Positives:
-The staff was helpful with reassuring us to remain calm and that they were looking out for our best interests. I had a panic attack and they didn’t shame me for it. That is kindness.
-Photographer onboard was incredible. We all really appreciated that treat. Pictures are pricey but they are good quality. I would also recommend that a digital copy be sent due to the humidity
-Bathrooms and everything were clean even though we were barefoot. There was no mention that you’ll be barefoot on the boat either.
Negatives/ Disservices:
-Informational: Tip expectation is really high. (Some of us are everyday people who cannot afford to tip parts of our salaries when we are paying 350+ per night in the hotel already). People linger making it very uncomfortable in some cases. Keep in mind, we have tip expectation for very few services here too in the USA such as restaurant workers and various other service jobs. But we don’t tip at McDonald’s. To put it in perspective, we felt pressure to tip at the restaurants, buffets, excursions, waiters and waitresses bringing drinks, valet, room service, house keeping, turn down service, After a $200 massage, etc etc. keep in mind, it’s all inclusive so I’m banking on spending less money because I paid money up front.
-Bought Privilege Experience access but didn’t get anything extra nor did it really seem like there was only 25 people onboard including all of the staff
-Not one person mentioned the meaning of Isla Mujeres nor the history behind it
-Too much time wasted where we ate lunch (beach club?), took away from actual time in Isla Mujeres
-Conveniently all of the golf carts were rented out so we were ushered to a taxi driver (set up) for $50 and he took us to his friends restaurant where they bamboozled us for expensive lobster tacos that took forever to cook so we had to head back to the boat instead of finish the other half of our tour (to wait for everyone else who was actually arrived 20+ mins over than the meeting time)
-Some of the staff singled out us black people telling us (and no one else) to dance and encouraging shots in the process. Plus a white passenger even came down when a Cardi B song came on and asked us if we played it. We immediately took offense because we did not and music isn’t set to a specific group.
Improvements/ Recommendations:
-Recommend waterproof pouches for snorkeling
-If you’ve never been snorkeling in the ocean, prepare for that especially if it’s a choppy day
