The Port Day We Could Not Have Planned or Imagined

Tangier became our favorite stop of the cruise because it offered more than we expected. A Carnival shuttle carried us from the port into town. After we stepped off, a guide named Mohammed showed us his tourism credential and offered to take us where we wanted to go for $80 per person.

Another solo traveler was considering the same option, so we invited her to join us. I have been in her position, and including her felt natural. I had also hoped a third passenger might lower the price; it did not. Still, limited port time made the arrangement reasonable otherwise I would have haggled with Mohammed for a better deal, but with the clock ticking down, I was ready to explore rather than save a few bucks. Mohammed used a taxi to turn our agenda into a full day with additional stops, which all were amazing.

The meal is the scene I remember most clearly. While Mohammed stepped away to pray and eat, the restaurant staff looked after us. Food covered the table—more than the three of us could finish. We sat among cushioned benches and chairs while musicians played local `melodies, then we climbed to the top of the restaurant to look over the town.

The day started with a camel ride. The very cute calves remained close to their mothers, and we paid the camel handler a fee of $20 for each rider. Handlers interacted with the animals in an appropriate manner. I didn’t witness any cruel or inhumane actions. That is what I observed on our visit, although I would still encourage travelers to make their own careful assessment of any animal experience before participating.

Our fellow traveler left before the day’s funniest mission. A language barrier and an unplanned tumble became part of our effort to find the Starbucks tucked inside a train station and to secure the Tangier destination mug. Mohammed spoke English, which made the tour possible. The Moroccan National Tourist Office identifies Arabic and Amazigh as Morocco’s official languages, with French widely understood and Spanish common in the north—useful context, even though our own communication ran through our guide.

While there is no single tourist attire rulebook, modest clothing felt comfortable and respectful in the medina and local neighborhoods .I dressed in a loose, breathable dress with my shoulders, chest, and knees covered as well carrying a lightweight scarf. Our companion for this day trip did not wear modest attire, which I considered odd since she shared with us she had roots near the area. Regardless of what she wore, I would recommend when traveling alone, women dress modestly to blend in and reduce unwanted attention. While I did not witness our friend for the day having any issues due to her attire, I would still recommend any potential issues.

Tangier felt like the rare cruise port that could combine bucket-list novelty, food, and improvisation in less than a day. The lesson when sharing the experience with others is to agree on the per-person price and what it includes, confirm a guide’s credentials, keep track of ship time, and leave room for the stop you never knew to request.

Editorial source notes

Moroccan National Tourist Office: Language and common vocabulary

Moroccan National Tourist Office: Tangier

Sites visited

Restaurant Vandalucia for lunch

Kasbah

Kasbah House

Caves of Hercules

Rode camels on Plage Bakoura (Bakoura Beach)

Phare du Cap Spartel (Cape Spartel Lighthouse)

Atlantic and Mediterranean direction sign

The small colorful alley was near Dar Cherkaui across from the Kasbah Lighthouse Guesthouse.

Mendoubia Building (the former mansion and official residence of the Mendoub, the Sultan's representative during Tangier's international zone era, which later served as a German consulate and a commercial/financial court)

La Mansion Blanche

Kasbah Viewpoint near La Detroit Palace

Bazar Naciria

Tangier American Legation Museum (consulate)