Imagine embarking on a dream cruise, only to discover an unwelcome guest in your cabin – bed bugs! Two Carnival Cruise Line guests are now taking legal action after allegedly encountering this nightmare scenario earlier this year.
According to a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida on October 28th, Maryland residents Catherine Shockley and William Maycock reported finding red marks on their bodies after sleeping in their stateroom aboard the Carnival Horizon in mid-February. Shockley's investigation allegedly uncovered live bed bugs in various life stages, along with fecal spotting and eggs.
The lawsuit claims photographs showed over 30 individual bites on the guests, leading to intensely itchy bites, painful welts requiring medical attention, sleep loss, mental distress, and financial repercussions.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite alerting the ship's crew, the complaint alleges the staff didn't adequately address the issue in and around their cabin. The suit further claims the company was aware of the problem, as crew members were fumigating other staterooms on the same floor before the guests even boarded.
Shockley and Maycock are accusing Carnival of failing to warn them, failing to maintain the vessel properly, and general negligence. They are seeking a jury trial and damages.
"My clients trusted Carnival Cruise Line to provide a safe and sanitary cruise vacation experience," stated Grant I. Schwarz, the plaintiffs' attorney. "Instead, they were exposed to a bed bug infestation in their cabin that caused painful injuries, emotional distress, property damage and long-term anxiety about travel and lodging. This lawsuit seeks accountability, not only to compensate my clients for what they endured, but also to ensure that other passengers are protected from similar harm."
Carnival responded to USA TODAY by stating they don't comment on pending litigation but have a thorough guest room sanitation process, including special procedures for rare instances when a guest raises a concern. The cruise line also has a dedicated bedbug detection and treatment plan.
The cruise line's website states that stateroom attendants are trained to recognize bed bugs and conduct weekly cabin inspections, covering beds, curtains, and carpeting. When signs of infestation are found, cabins and nearby ones are chemically treated and re-inspected for several months. All cabins also receive pest control treatment during routine maintenance.
And this is the part most people miss... Bed bugs can appear in various locations, including cruise ships, hotels, trains, and homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that cleanliness isn't a determining factor in their presence. While bed bugs aren't known to spread diseases in humans, their bites can cause itching, sleep loss, and, rarely, allergic reactions.
Interestingly, the Carnival Horizon received a passing score of 93 during a CDC sanitation inspection in late February.
What do you think? Do you believe cruise lines are doing enough to prevent and address bed bug infestations? Share your thoughts in the comments below – are you worried about this possibility when you are traveling?
