Should You Do Laundry on a Cruise?

It’s not exactly glamorous, but laundry is one of those things every cruiser eventually thinks about — especially once you start looking at baggage fees or planning a trip with lots of pre-cruise touring. So… is it worth doing laundry on the ship? For many travelers, the answer is yes.

Why People Do Laundry at Sea

Cruise lines handle laundry in a few different ways: self-service laundromats, paid per-bag services, per-item pressing, and sometimes even free laundry based on loyalty status. If you use it strategically, it can actually make your trip easier.

A few reasons it’s worth considering:

• You can pack lighter. If you can wash onboard, you don’t need 14 days’ worth of clothes for a 14-day cruise. For some guests, this is the entire rationale.

• It can save money. Between airlines charging for checked bags and strict weight limits, using onboard laundry is often cheaper than paying overweight fees or bringing extra luggage.

• It’s great after pre-cruise travel. If you’ve been sightseeing in Europe or the tropics for a few days before embarkation, starting the cruise with clean clothes feels amazing.

• Loyalty perks help. Some cruise lines give laundry perks at mid-tier statuses and above — sometimes discounted, sometimes entirely free.

Things to Keep in Mind

Laundry at sea isn’t perfect, and you should know the trade-offs:

• Self-serve laundry takes time. Machines are limited, and sea days get busy. If your ship has no guest laundromats, you’re stuck with the paid service.

• Per-item service adds up. A few shirts and a dress are fine… a whole suitcase of items? Not so much.

• Turnaround time varies. Most ships offer next-day service; some offer same-day for a premium. If you need something right now, it may be tricky.

So… Should You Do Laundry on a Cruise?

If you like traveling light, want to avoid airline fees, or you have loyalty benefits that make laundry free or cheap, it’s absolutely worth it. If the idea of doing chores on vacation makes you twitch, then pack a bit more and skip it.

Either way, it’s one of those small decisions that can make your cruise feel smoother — and at MyCruiseCabin.com, we’re all about making the small decisions easier.

Have any cruising laundry tips? Drop them below!