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It is possible (and maybe likely) that my Morocco/Canary Islands/Granada cruise will not go to Morocco. Since my only reason for choosing this cruise (on the Jade) was to add Morocco to my growing list of counties and places I have visited (55+), the prospect of not seeing Morocco is extremely unappealing.
Inspired by the recent nationwide protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and others, Moroccan youth, used Facebook to mobilize citizens frustrated by status quo.
The result: On February 20, citizens in 52 Moroccan cities, in their “movement for dignity” protested the frustration of some Moroccans with a government they believe has done little to combat corruption. The protesters are demanding constitutional reform, the dissolution of parliament, and the lowering of food prices, among other things. Although it was reported that protests in al-Hoceima and other towns and cities were peaceful, acts of vandalism and looting took place after the rallies.
There are also many confirmations that the King of Morocco is loved by the people because of some of his progressive moves and, he is considered, after all, a descendant of the prophet Mohammed.
Later, I scoured the internet and discovered that future demonstrations were planned for every Sunday leading up to the grand protest (and ultimatum to the King) day: March 20. Guess who was scheduled to arrive in Casablanca on Sunday, March 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Of note, this did NOT make mainstream news in the US)
At this point, I was convinced we would not touch Morocco.
Many of us on Cruise Critic (CC) discovered this news and began to chat and worry. We subsequently discovered a blogger on the February 25 sailing (on our Jade itinerary) who revealed The Jade DID NOT make it’s to scheduled Morocco stops on February 27 (Casablanca) and 28 (Agadir). They found out upon boarding the ship in Barcelona.
We all understand the cruise line’s decision to avoid Morocco for safety reasons. Yet, with the Mediterranean surrounded by 23 countries with more than 70 great port of call options, they substituted 1) a sea day and 2) Lanzarote, a teeeeny volcanic Canary Island that even Spaniards have never heard of and its part of SPAIN. We all felt this is unacceptable.
A CC campaign began where we mobilized to try to procure information directly from the cruise line while many expressed their views about the cruise lines LAME choice of alternates for Casablanca and Agadir: a sea day and Lanzarote!
Here are some of the Comments from CC posters: “I am only taking the cruise for Morocco”, “they should take us any way and we will use our judgment”, “why not Cadiz, or interesting ports in Italy or France”, “We Europeans don’t mind visiting more Canary Islands”, “Moroccans love their King so it’s not a dangerous protest”, “I have private pre-paid tours that I can’t cancel”, “I am calling the travel insurance company for a refund” and so on……
I must have invested more than 12 hours researching alternative ports, contacting the cruise lines, hotel, and Malaga private tour company, clarifying my insurance rules, calculating cruise and airline penalties, and even found two different and great cruises for great prices (that I put on hold).
I was MENTALLY exhausted.
After realizing how much trouble it would be to cancel, and the cost would be 20% of the total cost AND I’d be left with cruise line and airline credits (not cash) I decided to stick with the original plan.
Many others on CC agreed we will keep a positive attitude and enjoy whatever happens. We will all meet on our first sea day (March 19) in Le Bistro at 11AM
I will board my flight for Barcelona on March 15, spend 2 nights in that vibrant city then board my cruise on March 18 at 7PM. Only the crystal ball knows where it will take us on March 20 and 21.
