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 this info! We are scheduled to leave for our Viking cruise on the Danube, Regensberg to Budapest 9/4 ! Has anyone recently returned or canceled that trip because of being on a bus to each destinations with your boat as a hotel??? Need info by today for our 14 day cancelation guarantee! Thanks
Yes, we cancelled our Sept 17th Amsterdam to Basel with Viking.
Important to remember that trips that you reschedule with them using the voucher have no cancellation or refund options, so getting travel insurance is very important. The insurance companies do not see it as a new booking, unfortunately, so they will not offer CFAR (cancel for any reason) or preexisting conditions coverage.
Please keep posting Brian. We are supposed to be doing the same cruise with Viking Sept 30. Very nervous
I don’t have anything new to report other than we had a good day one. From Basel cruised to Breisach and excursions went on as planned. Have not been advised of any itinerary changes. So far, so good. Viking. Basel to Amst. Lv 8/19.
Curious if anyone has experience on AmaWaterways on the Danube, or info on Danube water levels.
Ann, thank you for this information. This is the 3rd reschedule for our original 2020 Avalon Amsterdam to Luxembourg cruise. Only credit with some monetary bonus has been offered previously. If we’re cancelled again I’ll go with the refund, too.
Sorry, I misread your post. We are going to be sailing together so you won’t be able to tell me how it is going (need more coffee).
Janet, we are on Avalon Amsterdam to Luxembourg Sept. 17, I have been reluctant to call first because of the long phone wait I encountered last week when I discovered the first leg of my return flight was missing, and second because I know conditions can change daily. Keeping fingers crossed there will be rain between now and then.
Thanks for the info. Will be interested in knowing how it works out for you.
Brian,
Thanks for your report! Glad to hear things are looking good for your cruise. I hope you will keep the updates coming. We will be cruising Amsterdam to Basel in 3 weeks. Enjoy!
Gerri, if you can please update us on how things are being handled for your Viking Aug 20-27 trip Basel to Amsterdam. We are booked on the same itinerary starting Sept 7 but are expecting to cancel by Aug 23 under the risk free policy. Thank you!
We are going ahead with our Viking cruise from Basel beginning yesterday 8/19 and heading for Amsterdam. So far (less than one day into the cruise) all is going well. We were told that due to recent rains we might be able to go all the way to Amsterdam without a ship swap or any bussing. So far, so good. I have my fingers crossed. Maybe this will all work out for the best. We have been experiencing a lot of rain.
Are you starting in Budapest and going to Amsterdam?
Thanks. We are on the Danube with Viking next week. Looks like a lot of rain the next few days which will help.
Thank you Nora. We are doing the same. Rebooking for next April.
Many thanks for this we sailed with them on the Danube in May and it was amazing
We hope to hear on Monday as we are due to sail on the 28th
This update of yours at least shows us what is happening
Sandra
We also Facebook messaged and they gave us a phone number. I phoned and listened to music for an hour with no interruption then gave up. We messaged again and they said they would ring us. Then they messaged to say they had been unsuccessful even though we had phone nearby all day and no missed calls. Like you we want to cancel so we can make other arrangements. There’s no way it can be going ahead as planned, but they won’t even speak to you.
And we are booked for Sept. 26th – Oct. 11th on Viking Grand European Tour. Would love to know how it goes for you. Also having issues with finalizing seat assignments on Air Canada flight through Viking Air. Thanks.
I am interested in how you get on. Doing Basel to Cologne Aug 31st with Riviera. They say no disruptions!
Does anyone know if the Southern Rhine, Mein River and Mein Canal are navigable for river cruises?
Sue, we are the same… I’d rather they cancel now so we can arrange an alternative holiday. I have tried emailing and also by message through Facebook. Despite the automated reply stating that they normally reply within 24 hours, I am now 72 hours and nothing. Now nothing will happen until Monday at the earliest. Your holiday is much sooner than ours so I hope you get resolution soon. It all sounds a bit head in the sand on their part.
Interested to see what happens. I am going with Titan Budapest to Cologne but not until the 20th. 15 days. We could be ok if it rains enough. Interesting reading all the comments.
Gerri,
We are on the same cruise Aug 30 to Sep 6. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
We’re on this cruise too Mike. Expecting to know by early next week whether it will proceed. There has definitely been some rain but perhaps optimistic to think it will make a difference. This is a response from Uniworld to our travel manager yesterday (Thurs 18th). Hope to see you there…
“At this stage it is to early to call. Rain is forecast over the next few days which may make all the difference.
Once a decision has been made as they are not made lightly we will let you know asap.
At this time the sailing is still going ahead as scheduled in the unforeseen change it gets cancelled we should know by early next week and we will offer alternate sailings where possible.”
Has anyone heard how Vantage is handling their cruises?
Alison, We are scheduled for the Viking Sojourn leaving Amsterdam on 9/27/22. Would appreciate any update on conditions as you travel. We need to cancel/request vouchers by Sept. 13th. Obviously we’re hoping for a river level miracle. Thanks in advance for any insight.
Thanks Tom. Really appreciated
Here’s another update on the Viking Amsterdam to Basel trip that began on 8/14 on the Hlin. This is day 6 and we are now on the Kara, after busing from Cologne to Strasbourg on day 4. My wife and I skipped the Speyer excursion on day 5 as we were not up to another 3 hrs on a bus. We took the shuttle into Strasbourg in the afternoon instead, as did 30 or so other passengers. Last night the ship moved a short distance to Kehl on the German side of the river. Today was the regular Strasbourg excursion, which we also took, and enjoyed. It looks like from here on we will have the normal itinerary to Basel, travelling to Breibach overnight, then to Basel on the final evening.
