian Cruise Line:
NCL's launderettes are hit-or-miss. The Norwegian Gem has tiny facilities with only 4 machines per deck, creating bottlenecks. But the newer ships like the Norwegian Prima have spacious laundry rooms with 12+ machines and actual folding space.
Carnival:
Consistently decent across their fleet. The Carnival Horizon's Deck 9 launderette is my personal favorite – it's huge, well-lit, and the machines actually work. Plus, they sell detergent packets right there for $2 (overpriced, but convenient).
MSC Cruises:
Here's where it gets interesting. MSC's launderettes are basic but functional. What sets them apart? They're usually empty. On the MSC Seaside, I never waited for a machine in 7 days.
Princess and Holland America:
Both offer excellent self-service facilities, and their valet pricing is actually reasonable. The Regal Princess has the best-designed launderette I've seen – individual folding stations with privacy screens.
Want to compare notes on different ships' facilities? Join the discussion in our Cruise Tips forum!
After years of trial and error (and one memorable incident involving pink shirts on the Allure of the Seas), here's my foolproof system:
Before You Sail:
Timing is Everything:
I've found the sweet spot is 6:30 AM or 10:30 PM. Mid-day (11 AM - 4 PM) is laundry heck – every machine is taken, and you'll wait 2+ hours. Sea days are the worst; port days are your friend.
On the Norwegian Breakaway, I started my laundry at 6:45 AM on a port day in Cozumel. Had the entire launderette to myself and was done by 8:30 AM.
The Load Strategy:
Separate everything into these categories:
I'm usually team "do-it-yourself," but valet laundry has its place. Here's when I splurge:
Formal Night Items:
Your suit or cocktail dress needs professional attention anyway. At $12-15 for dry cleaning, it's reasonable compared to shoreside prices.
Cruises Longer Than 10 Days:
The math changes on repositioning cruises. On my 14-day Atlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2, valet service was worth every penny. Doing laundry every 3 days would've consumed my vacation.
Suite Perks:
If you're in a suite with free valet laundry, use it! Royal Caribbean's Star Class and Norwegian's Haven both include this perk. Don't leave money on the table.
Avoid Valet For:
Basic cotton items, workout clothes, and anything you're comfortable washing yourself. The markup is just too high for simple items.
Here's what the cruise lines don't advertise:
Detergent: $2 per packet (highway robbery)
Fabric softener: Another $2
Extra dry cycles: $4 each (and you'll need them for heavy items)
Lost laundry fees: Up to $50 per item if valet loses something
On the Disney Fantasy, my daughter's favorite shirt went missing from valet service. Disney's response? "We'll reimburse up to $25 for the item." The shirt cost $8, but try explaining that to a crying 8-year-old.
Sometimes you need clean clothes and the launderette is packed. Here are my backup plans:
The Sink Method:
Use shampoo as detergent (it's designed for protein-based stains). Soak items for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Hang dry using shower hooks and hangers.
The Towel Roll:
For getting excess water out, lay wet items on a towel, roll tightly, and step on the roll. Works better than wringing by hand.
Strategic Packing:
I always pack one "emergency outfit" in my carry-on. Lost luggage happens, and paying ship prices for basic clothes hurts.
The Poolside Dry:
Lido Deck chairs make excellent drying racks during sea days. Just don't leave items unattended – I learned that lesson on the Carnival Vista when my favorite shorts took a solo vacation.
After tracking expenses across dozens of cruises, here's my honest assessment:
For cruises 7 days or less: Skip laundry entirely. Pack enough clothes and do laundry when you get home.
For 8-12 day cruises: One mid-cruise laundry day using self-service. Budget $25-30 total.
For 13+ day cruises: Mix of self-service for basics and valet for formal wear. Budget $60-80 total.
For suite guests with free valet: Use it, but still bring detergent for emergency sink washing.
The key is planning ahead and knowing your options. Don't let dirty clothes ruin your vacation, but don't let cruise line pricing ruin your budget either.
What's your go-to laundry strategy? Share your wins (and disasters) in our Cruise Tips forum – we've all been there, and the community always has great backup plans!
The Real Cost Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay
Let's cut through the marketing fluff and talk real numbers. I tracked my laundry expenses across my last 12 cruises, and the results might surprise you.
Self-Service Laundromats:
Royal Caribbean charges $4.00 per wash and $4.00 per dry cycle. Norwegian is slightly cheaper at $3.75 each, while Carnival sits in the middle at $3.95. Here's what those prices really mean: a full load (wash + dry) runs you about $8, but here's the kicker – their machines are smaller than what you're used to at home.
On the Symphony of the Seas last month, I could barely fit 4 days' worth of clothes for two people in one machine. The dryers on Deck 9 took two full cycles to actually dry our jeans, turning my $16 laundry day into a $24 adventure.
Valet Laundry Services:
This is where cruise lines make their real money. Royal Caribbean's valet pricing starts at $3.95 per shirt and jumps to $8.95 for pants. A typical 7-day cruise load for one person? Easily $75-$100. Norwegian's slightly more reasonable, but you're still looking at $60+ for basic items.
The one exception I've found: Celebrity's laundry packages. On the Celebrity Edge, I paid $29.95 for unlimited valet laundry on a 7-day cruise. That's genuinely a steal if you're cruising for more than 5 days.
