When all is said and done, there is no way to accurately predict whether your river cruise will be affected by low-water or high-water levels for river cruises in Europe. But in general, high water occurs in the spring while low water occurs in heat of the summer, usually August. The summer of 2018 saw record low water levels for river cruises in Europe on the Danube. However, contrary to the conventional wisdom, I saw record lows on the Rhine in November of 2015. While high or low water can impact your river cruise, in 50+ river cruises, I’ve never experienced a major disruption because of high water or low water. I should add that I did not river cruise in the summer of 2018. In the comments below, some readers say their dream vacations were disappointing because of low water levels for river cruises in Europe. Others had their trips scuttled altogether because the river cruise companies could not operate due to high or low water levels for river cruises in Europe. My hope is that this page will serve as a useful forum for sharing information about the conditions on the rivers and how the cruise companies are handling adverse water levels for river cruises in Europe.– Ralph Grizzle
Whether a river has high or low water levels is something you’re unlikely to consider when planning your river cruise – until it happens to you.
Unlike ocean cruising, river cruising is all about narrow margins. Low bridges make the air draft of a ship – how much of it sticks out of the water – critically important. Most river cruise ships have collapsible upper deck railings, removable furniture, and even navigation bridges that lower completely into the floor.
Being aware of water levels for river cruises in Europe can greatly enhance your travel experience.
Understanding water levels for river cruises in Europe is vital for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Monitoring water levels for river cruises in Europe is essential for a trouble-free adventure.
What’s under the keel – or hull – of your river cruise ship also makes a difference. In some cases, there can be less than a foot of water under the keel. River cruise ships have incredibly shallow drafts to begin with, and river cruise operators construct their ships as efficiently as possible. They’re the high-performance sports cars of the cruising world.
Understanding Water Levels for River Cruises in Europe
Understanding the significance of water levels for river cruises in Europe can help travelers make informed decisions.
Unfortunately, low water and high water conditions can exist – and they can throw a real wrench into an otherwise flawless cruise.
For current updates from river cruisers currently on the rivers (or from those who have returned recently) be sure to see the comments at the bottom of this post.
In fact, keeping an eye on water levels for river cruises in Europe could save your trip.
The Rhine is perhaps the most dependable river when it comes to being able to continue navigation due to low water. I felt the boat scraping the bottom of the Rhine in Rudesheim in November of 2015, but we made it past. See Is AmaWaterways The Champion Of Low Water?
Water levels are unpredictable. In many cases, the cruise line may only find out on your actual sailing, or a few days beforehand, that a particular stretch of water isn’t navigable.
See related article: Low Water Levels Continue To Affect River Cruises; Plus Why This Happens In The First Place
Water levels aren’t uniform. That is to say, if there’s low water on the Danube, the entire Danube isn’t affected. In 2014, water levels were too low for many ships to pass between the German cities of Passau and Regensburg. In past years, the stretch heading across the Austria-Hungary border has been problematic.
History isn’t a good indicator of high or low water. In June of 2013, Passau was hit by the worst flooding – and the highest water levels – since the Middle Ages. In 2018, the Danube was so low that many cruise ships terminated their journeys in Passau.
What happens if high/low water levels affect my sailing? River cruise lines will typically attempt to keep your itinerary as operational as possible. Generally, when high/low water levels hit, three options are available to cruise lines:
- Continue the affected itinerary by having guests ‘swap ships’ – typically, being bussed from one town to the next, where you will embark a sister-ship or similar vessel to continue the rest of your journey. Read about our ship swap on Viking.
- Complete the itinerary as far as possible aboard your ship, and then transition to hotels (on the company’s expense) to complete the remainder of your itinerary.
- Outright cancellation. This is the rarest option, exercised when no other options are available.
I’m not sure if I should cancel my river cruise because of high/low water levels. What do I do?
Unless you have travel insurance that covers cancellation, do not cancel your river cruise over high/low water. Wait for the cruise line to either pull the plug or offer alternatives. If your sailing commences in a few weeks, cancelling your sailing will result in you losing all monies paid. If you wait for the cruise line to pull the plug, offers typically include the ability to switch to another sailing at no cost; the offer to complete your cruise as scheduled at a discount or rebate; or the offer to cancel with minimal or no penalties. Of course, such offers are determined by the cruise line, but typically favor the guest.
Curious as to what the current conditions on the rivers of Europe are? A reader has provided us with a map showing the water levels on rivers in Germany. From reader “Sabine” see this link: https://www.wetteronline.de/pegelstaende?gid=HES
We have found the Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde (BFG) to be helpful. The organization published maps like the one below and forecasts. Find BFG’s 14-day water levels forecasts here and the six-week forecasts here.
It’s advisable to check the latest updates regarding water levels for river cruises in Europe before you travel.
To see what our readers had to say about how their trips were impacted by low water levels, click here.
Additionally, understanding how different seasons affect water levels for river cruises in Europe will enhance your planning.
In summary, staying informed about water levels for river cruises in Europe is crucial for a rewarding travel experience.
