Hi. We´re just off of a transatlantic and we stopped at Casablanca. That was our favorite port, so exotic. I know everyone is concerned about safety but it was not an issue. My sister, who lives in Spain, has traveled in Morocco extensively so I relied on her for advice. We prefer to avoid the ship´s tours (and in Casablanca, many people who took the Princess tours were very unhappy) and my sister assured me that we could travel safely on our own. We walked to the train station from the port. Our goal was Rabat and to get there one takes a train from the Gare du Port, which is just outside the port gates on the left. If you are going to go to Marrakesh you have to go to the other train station and a taxi there would be best. I had hoped to find an ATM near the station to get dirhams to buy our train tickets. There was none but one of the ticket sellers closed his window, took me over to a shop and I changed enough to buy tickets. We went 2nd class, quite a nice train, for the equivalent of $6 each RT. The train was on time, it took about an hour to get there and there was some interesting scenery on the way. Just ourside the station in Rabat was an ATM and I changed a bit more money. Then,through the clerk at a nice hotel, we lucked into a wonderful taxi driver/guide who gave us a 2 hour tour for the equivalent of $15 US. ( We gave him $20 since he was so great) He spoke excellent English, was well educated and knew everyone in town. I think he would do tours other than Rabat too. If you would like to know how to reach him please e-mail me at
halfvass@hotmail.com. If I remember correctly, the trains between Casa and Rabat run about every 30 minutes. Don´t get off at the first Rabat stop, that is out in the suburbs. Go to Rabat-Ville and you will be in the center. Rabat is the capital, very pretty and clean, and quite different from Casa.
When we got back, we negotiated a cab ride to the Hassan II Mosque. It was quite impressive and I wish we had hit at the time for a tour inside. Alas, we were too late. Then we negotiated with a cabbie (always negotiate and set the price--they will work in dollars, euros, or dirhams, but I prefer local currency) to go back to the ship. I got out at the Port du Gare and went into town by myself to look for an internet place and do a little shopping. I never felt at all threatened or in a dangerous circumstance and, in fact, found all the Moroccans that I met to be quite courteous and helpful. As an example, on my way back to the ship I ran into the cab driver that had dropped me at the Gare and had taken my husband to the ship. I was planning on walking back but he took me for free! I did find that using my little bit of French was helpful (I brushed up on the way over) and I often worked in a mixture of English and French to get things done.
I would have loved to go to Marrakesh but it is about 3 hours from Casa and we just didn´t have enough time for that.
I think I should also tell you a little about us, to show that Morocco is safe. My husband is 78 and uses a cane; I´m 53 and a tall blonde. So, we don´t exactly blend and we would certainly be targets! Casa is like any big city and I would take care as to pickpockets but I heard no reports of any. You´re probably at more risk for that in Barcelona on the Ramblas! :-)
Hope this helps. Most of the people on our ship were terrified of Morocco(and I think the ship promoted the fear), took ship´s tours,were very disappointed, and, consequently, hated the port. It is unfortunate that they didn´t get to experience the real Morocco.
Calm seas!
Deb
May 18th, 2006, 02:23 PM
Casablanga guides
Casablanca, etc.
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