Casablanca / Marrakech - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 10-18-2007, 11:07 PM

Casablanca is an interesting city, and its most popular attractions are the old medina, or Arab quarter, near the harbor and the United Nations Square with its tropical gardens and government buildings. The most popular excursion here, though, is a trip through the desert to the 11th-century city of Marrakesh. It's famous for its palaces and gardens and a fascinating marketplace where snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, fire-eaters and fortune-tellers crowd the streets.

cruiseshmooz · 10-19-2007, 12:12 AM

I am going to contribute!!!!

You may not like this, but it is honest.

A few years ago, we spent a couple of weeks in Morocco. Casablanca was the worst city we visited. It was very dirty and smelly. Frankly disgusting. We walked all over (as we like to do to get the feel of a place). I know there are wealthy Moroccans, and I kept saying to my husband, where is the nice part of the city? Couldn't find it. The Great Mosque is very interesting. They charge admission (then, I think it was $15). If you like to eat off the ship, you can try a Moroccan restaurant. The good ones are fabulous. We shared because the food was just too plentiful.

Marrakech is amazing. It is much more interesting than Casablanca. You definitely need a tour. It is quite far from the port and will be a tiring day. The countryside is worth seeing.

Our favourite city was Fez, but I haven't seen it offered as a ship's tour. We especially LOVED Essouaira,a small seaside town, where we had the most fabulous fish meal, but it's too far from port.

We missed Rabat, which is where I would choose, should I ever set foot in Casablanca again.

One more thing. Shopping in Morocco is not for North Americans. We are pathetic bargainers and they win every time!!!!! Also the quality of the souvenir type products is not good at all.

Although, on a pedestrian shopping street in Casablanca, I found a French wool pantsuit, half-price, which I wore and enjoyed for many years.

canarymoon · 10-19-2007, 12:20 AM

Wow!
Thank you, cruiseshmooz!!
Oh, you are wrong . . . I LIKE it!

We need the good AND the bad about the places we might be dreaming about visiting. Otherwise, we're going with our eyes closed.

I'm curious . . . What is it that you found amazing about Marrakech? (Maybe you could start a separate thread for it if you have a bit to say about it!)

Thanks again for sharing!

cruiseshmooz · 10-19-2007, 09:54 AM

In Marrakech, the focal point is Jemma el- Fna. That is the main square that you usually see in photos or films. It is an overdose for all of our senses! Sights, sounds, smells, so many people, and so much happening, you don't know where to look first. It is a must for any tourist. If you are not up to going alone, have a guide.

Beyond this area is the old city. Very interesting. You need a good guide book or a good guide person.

Marrakech is the desert, surrounded by red mountains.

I don't think any posters here would go on their own. The locals are a big bother. They hound you. Their goal is to rip you off, any immaginative way they can.

If I were on a ship that stopped in Casablanca, and I had never been to Morocco, this would be my choice. It is very exotic. The drive should be interesting. (we didn't drive this particular route). It is amazing that you see shepherds, in long robes and walking sticks (like pictures in a child's biblical storybook) walking along the road.

I will return to this site from time to time, to see if anyone has any particular questions.

canarymoon · 10-19-2007, 10:37 AM

Thank you so much!
I will retitle this thread Casablanca and Marrakech, so as to be more accurate.

Cruise Novice · 05-23-2008, 04:53 PM

We're considering the $399 per person overnight excursion on NCL from Casablanca to Marrakech. They appear not to offer day trips, given the distance I presume.

This is quite a sum on our budget -- one third of our window steerage passage.

Is Marrakech worth the extravagence?

How does the NCL cost compare with that of similar level lines?

Thanks in advance for any help.

gkm · 05-29-2008, 12:41 PM

We will be in Casablanca on our transatlantic cruise on the Constellation this September. One of the excursions is to Marrakech (13 hours). I think we're going to book this tour. Thank you for your input.

Garry