Carnival Cruise Line Hit With Lawsuit Over Alleged Bedbug Infestation

Carnival Cruise Balcony Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Two Carnival Cruise Line guests have filed a lawsuit against the cruise line, alleging that a bedbug infestation onboard the Carnival Horizon caused problems and that the cruise line was negligent in its response.

The suit comes from plaintiffs Catherine Shockley and William Maycock and was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The pair were onboard Carnival Horizon‘s February 15, 2025, sailing, an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from Miami.

Shockley and Maycock claim that just two days into their getaway, they noticed severe itching and what appeared to be insect bites on their arms and legs. After another night, more bites had appeared and seemed to spread to their shoulders, hands, and faces.

Fearing bedbugs, Shockley inspected the bedding in the stateroom and reportedly discovered live bedbugs as well as fecal stains and eggs. This led the pair to believe the infestation was ongoing but improperly treated.

The two guests did alert crew members about the problem, but claim nothing was done and they were not offered to relocate to a different stateroom.

Carnival Cruise Line has an ongoing detection protocol for finding bedbugs that includes inspections of mattresses and bedding as well as carpeting and draperies in staterooms.

“If signs of infestation are present, the room is chemically treated along with all other cabins within that section. Frequent re-inspection continues for the next several months,” the protocol states.

When Carnival ships enter dry dock, they also undergo “extensive pest control treatment” during that time. Carnival Horizon‘s next scheduled dry dock refurbishment is in spring 2026.

Shockley and Maycock have alleged that they witnessed crew members fumigating nearby staterooms, which could indicate an ongoing problem that Carnival Cruise Line was aware of at the time of their sailing.

The guests did seek medical treatment for relief, but it is unclear whether or not they sought that treatment while still onboard Carnival Horizon or after debarkation.

“Plaintiffs suffered numerous intensely itchy bites resulting in large, painful welts that required medical treatment and medication, multiple dark splotches, loss of sleep, mental distress, loss of personal property, and economic loss,” the lawsuit states.

It may take several months before this case is resolved. Shockley and Maycock are seeking damages related to medical costs, scarring, lost property, emotional distress, and other “ongoing” harm related to the incident.

Are Bedbugs Really That Bad?

Bed bugs are occasionally reported on all different cruise ships, with varying degrees of infestation and confirmation. Most recently, such a report was made aboard Disney Magic in July 2025.

Social media groups often note bed bug reports from guests, but many of these are either not reported to the cruise line or are not substantiated. Some anecdotal reports may actually be sand fleas, mosquitoes, or similar bites from other blood-feeding insects.

I was once attacked by bed bugs at a boutique hotel at a particular Caribbean destination (not on a cruise), and while it was excruciatingly itchy – I’ll spare you the photo of my polka-dotted legs! – There was no scarring and no long-term impact. Of course, different people react differently to insect bites.

Bed bugs are tiny parasites, usually about a quarter-inch in size. They thrive in dark, hidden spots such as mattress seams or the cracks where carpeting and walls meet, and they can easily be carried in luggage. Because they can survive six months or longer without feeding, it can be difficult to eliminate bed bugs.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bed bugs do not spread diseases to people, though the itching can be uncomfortable, and some allergic reactions can be more severe. The presence of bed bugs is not related to overall cleanliness.

In more than 40 sailings, I’ve never once encountered bed bugs on any cruise. That doesn’t mean such infestations would be impossible, but they may not be as widespread at sea as social media might indicate.