A cruise passenger has vowed to avoid P&O cruises after claiming she was exposed to bedbugs in her cabin, ruining her holiday.
Corrine McIvor, 39, set sail from Brisbane on a week-long cruise to several Pacific islands earlier this month.
But after spending a few nights in her cabin, the nurse said she developed itching and bumps on her neck, chest and legs, prompting her to visit the ship’s doctor, who apologized and told her they were bedbug bites. “classics”.
McIvor said he asked the doctor if he had seen this before on the ship and the doctor told him “yes.”
“The bedbugs totally ruined the cruise because of the anxiety,” Ms McIvor said. yahoo news.
Corrine McIvor said she was mortified when her cruise ship doctor said she had been bitten by bedbugs.
Staff cleaned and inspected the room on the P&O cruise.
McIvor said she was initially impressed with the way the ship’s staff handled the situation by instructing her to see the doctor and waiving the $150 consultation fee.
But he said things soon turned ugly.
He was told to return to his cabin where staff would collect his clothes and other items and disinfect them.
One staff member was careful to remain at the door while they packed, but another staff member entered the room, put some of their clothes on the supposedly bug-infested bed, and then took them to the next room on the opposite side. ship’s. .
“That’s how they spread… like wildfire,” the nurse said.
McIvor and his partner’s clothes were eventually laundered for free, but he said they were given no instructions on how to avoid spreading the bedbugs to other passengers.
Once they returned to the coast, he said, the couple spent hundreds of their own dollars to make sure the bedbugs didn’t spread to their home.
Ms McIvor said the doctor told her her bumps were “classic” bedbug bites.
P&O Cruises said that “like hotels”, they have robust cleaning policies (file image)
They professionally dry cleaned and disinfected all their clothes, threw away their newly purchased suitcases that couldn’t be washed, and bought a steamer.
“It seems far-fetched, but that’s how it spreads.” “I’m a public health nurse and I know it’s a public health issue… Passengers have no idea this is happening.”
McIvor said she has since contacted P&O to discuss at least partial compensation for the cruise, but claims the company “enlightened” her by saying the bedbugs were unconfirmed and that they only waived the doctor’s fees out of “goodwill.” “.
She is furious and has vowed to “never” sail with P&O again.
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises said it has “strict and robust health protocols on its cruises”.
‘The comfort, health and safety of our guests is of utmost importance to us. Like hotels, we have rigorous cleaning processes in place to address and resolve any issues that may arise.’
It is understood Ms McIvor’s room has been cleaned, an inspection found no bedbugs and there have been no other complaints about them in that room.
Daily Mail Australia has approached P&O Cruises for additional comment.