Royal Caribbean’s decision to remove a stop at Costa Maya from the Icon of the Seas itinerary on September 26 has sparked mixed reactions among cruise passengers. The change occurred due to an overnight maintenance issue in Miami, which led to the ship departing a day later than originally planned.
The ship was intended to leave Miami on Saturday but stayed until Sunday. A notice from Royal Caribbean informed passengers that day three of the cruise would now be a sea day, replacing the visit to Costa Maya on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. As compensation, passengers received onboard credits, with amounts differing based on cabin type. Many reacted positively to the unexpected day at sea.
Responses on Reddit revealed passengers were generally pleased with receiving credits, such as $300 or more. One user commented, “Just got this. $350 to miss the worst port of the itinerary made my day!” Others agreed, appreciating the compensation and the change to a sea day.
“Three hundred dollar credit, and you don’t have to go to Costa Maya? That’s a gigantic win.”
This enthusiasm raised questions about the port’s appeal. Some travelers described Costa Maya as lacking development and activity, with complaints about cleanliness and seaweed. They often pointed to a lack of attractions near the port area.
However, not all passengers were happy with the change. Planned excursions to Chacchoben, a Maya archaeological site, were missed, disappointing those who had been looking forward to exploring ancient ruins. One passenger expressed, “My daughter is a bit bummed, as our ruins excursion there was what she was looking forward to the most.” Despite this, many accepted the situation positively.
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