Bitten by bed bugs and they didn't care

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Mexico

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 39

Overall rating:

2.5 out of 5
Norwegian Star

7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 23, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Cruised on the Star in March 2019 and ended up with bed bug bites on last day. We were very disappointed and frustrated by the lack of care, knowledge and thoughtfulness of the Guest Relations staff who responded to our case. These bites of course ruined our vacation, and we then had 2 extremely stressful weeks afterwards at home, worried we had brought bed bugs home with us (we slept in a tent, bought pesticides and bed bug traps, etc.). The initial response was basically, sorry this happened but we checked the room and it seems fine. I sent pictures of my arm to show that I wasn't dreaming this up. I wasn't covered in bites so there wasn't an infestation and a couple of bugs could easily hide, if the people who answered us knew anything about bed bugs. We've done a ton of research and know a bit now. They can hide in pockets and easily get transferred from one place to another, so if the Star has had any reports of bed bugs, then they could have ended up in our room. Because we were treated with such a lack of care, we are sad to say that we no longer want to sail with Norwegian and they were our favorite cruise line. All we were asking for was our Cruise Next deposit back and were refused any compensation for our trouble. This is not how you run a business and treat your customers. We have taken 4 cruises and spent at least $12,000 total with this company. We feel we deserve at least our deposit back minus what was credited to our onboard credit; this would total to $250. How much trouble would it be for Norwegian, that is worth billions of dollars, to give a customer a small $250 refund for a bad experience and ruined cruise? We tried to reopen our case and heard nothing from them.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
Cruised on the Star in March 2019 and ended up with bed bug bites on last day. We were very disappointed and frustrated by the lack of care, knowledge and thoughtfulness of the Guest Relations staff who responded to our case. These bites of course ruined our vacation, and we then had 2 extremely stressful weeks afterwards at home, worried we had brought bed bugs home with us (we slept in a tent, bought pesticides and bed bug traps, etc.). The initial response was basically, sorry this happened but we checked the room and it seems fine. I sent pictures of my arm to show that I wasn't dreaming this up. I wasn't covered in bites so there wasn't an infestation and a couple of bugs could easily hide, if the people who answered us knew anything about bed bugs. We've done a ton of research and know a bit now. They can hide in pockets and easily get transferred from one place to another, so if the Star has had any reports of bed bugs, then they could have ended up in our room. Because we were treated with such a lack of care, we are sad to say that we no longer want to sail with Norwegian and they were our favorite cruise line. All we were asking for was our Cruise Next deposit back and were refused any compensation for our trouble. This is not how you run a business and treat your customers. We have taken 4 cruises and spent at least $12,000 total with this company. We feel we deserve at least our deposit back minus what was credited to our onboard credit; this would total to $250. How much trouble would it be for Norwegian, that is worth billions of dollars, to give a customer a small $250 refund for a bad experience and ruined cruise? We tried to reopen our case and heard nothing from them.

Ports of call

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5

Mazatlan, Mexico

3 out of 5

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 39

6 Comments

GerryBCruisin    3 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to share your review of the Norwegian Star. Sorry you had issues on your cruise.

willwork4cruz    5 years ago

Sand flea bites are often mistaken for bed bug bites. If you went to a beach it could be that. Assuming you were bitten by bed bugs, someone brought them into your room. It could very likely have been you. Not your fault of course but not the ship's either. Bed bugs can be in the finest hotels and homes. Not a very realistic reason to boycott a cruise line. How did a bed bug bite -on your last night- ruin your cruise?

bobduck1993    5 years ago

I am so sorry that this happened to you.

Sammie26000    5 years ago

In fairness I believe the guest. I am a hotel executive, and staff are trained, show "empathy" admit no guilt. They are everywhere and stubborn to kill as we can't use DDT products anymore. It's not that the customer is always right. It's that they perceive they are always right. So treat them gently!

BASSON61    5 years ago

You can’t always believe what you read on these reviews if that did happen to you I’m sorry to hear that but don’t give up on cruise and it happens I guess the best thing you can look at is it happened on the last day of your cruise keep on cruising I love the cruise

NCLARRY    5 years ago

Did you stay in any hotels prior to your cruise?

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