train from CMN to Rabat
 

2 females with carry-on only arriving mid-afternoon at CMN. Trip is in Nov. Contemplating the best/easiest way to travel from airport to our hotel in Rabat. We will likely be jet-lagged so serious thinking might be "muddled".
It appears as though the train is scheduled hourly (?) and we must make a connection. Taxi must be "negotiated" ?
thoughts/comments/suggestions most appreciated.

I have not done a train ride from CMN to Rabat but my understanding is that there will be a change at Casa Voyageur station.

Last month my party of 2 spent one night in Casablanca after our flight from the USA, then we use a private car service to our hotel in Rabat the next afternoon. The car provided was actually a 7-passenger minivan, new and very comfortable with the driver very punctual, and fluent in English. The cost was 90 USD, paid upon completion of services.
For your situation, I suggest a car service to ease the stress after a long flight.
By the way, there are several train stations in Rabat (Rabat Ville, Rabat Agdal, Rabat Salé). Just make sure you choose the one that is most convenient to your hotel location.

The fare for taxi rides in Morocco should always be negotiated. Based on our experiences in Rabat, the typical fare for a Petit Taxi ride in town should be around 30 dirhams. We used the InDrive app to call taxis in Morocco with price agreed upon in advance.

The train is fine, but it does require a change. Depending on where you stay in Rabat you will need to deal with a local taxi which can be a very very painful experience when they realise you are a newbie.

While I'm a big fan of public transport and immersing yourself in a destination doing it heavily jet lagged is no fun. Maybe ask your accommodation if they have a driver who can collect you from CMN.

Concur with other's recommendations to arrange a driver through your hotel. You'll save yourself a lot of needless headache after a long trip.

Worth noting - Taxi services can now be booked without negotiating from the taxi kiosk located just after clearing customs and exiting the terminal building. The kiosk (or attendant) will give you a voucher with a specific taxi you are assigned to. A one-way fare costs approximately 900 Dirhams (100 USD) from the airport to Rabat. Do note that while you can request a taxi for your exclusive use, taxi drivers will sometimes try to pick up additional riders on the way. This is common with both the color city taxies and the longer distance taxis.