goldesq

Briefly, everyone reacts differently to bed bugs. My experience.....

I was at a very popular resort on Disney property 2 months ago. The first night I saw a bed bug on the bed. For me, the experience and bites that later appeared traumatized me. I am not exaggerating...it was traumatizing but everyone is different.

We tried to resolve it with the hotel and the company that created the package (air and hotel) and could not and still have not. We also lost a vacation day and a night's sleep as I sat up all night on the desk (its almost funny looking back at this now).

We were able to change hotels the next morning. The rate at the new hotel was triple the price per night (we already paid for the package including hotel nights). That being said, I truly was traumatized, did cry my eyes out and was up all night feeling totally freaked out. I expected some compensation (especially after changing hotels and being required to have all my clothing and luggage cleaned by the new hotel thus losing a day at the Parks).

I tried to deal with the aspect of compensation when I got home as I did not want the rest of my vacation ruined dealing with it when I was there.

I did have pictures of my bites and have pictures of the the bug that was on the bed. The housekeeping manager even collected that bug to show the hotel manager. Still, they later claimed it was a centipede and have reports to prove it. Right.

Anyway, there are times when I insist that its the principle and want to pursue what's right to no end but in this instance, I really want to forget the whole thing. To me, it really was that awful. I know a lot of this doesnt relate to the OPs direct experience but even now, 2 plus months after my bed bug experience, I still feel disgusted by it. It doesnt 'leave' you so easily.

OMG! No widely travelled person should ever post that they got bitten by bed bugs, because most widely travelled people know to check the bed prior to sleeping in it. That is the first thing I do when I get to the cabin or hotel room or bedroom in a rented house.

 

To prevent bringing bedbugs home, follow these quick and easy tips:

 

1.Place your luggage on the luggage rack, not the floor or the bed. If bedbugs are in the room, the bugs can crawl into luggage placed on the bed or floor.

 

2.Pull back the sheets and check the mattress for signs of bedbugs. Look for:

• Specks of blood.• Exoskeletons (shed outer skeletons).• Tiny blackish spots.

 

3.Check the box spring, headboard, couch, and any other upholstered furniture for signs of bedbugs.

 

4.If you see any sign of bedbugs, immediately grab your belongings and ask for another room. The new room should not be next door or immediately above or below the infested room. Bedbugs might be in these rooms, too.

One of the worst thing to do is place luggage on a luggage rack initially. The bugs hide in the straps wrapped around the metal stand. Best to place luggage in the bathtub until the room is checked.

Perhaps you would be better suited sailing on a luxury line like Oceania or Regent.

why? Because they expect not to have bed bugs in their room? why is that a luxury request? its a most basic expectation not to have bugs in your room.

Anyone find a decent jewelry store in Nassau? Looking for a blue diamond bracelet bracelet or ring.

Just asking for a reputable store name rather than a lecture on a bad experience buying jewelry there.

I could have insisted all I wanted but when its a sold out cruise there is no where to move too. The other cabins that had a bigger problem, crew did come up and spray.

There is always extra cabins no matter what they tell you and why not insist they spray YOUR room? 1 bug, 20 bugs, 200 bugs....I wouldnt be going back in that room unless it was stripped down and bombed. Even then, if it were me, next port, I would be going home unless my room was changed.

 

This is pretty much what we do whenever we check into a hotel room or ship cabin. Over the counter sprays will kill them "on contact" but you need commercial chemicals to kill them when they're hidden. You sure don't want to bring them home with you.

I thought that video was perfect. I am shocked I watched it in its entirety but I did (and I am proud of myself). I have to remember to bring a little flashlight with me to do this. I never thought of looking at the night tables. I will now though.

I always had checked the sheets upon going into a new hotel room and if they looked even remotely 'not changed', I tip the housekeeping staff and request new sheets. I dont care what they think of me especially since I tip them. This time, I will check the mattress and headboard then ask them to strip my bed.

It might be overkill but since my last experience in FL with bedbugs, I would rather sleep comfortably at night being sure.

The wall. They will hide where it's dark. I am petrified of getting bed bugs, and I always check for them. Do a google search. That's how I found what to look for.

Honestly, I can't google bed bugs. it will absolutely freak me out. I mean this literally. This is my first trip since the FL/ Disney bedbug incident and I am very scared to even think about this all let alone look for bugs in my room. I will probably have my dad (who I am traveling with me check) or force myself to check so I can rest easy on the trip. Googling anything about bugs though wont happen. That last trip put me in a very bad place.

Lift the mattress, and look. Pay attention to the seams of the mattress, and behind any headboard. I always check!

 

Disney is darn good about keeping bedbugs under control. Sorry you had that problem :(

When you say behind the headboard, do you mean the wall or on the back of the headboard or both?

Lift the mattress, and look. Pay attention to the seams of the mattress, and behind any headboard. I always check!

 

Disney is darn good about keeping bedbugs under control. Sorry you had that problem :(

To be fair, it was not a Disney owned hotel but a hotel on Disney property (Swan). I saw it (the first bed bug) at about 1130 pm on our first night and it was a terrible experience all around. We did change rooms and yes I have pictures of the bugs and bites. I still was up literally all night in the new room (sitting at the computer desk) and by 8 am the next morning we checked out and went to a new hotel.

That 'new' hotel, Contemporary, went above and beyond in helping us (cleaning every single thing we had and getting us new clothing in the meantime). They checked in on us daily to make sure we felt ok. I will only stay in The Contemporary when I go back to Disney. Yes, it was expensive particularly because the reservation was last minute and yes, it was MORE than worth it.

