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 arrived in Budapest yesterday on scenic Amsterdam to Budapest we were lucky and got through the trouble spot ok but the trip before us had to change ships putting us on Jade instead of Jewel no problems thankfully a wonderful trip
We have been cruising the Rhine up to Boppard through the Rhine Gorge and the water levels have been fine. The water was down somewhat through the gorge but traffic was moving well. Currently we are on the Main headed toward Wurtzburg and Nurenberg. Water levels on the Main are perfect. Traveling on the Avalon Visionary from Basel to Boppard on the Rhine and to Nuremberg on the Main.
Yes, they gave me a revised itinerary, but can’t get to it while at my work at this time. I’m pretty sure it was: bus from Prague to Dresden (maybe 90 miles), 2 stationary days on Beyla, bus to Astrild (forgot the distance), 3 stationary days on Astrild, bus to Berlin (think 72 miles). The tours would be on buses either on the way to the ships or from the ships. One needs to be pretty efficient and organized with their suitcase for the packing/unpacking. Also, I just compared the water levels to a screenshot I made 7 days ago; and even though its been raining, they levels are about the same or worse.
Stupid typing ?. I meant the Rhine, River cruise.
Leaving for 5he Amsterdam >> Basel Rhine River raise next Sunday. A friend was in Wiesbaden a week ago enjoying the wine fest and said the water levels looked okay. Were any readers on the Rhine lately? Thanks in advance.
Dennis, Thanks for your comments. I will post the results whenever I hear the options for our cruise from Viking. If offered, we’ll take the refund.
We are still undecided what we will do. Our cruise is Sept 24 & no amount of rain will help the water levels by then. The Elbe ships have not moved in almost 2 months.
If we cancel & get the refund, it’s too late to find another river cruise.
The good news is the Elbe trip does not involve long bus trips because the distances are short. If we are in Dresden, Its only 37 minutes by bus to Meissen, 53 minutes to Bad Schandau & Bastel Bridge.
Dennis, did Viking give you a detailed revised itinerary?
2 months til we go. Like reading current levels and any issues
Are river cruise from Basel to Cologne going normally at present please?
We are scheduled for September 5th Amsterdam to Budapest on Viking Vali… Do you think this mean our cruises will consist of being bused from one city to the next. We haven’t been notified from Viking about a ship change. Thanks for the update.
Liz, I was getting the same answer too unless I asked them to tell me specifically about the most recent cruise. I heard on 14 August that our 1 Sept Elbe cruise would be stationary; if the same holds true for you, your notification should come on/about 24 August. We are still on the fence about whether to go or not as we’re not sure we’d use the 1/2 off future cruise. I appreciated Jay’s opinion and weighing that in. Dennis
We’re booked on Sep 11 Prague to Berlin Elbe cruise but fly from US to Prague on Sep 7. I have called Viking several times for updates on water levels and receive a different answer every time – from “ river continues to be non-navigable” to “water levels are ok and ships are moving” – got that answer on 2 occasions only to call back and get a different agent who confirmed nothing is moving. Very disappointed. Please keep me in the loop if anyone is notified from Viking specifically about their Elbe trip.
We are cruising on the Avalon Visionary on the Rhine heading toward Rudesheim at noon today. Our cruise started in Basel Wednesday and will end a week from today at Munich. The water level on the Rhine from Basel to our current location just south of Mainz has been great. The barge traffic is heavy so water levels are not a problem. Great cruising!
Please do that is our same cruise September 11th! Would like to hear about water levels, boat transfers etc ! Kind of worried?. Joy
Our first river cruise, cannot predict. Delightful towns, impressive sights, great local guides. Wacchau Valley now, sunshine, then a shower.
I meant Passau to Regensburg….
We boarded the Scenic Amber in beautiful Budapest yesterday. Water levels are “perfect.” The cruise director just confirmed how quickly that can change, but he feels positive about at least the next few days. The passage from Passau to Nuremberg is always the trickiest spot. That’s the second to last day of our cruise, so we’re taking it day by day and enjoying each moment :)! Safe travels to all!
