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.
Update on Viking Lofn. Left Budapest last evening with a wonderful night view of the Budapest sky line. It seems that all will go as planned except for our last day due to water levels near Ruse (Bucharest disembarkation point) but it’s been raining all day. So we may have a slightly different disembarkation point but I believe the best portions of the trip will be fine. I’ll update again as I’m able.
Hello Jackie…check out cruisehive.com it is a great website with real time information. Best of Luck! We cruise October 5th and looking forward to a great vacation.
Hi Di. We are cruising APT Amsterdam to Budapest on 21 st Sept – would be good to get an update from you when you embark on your cruise. Enjoy !
I see that also on cruisemapper
But it has been there for two months
We supposly leave on sept 16 from Budapest
I got that notification also, I thought the river levels were up and I was surprised. Let’s hope it changes before Sunday.
The Viking boats and locations are all mixed up because of the boat swaps of the previous weeks. Many people are finding out that they are assigned to a different boat than the one originally assigned. You will have a boat waiting for you, but possibly a different name. No worries! The boats are all the same.
Have a good trip!
We take a small amount of Euros, like 500. always nice to have cash for small purchases like a snack or refreshment. Restaurants and stores take credit but not most street merchants, of which there are many. There are lots of ATMs if your cash runs low.
Thank you Colin!
Hi Colin,
Please keep going with you updates, will be very interesting to know river levels for the rest of your journey.
cheers
Jasper
I have found the Emerald Luna at Regensburg. I use MarineTraffic to follow any marine traffic.
We are going a day early in Amsterdam, and staying an extra day in Budapest. Any recommendations on how much in Euros and forints to bring?
Sailing Amsterdam to Budapest Sept 4, any updates on the Rhine, Main, and Danube?
We are doing the same and feeling just you do.
Thanks You!
Thanks Caroline for the update.
Thank you for the info. I appreciate everyone posting. Have a Viking cruise next week so appreciate all the updates on Danube, Mainz and Rhine.
Just received itinerary change for Viking Atla R-B departing 04 SEP. Will now be P-B vice R-B. Boarding in Passau. Surprised only because of all the real time reports I’m reading here about navigable waters between Regensburg and Passau.
we just received notification that our Viking R to B departing on SEP 4 on Viking Atla has an itinerary change. Boarding will occur in Passau and we will bus to Regensburg for our excursions. This change seems inconsistent with all I’ve been reading about water levels the last 7 days
We are also on that cruise, theoretically on the Viking Bragi. However, looking at the Bragi’s current track it will be in Amsterdam on the day that we should be joining it in Budapest! Looking at the river level forecasts, it does look like things are improving – so fingers crossed.
Currently on the Mosel and all OK. Sailed from Rudesheim on Monday pm to Bernkastel and that was fine. On our way to Cochem tonight. Having a fantastic time!
I sailed on the Viking Hervor from Basel on Aug. 18. We sailed all the way to Amsterdam. Great trip!
I’m very happy for you! We are doing the same tour starting on Sunday ..my fingers are crossed!
So sorry to hear that. We are booked on the return trip on 9/4. Hope we have better luck. Hope things get better for you.
Thanks Karen. We are taking Scenic in Amsterdam next week. Did you feel safe on board? Any cases of Covid?
Thank you,
Julie
I believe different operators have different rules. I’m on Scenic Pearl Amsterdam to Budapest. Have just left Nuremberg. No issues with water levels, no changes to itinerary. Scenic require you to be fully vaxed. No masks on board. Request to wear mask if you don’t feel well. Have seen the Viking Cruise staff wearing masks, as well as their passengers, though not sure if it is a requirement.
Yes. I forgot about the bathrooms. You do need euro’s for that. Also, some ATM’s do not charge more than 3%, which is not a real big deal. Better than a foreign exchange place or the airport. Good that the dollar and Euro are on par right now. I have not seen that in the last 20 years. Have a fun trip. We leave September 22nd for the Zurich to Paris trip. Hoping for good water.
