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Water Levels On The Rivers Of Europe

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:

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.

August 12, 2022 map data © OpenStreetMap-Mitwirkend Sourced from Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde

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.

2,273 Responses

  1. Dennis,
    Thanks, I’ll keep you posted. They still have made no offers and have now changed the Prague hotel. Since we are going a day in advance and had booked a room in the original hotel, we now have to cancel that and move to the new location, which is almost double the price.
    Grrr….

  2. Hi Kathleen, We were on the Rhine last fall (mid Nov) and had to do a Ship swap. We were with Viking also. They really do everything they can to make the cruise an enjoyable vacation. We had to leave our ship in Cologne, Germany and pick up the new one in Kiel. That day we were bused to our Castle tour then to a private sailing on the middle Rhine that included lunch and beverages. After the tour we were bused to our new to us ship.
    While we were on the cruise we had a great time, it was still a lot of fun and we did see pretty well everything we were supposed to. It was only when I got home and looked at a map of the river that I realized how much of it we didn’t sail on. We received a voucher to be used on a future trip. This summer I contacted my TA and asked him to find me a deal. That he did, a smoking deal at that! We are doing the Romantic Danube in October. I am looking forward to it and am hoping that the water levels hold or come up. If not, we will still have a great time. There are seven of us in our group.

  3. Ralph
    Just finished our Tauck river cruise on the Rhine
    River levels were great and the weather was fantastic. We started in Amsterdam on the 19th. and ended in Basel on the 26th we were on the MS Inspire great trip

  7. Hi Colleen

    Joining the same cruise.
    Fingers crossed for good water levels
    Regards Trevor (Australia)

  8. Hi Joe, We will be joining Scenic Amber at Nuremberg on September 19th. New to river cruising Any tips gratefully received.

  10. We’re on Emerald Waterways from Amsterdam to Budapest leaving September 10th. We haven’t heard a word from Emerald yet. Our first cruise as well. Keep us posted Bob. And good luck, hope all works out ok.

  11. Richard,

    Did they notify you that you would be bused prior to arrival? Or was that discovered once you arrived in Budapest? I have been watching weather forecast (which some rain forecasted, although they can never seem to accurately predict our weather here so it does not give me a lot of faith) along with the navigation of the boats. Atla made it ok last week with no problem. I am hoping the same this week and for us. Best of luck to you on the Rhine!

  12. We go end of October on GEFJON too. Would love to hear how you like it too. Hope water levels stay ok for all.

  13. We r on the mimir aug 30 Amsterdam to Budapest and I have not received notice re Danube – although I spend an hour a day looking at these water levels. Hoping for the best.

  14. We are on the Crystal Ravel and just docked in Budapest. Crew says depth ok now but will become an issue for eastern Danube if it drops further.
    Cheers

  15. Kathleen, Good luck! Please poet your results. We leave on the same trip September 14. Hope all goes well. Recent posts sound encouraging.

  16. We are scheduled on the Viking GEFJON on Sep 3 from Amsterdam to Budapest. This is our first time river cruise. We got a notice that the Danube MAY be non-navigable if water levels continue to recede. We are nervous. We fly out to Amsterdam on this Saturday, Aug 31

  18. Hi Kathleen,
    We’re leaving the same day on the same route but going in the opposite direction on the Viking Egil. We got the same Danube low water level notice. We’re also concerned and hope any change is minimal. Time will tell.
    Brooks

  20. Hi Liz,
    I don’t think you can get straight answers from Viking. Their policy seems to be that they will notify us 2 weeks in advance of a cruise. This policy most likely is more profitable for them because more people will just go on the cruise…even if it involves buses. With only 2 weeks, customers have already been excited about the trip, packed their bags, & hired their catsitter. Its hard to find another trip at the last minute…so we just go along.
    I have learned more from other cruisers in this forum, & by checking websites that give water levels & ship movements. Our trip is on the Elbe & no ships have moved there for over 2 months. I tried to convince Viking to let us switch to another river…but they do not budge on their policy.

