Setting sail on a Carnival cruise is a fun and exciting adventure. You’ll be able to relax while making unforgettable memories. But as you prepare for your cruise, you’ll need to decide how much clothing to pack. And being able to clean your clothes while onboard the ship, can make this a much easier decision. Luckily, Carnival offers several laundry options to help you keep your clothes clean and fresh throughout your vacation.
Does Carnival Offer Laundry Service?
The ability to do laundry during your cruise allows you to pack lighter and reuse some of your clothing to create new outfits. But can you do laundry on a Carnival cruise? Actually, there are several ways to wash your clothing onboard Carnival ships. The 3 primary options are:
- Carnival Laundry Service
- Carnival Self-Service Laundry Rooms
- Washing Clothing in Your Stateroom Sink
1. Carnival Laundry Services
There’s a professional laundry center on each Carnival ship where the ship’s laundry is done. You may not have thought about it, but there is a lot of linen on cruise ship. There are tablecloths used in the dining rooms, and beach towels used at the pools. The Spa uses towels for every service they offer. There are towels available in the gym, not to mention the towels and bedding used in every stateroom.
But the official laundry facilities are not just used for the functional laundry produced by the ship. Carnival offers a la carte laundry services to all passengers. Here’s how it works:
Bag It Up: You’ll find a laundry bag and a price list inside your stateroom. Simply place your dirty clothes in the bag and then fill out the service form and place it in the bag. Leave the bag in your stateroom, and your cabin steward will grab it when your cabin is cleaned.
Service Types: Carnival offers different types of services from a basic wash and fold up to dry cleaning options.
- Wash and Fold – A bag of clothing is washed and folded but not pressed.
- Press Only – An item of clothing is pressed but is not washed.
- Wash and Press – An item of clothing is washed and pressed.
- Wet/Dry Cleaning – A dry cleaning service that uses an environmentally friendly wet/dry technology
Clean Laundry: Your clothes are typically returned to your stateroom within 24 hours, neatly folded and ready to put away. But it can take up to 48 hours depending on what time your laundry is picked up from your stateroom.
Pricing: You can send almost any type of clothing to Carnival’s laundry service. However prices vary based on the type of clothing you’re having cleaned. Here’s some sample rates we found for common items of clothing. But, you can view the full price list on the carnival.com website.
- Polo or T-Shirt – $3.50
- Shirt or Blouse – $5.00
- Shorts – $4.50
- Pants or Skirts – $5.00
- Underwear – $2.00
2. Carnival Self-Service Laundry Rooms
For cruisers who prefer a hands-on approach to their laundry, Carnival offers self-service laundry rooms equipped with standard equipment. Here’s what you need to know about using these facilities:
Location: Laundry rooms are located on various decks throughout the ship. You can also use the map function on the Carnival Hub app to find the nearest laundry room.
Operating Hours: These facilities are open for guest use around the clock, allowing you to choose the most convenient time to do your laundry.
Equipment: Carnival launderettes have at least 2 washing machines and 2 dryers in each one. You can bring your own detergent with you or purchase single-use packages onboard. The laundry room on the Carnival Valor was also equipped with a utility sink and an iron and ironing board. You’ll want to load your washer carefully, since there’s no guarantee that the dryers will be able to completely dry a full load.
Payment: The cost to use a washer or dryer is $3.50 per machine. Payment can be made inside the launderette using your sign and sail card on most ships. However, the Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise use a coin-based system.
3. Washing Clothes in Your Sink
The final way to wash your laundry on a cruise ship is to use your stateroom sink. This isn’t a great option if you need to do a lot of laundry. But it is an easy way to wash a few small items. For the budget-conscious or those who enjoy a more DIY approach, washing your clothes in your stateroom sink is a viable option. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of this option:
Detergent: Before you start, you’ll need to find soap for this cleaning process. You can bring your own detergent onboard the ship with you, or you can purchase soap inside one of the self-service laundry rooms.
Fill the Sink: Plug the sink and fill it with warm water, adding a small amount of detergent. The water should be soapy
Soak and Scrub: Place your dirty clothes in the soapy water and gently agitate them. Pay special attention to any stained or soiled areas, giving them a little extra TLC.
Rinse: Empty the soapy water, refill the sink with clean water, and rinse your clothes thoroughly to remove any detergent residue.
Dry It Out: Hang your clothes to dry using the provided clothesline or hangers in your stateroom. But, avoid hanging your clothing over the balcony railing as this is considered a safety issue. And, honestly it can be quite windy on a ship. Just imagine your underwear blowing onto a neighboring balcony. If you want to use your balcony this way, consider taking a travel laundry line that can be secured such as this one.
Conclusion
As you embark on your Carnival cruise, rest assured that you have a range of laundry options to choose from. Whether you prefer the convenience of professional cleaning, the flexibility of the onboard laundry rooms, or the budget-friendly approach of washing in your stateroom sink, Carnival Cruise Line has you covered. No matter which option you choose, you can look forward to enjoying your cruise with fresh and clean clothing, so you can make the most of every moment at sea. Bon voyage!
