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Laundry and washing service prices are an often underestimated expense during a cruise. Especially on longer trips or when travelling with limited luggage, the costs can quickly add up to hundreds of euros. Laundry services cost between $2 and $12 per item of clothing, but with smart choices and good preparation you can avoid unnecessary spending. Read on and discover how to save as much as hundreds of euros on your next cruise.
How expensive is laundry on a cruise?
The price for laundry services varies greatly by cruise line and depends on the type of service you choose. You either pay per item of clothing, per bag of laundry, or you opt for an unlimited package per day. On Royal Caribbean, a T-shirt costs $3.49, while a long-sleeved shirt costs $4.99. Washing and ironing a dress costs $8.99.
Norwegian Cruise Line charges $4.95 for a T-shirt or shorts, $7.95 for jeans and $11.95 for a dress. Celebrity Cruises uses similar prices: a shirt costs $6 to $7, a dress from $11. These prices can go up each year and sometimes differ per ship or sailing region. It is important to know that these kinds of costs can be part of wider cruise prices and hidden charges you need to factor in beforehand.
For travellers with a lot of laundry, some cruise lines offer bag options. Royal Caribbean has a wash & fold bag for $34.99. Celebrity Cruises offers a small load of 12 items for $49.99. Norwegian regularly has “fill a bag” promotions where you can fill a bag for less than the per‑item price. These options are worth considering once you want to have more than 4 to 6 items of clothing washed.
‘ “For families with children or travellers with little luggage, this is a reliable way to estimate and control laundry costs in advance.” ’
Unlimited laundry packages for longer trips
On cruises of 7 days or longer, unlimited laundry packages are often more cost‑effective. Holland America offers a day package for $7 to $9 per day, with a maximum of 30 days. This package includes washing and ironing. On European cruises, prices are roughly $2 higher due to operational costs.
The advantage of an unlimited package is that you do not have to count. You can hand in laundry every day at no extra cost. For families with children or travellers with little luggage, this is a reliable way to estimate and control laundry costs in advance.
Doing your own laundry on a cruise ship
Not all cruise lines offer self‑service launderettes. At Carnival, Holland America, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn you can do your own laundry. At Carnival you pay $3.50 for a wash and $3.50 for drying. Holland America charges $3 per load, plus $1 for detergent. At Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn, self‑service is free, including detergent.
Cruise lines such as Norwegian and Royal Caribbean do not have self‑service launderettes on board. With these companies you are dependent on the professional laundry service or on hand‑washing in your cabin. Always check in advance which options your ship offers.
Self‑service can save you hundreds of euros on a longer cruise. You do need to take waiting times into account, especially during busy sea days. Ideally, bring laundry detergent tablets or small bottles to keep costs down further.
Useful tips to save on laundry costs
There are several ways to reduce laundry costs without sacrificing comfort. Below are the most important tips:
- Choose bag options or promotions as soon as you have more than 4 items of clothing. With Norwegian and Carnival, “fill a bag” deals are often cheaper than paying per item.
- Use self‑service where possible. At Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn it is free; at Holland America and Carnival you pay a fraction of the professional service price.
- Bring enough underwear and socks. These items cost $1.95 to $2 each and add up quickly. An extra set of underwear can easily save you dozens of euros.
- Wash small items by hand in your cabin. With travel detergent tablets or a small bottle of detergent you can wash underwear, T‑shirts and socks yourself. Bring a foldable drying rack or hang items on hangers in the bathroom.
- Avoid express service. Same‑day service costs up to 50% extra. Plan ahead and hand in bags before 9:00 in the morning for next‑day service.
- Check whether your suite category or loyalty status includes free laundry service. At Celebrity Cruises, guests in Royal Suites and above get free laundry. At Holland America, Neptune and Pinnacle Suite guests also enjoy this benefit.
