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.
We rescheduled our Viking cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest from last summer to this July due to water levels. Was really hoping to hear what conditions are like currently? Anyone out there cruising now?
How did the cruise work out. We are scheduled mid June
The following are several of the websites I am watching. Each has information that is different and may/may not be relevant.
http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/my-trip/current-sailings
https://www.rivercruiseadvisor.com/water-levels
http://www.cruisemapper.com
https://www.rhineforecast.com
http://www.cruisehive.com
This last one is very interesting. You can put the name of your ship into the search box and it shows its real-time location. I am going to be watching this one daily in order to see where the ship I am on keeps docking.
http://www.marinetraffic.com
you can also just keep Googling different phrases and something new may come up
Good luck, Ro
Roberta,
We are planning a Viking Antwerp to Amsterdam trip in late October. Obviously, concerned about water levels. Can you tell me what “water level websites” you have used?
We will be cruising the Danube April through First of May with Amawaterways (in a couple weeks). Do you think the water levels will be ok?
This looks like to be a potential bomb under the EU power generation during summer 2023 as well. We saw it in 2022 due to low levels able to cool nuclear power plants, but it looks even more severe in 2023 with low levels already.
how did this work out for you? We are doing Viking cruise on Danube in April and concerned with lack of rain in europe this winter meaning it’ll be a bus tour instead.
thank you for the website. I will start watching that.
Low water can force change in docking location. Airport runways are in fixed locations, so the analogy does not apply.
Agree w/ CD.
Viking is not cruising this time of year. They don’t begin until mid March. You may be seeing boats move between winter docking stations. You need to look at MarineTraffic.com beginning in mid March when Viking begins cruising again.
Viking always gives the ports they will be docking at in their itinerary. Included walking tours are easily accessible from by he boat as are the extra excursions. The ship’s concierge can assist you if you would like to do something other than what is offered by the cruise line such as renting a bicycle. IF the water levels are low the boats my require docking at other ports and the Viking offers alternative ways to see the itinerary ports of call. My husband and I have cruised with Viking twice and will be embarking on our third cruise in April. We have been impacted by low water levels once and Viking provided alternative transportation to our port of call. I am not affiliated with Viking.
yeah everyone travels at certain times for there own reasons but most of these posts are the exact reason I never sail outside of may,june and mid july (spring snow melt water levels at there highest for the year) the world wide drought conditions make these rivers sketchy anytime outside those months and for $20 I’m gonna be pissed to keep switching boats and or taking buses… It may happen to me in those months stated above but the odds are grossly in my favor that they won’t…
water levels are (best in the spring) from winter snow melt… always sail late spring early summer for the best water levels as the summer heat and drought will lower levels and sailings in late July and August can be sketchy.
You must take advantage of the spring snow melt for the highest water levels to insure you dock as close to town as possible.. I will never book a river cruise later than the 1st week of july for this very reason… Vlog after vlog about docking way out or impassible rivers all together and being bused to the next port and so on… I’m going when the water is the highest as a rule (spring snow melt) to have the best chance of the best sailing conditions…
Yes I would be concerned about any river cruise in Europe in August… with the growing world wide drought that’s been happening increasingly for a decade now I personally will never ever book any river cruise later than the 1 week in July and that’s a finger crossed sailing… June should be the latest month for Europe river cruises with these current ongoing conditions as year after year I keep reading how people had to port and bus to the next stop and on and on it goes seemingly always with these late July, August and September sailings… I’m from Michigan and am used to cold so cool June Europe weather doesn’t bother me at all and I will never book a river cruise in Europe after 1st week in July for the best chance of success of a pretty expensive trip… hope this helps !
Scroll down this comment section to the date your cruise starts on – or even before – for last year. Check the comments on those posts. But as these great folks here at River Cruise Advisor say – every year is different.
Yes. This is what I have been doing – studying GoogleMaps – and it has been helpful. Sometimes they show up to 6 possible docks and not close to each other, but I can at least look into possible transit lines that are close to the dockings. Guess I’m just wishing I could nail something down. I have several water-level websites I am watching and have found another great website where you can enter the ship’s name and their location comes up. I am going to be tracing the Viking Vidar on the trips before mine. Might get an idea of where they put us. Thanks for all the info so far. Please continue if you/anyone have more thoughts.
you can always go to google maps and scroll in to see docks on the river, many will be labeled with the cruise line.
However, be aware that river levels at the time of your cruise dictate where you dock. If the usual dock is dry ground, you may already be on a bus. That happened a lot last year. If you are taking the included, or an optional tour, they will provide buses to and from. Outside of those, if you are doing your own thing, you will need to arrange your own transportation, but i understand that the Viking concierge can assist with that also.
