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.
Thanks for the info. Is anyone on the Avalon Expression leaving 10/15 Amsterdam to Basel on the Rhine? Know anything about water levels?
We are on Viking Gefjon. Yesterday we were in Passau and our passengers were told that the Danube water level was good. During the night we sailed from Passau to Regensburg. We spent today in Regensburg and are headed to Amsterdam. Good news because we thought we were changing ships after Passau. ?
This is for where the ship stops in Decin:
https://www.webcams.travel/webcam/fullscreen/1359725100
Dennis,
What is the URL for that Webcam? I would love to track our ship.
Bob,
That’s wonderful news. We are on the Beyla starting 11/5 – and was really wondering if we would be cruising or Boatelling!
Please post on how the trip is going.
Where are you – which river and what cities?
UGH, I realize many folks are retired and it isn’t a big deal to change plans…but I am still working and have a hard time getting time off work (AND my vacation time does not roll over to next year…I will lose time if I don’t use it). It is a real pain and VERY stressful to have to wait to the very last moment to find out about the water levels. I ALSO, might never get to do this again (I know a lot of folks are like no worries it is still fun, you can do it another time etc.). This is a trip of a lifetime for me and don’t want to pay the big $ to be on a bus and not have the full river experience. And I agree with another poster…why are the posts not in chronological order??
Just boarded Viking Beyla this afternoon for the Elbe River cruise to Berlin. Captain announced we will be sailing tomorrow. First time in about 3 months.
A Viking ship just showed up overnight on the webcam at Decin. Looking at the hourly images, I haven’t seen any passengers. Believe this is a good sign for Viking Elbe travelers.
We are sailing and the levels are good.
How is the river levels for you now?
YEAH!!
we are on viking jarl romantic danube oct. 26-nov. 3 – worried about water levels
We are supposed to sail on the Astrid 10/24 also. Agree that it would be nice to hear next week so we can decide and perhaps make alternate plans….
We are on Viking Hermod the 15th, Passau to Budapest. Haven’t heard anything from Viking concerning water levels.
We were on the Rhine last year in Mid November. We did a lot of busing. Didn’t realize just how much until we looked at a map of the river when we returned home. I don’t think it will be as bad this trip. Leaving in two weeks.
Hi Walt,
There are good websites to track water levels. The 2 ships on the Elbe have not moved since June & the rain forecasts do not indicate they will move this year. The bus trips are minimal.. check the map & you will see the Elbe trip is very short. We just got back…2 nights on ship in Wittenberg & 3 nights in Dresden. It was great having more time in Desden. The view from the ship in Dresden was lovely. The Viking crews were great & lots of extras… we do not not regret going.
Hi Barbara,
We just returned from this “cruise”. Time on a bus was minimal because the distances are very short. 2 nights on ship at Wittenberg & 3 in Dresden. We loved having more time in Dresden & views from ship were lovely. The Viking crew did lots of extras, You might reconsider going.
Hi how are things sailing from wertzberg to Amsterdam on Monarch dutchess. We are supposed to sail out tomorrow night. Anyone have an update as to if we will be able to complete this cruise. Anyone being bussed now along this route??
Not hearing anything from gate one. Left Budapest sept. 26. Have been bussed from Passau. Please send a water level update.
Sue
We are on Viking Budapest to Nuremberg on 19 th Oct.
Really hoping no busing as we had to last year on the Rhine. Thanks for the updates.
I got the same letter for the same cruise and decided to take the refund. I did not want a bus tour which is what the vacation will be. The boat will not sail. It’s being used as a hotel.
We were set to sail October 18 from Berlin to Prague. We got the letter yesterday for a full refund or 50 % off cruise portion of trip to use on a future cruise. We opted for a full refund as did not want a bus tour.
Thanks Michael -not sure what we’ll do??? UGH. Hate this. I wanted a true river cruise experience….
Is anyone on the Avalon Envision (Nuremberg to Budapest) ? Please keep us posted on how you did. I am doing that trip on 10/13. Thank you.