Hi Mary, are you loving it? We are scheduled for September 11th! I am worried about water levels and wonder if I should reschedule ? Any thoughts?
Thank you!
Joy
I’ve been there and done that. Take the full cash refund, you have all options then, and book something in the future – after checking on water level predictions. You would be paying way too much for a bus tour.
We are leaving Amsterdam for Budapest On the Skirnir this Monday 8/19.
We are hoping for smooth sailing andI will report back when we return.
I heard from Viking on 14 Aug that sailing would not be possible for our 1 Sep Elbe cruise.
I definitely appreciated the two week notice. We could either cancel for full refund -or- go staying on
stationary ships with Bus tours and receive 1/2 off a future ocean or river cruise.
At this time, there is a split decision at our house.
Sure. I’ll report when we get back
Standard CYA
was there any bussing required?
Please note that the rivercruiseinfo site does not appear to be accurate. If you click under Danube, for example, you’ll notice a server error. That’s been happening for more than a year now. I’ve written the owner and no longer get a response, whereas I used to be able to reach him (more than two years ago). I feel that it is not being attended to properly. Just a word of caution.
Modi is currently on it way from Amsterdam to Budapest. Skimir is its “sister-ship” running the reverse route/schedule. There was apparently a ship swap earlier this year with those two ships and they just have swapped schedules after that. Same as 2 other sets of Viking sister ships. All 14 Viking Amsterdam/Budapest ships (7 sets of sister-ships) are proceeding currently as scheduled. I was scheduled on Vali but got notification, I will be on its sister-ship Tir.
Hi Mel, can you please update when you are on your trip or get back? Really worried about water levels?. Thank you!
Joy
On Viking Gefjon in Passau, left Amsterdam on 8/6, no swaps, captain expects to make Budapest w/o swap. Previous cruise B to A made it thru OK also. Good weather, some rain at nite.
We are currently on the Viking Hild heading to Basel. We just connected with the Rhine after touring the Moselle for several days out of Trier after being bussed in from Paris. Water levels are good so far and the river is running fast (in the other direction). People on board are saying that when their previous cruises were altered due to water levels they had a chance to cancel, or to go ahead with plans and get a substantial discount on their next trip.
I will Nancy, but am struggling to keep up with first names!
Hubby and I are heading out from Amsterdam to Budapest on Sept 10 via Emerald Waterways. We’ve been told that we’re sailing on Emerald Destiny, which is scheduled for departure from the Amsterdam port. However when I look at the itinerary for Emerald Destiny on cruise mapper, it’s no where near Amsterdam, Emerald Star is the ship scheduled to leave A steradian on Sept 10. Strange. Doesn’t really matter one way or the other as long as the water levels are ok. Thanks for all the useful information on this sight, it’s been very helpful.
Just got Viking notice – changed to Tir
Thanks. Though not officially notified by Viking, that’s what I’m guessing also. I’m tracking all 14 Viking Budapest-Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Budapest cruises and 6 ships (3 sets of ‘sister-ships’) are going reverse directions, so I believe there were previous ship-swaps that caused that.
Ken – did you ever find out what ship you are going to be on?
I bet you will be on the Viking Tir or similar ship and not the Viking Vali which will be in Amsterdam this weekend. A post in June on Cruisemapper.com alerted travelers that the Viking Var had hit a lock and was disrupting traffic back then. (See link below). All is fixed now but I bet that ships couldn’t get through and Viking probably had to do some ship swaps which is why the Vali is now in Amsterdam and the Tir is now in Budapest.
https://www.cruisemapper.com/news/5686-viking-var-hits-danube-river-lock-germany
If you go to Cruisemapper.com and pull up the itinerary of the Viking Vali, it shows that ship as ending up in Budapest this weekend but that’s obviously not what’s happening as you can see on Vesselfinder.com. Same thing with the Tir – it shows it ending up in Amsterdam when we can both see on Vesselfinder.com that it will end up in Budapest this weekend.
Have a wonderful flight to Budapest this weekend and enjoy your river cruise.
