Royal Caribbean's decision to cancel a stop at Costa Maya, a cruise port on Mexico's Caribbean coast, has left some passengers disappointed and others celebrating the change.
The stop was scrapped from the Icon of the Seas' September 26 itinerary due to a maintenance issue that kept the ship in Miami overnight. According to a Royal Caribbean notice sent to passengers, the vessel was scheduled to depart Miami on Saturday but remained in port until Sunday. The notice stated that the ship would depart on Sunday, September 27, instead, and that day 3 would be a relaxing Sea Day in place of the visit to Costa Maya.
Many passengers were initially disappointed, particularly those who had planned excursions to see the ancient ruins at Chacchoben, a Maya archaeological site near the port. However, some passengers were surprisingly pleased with the change, viewing it as a "gigantic win" due to the compensation offered. A notice shared on Reddit indicated that passengers would receive at least $300 in onboard credit as compensation, with the amount varying by cabin type.
Some passengers questioned the reason for the change, with one Redditor asking, "What's so bad about that stop?" Others shared their experiences, describing Costa Maya as "run-down," "half empty," and "smelly," with seaweed in the area also being a complaint. On the other hand, others noted that the port was "a bit underdeveloped and small" with "nothing much to do" in the surrounding area.
Passengers who were initially disappointed by the change were offered some consolation by the compensation offered, with one passenger stating that their daughter was "a bit bummed" about missing the planned excursion to Chacchoben, but that they would "live" with the decision.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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