  21. Thanks for the info Dennis! Looks like there is actually some rain in the forecast for these areas so maybe there is hope for us next week!

  22. We did Basel to Amsterdam and got in Monday. On Vantage Voyager.
    No water level problems on Rhine or Mosel
    Heavy cargo barges had no problems. Weather quite good.

  23. We were informed tonight that we will not have to swap ships. We are one of three Viking sailings from Amsterdam to Budapest that have been able to complete the trip with no ship-swap. We just left Wurzburg, heading south to Bamberg on the Viking Skirnir. It has been hot and dry so pray for rain for Passau and Regensberg which are the problem areas of the Danube.

  24. Okay everybody,
    We found out tonight that there will not be a ship swap for us on the Viking Skirnir. We just left Wurzburg
    and we will be in Bamberg tomorrow. They said that we were one of three sailings from Amsterdam to Budapest this summer, that did not have to swap ships. I don’t know if this information will help you a lot because it is hot and dry. Keep an eye on Passau and Regensberg as this is the problem area of the Danube. Pray for rain in these areas and good luck

  25. Okay everybody,
    We found out tonight that there will not be a ship swap for us on the Viking Skirnir. We just left Wurzburg
    and we will be in Bamberg tomorrow. They said that we were one of three sailings from Amsterdam to Budapest this summer, that did not have to swap ships. I don’t know if this information will help you a lot because it is hot and dry. Keep an eye on Passau and Regensberg as this is the problem area of the Danube. Pray for rain in these areas and good luck

  26. Dennis,
    Do you mind giving me your booking number? My travel agent has called Viking today and is getting the runaround as I have. No mention of a possible cancellation or alternative offers.
    She thought it might help if we could refer to another passenger who was offered specific options.
    I still do not understand why Viking is not being candid with us. It’s very frustrating.
    Thanks, Liz

  27. Thanks for info. We are scheduled for an AMA Waterways cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on sept 3rd. This is our free cruise replacing the one we were on last fall that got detoured as we couldnt get past Cologne from Amsterdam. Detour cruise was still great and hope we can now enjoy this one. Any current info on rhine levels appreciated
    Layne N

  28. Left Budapest 8/22 to Amsterdam 9/5.
    River depth seems good. River flow seems fast. We have been told we should have no problem except maybe Passau to Nuremberg but looks good. They will not commit until Tuesday 8/27 what happens there, cruise through or ship swap but at worst 1 swap.

  29. Well, that is exactly what happened to all of us on the Viking Atla late last August on the Danube. Instead of unpacking once, watching the shores pass by from our balcony or from the decks with other travellers, we got to see what we could out the passenger windows of several buses, pay for our beverages and snacks and lunches along the way, have little conversation except with the person across the aisle, and pack up and unpack for several days. Viking, who of course did not cause the problem, did, in a way of an apology, gave a percentage of the money we spent as a credit to use on another trip, but only if we used it in the next year. So we got no kind of an actual money refund. My wife felt that she could not just let it go so now we are about to float the Rhine starting August 31st. What do we hear now from some sources? Yup – possibly too low water for the boats to move on the river due to record high heats and little rainfall. Is that why Viking’s Website is down?

  30. Omg say hello to Michael a bartender and stephen we were on that cruise sept 2017 started at amsterdam to budapest.we were supposed to go last year but no water and we weren’t going on buses

  31. Thank you for this information! We are scheduled to sail from Budapest to Nuremberg on Sept 1 on Viking Atla. Received an email from Viking yesterday about the water levels so I am nervous. I know water levels can change hourly, but fingers crossed that water levels remain ok for our trip. I do not want this to become an expensive bus tour!