‘ Cruise lines regularly adjust their prices. ’
Booking laundry services in advance
With most cruise lines you cannot book laundry services online in advance. You arrange this on board via the menu card in your cabin or via the infotainment system on your television. Fill in the form, put the laundry in the bag provided and place it outside your door or hand it in to housekeeping.
Unlimited laundry packages can be booked in advance with some cruise lines as part of a drinks package or extra service. This varies by company. Ask your cruise line or travel agent whether this is possible and whether it works out cheaper than booking on board.
Bear in mind that prices on board may differ from what you see online beforehand. Cruise lines regularly adjust their prices. Always check the current price list in your cabin as soon as you are on board.
Differences between cruise lines
Each cruise line has its own price structure and range of services. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian do not have self‑service and charge per item or per bag. Holland America offers both self‑service and unlimited packages, ideal for longer trips. Carnival focuses on budget travellers with inexpensive self‑service options.
Luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn offer free self‑service launderettes including detergent. This makes an important difference for travellers with a lot of luggage or who are on board for a longer period. At Celebrity Cruises, suite guests receive free professional laundry service, which is a significant benefit.
Also watch out for regional differences. Cruises in Europe are often 10 to 20% more expensive than comparable trips in the Caribbean or North America because of higher operational costs. Always check the price list on the ship you are actually sailing on.
Practical guidance for your next cruise
Plan in advance how much luggage you will take and whether you want to use laundry services. For a cruise of a week or less, you can often get by with enough clothing and the occasional hand wash. On longer trips of 10 days or more, an unlimited package or self‑service quickly becomes worthwhile.
Always bring a small bottle of detergent or travel tablets, even if you intend to use professional services. Hand washing gives you flexibility and saves money on smaller items. A foldable drying rack or small washing line easily fits in your suitcase and gives you more freedom.
Also check which promotions are available during your cruise. Some ships offer mid‑cruise discounts on bag options. Keep an eye on the infotainment system and the daily newsletter for these offers.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about cruises, hidden costs, packing lists and smart preparation tips for your trip. Discover more useful articles and plan your next holiday with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
On cruises there are generally three options: per‑item laundry service, a “fill‑a‑bag” service and sometimes self‑service launderettes. Per‑item washing/ironing costs on average about $2–12 per item of clothing. A fill‑a‑bag option usually costs around $20–40 per bag. Unlimited packages for longer cruises are often around $6–9 per day.
The best way to check current laundry prices in advance is via your cruise line’s website or app; they often provide a sample price list or information about packages. Also check recent trip reports on forums (e.g. Cruise Critic) or travel blogs, as prices can differ by ship and region and change each year. For longer cruises it is worth specifically searching for “laundry package” or “fill‑a‑bag” deals for your ship and sailing date. If in doubt, contact the cruise line’s customer service to get a recent indication per item of clothing or per bag.
Doing your own laundry in a launderette (self‑service) usually costs a few euros for a wash and dry cycle together, for example around €6–8 in total per load. A laundry service at accommodation usually charges per item or per filled bag, so you quickly end up paying around €20–40 per bag or a few euros per item. The cost difference can therefore easily be a factor of 3 to 5 per wash, depending on how much clothing you have. This means the launderette is almost always substantially cheaper than an accommodation’s laundry service.
Yes: take a small laundry kit with you (travel detergent, washing line, universal sink plug) and wash basic items regularly by hand in the sink or shower. Choose quick‑dry, multi‑purpose clothing (merino wool, sports fabrics) so you need fewer pieces and they dry overnight. On the road, use inexpensive self‑service launderettes instead of hotel or campsite services and plan laundry days in places where it is cheap. Travel with layers in neutral colours so you can re‑use combinations without it being noticeable.
Key factors are local wages and the general cost of living, as staff and rent prices vary greatly by country or city. The cost of water, energy and detergents (including environmental taxes) also plays a role. In addition, competition, type of service (self‑service, full service, express), quality and positioning (budget vs premium) all influence prices. Finally, tourist locations or high‑end districts often have higher prices than residential areas or less touristy regions.