Lynne/Jeanne, We are scheduled to leave 29 Aug for Viking’s 1 Sep Prague to Berlin cruise and awaiting notification (hopefully) any time now. Last year we were on their 2 Sep Danube cruise and received a notification that water levels were low on 24 Aug. Since we were adding three days at the beginning, it wasn’t much notice for us. I will provide an update as soon as I receive one. Dennis
According to https://www.vesselfinder.com/ it was scheduled to arrive in Budapest 8/14 at 5:00 and it is sitting at the dock in Budapest. Was it Viking’s standard “CYA” notification or something specific?
All Viking ships Amsterdam-Budapest & Budapest-Amsterdam are going fine at this time & and there has been rain lately try this website https://www.danube-cycle-path.com/danube-flooding.html for water levels on Danube
Does anyone know about the status of the Viking Aegir? Was just notified by Viking that there could be an issue. Trip scheduled less than a week away.
Jody – glad your trip on the Viking Skirnir is going well. Say hello to my friends the Armstrong’s if you meet them!
We were notified of a ship change from the Modi to the Skirmir for our cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest scheduled for 8/19. It looks like to rain is helping with the water levels. Hoping for the best!
Hi Lynne,
Let me know when Viking contacts you & what they are offering. I have heard they will not notify us until 2 weeks out. Our cruise is Sept. 24.
Are you going to cancel? The bus distances are not long. Wittenberg is only about 2 hours from Dresden
jeanne
My husband and I are on the blue Danube leaving Neurenburg on the 23rd of August, My sister and brother n law are also on this cruise, we all agree that Viking never mentioned the possibility of busses rather than boats in advance. We should have been told that the rivers might not be passable. Anyone have water depth info on the Danube ,Neurenburg to Budapest?
Your going to love that trip so scenic lots of vineyards and castles
Just returned from the Scenic Pearl “Gems of the Danube” August 5 sailing. Instead of embarking in Nuremberg we started in Passau and were docked there for 2 additional nights with tours the following days to Nuremberg and Regensburg. Day 3 we started our normal itinerary in Passau. Long motorcoach 3.5 hours between Nuremberg and 1.5 hours to Regensburg. Still had a great time!
Just got an email from Viking saying we may be on a sister ship but didn’t specify which one, so they may now expect the Vali to make it all the way to Amsterdam.
We were supposed to be on the Tir, but got an email from Viking a few days before the cruise that we would be on Vali because Tir had not been able to get to Budapest. As far as I know, we’re on the Vali all the way to Amsterdam; that may put you on the Tir. We just now left Passau on our way to Regensburg. Looking out our basement window, water level looks pretty good, so it appears we are getting past the choke point. If we do for some reason switch ships before Amsterdam, I’ll add to this comment.
Thank you
Jim,
Interesting. I’m suppose to be on the Vali from Budapest to Amsterdam starting 8/22. But if you are on it now (8/13 in Passau) going to Amsterdam, it can’t be in Budapest for me on 8/22. Called Viking, they said they were not aware of any vessel change to my schedule. Maybe they are waiting for Vali and the ‘sister-ship’ Tir to get passed the troubled spot and know if you do a ship-swap and Vali returns to Budapest or continues all the way to Amsterdam before making a final decision on what ship I will be on. Since VesselFinder.com was mentioned on this site, I have been tracking all 14 Budapest-Amsterdam and reverse ships, so I thought this might be the case with Vali. Note: all ships seem to be doing fine, no stoppages or reversals and at least 4 have seemed to have passed the ‘trouble spot’ in the last 3 days. So with rain you should be good.
We are doing Prague to Paris with APT on the 10th of September 2019.
I am hope the water levels will be ok
We are on the Viking Vali and just docked in Passau on our Budapest to Amsterdam cruise. We had a good rain last night and are optimistic we can get past the trouble spot between here and Regensburg this evening. At least we have heard nothing yet about having to change ships. The Danube was a little low passing through the Wachau Valley yesterday, but the rain should help. So far so good.