We are on your swap ship. We booked the royal emerald and have been on the Gate 1 monarch duchess since our embarkation in Amsterdam on Saturday 28 September. We are swapping this afternoon at regensburg to the Royal emerald. You will be pleases to hear that the service and food on the Monarch is terrific. The rooms I suspect are quite a bit smaller.
We just found out the Elegant Elbe Prague to Berlin October 18-28th with Viking has changed due to low water. Offering 50% off paid amount or full refund. Will go from Prague to the boat docked in Dresden 2 nights, then transfer to similar boat docked in Wittenberg for 3 nights. Then to hotel in Berlin.
Elegant Elbe Cruise on Viking Astrild 10/24-11/2 Berlin to Prague and concerned our river cruise will turn into a bus trip…hopefully Viking will notify us by next week with same offer.
On the Viking Astrlid Berlin to Prague on 10/24 and curious to know if it will be a river cruise or bus trip.
We are scheduled for the Elegant Elbe cruise on Viking Beyla – Prague to Berlin starting 11/2 (we board the ship in Decin 11/5 I believe). Any updates on water levels? Having a hard time finding accurate information on expected water levels. Looks like a lot of rain in the area forecast over the next few weeks.
Company is Avalon, ship is Artistry II. I’m on the same ship as Ed. It got loud for awhile last night but we did make it.
Any info on the viking cruise from Prague to Berlin??
We start on Oct. 24th.
Artistry hit bottom last nite…we travelled very slowly and got through. It was very stressful for crew! We made it to Regensburg today, Oct 3.
What cruise ship are you on and which company please?
Is anyone on Avalon Artistry II. How is she managing? If you have a ship swap can the previous ship travel through low water without passengers? Or is it impassable in certain areas? It must be a nightmare for cruise companies!
Rain, that is good news. Most of the low water levels have been reported in and around Regensburg. I had no idea that the river from Budapest to Vienna was getting low also. Bring on the rain.
In Vienna now, and its raining, so fingers are crossed! Tho from Budapest to here, there were times we only went 2kph, as they said we barely had 12 inches under the keel.
Let it rain!
In Vienna now, and its raining, so fingers are crossed! Tho from Budapest to here, there were times we only went 2kph, as they said we barely had 12 inches under the keel.
Let it rain!
We are setting out on Oct 17th Nuremberg to Budapest on Viking TOR
Thank you. We are end of October on Viking. Nice to see something positive
We are on the Viking Prestige today in Krems going towards Budapest. No issues with water levels so far, we started in Passau on 9/28.
I was just looking ahead at the projected weather for Regensburg and Passau. There is rain and showers in the forecast for several days on and off for the next two weeks. Hopefully that will help out with the low water situation.
We are scheduled to sail Viking Ingri on Oct 9. Had our Bon Voyage call Monday, 9/30. We asked how water levels were. They said it would be fine Passau to Budapest. Still very nervous. We already cancelled the Elbe River 29 September.
Xerxes is absolutely right. On Scenic and had a ship swap yesterday. Scenic handled it seamlessly. Many other cruisers had to be bused. There is a stretch that is impassable right now. We didn’t miss a beat. Perhaps a slightly longer bus ride back from our excursion but so worth it to keep sailing! Best of luck to everyone!
Linda, please email your experience during your travels if you can. A group of five of us are taking the same Viking Romantic Danube cruise and we leave Nuremberg on Nov. 1. Thanks.
Thanks for the information Kim. I hope you enjoy the trip. I still did not hear from Viking. I doubt I will go since I wanted to experience a river cruise. Let us know how the trip was.
Thanks for the information. I hope you enjoy the trip. I still did not hear from Viking. I doubt I will go since I wanted to experience a river cruise. Let us know how the trip was.
Nancy – Keep in touch and we can meet you and Keith in Passau. We’re on the Viking Viljhalm and will arrive tomorrow evening.
Rich and Kathy M.
Just arrived in Prague on Sunday. No rain here despite dark clouds. Couple drops.
Nancy, has there been any rainfall whilst you’re cruising?
On Avalon from Prague to Budapest. Turns out they are bussing us straight to Passau on Tuesday, Oct 1. Thus we miss Nuremburg completely and can only bus to Regensburg. We will be docked in Passau for 3 nights.