I suppose we were lucky it was not any worse this week. There has been no rain to speak of the whole time we have been here.
@Susan. Thanks for the update. We are on same cruise sailing 9/5. Please keep those cards and letters coming. Very interested to hear if you can sail all the way into Budapest. Thanks!
I am traveling on the same Grand Circle cruise. I called them this morning. They said that the cruise leaving today (Aug 19) will have to leave the ship at Regensburg and bus to meet their sister ship. They think the situation is improving. If they think our cruise will be impacted, they will get in touch with us, probably in the next couple of days, and we will be offered options, such as postponing.
Viking was doing daily testing at the time. I understand it has changed since April.
Hi Debbie – Have you had any contact from Scenic regarding changes to your itinerary?
Yes, we feel their policy is no communication at all. We have tried everything! There is not even a note on the website acknowledging that people may be concerned and saying they are monitoring the situation. We were told last week that if there is one change we can cancel, so I think they are making sure they don’t admit to that even though they must know it will be the case in just 2 weeks time. In fact the river level forecast is even worse going ahead. We just want to cancel so we know what we’re doing.
If possible Gerri could you keep us posted on any changes/bus rides. We are doing the same tour Sep 06th. I realise things can change quickly, but be interesting to see how things being are handled. Thank you
Correction that should read August 17, not November 17
I am sorry, but I have exact opposite experience. I have asked Uniworld repeatedly about alternative plans for Aug 28 Basel to Amsterdam trip and been told unequivocally there are none and all Rhine trips are going as planned. The latest was November 17–same date as post above canceling their August 21 trip
Did you do your own covid test or was it required by Viking? Because my understanding from them and the terms and conditions is that they are currently not testing passengers for covid. Hope you are feeling better and that all is well!
Let up know how it goes we’re booked for the 28 th
Thanks for trying 😀
We are scheduled to go on Viking from Aug 20-27 from Basel to Amsterdam. Only change so far is a different sister ship. Hope that’s all since your cruise was cancelled😞😞😞sorry
That’s great ….Viking is a great cruise line.
from what I have heard, the Rhine is impassable from Cologne all the way to Strasbourg. You’ll miss the whole Gorge, most scenic part, with castles, and likely have a few days of excursions cancelled and long bus rides instead (one passenger reported 6 hrs bus one day, 4 hrs the next)
I would advise you to call the Globus number (866)755-8581. we got better results/response than with the Avalon number. Agent was very kind and helpful, after a 45 minute hold.
We were on Avalon Basel to Amsterdam on Aug. 23 and they notified us today, giving us the following options:
1. Travel on revised itinerary with a ship swap.
2. Rebook now on the same itinerary or alternate cruise Avalon 2022 or 2023 and receive $200. We would need to know by August 31.
3. Receive a letter of credit good through 12/31/23 with a bonus $200 credit. We would need to know by August 31.
4. Full refund
We went for the full refund, and were grateful to have this option since we had not purchased the trip protection insurance (foolish not to, but…). Luckily the timing of this notification was just in time to cancel our flights (booked on our own) and other lodgings on either end, with full refunds. I don’t think the Rhine cruise is worth doing if the river is impassable all the way from Strasbourg to Colgne, as I am currently hearing. More than 1 days of bussing, and yyou would miss the most scenic stretch of the river ; the Gorge, with 40 castles. Avalon is a good company! I will book with them again in future.
I took a refund. I was told it takes up to 180 days to receive it. Ouch!
Update…. We left Amsterdam on the Scenic Pearl today (April 18th) heading for Düsseldorf. We are unable to dock in Cologne due to low water and will docking in Düsseldorf. For our Cologne trip we will bused in from Düsseldorf and bused back to Düsseldorf. From Düsseldorf we will be bused to the outskirts of Frankfurt and passing the Rhine Gorge and do a ship swap to the Scenic Jasper. A third ship swap and bus reroute may (most likely) occur to bypass the Danube Gorge re low water levels. Things are changing daily and sometimes the messaging is a “little sugar coated”. Changes to the itinerary is updated in the early evening before the next day. The staff, food and accommodation on Scenic are great but the change in itinerary due to low water and missing a couple of great days sailing through the Rhine and Danube gorge is pretty disappointing. I can’t say that I’m happy but as someone said in another post “you need to go with the flow”.
Oops, sorry Cordon, I misread your Rhône for Rhine, so the website on the Rhine won’t help you, but may be useful for others …
We are is a similar position with Saga. We are due on the Rhine and Moselle 23/9. I know it’s a long way off and much can happen weather wise before then but we are not happy. They have already “pulled” our VIP train from our local station to London to join Eurostar and put in place VIP shared chauffeured vehicle (effectively a mini bus!). Wouldn’t be so bad but we have 485 miles between home and London! If ship ends up as a floating hotel and we are bussed everywhere as a result, we have effectively paid for a very expensive coach tour!!! Definitely not what we signed up for of agreed to. Getting information from Saga is like getting blood from a stone.
This website appears to have some good current and historic information on water levels that might help you …
https://www.rhineforecast.com/kaub/
Thanks, everyone, for all your comments and information about changed itineraries which we have only been able to find out about from this forum and not from our tour operator. We are starting out on the European Sojourn in 2 weeks time, having decided at this late stage to just go with the flow or lack of it! We are interested to know whether Viking is still delivering their enrichment programme of lectures, performances and regional foods where buses and hotels are being used as substitutes. We would love to hear about this from any fellow Viking travellers. Thanks.