Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean has increased the price of wash and fold laundry services onboard its ships.
- The $5 increase is the first price hike for the service in at least five years.
- The change was implemented from Monday, November 10, 2025, but online pre-cruise specials are still possible.
Laundry can be a controversial subject for cruise travelers. Some guests enjoy using onboard laundry rooms or valet services in order to pack less or travel home without dirty clothes, while others prefer not to have strangers handling their clothing and potentially damaging delicate fabrics.
What all guests can agree on, however, is the frustration of increasing costs for various onboard services. On Royal Caribbean ships, that will now include a higher price for laundry.
Guests onboard Oasis of the Seas have noticed an increase in the popular “Wash and Fold Laundry Special” for cleaning up one’s laundry before heading for home. Some guests have also spotted the new price on the Odyssey of the Seas.
As of Monday, November 10, 2025, the cost for a bag of laundry is now $39.99. This is $5 higher than the previous price of $34.99, a 14% increase.
The Wash and Fold service price applies to whatever items guests are able to place securely in the provided bag. While these paper bags are not generously sized, they can still hold small and easily washed items.
“Fit as many socks, shorts, t-shirts, swimwear and pajamas as you can into the bag provided and leave it for your stateroom attendant,” the special offer explains.
Guests are asked to provide an itemized list of the included clothing to be sure there are no mix-ups or missing items. The laundry is returned, cleaned, and folded within 24 hours.
Anyone interested in the service should note that “laundry is not responsible for color alteration or faults in the material.” Because of this disclaimer, guests should reconsider using the service for delicate items such as eveningwear or anything with embellishments, lace, or easily snagged fabrics.
Items that do not fit in the wash and fold bag or that require special treatment, such as dry cleaning or steaming, are priced individually. Those prices range from $2 for socks or a t-shirt to as high as $15 for an evening gown.
Those prices, however, may also be increasing as all laundry services are adjusted.
It should be noted that there are no self-service laundry rooms onboard Royal Caribbean ships. The cruise line cites “safety concerns” and notes that in-room irons are also not available.
Read Also: Hand Washing Clothes on Cruise Ships – The Ultimate Guide
Furthermore, guests may not bring aboard any steamers or irons onboard to perform their own in-stateroom laundering, as they are prohibited items and will be confiscated.
Why the Price Increase Now?
As of this writing, the lower price is still listed in the cruise line’s laundry FAQ, but this may simply mean the website hasn’t yet been updated for the very recent change. Another possibility is that the higher cost may be a test aboard limited ships or sailings before being changed fleetwide.
Prices of all services and packages are always subject to change. This laundry charge has been the same for years; however, the $34.99 price per bag dates back to at least mid-2020.
With the rising costs of detergent and labor, not to mention the increasing popularity of laundry services, it’s not surprising that this price increase has now been implemented.
More From Cruise Hive
Royal Caribbean guests interested in the very best laundry deal (who still don’t want to take dirty laundry home from a cruise vacation) should keep an eye on pre-cruise sales. Occasionally, laundry services can be discounted 30-40% with limited-time prepaid wash and fold specials.
Of course, one can always take their dirty clothes home again to do laundry themselves, but where are the vacation vibes in that?
