Post this on the relocation forum - the locals will help you out.

There's a drop off service in Crown Bay Marina. It usually takes them the better part of the day to get your wash finished. They charge $1.10 a pound or you can wash it yourself for $2.50 a machine I think. It's called Drop or Do.
There's also a laundry closer to Havensight where most of the cruise ships dock. I don't know what it's called but it's between KMart and Havensight in Vitraco Mall behind the Blockbuster. I'm not certain if they have drop off service though. There's also a really good restaurant near there called Rancho Latino if you want to duck in for lunch while laundering.
Depending on what ship you're on, you may dock at Havensight or if it's full or you're on a small ship you may dock at Crown Bay. Unless of course you're a very fortunate soul and you're on a private yacht and are stern to on the waterfront.

I'm really curious about your question as I'm sure cruise ships have laundering services on board. Have you checked with the cruise line?

It seems an awful waste of time to be doing your laundry during a port call.

STTResident,

Only a few ships have self-service laundries (I know most Holland America ships do.) Those that don't often charge a small fortune per item. I would bring enough clothes for the two weeks rather than do laundry while on vacation but I know that some cruisers change clothes several times a day and don't want to be seen wearing the same thing twice.

Why on earth do "cruisers" change clothes several times a day? On the several cruises I've taken I never experienced this, and it seems entirely a waste of energy. IMHO all you need is a swimsuit and pair of shorts for day, and then whatever the evening calls for. As for being seen wearing the same thing twice...I can see the point of that if you're wearing formal evening attire several times, but otherwise, are you on vacation to enjoy yourself and relax, or in a fashion competition? If I were you I'd bring a week's worth of clothes, mix and match, wash a couple of things out in the sink, and not waste your time on St. Thomas doing laundry. Just my opinion.

mischevious: My mind was going in that direction too! I've been on many cruises over the years with most dinners at the Captain's table (where "formal" dress was required.) Days were spent in swimsuits, shorts, cover-ups, etc. and when I had to wash out some "smalls" I did them in the cabin sink. Sensible planning and packing negates the need for doing any large amount of laundry and sitting in a hot laundromat in a port of call on a Caribbean cruise sounds like sheer drudgery.

Katetastrophee: Thanks for the info. We are sailing on Royal Caribbean who does not have self-service laundry. And as mentioned, the ship charges quite a bit to do the laundry. On our last cruise, that was our original plan, but on a whim asked our favorite jeweler who pointed us to the drop off service. As we had a car on St. Martin, it was worth paying only $1.00 a pound to drop it off and have it done. We dropped it off and then went to Orient Beach for awhile. It wasn't really any work for us and saved us almost $80. If I were a size 2, I suppose packing 2 weeks worth of clothes would not be a problem. However, as hubby and I are not tiny people, clothes take up a bit more space. And since our 4 year old really isn't much help with the luggage, it makes more sense for us to have the laundry done.

Pia: I'm new to these boards, so I appreciate you suggestion and will try that as well.