Quarters for the Laundry

[sotong]

I posted this on the Secrets list p66! but whilst a got a couple of comments no answer and then it got lost in the volume of great secrets.

 

People have suggested that you take quarters for the laundry machines.

We live in and are sailing from the UK so this is not that easy!! If you ask at the pursers desk for quarters do they expect a dollar note or will they bill your cruise account - as obviously we also don't have dollar notes.

 

Any suggestions?

[Darcy15]

Hi

 

You need dollar bills to change for a roll of quarters at the desk.

 

Recently did a 28 day cruise - lots of laundry! - and no problem at all.

 

I got 20 dollars worth at a time. Wash is 2 dollars, drying the same amount.

 

So worth it not to take so many clothes in the first place, and no dirty laundry to take home!

 

Hope this helps :)

[Reina del Mar]

We also travel from UK but feel you do need to take some dollar notes for tipping porters at airport, taxi drivers etc. If you fly in the day before and use Princess transfers, you will need to purchase an evening meal and breakfast, so will probably acquire some smaller bills. You can also request smaller notes when buying your dollars at most travel agents.:o

[Nebr.cruiser]

I don't know how it works in the UK, but can you just go to a bank and request a few dollars in exchange for Pounds? That way you will have some for the laundry and tips (for room service, for example) if needed.

 

At our bank (middle of the US) we do have to request it a few days or weeks ahead of time as the bank has to order foreign currency. It might be different in a major city; I don't know for sure. Now that we've been to Europe a few times we have some 'left over' currency to start us off.

 

When we cruise to Europe we always bring at least a small amount in Euros or Pounds--using ATM's for larger amounts when we get there.

[Essiesmom]

I think most posters are missing the point that the OP is sailing from Southampton, will not likely be to the US...Therefore needs quarters only for the laundry, not tipping porters, taxis, meals, etc. OP, I would just ask at Guest Services how to get quarters for the machines. EM

[jollyjones]

Either go to a bank before you depart and get some $US in small denominations (and hope the change machine in the laundromat is working, they usually do in my experience), or gamble on getting change at the desk and being able to charge it to your cabin. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to, provided that they have the quarters, if I can charge a 75c stamp to my cabin, surely you can charge $2's worth of quarters.

 

I suppose it's possible that there could be a 'quarter shortage' since many of your fellow pax will be Brits in the same situation - presumably they can empty the machines and recycle the quarters?

 

Following that thought (I don't gamble so this is just an idle question) what do you use for the slot machines in non-US areas? Your cruise card? Tokens? US quarters? Can you get change in the Casino?

[kylea_s]

You can get US Dollars buy gifting yourself some Casino credit. You do this by contacting Princess before the cruise to arrange the gift. We charge it on the our credit card. When you get on board, your room steward will provide a card that you take to the cashier in the casino and they will give you cash or chips. You can take the cash and walk right away without gambling a penny of it. If they dont give you the denomiations that you want, the pursors desk can assist. There might also be a change machine in the laundry. Even though we are American we sometimes do this when we are traveling to Europe and dont want to carry the US dollars that we will need when we disembark and fly home.

 

Hope this helps. Oh, there is no fee for sending the gift.

[cantwaitfornextcruise]

We sailed Grand from S'hampton just pop along to the customer service desk and they will give you $ for either € or £ and I think they will put on your account failing that go to casino put $ on your card and just cash out you get $ back

[Pam in CA]

I think most posters are missing the point that the OP is sailing from Southampton, will not likely be to the US...Therefore needs quarters only for the laundry, not tipping porters, taxis, meals, etc. OP, I would just ask at Guest Services how to get quarters for the machines. EM

First, banks will not give you small denominations of an exchange currency. Second, just go to the Passenger Services Desk and exchange £ for quarters.

 

Even when sailing in the US, I've never understood the "tip" to bring quarters. They're heavy to pack and it's so darned easy to get them on the ship.

[JimmyVWine]

Even when sailing in the US, I've never understood the "tip" to bring quarters. They're heavy to pack and it's so darned easy to get them on the ship.

I've never understood this either.

[sotong]

Thanks everybody. Definitely can't get quarters or single notes from Bureau de Change in UK.

Thanks for Casino tip, will try that if guest services busy or unable to let me have quarters.

Gillian.

[Astro Flyer]

Getting 'quarters' onboard doesn't always mean US quarters only because I've also received a few Canadian quarters & even Princess tokens which both worked okay.

[Pearlbill]

First, banks will not give you small denominations of an exchange currency. Second, just go to the Passenger Services Desk and exchange £ for quarters.

 

Even when sailing in the US, I've never understood the "tip" to bring quarters. They're heavy to pack and it's so darned easy to get them on the ship.

 

While I agree that it's easy to get quarters on board and it is unnecessary to cart a bunch of heavy quarters around, banks will give you any denomination you want, if they have it. At least that's the way the Royal Bank of Canada operates. Most banks have small denominations of foreign currency on hand, and are more than happy to get rid of it.

 

Pearl

[WeBeGone]

Remember, elite cruisers have free laundry service.

[artsy-girl]

We go to the casino to get our quarters or tokens. They never run out.

[trailgirl]

We were on the Ruby Princess last week. There was a change machine in the laundry room. I didn't use it, because I had quarters, and didn't look at it closely. But it I think it gave quarters for small bills. The prices seemed to have gone up from last year - $2 a load to wash and $2 to dry. The machines only take quarters, so you need 16 per load.

[Bowie MeMe]

I am the laundry diva -- or so I have been told:p. The casino will give you tokens or a bill to put in the change machine for the tokens or coins needed for putting in the machines. I asked that they charge my keycard for the coins and one teller did so and the other didn't. The purser's desk was just not doing the charge to the card routine -- which is ridiculous to ask for money when it is a cashless ship! It can be done through the purser's desk by making a charge and putting it on your account as a purchase! This was the solution when the ATM was broken for the whole cruise. It is the same process as when you buy something in the stores but the desk people don't like doing the paper work involved. Anyway. Come to the laundry room with your coins available. The change machines in my experience do not work most of the time and will often reject nice bills and run out of coins just as a machine becomes available.:eek: I also carry Purell 3 in 1 sheets that have detergent and static remover and softner in one sheet. Works so very well. I also add a Shout color catcher sheet to keep clothes safe from stray colors. A tiny pill bottle with Palmolive dish soap liquid is great for stain removal and hand washing. A small coin purse for the quarters is also kept in the folding duffel bag that we keep laundry in. Grab the bag and try for the empty machine lottery. :D

[romnan]

Hi

 

You need dollar bills to change for a roll of quarters at the desk.

 

Recently did a 28 day cruise - lots of laundry! - and no problem at all.

 

I got 20 dollars worth at a time. Wash is 2 dollars, drying the same amount.

 

So worth it not to take so many clothes in the first place, and no dirty laundry to take home!

 

Hope this helps :)

This was very helpful information Thank You