Tickets for Tang Med, insurance and CIN No.

[Sandinmytoes]

Hi,
Heading back to Morocco for the first time since 2005, this time with teenage daughter - things have changed a bit ???
1) Is Carlos the best place still for tickets?
2) Having been promised a green card by my insurer, they have failed to come up with the goods, is getting cover in Tangier Med port easy?
3) I have a CIN no in an old passport (5 numbers follwed by 2 digits?) from either 2003 or 2005, do I use this when filling in the TVIP D16 on line, if so do I take the old passport with me, or is it best to leave blank and get new one?
And another - where to camp/stay near Marrakech.
Looking forward to going back
Yours
HF

[uknomad]

Hi,

things have changed a bit ???
*** Very much so.
1) Is Carlos the best place still for tickets?
*** Yes, he also prints of a D16 as well, or try at the port.
2) Having been promised a green card by my insurer, they have failed to come up with the goods, is getting cover in Tangier Med port easy?
*** Yes, after leaving customs, the insurance and money exchange booths on the left.
3) I have a CIN no in an old passport (5 numbers follwed by 2 digits?) from either 2003 or 2005, do I use this when filling in the TVIP D16 on line, if so do I take the old passport with me, or is it best to leave blank and get new one?
*** IMHO leave blank and get a new one, it'll get stamped on ferry. Others may have different opinions.
And another - where to camp/stay near Marrakech.
*** Les Relais about 12km North on Casablanca road, is a good stop over.
Looking forward to going back
*** Enjoy cheers Mark
Yours
HF

[Endurodude]

I can only really answer number 2; I got insurance at the port last year, and it was very easy. After the vehicle checks, straight ahead were all the relevant cabins - money changing, vehicle insurance, etc. Easy.

I've only been once, but I would assume the main difference would be the increase in sealed roads?

Have fun!

[Trumpton]

I used tanger med last month outbound & returned through last week & can confirm all of what uknomad says is up to date, all very easy, just get your passport stamped on the ferry going out, ( you can't miss the queue!)

Andy

[Sandinmytoes]

UKNOMAD, Endurodude and Trumpton,
Thank you very much for your responses, nearly ready for the off - almost excited!

[itchyfeet38]

We were over earlier in the year.

With the benefit of hindsight I would not have bought tickets from Carlos simply because it limits you to a particular shipping line. Heading out we arrived at the port at lunchtime but despite advertised sailings of Accionà at 1, 3 and 5 pm the next one was at 7pm and we arrived at 10 pm and insurance etc was all shut.

On the return leg it was a similar story. We arrived at 10.30 am and actually got on a boat and sailed around 6.30pm.

On both occasions plenty of ships from other lines were sailing and we would happily have paid a few more euros to be on our way.

If you do prebook I would advise being at the port first thing so you stand a chance of being on the first sailing out. On each of our our journeys only two ships on the timetable actually sailed, effectively early morning and early evening.

Of course maybe we were just unlucky...

[Sandinmytoes]

Thank you Itchyfeet, point taken, we plan to be in port early am so God willing we'll be OK, thanks.

[twenty4seven]

You were unlucky itchyfeet, I've never had to wait that long, two hours late seems to be normal.

All the shipping lines are as bad as each other, with their lack of sticking to their time tables in my experience

Start early and expect delays and you're in the right mind set for Africa.

[Sandinmytoes]

Just an update on things so far;
Carlos was were he/she was meant to be and booked us on the 10am sailing - it left at 10.30 and was the same model(?) ship as sailed me from Poole to Gijon - but with more superstructure and more entertainment for a 10th of the time period on board! Insurance and money as everyone explained thank you.
A big thank you to all who helped, now resident at the excellent Les Relais outside Marrakech afetr driving down the peage yesterday, watch out for speed cameras!!!

[Trumpton]

I also stayed at le realis, good tajine!

I agree about the speed cameras..... I copped a ticket further south, 89kph in an 80.........I honestly thought I was on a 100 road, they were hiding behind a tree & we christened all the radar cops Bushcreepers, cost me 300 dir with a receipt!

[Peter Girling]

If you've genuinely been busted, always ask how much "without a ticket." Everything's negotiable.


Dropping a few football club names usually helps and a sticker, flag etc. might do the trick!

Happy trails,

Peter