Topic: Cruises to India 'provide culture shock'

Taking Princess cruises to India could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many voyagers, and is well worth the culture shock.



Sharron Livingston, editor for thetravelmagazine.net, gave some advice to those who are hoping to experience the sub-continent for the first time.

"Life, food [and] culture is very different to that experienced in the western world and this is where the words culture shock really ring true. Check which jabs you may need, take care with food and drink, and most importantly, go there with tolerance and a hefty dose of awe and humour and you'll have a great time" she suggested.

The business capital of Mumbai is one sight that should not be missed by people booking cruise holidays to India, as it is home to some 18 million individuals.

Slums and luxurious shopping malls can be found within the same block, while westerners can watch cows and goats share the same road space as taxis, colourful water trucks and bicycles.

Have you cruised to India before? Tell us about it

We have cruised several times along the coast of India and although I said I wouldn't get off the ship we did and it really was amazing I didn't eat or drink whilst ashore but the people are very friendly and welcoming a destination not to be missed The Indian government don't exactly encourage tourism when cost of the visa is quite expensive and only lasts days so you really cant reuse it the next year but I would recommend the visit

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We have cruised several times along the coast of India and although I said I wouldn't get off the ship we did and it really was amazing I didn't eat or drink whilst ashore but the people are very friendly and welcoming a destination not to be missed The Indian government don't exactly encourage tourism when cost of the visa is quite expensive and only lasts days so you really cant reuse it the next year but I would recommend the visit

Why on earth would you cruise around India and not get off!?! I've been to India numerous times on business. You can happily wander the side streets in an evening without the slightest fear of being hassled, let alone attacked or anything like that. Virtually every indian you come across speaks english and is polite and respectful. Just seeing the throngs of locals in saris is a real experience.

You need to be careful with foo, but I've eaten in the better restaurants and been fine; and the 4 and 5* hotels have fantastic food, there's no concern about eating salds even. While wandering around sealed bottles of water and coke etc are perfectly fine to drink.

I agree the visas are expensive and a total pain to obtain. It isn't because the indian govt wants to rip us off - its because the UK and US charge indians even more if they want a visa to come to our country, its tit for tat like most visa charges are.

I've had far more problems in countries such as Dubai, Tunisia, Morocco - those are countries where I wouldn't bother getting off the ship possibly! There again I'm on a cruise to see places - of course I'd get off even for those places.

Why on earth should it be a culture shock, we all know that it's going to be an entirely different experience and if you do your homework and travel with an open mind you will see amazing architecture the new beside the old, I loved Bombay and Cochin, it was amazing and entirely what I expected , I would love to travel to India again and further in, very interesting people.I thought I read somewhere that the vis was now cheaper. CG

We would return to India any time. It was one of the most memorable countries we have visited and we would love to see more of this fascinating country.

Despite the numerous documentaries on TV, actually seeing it for real is amazing.

you didnt read what I said I did get off and it was wonderful I have eaten in the best Indian resturants in Manchester and contracted amoebic dysentery from which I almost died its the carrier not the restaurant and personal hygiene So next time I would advise caution they will not allow you on the ship with this I was placed in an isolation hospital for three weeks

I have never cruised to India but I have travelled around India for a month. I love the country but i'd imagine there is culture shock for a lot of Brits. Even if you think you know what to expect, as I did, the beggars are still a shock - maimed, scarred, leprous, you name it I saw it and to be surrounded by such poor souls IS a shock. I was a poor student, backpacking and staying in cheap places (and yes I did get dysentry!). I can only imagine what the tourists coming off the ships look like to these people who have nothing.

I've been to India once and am fortunate to be going again in Jan 2012. For anyone interested the Visa is £109.64. The only thing I found scary was the number of people rushing out of the railway station in Mumbai while I sat on a coach admiring the architecture!! It was terrifying-they all seemed to be hurtling straight towards me! I too loved Cochin and in Chennai many of the passengers wanted to try an authentic Madras curry. Breakfast the next day was very quiet and apparently there was an enormous queue outside the hospital!!!

Hi Everyone,I was reading Vals post about the price of a visa, Its only about £42 for a visa if you apply yourself, If you apply through an agency it costs more than double,We have been to India for the last 3 years staying in a hotel but this year we are cruising there.

I often think that cruising is a great way to get an introduction to a place, and decide if you want to go back again for a longer visit. I wouldn't say that about India. India is an amazing country, I love it, I've been on holiday there at least 5 times, but it is a culture shock, even to a seasoned traveller. You need time to get used to India and then start to enjoy it. I would recommend a beach holiday in Goa, and after relaxing for a week to get over the jet lag its easy to take a side trip to Bombay, or Delhi and Agra for example. Goa is "India lite". It was a Portuguese colony until the 1960s, is one of the richer states, and a good stepping stone into India proper.