Tell me about laundry on the Fantasy...

[Nanaree]

Fortunately, I hit it right even though I was doing it in the afternoon. We were on Deck 9 and it looked like the laundry on Deck 8 was closer but when we got there were only 2 washers and 3 dryers and all were full. We hiked back up to Deck 9 and down forward and were thrilled to find a much larger laundry. Several washers though were done with clothes in them and sat for 30+ minutes. After 10 mins I unloaded another washer into a dryer as no one had shown up. I ended up having to move clothes out of the dryer to the table too as they still hadn't shown up. frustrating.

 

[helenb]

What kind of soap do the laundry machines on Fantasy use? Regular powder or he?

 

[RedSox68]

Early is better than late? I would have thought doing right after a show would be a good time, but then again, maybe that's when everyone would do it. How long do the cycles last?

We've tried all times -- sometimes during shows and dinners is when everyone is trying to get their clothes done for the next day. We usually get up very early on a sea day, throw the clothes in and have it all done before we go to breakfast. The BEST time to get wash done is a port day. If you have a later morning excursion, try to get them done while everyone else is getting off early.

The pod idea is a great one -- but double bag them. Ours broke once and leaked through the top of the one ziplock bag. You can also go to your local laundromat or dollar store and buy packets. I need the no perfume Downy, so I bring my own. Still cheaper than what they charge on the ship.

As suggested, time your wash and dryer as we have seen people take out the clothes the second the machines stop and throw them on the table -- sometimes on the floor. No reason for that as people are pretty good (in most cases) about coming back within 5-10 minutes after their machines stop, but I don't depend on the kindness of others

 

[Sytrace]

I attempted it one time on our third cruise on the Fantasy. I went in the evening and it was fairly quiet so there was no problem with washers and dryers being available. However, the room was very hot and uncomfortable and the clothes were damp after running thru 2 cycles. I am guessing I picked the wrong dryers for the 2 loads that I was drying in 2 dryers.

Either way, I just decided that I would wait until I got home the cruises after that. Our upcoming cruise is only a 4 nighter and then we will spend a couple of nights at Yacht Club. If I do laundry, I will wait until we get to the hotel. I always pack enough clothes and a couple of extra items anyway...and plenty of undergarments etc.

 

[MSPeeler]

Those of you who choose not to do laundry during your cruise, what is the best way to transport stinky clothes home?

We will be traveling to Fort Myers after our return and don't want the smell of sweat and funk the whole way, lol

 

[Sytrace]

I bring a couple of large size laundry bags and put all dirty clothes in them, tie them closed and stick them in the suitcase.

I worked in Ft. Myers for many years in the early to late 90's at the Edison Mall. (Disney Store to be exact) It is a beautiful area.

 

[Samar]

So, I'm thinking about doing laundry while on our 7 day cruise. We are going to be in FL for three days prior to the cruise and then on board for 7 days obviously. I want to pack as minimally as possible, but I think that will necessitate doing laundry towards the beginning of the cruise, maybe the second or third day.

What have your experiences been with doing laundry? What do you take to do the laundry? Any tips on making it easier?

THANKS!

We did ours on the cruise but it took FOREVER to dry, especially hubby's jeans. I wasted 3 solid hours for 3 loads on a sea day because the dryers were being finicky on Deck 9

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We did ours on the cruise but it took FOREVER to dry, especially hubby's jeans. I wasted 3 solid hours for 3 loads on a sea day because the dryers were being finicky on Deck 9

Exactly why I don't travel with jeans. Did one trip having to wash and dry jeans (by hand) and - never again.

 

[Samar]

Exactly why I don't travel with jeans. Did one trip having to wash and dry jeans (by hand) and - never again.

That's all he wears, he doesn't own any shorts aside from swim ones

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That's all he wears, he doesn't own any shorts aside from swim ones

Maybe he needs to learn to do his own laundry, then? Or get used to damp clothes.

 

[apathetic]

The bigger ships have more laundry rooms, but they can be a pain. Don't think you will save up a ton of laundry and walk in and get it all done at the same time. Best bet is wait till you have a load, then plan to check on machines throughout the day. It is easier to snag 1 or 2 machines than getting 4 or more. Try times when everyone is busy with activities, but remember, on a ship of 4000 people there will always be people doing the same thing. We use the pods because they are easy to pack.

Set a phone alert to comeback. Most people are pretty normal about it, but I have seen 2 extreme groups you want to avoid. Group 1 will put their laundry in and never change or remove it. On one cruise, I did 3 loads in the same w/d while looking at the same (untouched) laundry in the first wash machine for 2 hours. I know it's vacation, but come on I could have saved a few hours if you just tend to your clothes. The second group is people standing there ready to dump your stuff out of the machine the second it beeps. I have witnessed several near fistfights over a washing machine. It's vacation people.

 

[tink1970]

When we cruised in Alaska it was the worst ...maybe because of all the heavy clothes taking longer to dry? Dunno...it would've been funny if it hadn't been almost scary! I still do laundry on almost every trip (maybe not this summer's 3 night...we'll see) and I try to do it early in the trip and early in the day.

 

[rileyz]

My sister and I always have a good laugh about doing laundry on the Fantasy. On our 2013 cruise there was this poor grandmother who I swear was in the laundry 24/7. She just sat and did the family laundry day in and day out. Forget getting a machine! I think we were on deck 6 or 7. We found other laundry but man, that poor old lady.