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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. My husband Ken and I will be there too. Let’s hope the River Duchess makes it to Amsterdam by September 14!

  2. Marylou, please update when u can Regensburg north. Sharon on scenic reported joining her ship in REGENSBURG INSTEAD OF Passat due to water levels and bussing to Nuremberg. We are leaving Budapest on 9/11 and would appreciate further updates as you travel. Thx Steve.

  4. Yes, I am on the Viking Tialfi this week. We left Basel on Sat Sept 3. As of last night (Sept 5) it was indicated to all of us in the pre- dinner meeting that we would be going all the way to Amsterdam with no change of ships. A lot of rain seems to be in the forecast for the next 4-5 days, which should help with cruises next week. So far everything on our cruise has gone as planned and expected. ONE DAY LATER THAN – cruising through Middle Rhine with all of the castles. Passed through KAUB area with no problem.

  5. Short answer is no. We were skedded to be in Passau for the day (all ok) and Regensburg the next. We did a bus tour from passau to Regensburg (about 1-1/2 hrs) while others did the Munich trip (also from Passau). We are now bussing to Nuremberg to change ships.

  6. We are on Spirit of the Rhine having left Arnhem on 5th. We have been through Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz with slower speed but no real problems. Now on Moselle heading for Cochem today. Not due to do Rhine gorge for some days so hoping river maintains its level, nothing has been said to indicate if they foresee any problems. Stunning trip so far.

  7. Great! I hope this happens with out major interruptions. I’m not sure how they are going to get the ship to the port in time. I hope we see you on the boat!

  8. Wally, please let me know when the tell you what they are going to do. We called today and they claimed the ship has not been sitting in Passat for 5 days. They claim there are no problems. We are flying out 4 days before our cruise begins so if they cancel at the last minute…we will already be in Amsterdam! Our travel agent hasn’t been able to help us either. I am very disappointed in Uniworld!

  9. This may help people travelling soon on the Danube. We’re joining Scenic Amber on Thursday 8 September. Was originally due to join ship in Nuremberg, but now told it will be Passau. Will do a bus trip to Nuremberg on day 2 for a tour, and a bus trip to Regensberg on day 3 for a tour. Rest of itinerary (Passau to Budapest) not currently affected.

  11. Does anyone know if Viking is sailing between Regensburg and Passau? I heard they were boarding everyone in Passau instead of Regensburg, and bussing people back for tours the last couple of trips. We are scheduled to board the Viking Var this Friday, 9/9 in Regensburg to Budapest. Hope we don’t have miss Regensburg since we have a Munich day trip planned. Thanks for any updates 🙂

  12. Nancy, Could you provide water level updates as you travel back to Amsterdam? We will be joining the Lofn in Amsterdam on 9/27. Hope your trip is uneventful…..

    Thank you!

  13. Budapest to passau not an issue. Going forward we have to bus from passau to Nuremberg tomorrow

  15. An update. We now have to get off tomorrow and bus from Passau to Nuremberg. Fingers crossed that’s the only switch.

  16. We are on the same Viking European Sojourn Lofn starting Amsterdam 9/27. Hope all goes well for you, please keep the updates coming we really appreciate any news.

  17. Re Danube water level, can you speak to situation from Budapest to Passau? Have they had to bus you or switch ships at all. I have Bud.>Passau cruise starting in mid October. Thanks

  18. Any Amawaterways folks out there? We are supposed to be in Budapest for the weekend of Sept 10-11, boarding the Amawaterways Ama Bella on Monday, Sept. 12. Ama has not updated its Travel Update page since August 25, and I am hoping that the Lower Danube will be navigable to the conclusion of the trip in Romania. Does anyone have any info on the Ama cruises on the lower Danube? I would hate to have to move about any more than originally scheduled by bus, since there is already a fair amount of that on this trip.

  19. Oh my! We are supposed to get on th River Duchess on the 14th. Uniworld told us everything was okay!!! Now what??? Thanks for letting us know.

