Culture shock is an integral component of travel that forces you outside your comfort zone and pushes you beyond it.
An ocean cruise offers the chance to discover new cultures and traditions; but what happens when it’s time to return home?
Danube 
From Budapest’s charming artisan markets to touring its stunning Matthias Church, this 8-day trip on the Danube will introduce you to age-old European traditions and reveal them. Your voyage will take you through Hungary, Austria and Germany while teaching you more about their rich histories.
On this journey you will sail aboard Mozart, the inaugural riverboat launched by Riverside Luxury Cruises. Designed as a double-wide vessel that can access narrower sections of the Danube without passing through locks, Mozart stands out with features like king-sized beds in each cabin; an integrated fitness center featuring Technogym equipment; and one of the largest spas available today on any river boat.
One aspect that makes this river boat unique is the company’s considerate approach to its impact on local towns. That means not overrunning them with too many passengers. Plus, you’ll enjoy all-inclusive accommodations, meals and excursions!
Volga
As opposed to traditional cruises, riverboat cruises allow travelers to stay put and experience one location thoroughly. Professional local guides typically lead tours and excursions at each port-of-call; some cruises such as Avalon Waterways’ Volga Dream offer up to 3 days in each city so passengers can explore Moscow and St Petersburg more closely as well as any cities between.
Our guides speak unaccented English and possess in-depth knowledge about each destination, village and UNESCO World Heritage Site visited on the ship. For instance, they’ll show you places like Uglich with its Kremlin and examples of old Russian architecture; or Yaroslavl with 12th to 18th century architecture that stands out amongst them all.
Caribbean 
Traveling overseas often brings with it culture shock. Though uncomfortable at times, experiencing it is part of the journey and will help open your mind and adaptability as you gain experience abroad.
Your travel companions can help broaden your horizons as well. They may come from various walks of life or backgrounds, yet share similar goals and aspirations; building friendships with these new people will only benefit your life long after.
River cruises are an unforgettable way to discover Europe, and most European cruise lines provide high standards and comparable inclusions. However, some operators stand out among their peers with luxurious offerings at exceptional value.
Mediterranean
As with any new culture, adapting takes time when moving to another one for work or vacation. Anthropologist Kalervo Oberg developed the four-stage culture shock model: honeymoon, frustration, recovery and acceptance. While their order and effects may differ widely between individuals as they adjust to new environments. This framework serves as a helpful way of understanding what you might experience during this process.
Initial excitement upon arriving in a foreign culture is overwhelming and thrilling; however, soon afterwards this excitement can quickly dissipate as reality hits about not understanding hand gestures, language, or the transport system. Miscommunications or small frustrations may compound into feelings of hopelessness or depression.
Once acclimatized to your new culture and customs, adjusting to each city on your riverboat cruise becomes much simpler. Exploring its people, cuisine and traditions will help ease frustration and speed recovery timeframes.
