Just off Grandeur with bed bug issue

[wild0826]

Just off Grandeur and driving home:( I will post a full review when I get home and get the chance. We did discover a small bedbug issue in our room on day 2. Noticed 1 in our bed late night day 2 and caught it before we were bitten. Checked the mattress and pillows and sheets and didn't notice anymore. Reported it to guest services and the next morning day 3 went to the desk. We were getting off in port canaveral to go to Universal so didn't hear anything till we got back on ship. Upon arrival back on ship by 8:15 we were told to go to guest services . We were taken to the back offices at guest services and spoke with the front desk manager. We were told that our room was completely sterilized and treated and the problem was a small one but they did change everything including mattresses, linens, shower curtain etc. The ship was completely sold out so they could not give us a complementary upgrade or room change. They did tell is that they will need to completely sterilize our luggage and launder ALL of our clothes at their cost of course. We had to separate clothes we would need first thing in the morning from everything else , so they could be ready first . Since we could not change rooms we were told we would be getting a letter indicating what would be done for us. We got a letter upon departure today that we would receive a next cruise certificate worth 35% of what we paid for this cruise. If you have any questions I will be happy to answer. As indicated I will post a full review as soon as I can

[moposh]

Yikes, I hope things were resolved satisfactorily.

[moingerson]

The only way to treat a room is with extreme heat which is expensive. Doesn't sound like they did it properly at all and if they didn't the whole ship could be infested that would in turn spread to all ships.

 

 

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[wild0826]

The only way to treat a room is with extreme heat which is expensive. Doesn't sound like they did it properly at all and if they didn't the whole ship could be infested that would in turn spread to all ships.

 

 

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Forums mobile app

 

Don't know what else they did. I know they did shampoo the carpet and was told a specialist was brought in to treat the problem. We can say that we didn't see any other indications after they cleaned the room and treated it. If anyone is interested we had an inside room the cabin number was 3515

[Cigar King]

Not the experience you were hoping for, but, it does seem like they did all they could to make your cruise whole again. It's hard to know how these occur but they should not be unexpected in spaces with continually changing occupants.

[OCruisers]

Yipes! :eek:

What an unpleasant situation for you!

[boscobeans]

Yipes! :eek:

What an unpleasant situation for you!

 

For sure..

 

Would love to see a snapshot of the beastie. It is rare to see one roaming around and if you do there are usually more and almost always some evidence in the mattress seams.

 

Maybe you lucked out and caught a single before it had a chance to reproduce.

 

bosco

[wieslaw]

Did you stay in any hotel prior to boarding the ship ?

The bug had to get a 'ride' with someone or someone's luggage.

 

I had some 'experience' with bug bugs some time ago .... got them in some hotel when traveling to Yellowstone national park and back home.

 

Seems that the crew did what they could. Who knows how the bug got in there.

Heat of 140F or higher does kill them.

[wild0826]

Did you stay in any hotel prior to boarding the ship ?

The bug had to get a 'ride' with someone or someone's luggage.

 

I had some 'experience' with bug bugs some time ago .... got them in some hotel when traveling to Yellowstone national park and back home.

 

Seems that the crew did what they could. Who knows how the bug got in there.

Heat of 140F or higher does kill them.

 

No did not stay in any hotel prior. Drive down straight from home and definitely don't have that problem at home . Haven't been on a vacation in 2 years. When the front desk manager spoke to us she did say that they did find some bit it was a small problem . I did only see the one so can't attest if the problem was more than what she said or not. I just know the one that we did catch in time. Actually my husband saw it and it was right next to my pillow. Luckily no bites . Even after the treatment if the room I was still uneasy sleeping an constantly checked the linen for any evidence and saw none

[wild0826]

For sure..

 

Would love to see a snapshot of the beastie. It is rare to see one roaming around and if you do there are usually more and almost always some evidence in the mattress seams.

 

Maybe you lucked out and caught a single before it had a chance to reproduce.

