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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. My wife and I will be on the same trip. Is the Christmas Market just a 6 minute walk from the dock? We want to do the Panoramic Budapest in the morning, maybe the Market in the afternoon.

  2. We didn’t expect the ship swap as water levels looked good when our cruise started in Budapest. Apparently water levels can change quickly especially on this stretch of the old Danube which is without dams or locks. Viking has handled the swap on their usual guest friendly and professional manner.

  4. We are on the Viking Tor – Nuremberg to Budapest, Oct 18-25. We just got news today and it looks like we will be doing a ship swap in the next day or so. We were supposed to sail to Passau this evening, but the plan has changed and we are only going as far as Straubing this evening. We will find out tomorrow if we will be doing a ship swap or not. We have been having a great sailing so far.

  5. Oh no Dave!! Sorry to hear about the switches. Thought the rivers were better…
    We are on Gefjon on 29 th. Does that mean it will not get to Amsterdam by then???

  7. On Viking Ve from Budapest to Amsterdam. River levels looked good until yesterday when we were told the probability of a ship switch is likely to occur at Nuremberg. We would clear but sister ship Gefjon may not so switch is necessary to accommodate the continuation of their cruise.

  11. thanks so much for the update we will be on viking jarl oct 26 nuremberg to budapest.
    we will post update during our trip

  13. Jean, we are on the same cruise as you. The last I saw, water levels have come up. Maybe we will see you on board. Happy travels

  14. We sail on 11/24 and just received e-mail stating that at the time the boats are sailing but depending on water levels this might change.

  15. We are in Amsterdam today, 10/16, setting sail tonight south on the Rhine to Basel. They have had enough rain in the last 2 weeks, they are confident the water levels are OK. Have fun!

  16. Thanks for your post – I have been checking daily for updates!! We leave on the Viking Tor Friday, the 18th – Nuremberg to Budapest. Feeling more hopeful than a couple of wks ago! Enjoy your trip.

  19. Thank you. 2 weeks til we do same route. Your posting is very reassuring. Enjoy your travels!!!

  20. Any updates on the Viking Beyla or Astrild in the Prague/Berlin routes?

    Water levels ok for cruising?

  23. Thanks Brenda – I did see that post! We’re packing and crossing our fingers. We’ll be sure to say “Hi” – you’ll be easy to find with a group of seven!! See you next week.

  24. Karen, we are on the same ship as you Oct 18-25.

    I saw this above – October 11, 2019 at 12:45 am

    We are on Uniworld Beatrice. Nuremberg to Budapest. It has rained quite a lot. So much that when we had our excursion in Regensburg, we had to meet the ship 45 minutes down the river due to HIGH water levels.

    That news is welcome. Maybe we will see you on the cruise. We are traveling in a group of 7.

  25. We are on the Uniworld Princess Budapest to Amsterdam left on October 9th. Picking up the Uniworld Duchess in Wurzburg on October 18th. They had a ship swap earlier in September. Have to get back to our original ship. In Vienna now (October 11th). So far all looks good. Shouldn’t have any problems ?.

  26. Thanks for the update. It’s great to have current information. We sail out of Budapest on the 30th, so it shouldn’t go down dramatically between now and then as I assume the dry season has ended.

  27. this was on the Viking site this morning-

    Elbe River

    The Elbe River has been experiencing low water levels throughout the summer; however, recent rains have improved conditions and the river is currently sailable. Should water levels recede, Viking has several contingency plans to bypass any affected areas and minimize the impact to each cruisetour.

    We will continue to monitor water levels daily, activate plans and notify guests directly as needed.

  28. We are on Uniworld Beatrice. Nuremberg to Budapest. It has rained quite a lot. So much that when we had our excursion in Regensburg, we had to meet the ship 45 minutes down the river due to HIGH water levels.

  30. We’re traveling Nuremberg to Budapest Oct 18-25, 2019 on Viking Tor. How is the water level on the Danube? Any updates would be greatly appreciated.

  31. My wife Patti and I may be on same trip Viking Skirnir Budapest to Amsterdam
    Some folks we know are returning tomorrow Amsterdam to Budapest and say water levels are better
    And they did not need to change boats

  32. That is very positive to read! We are on Viking Gefjon oct 29. Amsterdam to Budapest . Very excited!!

  33. Thanks for the information. I am sailing Avalon Budapest to Amsterdam on October the 25th. I hope the levels remain comfortable.

  34. Nancy, if there is a ship swap, maybe we will run into each other. 🙂
    (Trying to stay positive.)

  35. And after all that…they did sail! Wondering if the low water levels are done for this fall, or if the levels could drop down again.

  37. We got the same email yesterday. Leaving on the Viking Braggi Budapest to Amsterdam October 19.

  38. Joe, I got the same email. Here are the options:
    Embark an identical sister ship – If previous low water adjustments prevent your ship from embarking at its regular embarkation port, you will instead be met by an identical sister ship in its place. Please note, your stateroom selection will remain the same and you will be notified of the ship name ahead of your embarkation.

    Adjust our sailing speed – We may need to adjust our sailing speed which could result in slight alterations to the standard sailing schedule.

    Dock in alternate locations – We may be required to dock in alternate locations that are not impacted.

    Swap ships part-way through your sailing – Should the river become impassible at a certain point, we may need to enact what we call a “ship swap.” Because Viking operates identical ships traveling along the river, we are able to transfer you by motor coach from your ship to an identical sister ship further along the river to resume your itinerary.

  40. That’s encouraging. I am sailing on the Jarl on October 19th and just got the e-mail from Viking outlining all the (unpleasant) options if the water levels are too low.

  41. We pick up Tir in Amsterdam on Oct. 17 to Budapest.
    Hoping for good sailing.
    A few nights of rain would be welcome.

  43. Great, we’re on Viking Tor, Budapest to Nuremberg, boarding Friday, 08 Nov, looks like the Vorosmarty Ter Christmas Market opens that day! We’re skipping Panoramic Budapest on Sat (did it on Passage to Eastern Europe in April), goin to the Central Market and the Christmas Market instead. About 25 minutes walk to the Central Market from Viking Tor and 6 minutes walk to Christmas Market.

  44. Thanks so much for the update; we sail Viking Jarl Oct. 26. Any more rain in the near future? How is the weather? Many thanks again.

  48. Thanks for the info. Is anyone on the Avalon Expression leaving 10/15 Amsterdam to Basel on the Rhine? Know anything about water levels?

  49. We are on the Vali Budapest to Amsterdam. Area has had rain; we are cleared all the way to Anstwrdam

  50. Currently sailing on the Viking Jarl from Budapest to Nuremberg (October 6 to October 13, 2019. We are docked in Vienna tonight. We were told by the staff that we were cleared all the way to Nuremberg!

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