Q: Can I wash clothes in the cabin sink?

A:

Yes, but we strongly advise against it.

From a technical standpoint, the bathroom sinks in our staterooms are plumbed like standard hotel sinks and can physically hold water. However, they are designed for personal hygiene, not for laundering clothing. Washing clothes in the sink is highly inefficient, creates a significant mess with dripping wet garments, and poses a hygiene concern for both your cabin and your belongings. The confined space makes it difficult to properly rinse soap from fabrics, which can leave residues that irritate skin.

More importantly, it creates practical issues for our housekeeping staff and for you. A cabin with hanging, damp laundry has reduced air circulation, which can lead to a musty odor. It also increases ambient humidity, which is less than ideal in a climate-controlled environment. For these reasons, while not explicitly prohibited, it is discouraged as it detracts from the comfort and five-star standard we work diligently to maintain for all our guests. On some of our newer vessels, the sinks have a more shallow design or advanced water-saving features, making them even less suitable for laundry tasks.

> Director's Note: The ship's water is perfectly safe, but it is a precious resource. Using large quantities for sink laundry is at odds with our environmental conservation efforts on the river.

For a much more convenient solution, all our ships offer professional and affordable laundry and pressing services. Simply use the bag and form provided in your cabin; items are typically returned within 24 hours. This is the standard used by the vast majority of our international guests. For smaller items or emergencies, we recommend bringing a universal sink stopper (the rubber type) and a small amount of quick-dry, travel-specific detergent, but please restrict use to delicate undergarments and perform this only over the bathroom floor. Always wring items thoroughly in a towel before hanging them in the shower area on the provided line to minimize dripping.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!