The issue of water levels on the rivers of Europe has grown, with river cruise lines now reporting sailings are affected on the Danube, Elbe, Rhone, and Rhine rivers. All rivers except the Elbe are experiencing higher than usual water levels that is restricting passage on many itineraries, while the Elbe doesn’t have enough water.

Update June 22: AmaWaterways has provided us with the following statement, indicating things may be calming down:

“Europe has experienced unusually high rainfall this June and water levels have been high in several areas. During the past ten days, AmaWaterways has made several creative itinerary adjustments to minimize the impact to our guests.  Fortunately, we have not been affected by the unusual high water levels on the Upper Danube and have modified our itineraries on the Rhone and on the Rhine. Guests whose itineraries have been impacted by high water levels have been receiving generous future cruise credits for every cruise day which differed from their original itinerary.

Water levels on the Rhone and on the Upper Danube are back to normal again and by Thursday, June 23, we expect the Rhine to be back to unrestricted cruising. There hasn’t been any rainfall in the critical regions during these past few days and Central Europe is currently experiencing lots of sunshine, warm summer temperatures and rapidly receding water levels on all rivers.” 

Avalon Waterways issued the following statement on its Facebook page on June 20, but didn’t specify affected sailings:

High Water Update: June 20, 2016

Due to increased rainfall this spring, water levels on some of Europe’s rivers are higher than normal. While our Avalon team in Europe is doing their best to minimize the effect on current cruises, there have been cases where adjustments are necessary, mostly affecting embarkation and disembarkation locations. On occasion, when waters have been too high to navigate, we’re making alternate arrangements, which may include transferring guests to hotels. When this occurs, we offer our travelers complimentary accommodations, excursion choices as well as compensation for missed sailing days.

Weather forecasts look favorable this week. But, as waters continue to ebb and flow in the coming days, should last–minute itinerary changes be required, our goal is always to provide our travelers a wonderful vacation.

Travelers with a cruise scheduled in the next week or two are welcome to contact our team at 866.397.6593 or traveleradvisory@globusfamily.com. When contacting our team, we ask that our guests understand that water levels change hourly so much can change daily. In the meantime, we’re just “going with the flow.”

Viking River Cruises has updated its list of current itinerary modifications on its website, which we’ve added below.

Danube (NEW):

High water levels are affecting passage near Passau, Germany. Viking has identified the following sailings as needing modification:

• June 22nd Romantic Danube aboard Viking Egil – The ship will not reach Erlangen for embarkation. Please locate our airport representatives on arrival for transfer to the ship.
• June 24th Romantic Danube aboard Viking Tor – The ship will not reach Budapest for embarkation. Guests will be accommodated at the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge on Day 1. Please locate our airport representatives on arrival, or go straight to the hotel.
• June 24th Grand European aboard Viking Vili – Guests will embark Viking Var instead and likely swap back to Viking Vili midway through the cruise.
• June 24th Romantic Danube aboard Viking Var – Guests will embark Viking Vili instead and likely swap back to Viking Var midway through the cruise.
• June 25th Romantic Danube aboard Viking Njord – Guests will embark Viking Freya instead and likely swap back to Viking Njord midway through the cruise.
• June 25th Romantic Danube aboard Viking Freya – Guests will embark Viking Njord instead and likely swap back to Viking Freya midway through the cruise.
• June 26th Grand European aboard Viking Magni – Guests will embark Viking Baldur instead and likely swap back to Viking Magni midway through the cruise.
• June 26th Grand European aboard Viking Baldur – Guests will embark Viking Magni instead and likely swap back to Viking Baldur midway through the cruise.

Viking also notes that, due to a technical issue, guests slated to embark Viking Bragi on the June 25, 2016 Grand European Voyage will instead embark Viking Bestla. Both vessels are nearly-identical Viking Longships.

Elbe:

Viking is anticipating modifications due to water levels for the following voyages:

• June 23rd Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Schumann
• June 23rd Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Fontane
• June 25th Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Astrild
• June 25th Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Beyla
• June 25th Poland, Prague & the Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Beyla
• June 30th Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Schumann
• June 30th Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Fontane
• July 2nd Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Astrild
• July 2nd Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Beyla
• July 2nd Poland, Prague & the Elegant Elbe aboard Viking Astrild

Rhone (NEW):

The Rhone River is now experiencing high water levels. Viking has identified the following sailings which may need itinerary adjustments and/or ship swaps:

• June 22nd Lyon & Provence aboard Viking Heimdal – Guests will embark Viking Delling instead and may swap back to Viking Heimdal midway through the cruise.
• June 22nd Lyon & Provence aboard Viking Delling – Guests will embark Viking Heimdal instead and may swap back to Viking Delling midway through the cruise.

Rhine:

• June 22nd Rhine Getaway aboard Viking Kvasir – Guests will embark Viking Idi instead and swap back to Viking Kvasir midway through the cruise.
• June 22nd Rhine Getaway aboard Viking Idi – Guests will embark Viking Kvasir instead. Embarkation may take place in Breisach instead of Basel. Please locate our airport representatives on arrival in Basel. Guests will swap back to Viking Idi midway through the cruise.
• June 24th Rhine Getaway aboard Viking Mani – Guests will embark Viking Eistla instead. Viking Eistla may not be able to reach Basel for embarkation. Please locate our airport representatives on arrival in Basel.

Viking also notes that Viking Mani is currently undergoing repair. Guests booked on the June 24, 2016 Rhine Getaway will be transferred instead to Viking Eistla instead. Both ships are near-identical Viking Longships.

No other cruise lines are reporting delays or itinerary changes at this time, however, guests booked on any river cruise along these aforementioned areas in the next three weeks should be aware that itinerary changes are possible and, indeed may already be occurring.