When is a good time to do laundry?

[westjones]

We are going on the 7 day Eastern. We are flying, so I don't want to have to pack too much. I plan to do laundry once on the ship. When is a good time?

At this point, we are not planning any excursions except at Castaway Cay (doing the Kayak adventure). Are the mornings we are in port good times to do laundry?

Last time it was VERY crowded and full when we were on our 7 day and it took a long time to get a dryer. Has anyone found the 'key' to doing laundry onboard?

Thanks!
DJ

 

[kcashner]

I like to do laundry after Castaway (like everyone else.) I've found the key to that is to go back to the ship about an hour before the stated "back on board" time.

FOr mid week laundry, either early morning or late at night. On the 2/7/04 cruise, the 7th floor laundry room was closed for refurbishment...making for even more crowding. However, I had no problem getting machines on Thusday.

 

[val2001]

Is there a change machine in the laundry room? Do you need coins or dollars?

 

[The4OfUs]

By early morning, that means EARLY EARLY morning! DH decided to do this for us by getting up early one day (5:30) only to find a line already. He lucked out on his second visit and found a woman who had just finished, and popped everything in...but this was after several trips over the course of the 2 previous days trying to find an open machine. Maybe we just timed it wrong, but we tried to choose times we thought alot of others would be too busy for this.

One issue we ran into each time we tried, before he lucked out, was that there were machines that were done, and the stuff still in them, but no one around, and no where to put the stuff! In college, I'd have no qualms at putting someone's finished stuff into a basket if they weren't there to do it themselves within a reasonable time (1/2 hr from end of the wash or dry cycle). I found that very inconsiderate, as we made a point of taking note of when the cycles would be done, and watching the clock, to be fair. *sigh*

Quick tip, bring some quarters, because many people lost their $$ in the change machine! Although watch where you pack them, we had a roll of quarters in the carry on and it came across as strange to the security folks when we got to the terminal, and we got stopped and searched.

It amazes me that there's what...12 - 15 machines for 2800 people? *grin* Maybe I'm spoiled by DVC and not having to pack alot because I can do a quick wash half way through the trip!

 

[Padre Disney]

On our Western we did laundry on one of the days we were at a port. The laundry room on deck 7 was almost empty. We started the wash and then sat on the secret deck and enjoyed the time. Very nice time.
We took quarters with us so we would be ready.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

I would agree with taking your own change. I usually get a roll of quarters ($10) before we go. I also buy those laundry tablets and pack some dryer sheets too. They don't take up much space and it is very pricey to buy the stuff in the machines. Sea days are very busy in the laundry. You might try near early dinner (5:30PM), it might be less crowded.

 

[Mary Anne]

I'm a laudry on vacation expert I never travel with more then 3 outfits for anyone. Naturally on the curise, I will take a bit more as well as the formal wear.

Week before the cruise we will be at OKWest in a one bedroom with full washer and dryer. I will naturally do my laundry as I go that week; checking out Friday morning with all clean clothing, and the clean items I have worn that day. Friday night we’ll be at the Radisson. Saturday when we get onboard, I’ll have the dirty Friday clothing in a bag; Sunday morning I’ll wash Friday and Saturday’s clothing. I’m assuming very few people will have many dirty items so early into the trip so getting a washer/dryer shouldn't be a problem and it gives us two more days of clean clothing; for 4 people that is 8 outfits and underwear more then enough for a load. I am planning on doing at least one or two more loads while the ship is in port and everyone else is off seeing the ports. We prefer to stay onboard and enjoy the ship in its quiet time so that works well for us.

Do not even attempt to do your wash on Sea Days or late at night, not worth the problems or crowds.

 

[jollytammy]

When in port is great! We came back at lunch, and the place was empty.

Another time was after the rush for formal night or semi-formal night. The place is packed before dinner, but after dinner, the place is empty!

Be sure and take detergent with you, wish I had!

 

[professorandmom]

I used the iron (don't worry, only once) right after the lifeboat drill (deck 7) and there was NO one in the laundry room (and no machines going - kind of eerie(4 day in July).
Barb

 

[hydster]

When is a good time to do laundry?

Never! Or only when you can get your husband to do it for you!! I hate doing laundry and cant imagine ever getting motivated enough to do it on vacation. You all are much better people than I am. Honestly after we go on vacation I dump all of our clothes (except underwear and socks) at the laundry service around the corner from my house! I cant deal with having to be back home in normal surroundings and having to cook, clean AND do laundry..ewwww! LOL

Cant help you but as they say "You go girl"

Heidi

 

[minimouse43]

Your Funny hydster!! I am with you! Can't you have laundry sent out to while you are on the ship? I hope so! I don't plan to have any part of that!!

