Passengers Sue Carnival Over Alleged Bedbugs Aboard Carnival Horizon

Two Carnival Cruise Line passengers have filed a federal lawsuit alleging a bedbug infestation aboard Carnival Horizon during a February 2025 sailing, claiming they suffered dozens of bites and that shipboard staff did not respond adequately after they reported the problem.

The complaint was filed Oct. 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Catherine Shockley and William Maycock. The case centers on an eight-night Southern Caribbean itinerary that departed from Miami on Feb. 15, 2025.

What the passengers allege happened during the February 2025 sailing

According to the lawsuit, the couple began noticing itching and bite-like marks early in the voyage. They say the irritation worsened after another night in the same stateroom, prompting Shockley to inspect the cabin. The complaint alleges she found what they believed were signs of bedbugs, including live insects, staining described as fecal spotting, and eggs.

The filing says the guests reported their concerns to their stateroom attendant and contacted guest services, but were not moved to another room. The lawsuit also alleges they saw crew activity in nearby cabins that they interpreted as pest-response measures, including fumigation in other staterooms, which they contend suggested the issue may have extended beyond a single room.

Injuries and damages sought

Shockley and Maycock allege they suffered over 30 bites during the trip, describing painful welts, lingering marks, loss of sleep, and mental and emotional distress. The complaint says they sought medical treatment and medication, although publicly available details cited in coverage did not clearly state whether care was received onboard or after the cruise.

The lawsuit seeks damages tied to the alleged incident, including medical and related costs, property loss, and other economic impacts. The categories described in coverage include:

• Medical expenses: Costs related to treatment and medication following the alleged bites.
• Skin impacts: Scarring or persistent marks attributed to the incident.
• Quality-of-life effects: Loss of sleep and emotional distress described in the complaint.
• Economic loss: Alleged loss of personal property and other financial impacts.

The plaintiffs accuse the cruise line of negligence, arguing the situation could have been avoided if appropriate inspection, maintenance, and response practices had been followed.

Carnival’s published bedbug inspection and treatment steps

Carnival Cruise Line describes bedbug detection and treatment measures on its website, including weekly stateroom inspections conducted by trained staff. The company’s published materials also describe inspections that extend beyond beds and mattresses to other parts of a stateroom, including soft goods and surfaces where pests can hide, such as carpeting and curtains.

When signs of infestation are identified, Carnival’s published policy describes chemical treatment of affected rooms, with follow-up inspections continuing for an extended period. The company also notes that additional staterooms in the same section may be treated as part of the response. Carnival further states that ships receive extensive pest-control treatment during dry dock maintenance, and Carnival Horizon’s next scheduled dry dock refurbishment is listed for spring 2026.

CDC guidance and what ship inspection scores do, and do not, indicate

Coverage of the lawsuit also cited a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vessel Sanitation Program inspection of Carnival Horizon dated Feb. 23, 2025, which resulted in a score of 93 out of 100. The ship has recorded scores of 91 or higher in VSP inspections since 2018, according to the same coverage.

VSP scores focus on public health standards that include food safety and sanitation-related items, and the CDC does not present VSP scores as proof that a vessel is free of bedbugs. Coverage noted that bedbugs can be introduced through passenger belongings and can persist despite routine cleaning.

Public health guidance commonly notes that bedbugs are not associated with transmitting disease to humans, though bites can cause significant itching, welts, and, for some people, stronger allergic reactions. The CDC has also emphasized that bedbugs are not limited to unclean environments. “Cleanliness does not determine whether bed bugs are present,” the agency has said in its guidance referenced in coverage.

Broader attention as the lawsuit proceeds

The lawsuit comes amid heightened attention to onboard operational issues across the cruise sector. Story coverage referencing the case also pointed to Carnival having a leading number of reportable incidents in U.S. Department of Transportation Q3 2025 data, noting the incidents vary in nature.

As of the latest publicly available information cited in coverage, Carnival Cruise Line had not issued a public statement addressing the specific allegations in the Shockley and Maycock lawsuit. The case could take months to move through court, with timing shaped by filings, motions, and any potential settlement discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which ship and sailing are named in the lawsuit?

The complaint names Carnival Horizon and ties the allegations to the Feb. 15, 2025, eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise departing from Miami.

When and where was the lawsuit filed?

Shockley and Maycock filed their complaint on Oct. 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

What do the plaintiffs say Carnival staff did after they reported the suspected bedbugs?

According to the complaint, the guests reported the issue to their stateroom attendant and contacted guest services, but say they were not moved to another cabin. The lawsuit also alleges they observed activity in nearby rooms that they interpreted as fumigation or other pest-response measures.

What bedbug prevention and treatment measures does Carnival describe publicly?

Carnival says its approach includes weekly stateroom inspections by trained staff, chemical treatment of rooms when signs are found, and follow-up inspections over an extended period. The company also describes inspecting beyond beds and mattresses to areas such as carpeting and curtains, and notes that additional staterooms in the same section may be treated.

What CDC inspection score did Carnival Horizon receive in February 2025?

Coverage cited a CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection dated Feb. 23, 2025, that scored Carnival Horizon at 93 out of 100, while also noting VSP scores are not presented as proof that a ship is free of bedbugs.