 

bosco

 

Sorry but disposed of it. I only checked the seams on my side if mattress as it was very late the night it was discovered . I saw only one or two black spots on mattress and linen as I know that is the bug secretion evidence or something like that. Didn't see more than that. I think I would have freaked out and slept on deck lol if I saw more evidence of infestation

[wieslaw]

I think I know how it feels after you know that they were there ...... our house had to be completely cleaned / disinfected after we did catch two of them, when we got back from that vacation ...... and for weeks or even months after, we kept looking at the beds, walls, floors .... everywhere .... very uneasy feeling.

 

It is so hard to tell how they got in the cabin. Could be that they got a 'ride' on some luggage .... they can move from one luggage to another ..... they could get on someone's clothing from a seat ...... even the plane's seat ..... so many ways they can be transported.

 

I am not 100% sure how we got them ..... but suspect one hotel in Yellowstone, it was dark in that cabin and we did get some bites, did not think much about that at that time ..... did not even know at that time what a 'bed bug "was.

After the discovery back home - the panic started.

 

Even now, about 10 years later, we are so worried about every time we stay in a hotel ....... first thing we do when we walk in the hotel room - take the bed covering off and look at the mattress seems...... not a guarantee but a good start.

Edited August 29, 2014 by wieslaw

[moposh]

I would have been uneasy too. Hopefully it has been resolved and there are no more. I'm sure RCI feels the same.

[stellarose]

Worried now for upcoming cruise.

 

Glad they took care of your family.

 

 

It can happen anywhere I guess.

[wild0826]

I would have been uneasy too. Hopefully it has been resolved and there are no more. I'm sure RCI feels the same.

 

Hope it was resolved completely also. Would not want the next occupants of that cabin to experience what happened to us cause it can put a damper on your vacation. Also I so not want any hitchhikers going home with me. We checked our suitcases before packing in clothes after they sterilized them and also checked clothes before packing. I am about 20 min away from home now and will definitely check again while unpacking

[phoenix_dream]

If this sounds like I am arguing with you, I really don't mean it that way. What I wanted to ask is are you 100% sure it was actually a bed bug? Could it have been some other kind of bug (still not fun to sleep with, but we actually sleep with a lot of bugs in our life and almost all don't bother us at all)? Just wondering if bed bugs were ever confirmed so people on the next cruise know how paranoid to be:). If true bed bugs were confirmed, honestly I am glad RCI offered you some compensation, but I would think they should have refunded some of your money rather than offering you a discount on a future cruise IMHO

[Irish Cath]

How terrible. Sounds like they did as much as they could to resolve the issue for you. Hope they weren't giving away a suite in Bingo sometime after you notified guest services ?

[wild0826]

If this sounds like I am arguing with you, I really don't mean it that way. What I wanted to ask is are you 100% sure it was actually a bed bug? Could it have been some other kind of bug (still not fun to sleep with, but we actually sleep with a lot of bugs in our life and almost all don't bother us at all)? Just wondering if bed bugs were ever confirmed so people on the next cruise know how paranoid to be:). If true bed bugs were confirmed, honestly I am glad RCI offered you some compensation, but I would think they should have refunded some of your money rather than offering you a discount on a future cruise IMHO

 

I am completely sure it was a bed bug. Unfortunately I came in contact with them 10 years ago and will never forget that experience EVER. And it was confirmed by the front desk manager. I did mention in a previous post that they checked the cabin and did find bed bugs. She did say it wasn't many but they did find them.

[killtheump]

I just retired after working for over 2 decades in the pest control industry. Sad to say but we always said that there are 2 types of hotels, the ones that have had bed bugs and the ones that will get them. Cruise Ships are not immune!

 

Yes heat treatments work but usually will need small amounts of chemical. Just so you know on every RC Ship there is at least 1 pest control professional on board. All of your Room Attendants are trained to know what to look for. They are brought on by passengers & crew.