We were on the River Princess, and had no issues anywhere before it reached Amsterdam on the 21st of July. Only a few delays because of so many ships waiting to get into the locks. There are many, more than 60, on this itinerary. We missed the heat wave and had little rain, except for a hailstorm in Germany, which was amazing. Made it back to the ship in time but many on tour were soaked to the skin.
As to predicting water levels, there are so many variables that it is pretty hard to do. I suggest that if you think about an alternative plan you might put into operation if your cruise is cancelled when you are already in Europe.
That’s too bad. What cruise company?
We are on Scenic Aug 26th
We are on Scenic August 26th. Have not heard anything mentioned about Scenic cruises being affected so far but keeping fingers crossed!
Kate – we are on the August 19 sailing. Are you?
From what I understand Viking longships are slightly larger than AMA ships. There are 190 guests on Viking versus I think 150 on AMA. I think last year in 2018, AMA was able to go through low water areas when Viking could not but by the fall off 2018 the river was so low AMA was affected too. My cruise was very fortunate in mid July to get through because our captain pushed through and made sure to continue upriver while the guests were on excursions. The boat was lighter going through the low points with most of the guests off the boat. Our excursion bus would meet the boat up river at a small docking area and then we continued on. Viking handled the situation best they could. Let’s hope Europe get some rain and the cruises will be fine. Conditions can change overnight with rivers.
The lock was repaired by June 14th. My cruise went through those same locks July 15th – 21st. There is low water on the danube before you go through all the many locks that is causing the issues. Our ship was the very last ship with Viking to get through the lowest point. There have been 2 heat waves and bouts of dry weather so far this summer in western and Eastern Europe. One in late June and then another around July 17th into the week of July 21st. Unfortunately 2018 had weather with drought conditions too. The rain needs to fall in Europe and then the rivers will open for the boats. This can change overnight so hope for the best.
Same here only we are on Avalon.
Hello!
So far, the sailing on Rhine and Moselle ( Amsterdam to Basel) is not affected by water level. Wishing you to have a great time on Vantage cruise.
Us too, 9/1. I am worried.
I believe there are other complications aside from water levels. Here is an article from June 7 that says that a ship hit and damaged a lock near Nuremberg.
https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Canal-lock-damage-on-Danube-disrupting-river-cruises
Rhine main and Danube
we are booked on River Princess Vienna to Amsterdam Aug 18 and are concerned over probable cancellations/deviations. Does anyone know a reliable site for info on river water levels?
Yes i agree – they should definitely let you know of th risks. We are scheduled with Scenic from Budapest – Amsterdam August 26th and will be in Europe a week ahead, so are looking at a Plan B just in case. I too am not interested in a bus tour, especially with the price we paid for our river cruise. Appreciate any information from people who are there ahead of us.
Thank you, Richard and Joanne, for your encouragement!! Hope our trip goes as well as both of yours did.
We had a ship swap last September and as upsetting as that was Viking handled it with perfection! Our cruise director went aboard the new ship with us, we were assigned the same room # as we had, they picked up our luggage and when we came back from our tour we boarded the identical ship we t to the same room and our luggage was waiting for us. The tour did include more bus time and they had to provide us with a lunch elsewhere BUT all aside Viking handled it very well. Hope this helps!
We asre cruise Rhine with AMA 1 sept. Starting to get concerned. We tried last year and cruise was cancelled 4 days before. Full refund. Problem was that we were overseas and had to make alternative plans. I am also not interested in being bused about. If I wanted a bus tour I would have booked one. Just wish they would make a call sooner rather than later. We are leacing our travel agent a plan b and plan c document to deal with changes should a cancellation happen. My advice to anyone doing a river cruise is to be prepared!
What river will you be on?
We leave on APT river cruise on 2nd August – Amsterdam to Budapest and were told yesterday that we will have to change ships midway because of water levels. Hopefully it doesn’t get any lower – we fly out on Monday
I’m very disappointed to find out about water level shifting up and down can effect the ship going through, we had NO idea, and no one told us about it when we were booking our cruse. I think Viking Customer Service should worn first time river cruisers like us, so we can plan better. We spend our life savings for this trip and I’m very concern and sad thinking something will go wrong.
I wish I new before booking this trip and I blame Viking Customer Service for NOT telling us all the
possible changes that might happen and we should consider before final decision.
Here is our trip: Romantic Danube August 03, 2019, Viking Gullveig
Which other optional tours do you recommend? There are so many and we are looking to hear about the best ones that we should not miss. We are doing the reverse cruise on Viking so I imagine the panoramic Budapest tour would not conflict with the entry to the port.
Checked this site because we’re leaving Aug. 18 for cruise on Rhone/Saone and Seine through France and are worried about water levels. Anyone had a recent experience on the French rivers?
While reading the comments I saw people asking about the food on Avalon. This will be our 3rd cruise on Avalon. Did waterways of Belgium and Netherlands in 2016 and Active Discovery on the Danube (Budapest to Prague) in 2018. Food on both the Visionary and Tapestry was fantastic. Very high quality food with many local touches. Highly recommend Avalon.
We are leaving on July 29 on a Tauck cruise on the Danube from Vilshofen to Budapest. Any news on water levels or will this turn into a bus trip? We were on Viking Elegant Elbe in July last summer and it was a bus tour although they did a boat swap half way thru the tour. Viking did a great job of handling a bad situation, but tours like this should be avoided in summer when the water levels are so low.
