Beverly Wilke
Bed Bugs Chew Passengers Savagely
Princess Cruise Lines - Grand Princess - March 4, 2006
Beverly Wilke
Cruise Bruise Date: March 4, 2006
Cruise Bruise: Injury
Cause: Severe Bed Bug Attack
Bruise Location: Galveston Texas
Passenger Injuries: 3
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Grand Princess
Details:
The family was taking a special cruise, to reward their 17 year old teen-age daughter, 17, with a fabulous week long cruise, departing from Galveston, beginning with champagne toasts, with ports of call in Mexican ports and Belize.
They booked the first class Vasco De Gama Suite at a cost of $6,200, hoping for a fabulous cruise experiences.
Instead they became a bed bug buffet.
By the second day, Beverly Wilke and the rest of her family noticed red spots on their bodies. The scars from them, lasting at least a month or more.
Beverly says the family was miserable, sought the help of the ship's physician, and were told they have been attacked by bed bugs. They were given an injection, and topical cream to apply three times a day.
The family thought spending more than $10,000 for a week long vacation would guarantee a first class experience, instead they became a high priced buffet for the bugs.
They say the cruise line did little to rid their beds of the bugs while onboard.
However, Princess Cruise Line said their policy specifies moving passengers from the affected cabin and destroying all bedding and linens.
Princess Cruise Lines has said it will refund the $6,200 cost of the cruise, and the on board doctor bill, as well as offering a 25% discount on future cruises.
