Casablanca Excursion to Marrakesh

[lisaye98]

I am think about taking a tour to Marrakesh while we dock at Casablanca. The ship excursion is quite expensive for me and my daughter (13 year old). Is it possible to arrage the tour on your own.

Please advise. Thank you!

[lawton54]

Just a word of warning, the guides that MSC contract with for this excursion think of you as their personal customer...only in a bad way. They take you only to shops where you are forced to endure endless sales pitches for soaps, lotions, rugs, furniture, etc. Our tour was a 3 hour bus ride, then a 10 minute "tour" of a small palace then off to the market. Wow, this is what we were wanting to see anyway. The only problem is that you were escorted through the back streets to their "drug store" where after the guides had herded us all into a small room the door was closed and we were forced to endure a 45 minute infomercial on lotions, oils, etc. and not allowed to leave until all order for their junk were filled. The guides wouldn't let us leave the room, and we had no idea how to find our way back to the buses. Even though there were hundreds of fascinating shops along the way we were told not to stop and look at the merchandise, they were taking us to "better" and "safer" places. A LOAD OF CRAP!!

We were then taken to a staged show of camels and horseback riding while we had what was a nice lunch, probably the best part of the tour. We were then taken back into the center of Marrakech, passing again close to the central market, only to be herded into an upstairs room for a rug making (infomercial again) demonstration. WE REVOLTED! After much discussion with the guides we were give 15 on our own to explore a truly fascinating city. We met back right on time and were hustled back on the bus.

After much more complaining from the entire busload of paying guests we were finally taken to the market that we had so anticipated seeing, and by the way which was prominently advertised as a part of the tour. This time we were allowed all of 20 minutes to see literally hundreds of booths of spices, foods, clothing, metal goods, etc. There were dancers, snake charmers, great sights and sounds to be experienced...all in 20 minutes or the bus would leave you.

Like you say, it is a pricey tour. To say we were disappointed in the tour would be an gross understatement. We felt so cheated that we immediately reported the shady practices and misrepresentation of what was to be experienced to the excursion desk. Several groups of those who had endured this rip-off wanted to voice their displeasure to MSC, only to be told that they would get back to us. Later when no one was contacted we again went to try to see a supervisor, only to be stone walled. This we later came to realize was apparently the MSC way to resolve any passenger issue. Either try to put you off and hope you forget about it or totally ignore the problem and hope YOU go away.

As for finding a private guide, yes it is doable and preferred. Another group of friends secured their own tour and had a wonderful time in this very different, but very interesting city. Hope you do the same and hope you have a great trip.

[Capricruiser]

I've been in Morocco several times, both land holidays and cruise visits. Unfortunately the culture of the local guides makes them want to take their groups to visit selected shops, displays, factories, etc. Why not try the CC ports of call forum to see how others have arranged alternate tours with success. Sadly most all the cruise lines use the same local tour operators and everyone gets stuck with those forced shop visits, frequently owned by the guide's cousin, etc. Marrakech is one of the most fascinating cities in the world and you really need to spend a full day or two there. Just the idea of a three hour bus ride all the way from Casablanca would turn me off. When my ship stops in Casa I usually take a taxi to the town centre and walk around on my own or just stay aboard that day.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Capricruiser

[4urisonly]

We just returned from a cruise on the Prinsendam from Rome to Fort Lauderdale. We took the rediculously expensive overnight excursion from Casablanca to Marrakech. Marrakech is a beautiful city but you'll hardly see any of it on this excursion. First, traveling through Casablanca in heavy traffic took at least 2 hours. Another 2-3 hours from there. The 5-star hotel was at best 3-star. After lunch at the hotel, we were immediately dragged to the usual market places. Dinner and show were fine . The next day, we again were lead to a 2-hours long rug presentation, follwed by another 2 hours at a spice and perfume place. We then spent perhaps 1/2 hour in a beautiful park where I could have spent all day. That was about all we saw of the city. The one fabulous experience was the lunch on the second day at a wonderful restaurant where local food was served and where we were treated as if we were royalty. Then it was time to get back on the road for a 3-hour drive to the ship .

To be fair, some poeple enjoyed the shopping in the souks and the spice store.

My advice: Don't waste your money on this excursion.

[Mnkmay]

Lisaye98 - when will you be cruising? We found a private tour to Marakech for our cruise departing Genoa on Dec 28. If you'll be on that one, we could check and see about adding two more and see what the cost would be then. Have seen good reviews for the company.

[Golfalot]

We are going to be in Casablanca on October 30th on Silver Cloud and are looking for an independent tour to Marrakech. Any advise?

[Cruzinbabe06]

We will be in Casablanca on Nov 2 and the ports of call board didn't have much advice for independent excursions in Casablanca.

 

I was going to Egypt in October, but canceled and booked this cruise instead.

 

We booked our Egypt trip thru Memphis Tours and we sent in deposits and everything. Well when we canceled, deposits where sent back to us in a timely fashion and their customer service is awesome.

 

I emailed my Memphis Tours agent not to long ago and asked him if they do tours in Morocco and they do. So I booked with Memphis Tours.

 

We are in port 7a to 7p. Our itinerary is meeting our guide at 730a. Going to the Hassan Mosque for the first English speaking tour. Touring some other sights in Casablanca. I would like to stop at a "natural pharmacy" to see what they have. Then we are heading to Rabat to see the ruins and governmental sights and spend some free time at a souk. We are also stopping at a restaurant to have an authentic lunch.

 

Our tour is $135 per person and includes admission to the Hassan Mosque and the Chellah in Rabat. Our lunch is optional, quoted as approximately $25.

 

We are a party of 4 adults and will have our own van, driver and guide. He said we'll be dropped off back at port approximately 6pm.

 

I am so excited to book this tour. Other companies I emailed wanted $150 per person and did not include admissions to the Mosque or anything else. And the cruise ship tour is $166.:eek:

 

I've been dealing with this company for over a year now. I highly recommend them and they get great reviews on trip advisor. My go to person at Memphis Tours is Mr. Abdo Shawky he's awesome.

 

They probably have tours to Marrakech too.

 

Enjoy your cruise and good luck.

Edited September 9, 2013 by Cruzinbabe06

[eva1113]

IF anyone is interested, We will be on the Poesia from Barcelona departing on the 19th of October. We are looking for more people to join us with our private tour guide. If we have a total of 6, price will be about 75 euro to Marrakesh from Casablanca for the day.

[jula55]

Has anyone recently booked and traveled from Casablanca to Marrakesh through MSC cruises.  They offer a full day excursion but I have not been able to find any current comments.  Most of the comments are negative and I am disheartened to hear this.  I have always wanted to visit the market square in Marrakesh.  Would appreciate any comments from cruisers who have been there.   Thank you!

 

 

Edited February 2, 2020 by jula55