I loved the diversity of the Disney cast members, as they are called. They were from all over the world and their name badges also had their country of origin. It was a group of people who I believe that for the most part, enjoyed their jobs and did them very well. Our ports of call were Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman, Falmouth Jamaica, and Castaway Cay. We scheduled and paid for port adventures in Cozumel Mexico and Falmouth Jamaica. But were planning to just get off and walk around in the other ports. It was in Mexico that we were reminded of our race.
Jen and Will were doing a dolphin encounter, I was to be an observer. Our group was placed in taxi vans to be transported to Dolphinaris Center. When we got their Jen and Will changed and were told to sit in an assigned area to receive their group number. They sat in the center of the assigned and we watched as everyone else received their numbers including those who had just walked up later. When I asked the guy why they weren't given a group number, he said 'wait'. I was a little ticked but Jen asked me to let it go. They had a great time with the dolphins while I took pictures. Afterward we ate lunch. When it was time to leave Dolphinaris and go back to port we had to tell another man which ship, the Disney Fantasy, we were going to so that we could be taken to the correct part of the port in the shared taxi vans.
When we got to the taxi stand an Asian lady and her daughter from our ship were waiting and a partially filled taxi was there. A white family got in line behind us and told the man that they were also going to the Fantasy. They were immediately placed in the waiting taxi and left. The Asian lady and I questioned why we weren't placed in that taxi. Again we were told to 'wait'. In a few minutes another white family got behind us going to the Fantasy. When the second taxi drove up he pointed to the white family of three and the Asian lady and her daughter and told the driver that he had five going to the Fantasy. The white family got in the taxi. When I asked about us, the man again said 'wait'. At that moment the Asian lady spoke up. She asked why we couldn't get in an told him that we were traveling together, as I asked the same questions. By that time I was furious, he finally let us all get in. Then he mumbled something about he thought that we were on the Carnival Fantasy. I thanked the Asian lady for speaking up for us (I wish I had gotten her name) as the white family just looked uncomfortable. In the taxi I loudly proclaimed that the treatment was unacceptable, not a mistake, and I KNEW why my family was overlooked.
When we arrived back at the ship I immediately reported it to guest services. and completed a formal written report. The next day the Director of Port Adventures called me to ask about the incident again. I did not try to sugarcoat it but called it out as pure and simple racism. She agreed and said she would also investigate it with Dolphinaris and the taxi company. Disney gave us as Castaway Cay Fun Pack that included, bike riding, snorkeling,and floats rentals for us. What was meant to hurt us in Mexico turned into a blessing in Castaway Cay.
The reality is that racism is a worldwide problem. And when we speak up and call it out, it loses its power. The sad part is that my speaking out was not enough and only when the Asian lady defended me was I able to get into the taxi. I am sharing this because I wonder how many others have been over looked or left behind by Dolphinaris or the taxi company simply because of the color or their skin. Yes I was angry at the time but I didn't let it ruin a wonderful trip. And the fact that Disney tried to make it right helped my disposition.
We can never take a vacation from the color of our skin or the ignorance of others, but we must not be silent. Report it and acknowledge it. I'm looking forward to my next vacation. But I don't think I'll be going back to Cozumel Mexico any time soon.