We were on Viking European cruise last year. Our ship did not do exchange of money. If you need Euro’s either bring them with you or go to an ATM. We usually bring $200 with us and we always come home with some because we mostly use our credit card. The airport is the worst place to buy them. They have bigger fees associated. Try your bank.
Thank you very much! It is really precious for us to have your inside information. A couple more questions. Are there any cases of Covid-19 on board? Is the staff wearing masks? It seems that they are no longer testing the passengers.
Ruth, wondering if you received any responses from any currently on your similar itinerary as we had hoped to around the same time, multiple bus hours and switches would be difficult for us.
As departure looms looking for timely info from those on Rhine and Mosel, scenic gorge, Frankfurt to Strasbourg. Thanks and wishing all travelers and navigators well in these times.
We depart from Budapest to Amsterdam on the 24 September, hope there is a bit or rain so we can go all the way.
As mentioned above you will want to have some Euros for places that may only take cash. And you may need change for restrooms. If you are in a town big enough for a McDonalds their restrooms are free but you need to make a purchase and keep the receipt for the bathroom code.
It’s always best to carry some of the local currency with you when travelling. You can use an ATM as well for small amounts of cash in those countries. However, we are bringing Euros and Hungarian Forint for our cruise beginning in Budapest as we overnight, before the cruise begins and will need cash for dinner and incidentals while in Budapest for 2 days.
We leave Sunday night for Prague down the Danube to Budapest on our first River Cruise – I think these communication threads are hilarious as we are all praying for rain. Hopeful we will get to stay on the river.
I sailed on the Viking Hervor leaving Basel on Aug. 18. We sailed all the way to Amsterdam. Great time!
Is anyone on the ‘Emerald Luna
Supposed to be in Vienna today Aug 30
Can’t find it on cruisemapper.com
We left Basel on Aug. 18, on the Viking Hervor. We sailed all the way through to Amsterdam.
We have embarked today on Viking Ve in Amsterdam, sailing later tonight up Rhine and onward to Budapest. The Cruise Director has told us there will be no problems at least until we get to the Danube. As she said, that is 10 days away and she cannot tell us what it will be like then.
My strategy has always been to get Euros at an airport ATM as soon as I arrive in Europe. I think getting Euros from an ATM is cheaper than a currency exchange facility. Moreover, many banks, such as Schwab do not charge ATM or foreign currency fees.
Check out cruisehive.com for live updates concerning boats and water conditions all around the world. Best of luck!
I discovered a new website with helpful information. Check out cruisehive.com, it also shows real time images and water conditions all around the world.
We are doing the return cruise departing 9/23. Looking forward to updates.
Thank you, Caroline.
Thank you, Colin, for this information.
I am currently on Emerald Dawn sailing on the Rhine between Rudesheim and Koblenz and the Moselle between Koblenz and Trier – water levels OK so far. I think rain in Switzerland has helped!
Do we need to bring Euro’s?
Sailing 9-10-22
Thanks,
Janet
Thank you Michelle for the cruisemapper link.
Is there anyone sailing now on Rhine and Moselle, between Frankfurt and Strasbourg with updates on water levels, announcements on planned switching to buses and/or ship swaps during the next 10 days?
Anyone currently on Uniworld’s River Queen?
Thanks for your updates.
We are currently on the Scenic Pearl cruise (boarded 25th Aug2022). Amsterdam to Budapest. Stopping in Bamberg today the 30th Aug. Have not had any issues thus far. All cruising and tours operating as expected. No issue with water level and no coaching anywhere. Great weather, awesome cruise.
I am also concerned about the warm water. Leaving soon for our cruise
I am leaving this week too and have the same concerns about the warm water.
Thank you for the update! We are nervously watching because we are cruising Amsterdam to Budapest September 14th.
If it’s a Viking cruise ship they do extra exchange currency there. But I would recommend exchanging it somewhere cheaper.