Cruise Line Breakdown: Where to Find the Best (and Worst) Facilities
Royal Caribbean:
Their newer ships like the Wonder of the Seas have fantastic launderettes on Decks 8, 10, and 12. Each has 8-10 machines and they're usually well-maintained. Pro tip: Deck 12 is always the least crowded because most people don't think to go that high.
The older ships? Avoid the Deck 6 launderette on the Mariner of the Seas if you can – half the machines were broken when I sailed in September.
Norwegian Cruise Line:
NCL's launderettes are hit-or-miss. The Norwegian Gem has tiny facilities with only 4 machines per deck, creating bottlenecks. But the newer ships like the Norwegian Prima have spacious laundry rooms with 12+ machines and actual folding space.
Carnival:
Consistently decent across their fleet. The Carnival Horizon's Deck 9 launderette is my personal favorite – it's huge, well-lit, and the machines actually work. Plus, they sell detergent packets right there for $2 (overpriced, but convenient).
MSC Cruises:
Here's where it gets interesting. MSC's launderettes are basic but functional. What sets them apart? They're usually empty. On the MSC Seaside, I never waited for a machine in 7 days.
Princess and Holland America:
Both offer excellent self-service facilities, and their valet pricing is actually reasonable. The Regal Princess has the best-designed launderette I've seen – individual folding stations with privacy screens.
Want to compare notes on different ships' facilities? Join the discussion in our Cruise Tips forum!
My Battle-Tested Laundry Strategy
After years of trial and error (and one memorable incident involving pink shirts on the Allure of the Seas), here's my foolproof system:
Before You Sail:
- Pack 4 mesh laundry bags from Amazon ($12 for a set of 4) – game changer for organization
- Bring travel-size detergent pods (TSA-approved) – ship detergent costs $2 per load
- Download the ship's app and find launderette locations before boarding
Timing is Everything:
I've found the sweet spot is 6:30 AM or 10:30 PM. Mid-day (11 AM - 4 PM) is laundry heck – every machine is taken, and you'll wait 2+ hours. Sea days are the worst; port days are your friend.
On the Norwegian Breakaway, I started my laundry at 6:45 AM on a port day in Cozumel. Had the entire launderette to myself and was done by 8:30 AM.
The Load Strategy:
Separate everything into these categories:
- Whites and lights (cold water only – ship water is harsh)
- Dark colors (warm water is fine)
- Delicates (hand wash in your cabin sink with shampoo)
- Heavy items like jeans (wash separately, they need two dry cycles)
When Valet Makes Sense (Yes, Really)
I'm usually team "do-it-yourself," but valet laundry has its place. Here's when I splurge:
Formal Night Items:
Your suit or cocktail dress needs professional attention anyway. At $12-15 for dry cleaning, it's reasonable compared to shoreside prices.
Cruises Longer Than 10 Days:
The math changes on repositioning cruises. On my 14-day Atlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2, valet service was worth every penny. Doing laundry every 3 days would've consumed my vacation.
Suite Perks:
If you're in a suite with free valet laundry, use it! Royal Caribbean's Star Class and Norwegian's Haven both include this perk. Don't leave money on the table.
Avoid Valet For:
Basic cotton items, workout clothes, and anything you're comfortable washing yourself. The markup is just too high for simple items.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Here's what the cruise lines don't advertise:
Detergent: $2 per packet (highway robbery)
Fabric softener: Another $2
Extra dry cycles: $4 each (and you'll need them for heavy items)
Lost laundry fees: Up to $50 per item if valet loses something
On the Disney Fantasy, my daughter's favorite shirt went missing from valet service. Disney's response? "We'll reimburse up to $25 for the item." The shirt cost $8, but try explaining that to a crying 8-year-old.
Emergency Laundry Hacks from the Trenches
Sometimes you need clean clothes and the launderette is packed. Here are my backup plans:
The Sink Method:
Use shampoo as detergent (it's designed for protein-based stains). Soak items for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Hang dry using shower hooks and hangers.
The Towel Roll:
For getting excess water out, lay wet items on a towel, roll tightly, and step on the roll. Works better than wringing by hand.
Strategic Packing:
I always pack one "emergency outfit" in my carry-on. Lost luggage happens, and paying ship prices for basic clothes hurts.
The Poolside Dry:
Lido Deck chairs make excellent drying racks during sea days. Just don't leave items unattended – I learned that lesson on the Carnival Vista when my favorite shorts took a solo vacation.
Bottom Line: What's Actually Worth It?
After tracking expenses across dozens of cruises, here's my honest assessment:
For cruises 7 days or less: Skip laundry entirely. Pack enough clothes and do laundry when you get home.
For 8-12 day cruises: One mid-cruise laundry day using self-service. Budget $25-30 total.
For 13+ day cruises: Mix of self-service for basics and valet for formal wear. Budget $60-80 total.
For suite guests with free valet: Use it, but still bring detergent for emergency sink washing.
The key is planning ahead and knowing your options. Don't let dirty clothes ruin your vacation, but don't let cruise line pricing ruin your budget either.
What's your go-to laundry strategy? Share your wins (and disasters) in our Cruise Tips forum – we've all been there, and the community always has great backup plans!
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