(May 2019 TA cruise on INDY)-- strolled through the white-sheeted vendor area. One of the vendors invited us to his setup to see his specialties. Once there, he showed-off some bracelets. We weren't interested. As we were leaving, the vendor asked my teenage son if he could give him a bracelet. I said no, but my son said yes and the vendor quickly tied a string bracelet around his wrist. I then adamantly told the vendor to remove it. He said it was free, but I did not want any potential hassles walking out of the area with that string around my son's wrist. It was removed and we headed back to beach.
Have since been on 8 cruises after Covid. The vendors in Cozumel are pretty aggressive.
Vendors in St Maarten, Aruba, Curacao, Costa Maya and Puerto Vallarta much less so.