Marlena

I thought the bionic bar was becoming the pesky parrot 

It’s mainland Mexico (Yucatán) and certainly is a higher risk level for tourists than the small island of Cozumel. Even so, if you remain vigilant and very aware of your surroundings then you and your family should be fine. Follow your gut instincts and do not go off the beaten path, keep your head up and off your phone. Maya Chan is a great spot. Enjoy.

Maya Chan is our absolute favorite place to visit in Mexican cruise stops. Just got back from there last week and I'm ready to go back! As others mentioned, be prepared for rough roads. But I can promise that is the only downside you will experience. It's a fantastic experience.

The Mahahual area and the short distance down the coast to Maya Chan is very different from Cancun and the tourist areas a few hundred miles up the coast where most tourism related violence occurs.  
This area is more remote from the big city like touristy areas of Cancun or the western larger towns of Mexico. 
I have visited this part of Mexico a number of times and never felt unsafe.  Maya Chan in particular has a meeting point a short walk from the port area.  The Maya Chan experience includes the van ride through Mahahual down to the Maya Chan property.    I was last at Maya Chan in early December a few weeks before Christmas and once again never felt unsafe. 
The shuttle ride down to the Maya Chan property is not a long distance but the roads are not very good so it does take a little bit of time to slowly make the drive over bumps and potholes.  However the rough roads are a testament to how remote the location is very far away from the mass tourism of Cancun.
I love the staff at Maya Chan and I'll be going again late January and probably again in February.  I've been to Maya Chan a number of times.  The bumpy shuttle ride is well worth the time given the great food, cold drinks and the remote ambience that is so different from the mass tourist feel of the port.  

Yes (no judgment, just trying to put you at ease). The advisories are not issued with Cozumel in mind. Mexico is a large country, and there will always be SOME crime everywhere, just like here in the US, but those advisories stem from more dangerous parts of Mexico nowhere near Cozumel.
There is a very safe, large port shopping area to walk through with plenty of signs directing you to a queue for taxis. It's very organized with pre-set rates (something like $20 for up to 4 people). The taxi will take you right to Maya Chan and Maya Chan will put you in a taxi when you're ready to go back to the port.
EDIT: Brain fart, the above was actually written with Nachi Cocom in mind, but the safety comments remain valid.

On my latest purchase of the DBP (sailing Barcelona 2025) I realize that we were charged gratuities AND tax. I feel like I haven't seen a tax charged before. Is this new or a possible glitch?

We were on the April 20th-27th sailing on ICON. We had 3 sea day. EVERY sea day the main pool was closed. We were told 2X vomit and 1 code brown situation. Also the kids splash area in surfside was closed for the same at one point. I also expressed annoyance with guest services and was told I would receive a FCC. Have not seen it yet.
As amazing as the ship is, having only 1 large pool is a definite fault.

I would say that the issue isn't kids. Or adults. The issue is only having one large pool. So when it closes it has a MAJOR effect on everything else. As I said on my cruise the issue was 2 X an adult so the amount of kids is not the main problem IMO. 
I believe I would say ICON my favorite ship in the fleet, however i appreciate the 3 pools on oasis class more.

We were on the April 20th-27th sailing on ICON. We had 3 sea day. EVERY sea day the main pool was closed. We were told 2X vomit and 1 code brown situation. Also the kids splash area in surfside was closed for the same at one point. I also expressed annoyance with guest services and was told I would receive a FCC. Have not seen it yet.
As amazing as the ship is, having only 1 large pool is a definite fault.

Update...upgraded

April 20th
We were in an ocean view balcony. Upgraded to an infinite balcony. I know they have positive and negatives to them but figured I'd like to at least try once. And for 100$ total seems like the right way to try.

Update...upgraded

April 20th
We were in an ocean view balcony. Upgraded to an infinite balcony. I know they have positive and negatives to them but figured I'd like to at least try once. And for 100$ total seems like the right way to try.

Update...upgraded

Update...upgraded

Update...upgraded

Update...upgraded

Update...upgraded

Update...upgraded

April 20th
We were in an ocean view balcony. Upgraded to an infinite balcony. I know they have positive and negatives to them but figured I'd like to at least try once. And for 100$ total seems like the right way to try.

Update...upgraded

April 20th
We were in an ocean view balcony. Upgraded to an infinite balcony. I know they have positive and negatives to them but figured I'd like to at least try once. And for 100$ total seems like the right way to try.

Update...upgraded

I sail on Icon in about a month. My royal up bid was sitting as "submitted" for about 2 weeks. Now it says pending and won't let me modify. Should I consider this a pretty good sign it was accepted?

That makes sense. But I wonder if the inability to modify or cancel is an extra sign