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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.

2,271 Responses

  1. Ken I seen a person named Susan saying the opposite? I wonder what is going on either the ship could get to Budapest or it could not?

  2. That’s great to hear. I would appreciate hearing updates from future travelers on this route. My mother and I are schedulted to take the September 28 cruise starting in Budapest. She is 86 so I’m considering cancelling if the trip means ship swaps, traveling by bus and not being able to unpack for the week.

  4. I predict the situation over time will get worse instead of better. When we booked our Rhine cruise a few years ago, this was the fear I had, that it would turn into a very expensive bus trip.

    Too bad you’re having to eat “awful restaurant meals” when you could be onboard eating tepid, mediocre ship meals.

    We are independent travelers and were invited to join friends on the cruise. We had not cruised before and after being bombarded with VRC ads on PBS, we were curious. I guess I’m naive and expected something that vaguely resembled what is presented in their ads, but we quickly found out cruising isn’t for us. Our disappointment was compounded by the fact that six months earlier we took an independent trip to Tuscany. Our Tuscany trip was the same length as the VRC, but we had much better food, better tours for the few times we decided to use Walks of Italy and much more spacious accommodations in a delightful farmhouse. To add insult to injury, our VRC cost 3 times as much as the Tuscany trip.

  5. Thanks, we are scheduled to leave on Sept. 6 and need to make decision to go/no go by tomorrow. to get full credit back. Please continue to update, it is a big help. Not please with the quality of information coming from Viking.

  6. Thank you for the update, it is good to know that Scenic is handling things well. We will hopefully do the Budapest to Amsterdam Oct 3rd. Fingers crossed.

  7. Awesome! We are scheduled A-B on Viking on August 31st, so this is great news. Keep us informed of the rest of your trip.

    Lad

  8. Happy to report left from Passau on August 17 and are now floating down the river approaching Budapest on August 22. We have been on a Viking cruise with no issues at all due to water levels. No bussing needed, we have spent every night on the shop and all stops along the way have occurred as planned. River level was high enough to sail the whole way – but note it rained yesterday and today. We are happy we did not cancel. Boat is very close to full with 180+ passengers.

  11. We are currently on the Gems of the Danube 8-day cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg on the Scenic Amber. We left on August 18 but the ship could not make it to Budapest. Instead we were bussed to Komaron (Slovakia) 90 minutes away. The next day our tours went ahead as scheduled but we lost time at these places because of us not being in Budapest as originally planned. However, Scenic handled this as well as possible. Today we are in Durnstein/Melk (day 5) & it is raining. We are following the itinerary until Regensburg (August 24). We don’t know if we will get to Nuremberg on the boat, but so far are very pleased with Scenic

  12. We are cruising from Amsterdam to Basel on the Viking Alruna, and other than a different ship than expected, no difficulties at all. Approaching Cologne now, and we will let off a bit before the city to get bussed to our tours, but will be able to reboard the ship by the Cathedral. Departing Cologne slightly early as well, but all tours operating as planned. We are thankful for no ship swap!

  13. We are currently cruising on the Viking Alruna from Amsterdam to Basel, approaching Cologne. Our disruptions are extremely minimal, only some specific times being altered a bit. NO ship swap! We know we are fortunate, and are very grateful for the bit of rain recently received. I worried much before our departure, all for naught. Our weather has been exceptional, including three gorgeous days on Amsterdam pre-cruise. Hoping everyone can enjoy their planned vacation as well!

  14. No ship swap! We’re on the Rhine Getaway with Viking A-B that left on Aug 20th. We were fully expecting a swap, and were okay with it. We will get off a bit before Cologne to get bussed in and meet the ship there later so they can navigate it. Been a wonderful cruise so far!

  15. Thank you, Brian. Looking forward to further reports on how your river travel is progressing.

  16. Brian, hope you hit the sweet spot as far as recent rains and make it all the way on the Rhine. If you have time, please let us know how it goes.

  18. We too, party of 6, are doing the Grand European Tour Sept 26 to Oct. 10. We would welcome any updates and itinerary changes that you encounter. I’m still working on seat assignments.

  19. Thank you for the information, Susie. I leave tomorrow for Amsterdam, embarking on Aug. 25 for the reverse cruise of yours. We booked on AMA and have been advised that we will board a sister ship, which sounds like a ship swap to me, but no further details provided. All the time on the road does not sound fun at all. I hope that we are given the opportunity to cancel if it looks like a “road trip!” I’ll keep everyone posted.

  20. Thanks Debbie for your update. We’re having some problems as well getting any answers from Scenic. If you have a chance I’d be anxious to hear how things go and 🤞 no ship swaps.

  21. We are scheduled to go on Emerald departing Budapest on 9/10.

    Please share an update of how your departure goes!! I hope some of the recent rain helped!

  24. I’ll be very interested in your updates as we board the Alruna in Amsterdam on September 10. I know levels change on a day to day basis, bit I’m encouraged by Brian’s account of his trip—Alruna Basil-Amsterdam, this week.

  25. We are sailing from Passau to Budapest on Sept 25, 2022. On Viking. We are watching closely and appreciate this site!

