In an October 28 filed lawsuit, Catherine Shockley and William Maycock claimed their stateroom aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship was infested with bed bugs, leading them to require medical treatment.
The plaintiffs filed their complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, according to PEOPLE. The duo’s lawsuit reportedly alleges three counts of negligence against the cruise line. Shockley and Maycock allege that before their February 2025 experience on Carnival’s Horizon ship, the company failed to warn them of the infestation in their room, or conduct proper inspections and maintenance for pest control.
The duo reportedly noticed “red markings” on their bodies the morning after their first night on the ship. Their lawsuit explained that though initially unaware of the cause, they “felt something itchy on their legs and arms which resembled insect bite marks.”
The plaintiffs’ filing stated that Shockley checked the room and “discovered live bed bugs in multiple stages of life, fecal spotting, and eggs.” She later concluded that the markings on her and Maycock’s legs, arms, hands, faces, and bottoms must have been from bed bugs. The complaint also alleges that photos display over 30 bed bug bites on Shockley and Maycock.
The plaintiffs are reportedly seeking damages. Their filing alleges that they’ve suffered “painful welts that required medical treatment and mediation, multiple dark splotches, loss of sleep, mental distress, loss of personal property, and economic loss.”
What Else Is There To Know About The Bed Bug Related Lawsuit Against Carnival Cruise Lines?
Shockley and Maycock claim they “notified their stateroom attendant and reported the incident to guest services.” However, their filing also alleges that crew members didn’t properly remedy the situation. Moreover, the accusers’ lawsuit asserted that, “This dangerous condition was known to the Defendant as the crew members were fumigating other staterooms on the same floor as Plaintiffs prior to embarkation.”
“My clients trusted Carnival Cruise (Line) to provide a safe and sanitary cruise vacation experience,” said Grant I. Schwarz, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, in an email to USA TODAY. “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.”
A Carnival Cruise Line representative didn’t specifically comment on Shockley and Maycock’s filing. However, they did note that the company has an “extensive and thorough guest room sanitation process, including special procedures to address the rare instances when a guest might raise a concern.”
Moreover, the cruise line’s website says “all stateroom attendants are trained to recognize the possible presence of bed bugs and are required to conduct weekly inspections of every cabin.” If the room check presents signs of an infestation, that space and the rooms near it are supposed to be chemically treated and continuously checked for more bed bugs “for the next several months.” Moreover, the source added that all staterooms undergo a pest control treatment whenever a vessel has its routine maintenance.