  20. Hi Katherine! Glad to hear of someone on a Uniworld ship. We are traveling on the River Duchess Sept. 14. We are very concerned about the water levels. Looking on the cruise mapper web site, it looks like the River Duchess hasn’t moved the last few days from near Passau. Uniworld tells us everything is fine…whatever that means.
    I am wondering how formal the dress is in the evening. And if it’s very cool one the ship. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Thanks, Elise

  21. Hi Katherine! Glad to hear of someone on a Uniworld ship. We are traveling on the River Duchess Sept. 14, Amsterdam to Budapest. We are very concerned about the water levels. Looking on the cruise mapper web site, it looks like the River Duchess hasn’t moved the last few days from near Passau. Uniworld tells us everything is fine…whatever that means.
    I am wondering how formal the dress is in the evening. And if it’s very cool one the ship. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Thanks, Elise

  22. Was this your original scheduled ship? We will be doing the return trip Amsterdam to Budapest beginning 9-25 on Viking Modi but it looks like the Modi has been docked in Passau, Germany for the past couple of days. Cruisemapper still list it as shecduled as heading to Amsterdam. I’m curious if anyone on this site has any information regarding if the Modi did a ship swap.
    Thanks!

  24. Yes it is. Boarding at Amsterdam on 9/23. Guardedly hopeful. Going to wait to the last second to make a go-no-go decision. Recent rains are positive, upcoming rains welcome. Thinking happy thoughts.

  26. Stuck on River Duchess at Passat; by tomorrow we have been here 5 days. (Low water levels).
    Very nice crew and ship, but we won’t get to Amsterdam by 14th.
    Uniworld formulating some kind of plan, due out today. No rain due til the weekend.

  27. We are currently on the Uniworld River Princess, docked in Wurzburg, heading for Vienna. River was low around Cologne, but Captain managed to get through OK. So far so good, with rain expected in the next few days, which will improve river conditions significantly.

  29. We are just arriving in Budapest aboard Scenic Pearl. First Scenic ship in a number of weeks to get through from Amsterdam without any ship swaps. We are first time Scenic cruises so made my husband bring a tie and jacket. Really didn’t need it. Maybe half the men had a jacket but really very casual dining clothing. Even the night out to the Palace was pretty casual.

  30. HI, could you please tell me what temperatures you are experiencing as we travel Budapest – Amsterdam 16th September and wondering what to pack

  32. We are on Scenic Basel to Amsterdam Sept 14 – 21st. Thanks for all of the very helpful insights with these post. We are getting cautiously optimistic that the water levels will float our boat throughout the full journey!

    A side question for us as 1st time Scenic cruisers — Dress code for dinners!! Should I pack a sports jacket (no tie)……or is a nice shirt or smart sweater ok?

    TIA

  33. Thank you for the update. We are on Avalon from Amsterdam to Basel in early October and this is encouraging.

  37. Currently on Viking Vader from Budapest to Amsterdam. No issues at all at this point. Tomorrow is Regensburg. Staff wears masks. Not required of passengers. One covid case relegated to room.

  41. Thanks so much, Kevin. Glad you enjoyed your cruise and returned safely. I have been monitoring the sites as well. It also seems that rain is in the forecast this week and next, so I’m hopeful we will cruise, not bus, down the Rhine.

  42. We are traveling with Viking. According to their information, they only require the full vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to sailing. Of the countries we will be visiting, only the Netherlands requires the booster if the last vaccine dose was more that 270 days prior. Fortunately, I’m just under that window as I recently had COVID and the CDC recommends against getting a booster within 3 months of having COVID.

  43. We have the bivalent vaccine boosters (Moderna) scheduled for Wed. We started with the two-dose Moderna initial series in 1/21. In fall 2021 we had a third full dose (Moderna). In 4/2022 we had Moderna boosters. With the bivalent vaccine booster on Wednesday, we will have had five Moderna shots. The only reaction a couple of times was a mildly sore arm, and we are in our mid-70s.

    We insisted on Moderna from the beginning and are glad we did. We take no chances.

  44. We will be on the same cruise on Viking beginning 9-25. Would love to hear information about your journey.

  45. Currently on the Amsterdam to Vienna cruise on the River Princess from Amsterdam to Vienna. Low river levels around Cologne, but so far so good.

  49. Still on the Scenic Pearl. Have reached Vienna without an issue. We were informed that water levels dropped a bit from Regensburg through Passau and Melk, though made it through. Weather is amazing. I packed too many warm clothes. It’s been a shorts and t-shirt trip thus far. We have another day in Vienna then heading to Budapest. No indication of delays.

  50. We have just cruised on the Rhine with Avalon 27thAugust to 3rd September, Basel to Amsterdam. Fantastic cruise. Water levels were low but improved enough to avoid any disruption. Hope all goes well for you

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