Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Whether you want to pack light for a longer cruise or you're traveling with little ones who tend to be a bit messy, you might need to wash clothes during your cruise vacation.

Some cruise lines offer self-service launderette facilities for guests to do their own laundry. They often include two or three washers and dryers, as well as vending machines with detergent and fabric softener for purchase.

When it comes to for-fee, valet-type laundry services, your cabin steward will usually handle it, and prices vary by line. Cruise lines often provide a price chart; look for the list and bag hanging in your cabin's closet or in one of the vanity drawers.

Additionally, some cruise lines like Windstar, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Royal Caribbean International offer various laundry packages for the length of your cruise.

Luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Oceania Cruises provide either free self-service laundry facilities or complimentary valet laundry services. Also, free or discounted full-service laundry is a perk of elite status with several cruise lines' loyalty programs (more on that below).

If you think you'll need to freshen up your clothes during a cruise, it's good to know what's available. Here's a guide to cruise ship laundry services for several popular mainstream lines.

Carnival Cruise Line laundry

Self-service laundry

Launderettes: Carnival Cruise Line has self-service laundry rooms on all ships except those in the Excel Class. Although you can pay with your Sail & Sign card on most ships, you'll need coins on Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise. (Staff at the guest services desk can make change for you.)

Soap and fabric softener for sale: Yes

Irons and ironing boards: Yes

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Email address

Sign up

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Send-out laundry service

Carnival also provides extra-charge valet laundry service, which your cabin attendant will handle. For next-day service, hand in your laundry by 9 a.m. and receive it by 5 p.m. the next day. Express same-day service is also available. (Hand in your laundry before 9 a.m. and get it back by 5 p.m.)

Additionally, the line offers complimentary wash-and-fold services for its VIFP Club loyalty program Platinum-level members (two bags on three- to six-day cruises, three bags on seven- to 13-day cruises and five bags on a cruise 14 days or longer). Diamond-level passengers receive unlimited complimentary wash-and-fold laundry service.

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: On select ships. Carnival utilizes environmentally friendly wet/dry technology on all but the following ships: Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation.

Related reading: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Celebrity Cruises laundry

Self-service laundry

No self-service laundry facilities are available on Celebrity ships.

Send-out laundry service

Celebrity offers full-service laundry and dry-cleaning services for a fee on all ships. Send out your garments before 9 a.m., and they'll be returned the next day (for regular service). Same-day service is also available for an additional charge.

Washing: Yes. The line also uses eco-friendly Laundry Neutral Detergent from Ecolab.

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

Disney Cruise Line laundry

Self-service laundry

Launderettes: Yes. Pay for the use of washers and dryers with your Disney Key to the World card.

Soap and fabric softener for sale: Yes. Purchase detergent and dryer sheets with your Key to the World card.

Irons and ironing boards: Yes

Send-out laundry service

Full-service laundry and dry-cleaning services are available for an added cost on all Disney ships. Your cabin includes laundry bags and forms. Give your cabin steward your laundry and form by 9 a.m. for next-day return. Express laundry service is available at an extra charge.

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

Holland America Line laundry

Self-service laundry

No self-service laundry facilities are available on Holland America ships.

Send-out laundry service

Holland America offers full laundry and dry-cleaning services on all ships. Laundry bags and price lists are inside the closet of each cabin. Also, one of the perks for Mariner Society loyalty program members with 4-Star Mariner or 5-Star Mariner status is complimentary laundry and pressing service.

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

MSC Cruises laundry

Self-service laundry

Self-service laundry facilities are not available on MSC ships.

Send-out laundry service

MSC offers a same-day for-fee laundry service (except on the last day of the cruise).

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

Norwegian Cruise Line laundry

Self-service laundry

Norwegian ships do not include self-service laundry facilities.

Send-out laundry service

Norwegian provides valet laundry services on all ships for a fee. Additionally, one of the perks of the line's loyalty program, Latitudes Rewards, is discounted or free laundry. Passengers with Gold tier status receive 50% off one bag of laundry. Platinum, Sapphire, Diamond and Ambassador members receive one free bag of laundry.

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

Princess Cruises laundry

Self-service laundry

Launderettes: Yes, all ships in Princess' fleet have self-service launderettes. Tokens are required to use the machines, and passengers can purchase them with their OceanMedallions.

Soap and fabric softener for sale: Yes

Irons and ironing boards: Yes

Send-out laundry service

Princess offers onboard laundry, press-only and professional cleaning services for a fee. All laundry is returned within 48 hours or on the same day with express service. Suite guests and Elite level members of the Captain's Circle loyalty program enjoy free complimentary laundry and cleaning service (except same-day service, which incurs a charge).

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

Royal Caribbean laundry

Self-service laundry

Royal Caribbean does not have self-service laundry facilities on any of its ships.

Send-out laundry service

The line provides added-cost valet laundry services on all ships. Passengers can pay per item or send a bag of items to be washed and folded for a fixed price by leaving them with their room stewards. Those with Diamond Plus status in the line's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program receive one free wash-and-fold bag of laundry (on sailings of five or more nights).

Washing: Yes

Pressing: Yes

Dry-cleaning: Yes

Bottom line

Cruise lines offer varied laundry services, so you can choose what works best for your time frame and budget so your clothing stays in tip-top shape while you cruise.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin