People go on cruises to relax and enjoy their time away from home. While cruise ships are usually clean and pest-free, there are instances in which cruise ship passengers have discovered unwelcome guests—bed bugs—in their staterooms.
Realizing that your stateroom is infested with bed bugs is likely the start of a miserable trip. These pests can quickly infest clothing and luggage. They bite humans, which causes itchy, red bumps to appear. This turns what should have been a fun and relaxing vacation into an uncomfortable time.
Bed bugs on cruises are uncommon
Cruise ships usually conduct regular checks for bed bugs, typically when cleaning staterooms between cruises. Most also have pest control plans in place for when they’re docked for regular maintenance.
Typically, bed bugs get onto cruise ships when a passenger who has an infestation at home or was in a hotel room with bed bugs comes onto the ship. The bed bugs travel in their suitcase or on their clothing. In some cases, that passenger doesn’t notice anything amiss during their stay, but the next passenger in that stateroom may have an issue once the eggs the bed bugs laid hatch.
Handling a cruise ship infestation
Passengers who suspect they have a bed bug issue on the ship should report the problem. Seeking care from the cruise ship’s medical facility may be beneficial. Ideally, the cruise line will have a plan of action to follow.
This may involve moving you to a new stateroom and providing appropriate services to rid your personal belongings of bed bugs. Some cruise liners have special heat treatments available for these cases, which should be highly effective for controlling bed bugs.
Another issue to consider is the possibility of bringing these critters back home with you. It might be necessary to get rid of the items you brought on the cruise, which can mean having to deal with the expense of replacing everything.
If you have been affected by bed bugs while on a cruise, contact the professionals at Bed Bug Law. Our team of professionals understands the horrors of dealing with bed bugs and is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.