 

When traveling I take some precautions so I don't take them home.

1. If you do see a bed bug report it immediately to the front desk. Please do it discretely so there is no panic by other cruisers. Many times I was called to a place where customers were yelling that they had bed bugs, and they were not bed bugs. No need to cause a panic.

 

2. Check your mattress & box springs for any signs of bed bugs. Also check the headboard and dressers.

 

3. I have bed bug proof covers for my luggage. You can also use a large garbage bag to cover.

 

4. Any clothes that you have that can only be washed in cold water, don't put in dresser drawers.

 

5. When I return from a trip I put all my clothes in the dryer on high heat for about 20 minutes. Then I wash them and heat dry again. As stated heat will kill the bed bug and egg.

 

6. If you are buying new luggage get the hard shell luggage, there are less places for the bed bugs to hide. The cloth luggage especially the ones without zippers have hundreds of places for them to hide.

 

These are just a few tips for everyone that can help. Please please please if you do find a bed bug do exactly like the OP did Discreetly! Don't go telling everyone about it there is no need for a panic. Royal has trained people that will take care of the problem. I always told everyone that a bed bug bite is basically harmless, but no one wants bugs in their bed with them. Enjoy your cruise and don't let worrying about bed bugs ruin it.

[Debitoo]

I just retired after working for over 2 decades in the pest control industry. Sad to say but we always said that there are 2 types of hotels, the ones that have had bed bugs and the ones that will get them. Cruise Ships are not immune!

 

Yes heat treatments work but usually will need small amounts of chemical. Just so you know on every RC Ship there is at least 1 pest control professional on board. All of your Room Attendants are trained to know what to look for. They are brought on by passengers & crew.

 

When traveling I take some precautions so I don't take them home.

1. If you do see a bed bug report it immediately to the front desk. Please do it discretely so there is no panic by other cruisers. Many times I was called to a place where customers were yelling that they had bed bugs, and they were not bed bugs. No need to cause a panic.

 

2. Check your mattress & box springs for any signs of bed bugs. Also check the headboard and dressers.

 

3. I have bed bug proof covers for my luggage. You can also use a large garbage bag to cover.

 

4. Any clothes that you have that can only be washed in cold water, don't put in dresser drawers.

 

5. When I return from a trip I put all my clothes in the dryer on high heat for about 20 minutes. Then I wash them and heat dry again. As stated heat will kill the bed bug and egg.

 

6. If you are buying new luggage get the hard shell luggage, there are less places for the bed bugs to hide. The cloth luggage especially the ones without zippers have hundreds of places for them to hide.

 

These are just a few tips for everyone that can help. Please please please if you do find a bed bug do exactly like the OP did Discreetly! Don't go telling everyone about it there is no need for a panic. Royal has trained people that will take care of the problem. I always told everyone that a bed bug bite is basically harmless, but no one wants bugs in their bed with them. Enjoy your cruise and don't let worrying about bed bugs ruin it.

Thanks so much for the great tips! I'll be checking the bed as soon as I get into my cabin!

[edjny]

I just retired after working for over 2 decades in the pest control industry. Sad to say but we always said that there are 2 types of hotels, the ones that have had bed bugs and the ones that will get them. Cruise Ships are not immune!

 

Yes heat treatments work but usually will need small amounts of chemical. Just so you know on every RC Ship there is at least 1 pest control professional on board. All of your Room Attendants are trained to know what to look for. They are brought on by passengers & crew.

 

When traveling I take some precautions so I don't take them home.

1. If you do see a bed bug report it immediately to the front desk. Please do it discretely so there is no panic by other cruisers. Many times I was called to a place where customers were yelling that they had bed bugs, and they were not bed bugs. No need to cause a panic.

 

2. Check your mattress & box springs for any signs of bed bugs. Also check the headboard and dressers.

 

3. I have bed bug proof covers for my luggage. You can also use a large garbage bag to cover.

 

4. Any clothes that you have that can only be washed in cold water, don't put in dresser drawers.

 

5. When I return from a trip I put all my clothes in the dryer on high heat for about 20 minutes. Then I wash them and heat dry again. As stated heat will kill the bed bug and egg.

