Self Serve Laundromats

[D&L Thomas]

Another vote for packing light! We have used the self-service machines on two Princess cruises and the small amount of time/trouble it takes is way worth it, compared to over-packing and dealing with multiple suitcases.

 

We take a couple of the inexpensive pop-up hampers that fold flat and they work great for carrying clothes to and from the laundry.

 

We have used the Purex 3-in-1 sheets, and now Tide makes little "pods" that would also work. Or a couple of scoops of powdered detergent in a baggie. You could carry a few dryer sheets along to use with those. Taking quarters is a good idea although we've always been able to make change in the laundry room (sometimes you get casino tokens along with your quarters and they also work in the washer/dryer).

 

We generally run our loads early in the morning and have never had a problem with crowds. Or the first day of the second leg of a back-to-back, no one thinks to do wash then.

 

The dryers can be dicey, as others have said, sometimes too hot and sometimes it takes one-and-a-half cycles to dry things well.

 

Travel in general is so much nicer when you take less *stuff*!

[Bowie MeMe]

To get oil/grease spots out you might like to try putting a little liquid dish washing detergent on the spot and then rub with your fingers unti it moves then wash in the machine. Sometimes this doesn't work on old spots. Good luck.

 

I use Palmolive green dish soap -- it seems to work better than some of the phosphate free soaps :o. Purex sheets are wonderful but I don't find them in any of my store locally. Anybody got a source for the sheets??

 

The oil stains are caused by the washing machine transmission going out!! It happened on Christmas Eve morning in my own laundry room (with 12 folks in the house:eek:). I never did get the oil out of my whites. It sure would be nice if the machines of our lives gave some warning. Also on the Princess laundry rooms the temperature of the dryer frequently has nothing to do with the setting. By the time you figure out the hot dryer (and there always is one!) your cruise is over! Also be kind to the person responsible for the laundry room. They are not off duty until the room is cleaned and locked. No starting a load at 9:30PM.:rolleyes:

[Cruisin' & Breezin']

 

I just ordered a box through Amazon. The price for a box of 22 sheets was $4.97. Since I had never purchased this before I dont know if the price is good or not but it was the only place I could find them. I used to see them all the time in our local Target store but when I went to purchase them for our upcoming cruise, they were nowhere to be found! :eek:

[Hulagirl]

Even though I'm Elite and get free laundry, we still wash our own clothes while on the ship. I just won't have anything ruined again.

 

We were on the Sapphire a few weeks ago and actually ended up doing a load of laundry. This ship has front loader washers, so no agitators that can beat your clothes up. So far it is the only ship we have cruised on in the past few years with these washers.

 

The loads are $2.00 each for wash and dry. I always bring my own dryer sheets, but never have used the wash sheets. Will have to look at those for future cruises.

[paddingtonbear]

Even though I'm Elite and get free laundry, we still wash our own clothes while on the ship. I just won't have anything ruined again.

 

We were on the Sapphire a few weeks ago and actually ended up doing a load of laundry. This ship has front loader washers, so no agitators that can beat your clothes up. So far it is the only ship we have cruised on in the past few years with these washers.

 

The loads are $2.00 each for wash and dry. I always bring my own dryer sheets, but never have used the wash sheets. Will have to look at those for future cruises.

 

The purex sheets you mention aren't available in Australia so I am not sure about this but someone on another thread said they were to be discontinued which is why they might be difficult for you to find.