Maryland Couple Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Bed Bug Infestation in Stateroom on Carnival Horizon
Catherine Shockley and William Maycock, residents of Oxford, Maryland, have filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24973-RS, alleges that the couple was bitten dozens of times by bed bugs while staying in their stateroom aboard the Carnival Horizon during a February 2025 cruise.
Bed Bug Infestation in Carnival Horizon Cabin Allegedly Causes Painful Bites and Permanent Scarring
According to the complaint, Shockley and Maycock boarded the Carnival Horizon on February 15, 2025, and were assigned to Stateroom 9443. By the morning of February 17, the couple awoke to discover itchy, red bite marks on their legs, arms, and other parts of their bodies. As the marks worsened, Shockley allegedly discovered live bed bugs in multiple life stages, as well as fecal spotting and eggs throughout the stateroom.
The plaintiffs reported the incident to their stateroom attendant and Carnival’s guest services. However, the lawsuit claims that Carnival staff took no meaningful steps to investigate or remediate the infestation, allowing the couple to continue sleeping in the infested cabin. The couple ultimately sustained more than 30 visible bites across their bodies, which allegedly caused painful welts, permanent scarring, emotional distress, and loss of sleep.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect and Maintain Cabins for Bed Bug Safety on Vista-Class Cruise Ship
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the infestation in the plaintiffs’ stateroom. The Carnival Horizon, part of the Vista-class fleet, shares similar design and maintenance protocols with the Carnival Vista and Carnival Panorama. According to the plaintiffs, Carnival failed to conduct adequate inspections despite its own Detection and Treatment Plan for Bedbugs, which requires weekly cabin inspections by trained stateroom stewards.
The lawsuit further claims that crew members were fumigating nearby staterooms prior to embarkation, suggesting Carnival was aware of pest issues on the same deck but failed to take action to safeguard passengers in adjacent cabins. The plaintiffs argue that Carnival violated its duty to maintain sanitary conditions aboard its ships and failed to protect them from a known, preventable hazard.
Complaint Lists Numerous Prior Bed Bug Incidents on Carnival Ships to Show Pattern of Negligence
Shockley and Maycock’s legal team cites a long history of similar incidents involving bed bug infestations on Carnival ships. The complaint references prior reported bed bug incidents aboard the Carnival Magic, Carnival Victory, Carnival Vista, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Elation, Carnival Dream, and other vessels—some of which resulted in litigation, such as Collins et al. v. Carnival Corp. and Patton v. Carnival Corp..
The plaintiffs argue that these prior reports, combined with Carnival’s internal awareness of the risks, show a pattern of inadequate inspection, maintenance, and remediation practices across Carnival’s fleet. The stateroom infestation allegedly rendered the cabin unfit for human use and violated industry sanitation expectations for cruise accommodations.
Maryland Couple Seeks Damages for Medical Costs, Emotional Distress, and Loss of Cruise Value After Bed Bug Exposure
The plaintiffs bring three counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. They allege that Carnival breached its duty to provide a reasonably safe environment, failed to inspect and sanitize cabins, and did not warn passengers of the risk of exposure to harmful pests.
As a result of the bed bug infestation, Shockley and Maycock claim they suffered pain and suffering, physical scarring, mental anguish, sleep loss, and economic damages, including the diminished value of their cruise experience. They are seeking compensatory damages for medical treatment, permanent injury, and lost personal property affected by the infestation.
Cruise Ship Bed Bug Bites May Be Grounds for Lawsuit Under Maritime Law
Cruise ship passengers exposed to bed bug infestations may have the right to seek compensation under maritime personal injury law. Cruise lines like Carnival are responsible for maintaining sanitary, pest-free accommodations and may be held liable for injuries caused by infestations they failed to prevent or correct. If you or a loved one suffered bed bug bites while on a cruise, speak with an experienced maritime injury attorney today to explore your legal options.
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Disclaimer:
Our firm does not represent the plaintiffs in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