  27. We are on Viking from Basel to Amsterdam leaving Sept 3. Based on everyone’s reviews and thank you all!, we just canceled. Viking customer service is not very forthcoming and just give u general information which is useless.

    What happened to us pictures that we had down the basement later and the condo don’t spill please get a haircut yes very cool sharing

  29. We booked this trip on Emerald leaving 9/10 out of Budapest.

    Please let me know how it goes for you! I am hoping the recent rains are helpful!!

  30. So sorry to hear! Are you cruising now! When was your trip? We r scheduled in Sept on Viking and hoping after postponing 2 yrs that it will be OK

  32. We are on the same cruise late September with same 14 day guarantee. Reliable and timely information seldom forthcoming but hearing anecdotally about chronic problems between Passau and Regnesburg, and occasionally Budapest – i.e bussing passengers

  34. We just completed this tour with Viking. Got off the boat 8/20. If nothing has changed you will board the ship in Passau, and will disembark in Komrom. We were bussed to regensburg for the tour, 75 minutes each way. Had to be bussed to Budapest, 90 minutes each way. No ship swap but lots of bus time.

  36. Just got home from the Danube cruise on Viking. No ship swap but had to board the ship at Passat and was bussed to regensburg for the tour. Ship could not make it to Budapest. Had to stop 90 miles away at Komrom. Bussed 90 minutes to Budapest for touring. Not optimal but at least no ship swap on our excursion. Did not feel like we did much River cruising.

  37. I have been following this site daily, you can click on the respective city which will load another page with the depth info. So far, Danube in Budapest seems to be critically low. We are not scheduled until the end of Oct on Viking Budapest to Regensburg, still nervous, but just “wait and see”.

    https://www.danube-cycle-path.com/danube-flooding.html

    Cheers, DSA

  38. We just cancelled our Amsterdam to Basel cruise for Sept 2. Also had risk free. Rebooked for next June. We are two single ladies sharing one cabin. Instead of doing our individual refund vouchers according to amount we each paid, they took our combined paid amount and divided by 2! Now my friend had referral credits, so she paid less than me originally but then received more back on her refund voucher. Viking refuses to change or to use some of her credit voucher to pay for what I owe. This ridiculous way of refunding means she cannot use all of her referral voucher on this cruise and she has to pay me in cash what was my part of her refund. Such poor customer service from what I thought was a highly reputable company!

  39. Yes, please keep us updated. We are on a Viking Amsterdam to Basel cruise from August 26 to September 2. We’ll be in Amsterdam 2 days before and Lucerne 2 days after. We are curious how much disruption/ship swap/bussing will occur. Thanks for your continued comments…

  40. Brian,
    We do your same itinerary on the 25th. Things sound better. Yeah! Keep us posted, I like the great news!

  41. Viking unfortunately we’re not great with honest information and updates, daily briefing with largely “it should be ok tomorrow “ which was not quite true. 3 full days of bussing, awful restaurant meals and no drinks package. Also missed the most scenic parts and spent more time on buses than the boat. Not so sure about the faulty locks!

  42. I think you took the better option. Our Viking cruise in July 2018 was a ship swap, we spent 3 full days on buses, missed out on all the ship meals during the day as they took us to restaurants and the meals were largely chicken, potato and cabbage and we also missed out on our drink packages as well. Missed 2 stops completely and the Rhine scenic cruising. Viking did not offer a refund either!

  43. Nothing from Scenic yet. We are in Amsterdam now and suppose to leave on Wednesday. They didn’t answer any of my emails so my travel agent devoted 2 days to sitting on the phone. She was assured that worst case is 2-3 ship swaps and no long bus trips!!! They will want to right otherwise it will be ugly. Will keep you posted

  44. Another good day on the Rhine (going from Basel to Amsterdam). Viking reported last evening that it now appears that we will be able to cruise through to Amsterdam without a ship swap. Apparently the recent rains have raised the water level sufficiently. This is good news or us travelers who did not look forward to changing ships or being bussed. In Strasburg today.

  45. Hi Gerri,
    We are on the same cruise Aug 25-Sept 1. I saw one comment and an article that with the rains the low points were improving enough for the cruises to go full steam ahead with no bussing or ship swaps. What are you experiencing now on your cruise? Thank you for any new feedback.
    David S

  46. Brian, please keep us posted on your Viking cruise Basel to Amsterdam. We are booked for the september 6 sailing. Thanks so much

  49. Gerri, we are scheduled to sail with Viking on Sept 3rd, Amsterdam to Basel (and on to Oberammergau by coach.) Keep us updated on your cruise and how things go. Praying that our trip doesn’t get cancelled (we were supposed to do this cruise in Sept of 2020, but COVID got in the way. ) Oberammergau’s Passion Play is only presented every 10 years, so when they rescheduled for 2022, we rebooked our Viking cruise. We will “go with the flow” (no pun there) if Viking chooses to alter the itinerary, but will be crushed if the cruise is cancelled. As much as we know that blue skies and sunshine are ideal for cruising, we are praying for rain in the next 10 days…

  50. Has anybody experienced any busing or ship swapping on the Passau to Bucharest portion of the river?

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