Does anyone know if Vantage between Amsterdam and Basel traveling now is affected by water levels? We are leaving on August 5th and are very concerned. We have cancel for any reason insurance. Should we cancel? Help would be greatly appreciated.
Which cruise line?
I am currently cruising from Budapest to Nuremberg. We were told last night that our cruise boat would stay in Passau and be bused to Regensburg and back and not visit Nuremberg at all.
We are on a Viking cruise Berlin to Prague September 9. I am already concerned after hearing about my friend’s cruise having to be bussed the whole time. I guess there is no way to predict at this time.
We are scheduled on the Viking cruise from Berlin to Prague on Sept 9 and I am already concerned about the water levels. My friend cancelled her July trip because of the busing from place to place.
I guess there is no way to predict yet.
We had never been a rive cruise before and had no idea of all of these issues.
I enjoyed the trip from Budapest to Passau. We could not cruise from Passau to Nuremberg due to low water issues.
We were bussed from Passau to Prague. We stayed at the Hilton in Prague, The hotel is under construction and it sounded like they were jack hammering right under or next to our room.
We are older and wanted to rest after our morning excursions. They did not stop until 7:00 pm. We asked for a different room, they did not give us a room in a quieter location.
I think that the Hilton should have made it very clear to our travel agent about the construction noise.
We did that last year and Viking did an amazingly painless “ship-swap” while ensuring no sights were missed. We went from one cabin to the same cabin on a sistership and retained many of the same personnel. Viking is really an outstanding cruise line
We also have received an email from Viking regarding our August 1 departure from Budapest to Nuremberg stating the cruise will likely be affected by the low water levels and indicated the possibility of ship swaps and/or different docking locations, etc.
so it does sound like a Viking specific issue- must draw a lower draft than others. we also go to Prague after- I hope the temps go down a bit!
what line were you on Joan? Viking?
we are also on the Budapest to Neuremburg Viking July 27th and received an email with “likely” will affect our cruise. not promising but we are going with the attitude, we are not in control of weather and will do our best. it seems only Viking is having issues? lower draft maybe?
I was on a Viking cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg from July 14th to July 21. We were the last ship to get through the lowest point in the Danube. While the majority of the passengers (including us) were on their excursions the captain headed upriver and we boarded back on in Deggendorf after our excursions which was passed the spot on the river where it was an issue. Our boat did scrape the mud on the bottom of the river and from what I understand the river was closed for at least the Viking cruises after that point. We are in Prague right now for an extension and the temperature has jumped up to 88 to 90 degree Fahrenheit and dry.
Hello. Would also like to know how the food is. Will be sailing with Avalon in September.
We just returned from a river cruise on the Danube the week of July 14-21 on the Amastella. Water levels were fine. No disruptions.
We’re traveling down the Danube from Tittling, Germany to Budapest, Hungary in August on a AMA Waterways cruise ship. Today we spoke to our tour provider, Backroads, who indicated that there have been no disruptions to date this year as their boats have been able to navigate to the deeper parts of the canal. So while I’ve seen comments that the Viking cruise needed to be rerouted, we’re hoping that it’s partially boat-specific and not all cruises experience a disruption.
Just back from the Douro, but as levels are controlled by a lock system I don’t think they ever run out!
However because the flow is so limited by lock’s the river is rather green and stale at times!
That is strange as we just completed 14 days on the Danube, Main and Rhine with no issues on Uniworld’s River Princess. Vienna to Amsterdam. We are flying home tomorrow there was no mention of low water by our captain.
Picked early date despite crowds and there are lots of ships on the river and tourists inthe towns because we got cancelled last year. There are trade offs. We had cool weather except for one hot day in Vienna and a little rain.
We just got bussed from Nuremberg to Passau due to low water levels on Danube
So are we. Got an email from Viking. There will be a ship swap mid-cruise and motor coach trips if the river doesn’t rise. Very disappointing, but we are trying to remain positive. Talked to Viking about switching to another cruise, but they were non-compliant!
Did you enjoy Avalon? I have heard the food is just fair. We are planning our first river cruise. Any advice is appreciated!
We are due for our river cruise on July 27th on the Danube. Any infomation on current water levels.
On Danube now on Avalon Impression —just left Wachau on way to Vienna. Water levels were fine since leaving Nürnberg.
We are at straubig , on emerald going to Budapest , we can’t go any further as water is low, they hope for rain tonight, think it will take a lot of rain to raise the river levels
how did you enjoy AMA lEA- am cruising on AMALEA on AUG 09= hope river levels are ok
any ships comments from you would help
We are scheduled to take this same cruise beginning August 5th. Thanks so much for the info as the hours required to be bused to and from destinations will factor into any decision we make if we are given a choice to cancel. If you have time, please keep the updates coming!
Hi Judy, Thank you for your update. Please keep us informed as we are about to head your way on the same cruse. Would like to know, just in case we need to plans for some other activities for the days we are parked on the Danube.
Hopefully we will both have good water levels!!