Ahoy there Lori, and welcome to planDisney! Thank you for sailing my way with your question about your Disney Cruise Line vacation in May! Have you checked the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app countdown yet today? I know when my next cruise is anywhere even close to two month away, I check that thing like it's my job!
I'm so glad that you're thinking about doing laundry on the ship! I like to say there are two types of people on a cruise: those who pack to escape laundry, and those who don't! As much as it can sometimes feel like a part of home we'd like to leave there while on vacation, packing light and using the launderette facilities while aboard can make the trip home easier - plus your souvenirs won't smell like dirty laundry, haha!
There's something oddly fun about doing laundry while on the ship, and the fact that the Launderettes are available just like the 24-Hour room service, you use your Key to the World card to operate washers and dryers, and the machines will notify you when your clothes are done through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, it all feels so futuristic! Well, as futuristic as a chore can feel. There have been cruises where my family has packed in carry-on luggage alone, and it's all because we decided to build laundry time into our itinerary! We especially like to do laundry while in Ports of Call we've visited before - while our fellow castaways are explorin', we do the chore-n'!
You're more than welcome to bring your own detergent, though it is available on the ship. I'd actually suggest powdered detergent for a few reasons! First, powdered detergent is what the launderette vending machine dispenses, so in my mind, it's what the machines work best with. Second, powdered detergent is easier to pack without the risk of it leaking out and making your clean laundry, "the laundry formerly known as clean." Third, with so many children around, pods just make me nervous that one would fall out of my luggage and be picked up! If you haven't seen them before, I'd also consider bringing either detergent sheets (talk about futuristic) or detergent tablets!
Oh, and one more thing: on the
Disney Dream and
Disney Fantasy, the Launderettes can be found on Decks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10! Be sure to check the deck plans for where exactly they are located!
I hope that helps you plan for a CLEAN GETAWAY on your upcoming cruise! Oh, come on, you KNEW that one was coming... Thank you so much for your question, Lori! If you need help lifting any other stains out of your plans, you know where to find me here at planDisney!
To packing light, and cruising right!
Andrew