In this guide I will explain how the laundry service works on Windstar, looking at the process, how much it costs and how long it takes for garments to be returned. On every single Windstar Cruise I have been on, totalling eight voyages so far I have made use of the excellent onboard laundry service. The laundry staff do an excellent job, with every item being returned beautifully pressed and clean.
It is a life saver on longer voyages, allowing us to pack much lighter than we otherwise would have. It is especially useful in hot tropical destinations where you may get hot and sweaty on an excursion and want the items to be cleaned before flying home with them. For many types of garments also offer a very reasonable press-only service, great for linen shirts and trousers that always end up becoming creased whilst travelling to the ship.
How much does laundry cost on Windstar cruises?
There are several ways you will either get laundry for free or can pay for it, I will list each of them below.
Pay As You Go
In the wardrobe of your onboard cabin you will find several cotton laundry bags and a laundry slip with prices. You can have as much or as little laundered or simply pressed as you require. On shorter seven-to-ten day voyages this is typically how we pay for laundry.
Windstar Cruise Laundry Service Prices
Men
| Garment | Wash and Press Price | Press Only Price |
| Shirt (long sleeve) | $5.00 | $2.25 |
| Shirt (short sleeve / polo shirt) | $4.25 | $1.50 |
| T-shirt / Tank-top / Vest | $3.00 | ~ |
| Sweater | $5.50 | ~ |
| Jacket / Blazer | $6.75 | $2.50 |
| Slacks / Trousers / Jeans / Pants | $5.75 | $2.25 |
| Shorts / Swimsuit | $4.00 | $1.50 |
| Pajamas (set) | $5.75 | ~ |
| Underpants | $2.00 | ~ |
| Socks, pair | $2.00 | ~ |
Women
| Garment | Wash and Press Price | Press Only Price |
| Dress | $7.50 | ~ |
| Blouse – Long sleeve | $4.25 | $1.50 |
| T-Shirt / Tank Top / Vest | $3.00 | ~ |
| Sweater | $5.50 | ~ |
| Jacket / Blazer | $6.75 | $2.50 |
| Pants / Jeans | $5.75 | $2.25 |
| Shorts / Skirt | $4.00 | $1.50 |
| Pajamas (set) | $5.75 | ~ |
| Bras | $2.00 | ~ |
| Panties | $2.00 | ~ |
| Socks, pair | $2.00 | ~ |
| Swimsuits / Bikini | $3.75 | ~ |
Collector and longer Voyages
For collector voyages (a type of cruise comprised of two or more cruise stitched together in a single fare) or for voyages lasting 13 days or longer unlimited laundry is automatically included in the cruise fare. Another fantastic reason why Windstar Cruises is such a fantastic cruise line and why it is in the luxury category. Simply fill out the laundry slip, but don’t worry about the items being added to your bill.
Unlimited Laundry Package
If you think you are going to be using the onboard laundry services a lot you can purchase the Unlimited Laundry Package at the beginning of your cruise.
The cost of the package is as follows:
- $19 per day for double occupancy
- $9.50 per day for single occupancy (only for cabins with a single guest)
The package must be purchased for duration of the entire cruise segment, not just for a couple of days. For a typical 7 day cruise the double occupancy cost would work out to be $133.
To purchase the package you simply fill in the card that is left in your cabin at the start of your cruise and hand it your room steward or place it inside the laundry bag during your first service. The package must be purchased by the second day of your cruise.
Loyalty Programme Perks
Windstar’s loyalty scheme, Yacht Club, features laundry discounts as part of the benefits. The more you cruise and the more points you acquire the greater the value of the benefits you receive. This is especially true for laundry, with four star members receiving free unlimited laundry on all cruises.
| Points | Star Level | Laundry Discount |
| 1-15 | One Star | 5% off unlimited laundry package |
| 16-39 | Two Star | 5% off unlimited laundry package |
| 40-89 | Three Star | 5% off unlimited laundry package |
| 90+ | Four Star | Complimentary unlimited laundry package |
How does the laundry service work?
In one of the drawers of your cabin’s wardrobe you will find several cotton laundry bags and carbon laundry slips. Simply write out on the slip how many of each kind of item is in the laundry bag, fill out your name, the date and your cabin number. Then tear off the white part of the slip and place the slip in the bag, keep the yellow carbon copy as a receipt. Then hang it on the outside of your cabin door for collection. Your room steward will take away the bag/s for laundry service or you can dial 0 for expedited collection.
During turn down service you will receive fresh empty bags and slips.
Landry can be delivered on hangers or delivered folded.
How long does it take?
The regular service takes one day, provided the item is placed in a laundry bag for collection before 10am, items put out after 10am will be returned the day after next.
There is a premium same day service which will see a 25% surcharge added to the total bill. Items place outside before 10am will be returned by 5PM the same day. If you have a package you will still have to pay the 25% surcharge.