The Swan never compensated us and also later claimed the room was bug free. Even the night housekeeping manager took one of the bugs he found with him so they knew there were bugs at the time. They later claimed it was a centipede even though I sent them pics of my bites and the bugs on the sheet. The bugs were bed bugs and not centipedes. Its very simple to tell the difference.

I would never recommend anyone to go to that hotel or its sister hotel.

A co worker friend of mine swears by " bedbug 911" travel size.

Yes but that product requires contact, that is, spraying them to kill them. If I see them, I am not staying in that room anyway no matter how much cleaning they do.

Besides, if you spray any deadly chemical or something similar, that should kill them. Spray hairspray on them and I bet they will die.

When there are problems getting a passport, one of your US Senators or your US Congressmen can help! ;)

LuLu

Not to be picky but adding to be helpful: a State Senator or Congressman or Assembly person would be helpful but not really a US Senator.

whats the best way to do a bed bug check? I was in Florida about 3 months ago in a Disney hotel and my room had bed bugs. I was literally traumatized (I wont go into what happened immediately after and upon my return to NYC but let's say, it was awful) by this and had I known, I would not have booked my upcoming (as in this Sunday) Breakaway cruise.

Discussed ad nauseum. Simply search the boards.

Sorry if my wife and I are excited about our first cruise on NCL and forgot that I had previously ask the question. I really do not appreciate the posts and your remarks...obviously you have way too much time on your hands .

LOL That is funny. Sure..... be excited about a first cruise but asking 2 times about a lobster roll...now THAT is a LOT of time on your hands (especially for a sandwich). Get it.....don't get...its not a monumental decision.

Having had my fair share of lobster rolls that one rates right up there with some of the best ones I've eaten. We go to Maine quite often during the warmer months.

I am sooooo curious...what are your top 5 lobster roll spots in Maine?

I dont care what anyone says about touristy or not, my fav is always going to be Red's (Wiscassett) because they just use lobster and you can ask for butter or mayo on the side. The lobster meat speaks for itself. It needs nothing. Fisherman's Grill (Portland) in my second slot and J's a close third (Portland). I have a ton of top mentions though.

Este's Lobster House is good for plain old broiled or boiled lobster.

Yeah, especially when the OP replied and interacted with people following the replies, so it's not like it was posted and forgotten. Not sure why the need to post the exact same thing again.

On another note, those rolls posted on the other thread are tiny....half the size of a regular roll. I also never saw mustard (per the description on the sign) on a lobster roll.

Its almost ironic to see those rolls because I just was at a Carnival Vista promotion in Manhattan and they served lobster rolls. They looked EXACTLY like those on NCL...mini rolls with a swirl of some sauce or dressing on top with a small grilled hot dog bun.

I happened to love it (the event and the lobster rolls) but never understood the point of serving food from a caterer to promote the Vista food and (ship itself) when the ship food would be completely different (and most definitely not taste as good as a land caterer).

**I have to say that I was glad I went to the promotional event though because I won a 10 night trip to Europe/Mediterranean on the Vista and they are including airfare!!! I almost passed out when I got the email that I won.

OP, here is your other post on the exact same thing from a month ago. You will find some good info there.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2160860

It's funny you posted this.....I remember that original posters post last month. I don't get why, with all the answers provided, why there was a need to post again especially about a sandwich?! For that matter, why people in general, on CC repost their same questions when answers we posted previously. (Just thinking out loud).

Thanks all, DH is hoping the $1. delivery tip will keep the bar staff coming back with some frequency. It is our only kid free vacation this year so i guess a few extra bucks to keep the drinks coming and needing no designated driver could make for a really fun trip.

To make them keep coming back quickly, start off giving the server 5 or 10 bucks total for the first few drinks. That will have them coming back quickly. Tip $1 or more after that for each drink.

Sailing on the Getaway April 11th! Would really like to get Vibe passes. Any helpful suggestions to getting that accomplished??

Upon boarding, where do we purchase them? Or try! Thank you for any help!

Guest Relations as soon as you board. Be the first to board if possible.

Billy Joes can easily be googled for more info but where is Billy Joes in relation to the pier? I cant tell from the websites I have found.

EDIT: On Lucaya Beach behind the police station just steps away from Memories Resort and the Grand Lucayan and evidently is on the path from the beach access parking lot to the beach.

I'm a full-time student in Colorado, and all of our colleges break the week of the 22nd. The majority of public school systems in the state will break the week of the 29th.

 

My wife and I are sailing on Freedom on the 15th and are hoping to avoid many of the breaker families.

I googled spring break 2015 after posting this question here. I found that the country has spring break anywhere from the week of 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21 and 4/5 with the most being the middle three weeks that I posted.

Yet, my concern was more about little kids rather than college kids. I know on my cruise, the line doesnt allow anyone under 25 to drink from 3/1 to 4/15.

Port side will allow you to see the fireworks from your balcony. :D

Was there a better side for leaving NYC (as in Statue of Liberty view)? Being from Manhattan, this isnt critical but I always love to be on my own balcony while we pull out.

delete

I can cruise week and looking to avoid a ton of kids as this week seems to have for many cruises since its winter recess.

I realize late February through Mid-March is Spring Break for many colleges but what about elementary, JHS and HS kids? I am looking to cruise without being overrun by loads of kids if possible. Which week would be better?

I am ready to book a B6 large balcony and have options between port or starboard. Any suggestions for which side or a good room choice, if available?