The Simple Way To Save Money While Doing Laundry On A Cruise

According to Cruzely, a typical week-long cruise ticket ranges from about $1,100 to $1,800 per person, depending on the cruise line and cabin type. But, once you're on board, there's a good chance you'll need to pay for other things — like washing your clothes. Some ships charge by the item; Royal Caribbean, for example, charges $3.49 to wash and press a shirt or blouse, or $1.99 for ironing only, while Carnival charges $6 to dry-clean a shirt or $5 for a wash-and-press service. A family of four that sends eight to ten items each during a 7-night cruise can easily spend between $220 and $280. Whether you are in the upper class or even in the middle class, paying that alongside your cruise price can be a burden.

However, you can save money simply by waiting until the end of your cruise to do laundry. By using a flat-rate "stuff-a-bag" laundry deal, which guests can expect to find out about mid-sailing – on days four or five of a week-long cruise, passengers can pay a flat fee for an entire bag of laundry. Royal Caribbean lists the service at $34.99 per bag on Rhapsody of the Seas, Holland America's prices hover between $25 to $35, while Carnival lists a $15 bag special (one-bag rate). This can be a major discount compared to regular item-by-item rates.

Carnival Cruise Line's 2024 laundry price sheet shows real value in its wash-and-fold services, even without included ironing. For $15, guests can get same-day service for one standard laundry bag. There's also a bundle deal of five bags for $50. Carnival's valet menu shows per-item wash-and-press fees starting at $3.50 for a T-shirt and up to $5 to $7 for jeans or dresses. Hence, a 20-item bag can cut your laundry cost by 65% to 80%. Plus, it covers everyday items like jeans, shirts, and underwear, all for less than the cost of having just a few dresses cleaned mid-cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers a similar laundry deal priced at $34.99 per bag. While it costs more than Carnival's bundle, it still gives passengers a solid discount compared to regular wash-and-press rates. The shipboard laundry menu prices individual wash-and-press items between $3.49 for a T-shirt and $5.49 for pants. If you stuff 20 to 25 pieces into the $34.99 bag, it drops the per-item cost to about $1.4 to $1.75, a 50% to 65% savings. But the exact discount depends on how full you pack the bag. The offer includes a laundry bag supplied in the cabin and invites guests to "fit as much as you can," yet the same FAQ notes it is intended for smaller clothing items. So bulky garments, such as suits or gowns, may not qualify.

If you miss the bag deal and you need a quick turnaround, self-service laundry stations are another practical option. On Disney Cruise Line, laundry prices vary slightly depending on the ship and sailing. As of 2025, expect to pay between $3 and $3.50 per wash and $1.25 to $3 per dryer cycle. Detergent is available in vending machines for about $1. Princess Cruises maintains a slightly more uniform pricing model, with self-service washers and dryers each set at $3 per load, and detergent priced around $1.50.

Those who've achieved the wealth threshold to officially belong to the top 1%, and therefore probably qualify as elite cruise passengers, can take advantage of loyalty perks that can wipe out laundry costs altogether. On Holland America Line, members of the Mariner Society with 4-Star or 5-Star status receive complimentary laundry and pressing service throughout their voyage. Carnival Cruise Line also rewards loyal guests through its VIFP Club. Platinum-level members get free wash-and-fold services, two bags on cruises lasting three to six days, three bags on trips between seven and 13 days, and five bags on sailings 14 days or longer. Diamond-level guests can enjoy unlimited wash-and-fold laundry, according to The Points Guy. These perks can add real value, especially if you are a frequent cruise guest.