19K? Sounds like they were running their own scam. Since all Americans are assumed to be rich, take 'em for as much as you can get. Bribery and corruption are a way of life in Mexico.
I guess the local economy depends on cruise vacationers in more ways than one. we were at least as p*ssed off at the cruise company for putting the two old(ish) ladies off the boat in a strange country.