 

[kcashner]

Yes, there are change machines in the laundry rooms, or you can get change at guest services. It's easiest if you bring quarters along.

As to people leaving "done" things in machines...I have no problem unloading their washer or dryer onto the metal tables in the laundry rooms. This is just rude. The machines clearly tell you how many minutes the cycle is, and there is little or no reason that you can't be back on time. If you can't, maybe you should do laundry at a different time. So...if I need a machine, the rude machine hog will find their stuff sitting on the table.

The laundry rooms are clean, as are the irons! They do ask that you use the spray bottle for water and not put the water in the iron as this may make them gunky.

 

[hydster]

minimouse...

It's my own rule that I do NOT do laundry after a trip that is longer than a weekend. I will do underwear and socks because that's gross to send out...but shorts, shirts, pants..no way! It's depressing enough to come home without anyone to cook or clean for you...at least I do have someone who will do my laundry!

As for sending it out I think you can but if I remember right it is really expensive. We just became charter members of overpackers anonymous so we will just bring our 8 bags of luggage and then let the laundry at home deal with it when we get back.

I was kind of starting to get a complex reading about how these organized and great people do their laundry and I didnt. Glad I'm not the only slacker aboard!

Heidi

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by kcashner
As to people leaving "done" things in machines...I have no problem unloading their washer or dryer onto the metal tables in the laundry rooms. This is just rude. The machines clearly tell you how many minutes the cycle is, and there is little or no reason that you can't be back on time. If you can't, maybe you should do laundry at a different time. So...if I need a machine, the rude machine hog will find their stuff sitting on the table.

I have a new hero! *grin* I was tempted, but was never that brave...funny how I softened up in my "old age", I would be the first to do that in college, AND the first to let someone know exactly how inconsiderate they were!

I was kind of starting to get a complex reading about how these organized and great people do their laundry and I didnt. Glad I'm not the only slacker aboard!

LOL!! Believe me, I slacked...DH was the one running back and forth from our cabin in the front of the ship on deck 2, to the laundry room near the rear! That's the secret, ya know...let DH do it... Or maybe i'll set a new rule next time, whoever runs out of underwear first gets the honors! *snicker* (Then I'll pack extra pairs and not tell anyone.... )

 

[hydster]

ROFL the4ofus! That is hilarious and the first one to run out is funny of course my 2 boys would wear the same underwear 7 days in a row if they thought they might actually have to work! And actually I dont know if my kids would be adept at using anything that isnt connected to a tv remote or x box.

LOL!! Believe me, I slacked...DH was the one running back and forth from our cabin in the front of the ship on deck 2, to the laundry room near the rear! That's the secret, ya know...let DH do it... Or maybe i'll set a new rule next time, whoever runs out of underwear first gets the honors! *snicker* (Then I'll pack extra pairs and not tell anyone.... )

Heidi

 

[Cruise04]

When we were on the Western I did laundry on our sea days and had no problems at all either of the times I did laundry and I think I did laundry each day we were at sea (what like 3 days or something) plus the last night (because we had another week before we were going home and needed the clothes we had worn since the last time I did laundry). I had no problems whatsoever doing the laundry and I think it did it like midday.

 

[rae519]

Valid question but I have never done laundry while cruising - if I take the time away from the fun and sun, then it's no vacation!!

Rae

 

[The4OfUs]

Also, check with the airlines about the laundry detergent, I know this sounds strange, but my daughter is going on a 16 day trip to Australia with People to People this summer, and one of the things they say not to take is powered detergent, something about it being flammable? So her group leaders are saying "no detergent", they'll buy it there...I would think that tablets are ok, wouldn't you?

 

[clh2]

No - laundry isn't fun to do on a vacation. However, I sucked it up on the ship, and did a few loads. (A couple of loads were planned, one was a load caused by a misbeaving soda cup!)

BTW, DH does most of the laundry at home, so I didn't mind a couple of loads on the trip.

We were on the Wonder, so I would assume that in general, less people would be doing laundry.

My advice - go early in the morning. Put your laundry in, and go back to the room. When it is time to move the clothes into the dryer, with the dryers, you can put in enough quarters to let it dry for 2 cycles. This should be enought time for you to go get breakfast!

 

[westjones]

If I put enough money in for 2 cycles, it will just keep going? Really? That would be great! The clothes are never dry after 1 cycle.

DJ