  32. Thank you Marcy, its nice to hear good news. We are scheduled to sail from Budapest to Amsterdam next Friday August 30th on Viking Vili. We were preparing for a possible switch to a sister ship (Tir?) if the Vili does not make it past the Regensburg/Passau stretch. And also preparing for a transfer past that section. But if you made it from Budapest to Nuremberg that is encouraging. It can still change, but this is positive news. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment. I will try to take time while I am en-route to do likewise.

  33. Our cruise from Budapest ended in Nuremberg this morning. Smooth and beautiful sailing all the way through. A very special experience. Bon voyage to all!

  34. Everything is great on the Rhine. We will let you know about levels at Regensburg and Passau as they seem to be the trouble spots. The crew seems positive that water levels will be ok.

  35. I agree as our times were totally flexible and could have booked when the water levels were typically okay.

  36. We will also be on the Mimir August 30 and keep checking this site. Thankyou for info. Hoping for rain which is typically not what I wish for a vacation.

  37. Peter— assume you are on the mimir! Hoping we will be ok with water levels! We have had this cruise booked for over 18 months and we are really looking forward to it! I will check the posts on here to see what’s going on!

  38. Thank you Dennis

    Similar to Peter S, we will be leaving Budapest for Nuremberg on Aug 24 so postings will be very appreciated.

    Good luck
    Murray

  39. Thanks Dennis,
    Keep posting reports on water levels and weather.
    We will be heading out on another Viking longboat from Amsterdam to Budapest on August 30 (gods and waters willing).
    Cheers,
    Peter S

  40. On the Viking Skirnir heading south to Budapest. Just leaving Cologne. Water and weather has been great. Keeping our fingers crossed

  41. We are scheduled for the Viking Hild going the other way – Basel to Paris but not until the end of October.
    I’d be interested in how the Rhine is now vs. October. No more heat wave but I don’t know how the seasons affect the river levels.
    I think the bus from Paris to the Rhine is the way it’s planned on the original itineraries.
    Was the busing more than what had been planned?

  42. We are still trying to decide if we will cancel or take the bus tour on the Elbe. We probably won’t get our official notice from Viking until 2 weeks ahead. Does anyone know if the 50% off a future cruise offer is good for more than a year?

  43. Jim T., thanks for the info. Really looking forward to the southbound trip. We were scheduled last Oct but got cancelled due to low water level. Have been worried due to some of the reports on the other European rivers.

  44. We’re on the Rhine now heading north on the Viking Vali just about at the Germany/Netherlands border. River level is fine for us and commercial traffic, but would say it’s down just a bit from optimum. Ending our Grand European Tour in Amsterdam tomorrow. Made it all the way and had a fantastic trip.

  45. Hello leaving Budapest on Aug 24 for Nuremberg. Just got an update from Viking on low water level for Danube. Any boots on the ground out there with current information.

    Thank you

  46. Interesting blog regarding water levels… Frankly, never considered that being an issue. We, as guests aboard these river long ships probably consider just cruising on the ship with all its’ amenities as the main attraction. The thought of being bused to sights and changing ships simply isn’t acceptable. We all spend a large sum of money to have a ship cruise the rivers, the entire trip…not on buses.

  48. We did this cruise in May and it was an excellent experience. When you are counting on a cruise you do not want a bus trip. My suggestion would be to cancel as soon as you are offered a FULL refund. As you can anticipate this happening why not now check your bucket list and select an alternative that you can do this year during your scheduled vacation time and do the Elbe next spring. A river cruise may be out for this year and if $ don’t allow Europe now and in 2020 save the $ and do something close to home that you have dreamed of. Check out Road Scholar which are all-inclusive (you can relax and be taken care of with red carpet care). We have done more than one river and ocean cruise as well as a number of trips with Road Scholar. We try to keep a want to do and be flexible and still keep the dreams alive. Good Luck.

  49. We just docked in Budapest yesterday on scenic Jade we were lucky and didn’t have to change ships. Great trip

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