Yes, bed bugs can get on a cruise ship, but it is something that rarely happens. You can be sure that it is a situation cruise lines want to avoid even more than their passengers. 

Contrary to a popular assumption, bed bugs are not a sign of dirtiness. They live on blood and so seek out a host. Even an immaculate establishment could have bed bugs. 

In case you are one of the few people on the planet that has not heard of bed bugs, they are small parasitic insects that can be found almost anywhere. Bed bugs feed on the blood of both animals and humans. 

They are reddish-brown in color, wingless and about the size of an apple seed. These pests can be in retail stores, on public transportation, bus stations, airports and movie theaters.  

The hated little creatures get their name because their preferred places to reside are in the mattresses and box springs of beds. They will also hang around on the bed frame and headboard. 

Bed bugs are almost flat, so they can easily fit into small crevices, like the seams on a mattress. They prefer dark places that are protected so beds are the ideal place for them. They can hang out and hide during the day, and come out to feast on you when you go to bed in the evening. 

Bed bugs are also a universal problem, as they can be found anywhere in the world. Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs, with each about the size of a speck of dust. This industrious female can produce three or more broods each year. In order to travel distances, bed bugs have to hitch a ride. 

This is one of the reasons that bed bugs tend to be an ongoing challenge for hotels. They have guests from all over the world who have used various forms of transportation to get to the hotel. 

These unpleasant guests could have gotten on their luggage in the airplane or in the taxi on the ride to the hotel. 

How To Check For Bed Bugs

Once you get to your cabin, and before you unpack, check for signs of these little invaders. Don’t place your luggage directly on the bed, use a luggage rack, until you have looked over the bed and furniture in your cabin. 

First off, pull back the blankets and sheets on the bed. Look for signs of bed bugs, which will include dark red or brown stains on the fabrics. Check the seams on the mattress and, if you have one in your cabin, check the cushions on the couch.  

They prefer to hide in areas that give them easy access to human hosts, so bedding and cushions are an ideal place for them to hang out. 

What Does A Bed Bug Bite Look Like?

If you see small, flat or raised red bumps on your skin that are slightly swollen and itchy, it could be a bed bug bite. They can sometimes be in a cluster of three to five bites. 

It is most likely that you won’t feel the bite, you’ll just see the aftermath. Bed bugs inject an anesthetic that keeps you from feeling the bite. 

For most of us, the bite is a nuisance, but not serious. However, there are some who will have an adverse reaction that might include blisters, fever and a general feeling of illness. 

If this happens, seek out the ships’ medical personnel right away. 

Are Bed Bugs To Be Expected On A Cruise?

No, they are not. Cruise lines take precautions against them. All bedding is laundered at high temperatures that will kill off the pests. All employees are trained in what to look for as cabins are serviced each day. 

If bed bugs are detected in a cabin, that room and others in the same area, are treated chemically. Passengers are moved and the infected cabin/s are taken out of inventory until the bed bugs are eradicated. 

If you see any evidence of these nuisances, let your cabin steward know immediately. They will know what to do and will take care of the situation so that it does not spread.