 

6. If you are buying new luggage get the hard shell luggage, there are less places for the bed bugs to hide. The cloth luggage especially the ones without zippers have hundreds of places for them to hide.

 

These are just a few tips for everyone that can help. Please please please if you do find a bed bug do exactly like the OP did Discreetly! Don't go telling everyone about it there is no need for a panic. Royal has trained people that will take care of the problem. I always told everyone that a bed bug bite is basically harmless, but no one wants bugs in their bed with them. Enjoy your cruise and don't let worrying about bed bugs ruin it.

 

Thanks for the common sense advice to dampen down the wild speculation and ranting before it starts.....

[wild0826]

How terrible. Sounds like they did as much as they could to resolve the issue for you. Hope they weren't giving away a suite in Bingo sometime after you notified guest services ?

 

Lol. Actually no there was no win a suite bingo. Ship was completely full.

[wild0826]

Thanks so much for the great tips! I'll be checking the bed as soon as I get into my cabin!

 

Yes please check as a precaution. Bedbugs can occur anywhere that people occupy. Just wanted to post to let people know so they can be aware. Also for anyone that happens to occupy that particular cabin after our family. As stated we did t see anymore after the treatment and we did check the mattress , but it only takes a straggler to start the problem over . No need for anyone to panic. I was happy with the ships service taking care of the problem. It's funny cause we usually check bed frames, headboards and mattresses anywhere we stay but haven't been away in a couple years so I guess we lost our touch lol. If anyone should see one just report it right away like we did , and as a last poster stayed do it discreetly . When reporting the issue at the front desk there were others trying to listen to what we were telling them even though we were quiet so sont be too loud. Just check and if no signs have fun in your cruise

[Big_G]

Killtheump, just curious how they heat treat an entire room.

 

 

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[palofmine]

I think I know how it feels after you know that they were there ...... our house had to be completely cleaned / disinfected after we did catch two of them, when we got back from that vacation ...... and for weeks or even months after, we kept looking at the beds, walls, floors .... everywhere .... very uneasy feeling.

 

It is so hard to tell how they got in the cabin. Could be that they got a 'ride' on some luggage .... they can move from one luggage to another ..... they could get on someone's clothing from a seat ...... even the plane's seat ..... so many ways they can be transported.

 

I am not 100% sure how we got them ..... but suspect one hotel in Yellowstone, it was dark in that cabin and we did get some bites, did not think much about that at that time ..... did not even know at that time what a 'bed bug "was.

After the discovery back home - the panic started.

 

Even now, about 10 years later, we are so worried about every time we stay in a hotel ....... first thing we do when we walk in the hotel room - take the bed covering off and look at the mattress seems...... not a guarantee but a good start.

 

 

Didn't find bed bugs but when checking everywhere before departure found clothes under bed, not ours...stash of trash behind chair..ick

[fishtaco]

The only way to treat a room is with extreme heat which is expensive. Doesn't sound like they did it properly at all and if they didn't the whole ship could be infested that would in turn spread to all ships.

 

 

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Forums mobile app

 

It can be done with chemicals but the cabin would not be usable for at least a week.

 

If it was just one bed Bug with no evidence of others or infestation then the OP possibly picked up a hitch hiker on their luggage and reason RCI just fumigated the cabin and changed the mattress.

 

My wife is allergic to bed bug bites and she comes up in huge welts that last over 2 weeks:eek:

 

We travel to Asia a lot but we always carry a thin plastic drop sheet to cover a bed first night if we arrive late.

 

With me they just leave small red bites that are gone within the day but my wife has been covered from head to toe after only one nights feeding lol

 

Some people have no idea how hard it is to eradicate bed bugs but Ultra High Temperature as you say is the most affective.