River levels have improved generally.
I am supposed to cruise the Rhone and Seine in August 2023. How concerned should I be about water levels impacting our itinerary.
Your comments about alternative information sources are irrelevant. Cruise operators should give anticipated docking locations. Period. When you fly to New York do you expect the airline to tell you which airport or are you OK having to figure it out on your own?
Sounds like your friend likes to complain and presents as helpless. First, you need to take responsibility for your trip yourself. The”included” tours at each port are free and a no-brainer! That easily gets you off the ship and then one can move on from there. The optional excursions are elective. We are heading out soon on our Viking trip and have found our agent to be a wealth of information on “alternative” options including transportation. We’ve taken other tours as well over the years and have had no issues. Look at your alternatives ahead of time and contact your helpful agent. As a fyi, I have no affiliation with Viking or any other operator… just stating the obvious here.
Will be sailing with Viking Amsterdam to Bucharest and it is like pulling teeth to get docking locations – even just a generalization – out of Viking. An acquaintance of mine sailed the exact cruise I am doing, but in reverse, last year. She mentioned that many times Viking docked so far away from the towns, if you didn’t take their included tour or purchase an optional one, you spent a lot of time on the ship and boredom was the word of the day. I would like to know what other Viking passengers are saying about this topic. If you are docked miles away and it is too far too walk or there is no local transportation services, does Viking provide shuttles to and from the town several times during the day?
We are in Vienna( on Viking Baldur)
On way to Melk and warned that low water may require switching ships in Passau and Nuremberg. More information to come tomorrow.
We just finished Sunday Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel. Our only issue was we could not dock in Boppard. Water too low for docking there. We just continued to next port.
Uniworld was wonderful
Thank you so much meg for taking the time to post.we have so appreciated it.take care. Warmest regards tina
Hi Tina and Dennis,
Water levels an weather have been fine. We arrived in Miltenberg in time for lunch, then had a walking tour around this interesting little town. Lots of people about enjoying the sunny weather. Picturesque houses.
Yesterday we arrived Rudesheim. Very foggy in morning. The fog lifted around lunchtime, which was good as we had an ice cream party on the sun deck whilst sailing through the Romantic Rhine Valley. On our way to Koblenz. Some towns we have visited have started to set up for their Christmas markets, so by the time you arrive Tina they’ll be everywhere. We for walking tour of Koblenz last night as we were docked overnight.
Thanks again Meg.so wonderful to have on the spot updates.we just have our updated itinery and are excited to see christmas markets along the way.will be worth the chill factor of a winter cruise. It is such an amzing trip.cheers tina
Hi Tina and Dennis,
Just arrived in Wurzberg after sailing through the night. Looks like it will be a sunny day. There’s a bus trip to Rothenburg this morning, but as we’re docked right in town we have decided to explore on our own. Today we’re having a bbq lunch on sun deck.
We passed AmaVenita at Nuremberg and Travelmarvel Vega just outside Bamberg. Bamberg was covered in fog, which only started to lift as we were leaving. Thoroughly enjoyed it though. I must say the weather is warmer than I thought. Hopefully it will continue till your trip in November.
We sail in April from Switzerland or Amsterdam. I’m hoping the water levels are good in spring. We’ve had to put it off for four years due to Covid
We are going on Viking on the Rhein from Amsterdam to Basel on Nov 9th. Glad to here that all is well, and the weather is holding.
Thanks so much Meg for the posts and continuing to wet our appetite. Happy sailing
Hi Dennis and Tina,
Had a wet day in Passau, travelled through the night and had a wonderful sunny afternoon in Regensburg, which is one our favourite towns. Water levels are fine. On continental divide now. Lots of locks heading for Nuremberg. Instead of going up in the locks we are now going down. Wonderful service on APT.
Thanks so much Meg.
We will be on amavenita.our 3rd apt trip. Durnstein is my favourite stop.our nov 2nd trip got cancelled so it will be chilly when we go on nov 16th.cant wait.
We are sailing Bucharest to Budapest beginning of Nov.
Any issues with low water on that route? Any inconveniences?
Keeping our fingers crossed for lovely trip
Hi Tina and Dennis,
In answer to Tina’s question – there are only 40 (forty) guests on board the AmaReina. Getting plenty of individual service. So no complaints there. We have just docked in Durnstein. There is fog, but it is lifting to reveal a sunny day. The only rain we had was yesterday in Vienna..
Thanks so much Meg for your update.
Was that 140 passengers? Or only 40?
Have fun.kind regards tina
Hi Dennis and Tina, We commenced APT Budapest to Amsterdam cruise on 19 October. So far river levels all good. No problems at all. Only around 40 guests on Amareina, so not at full capacity. Staff very attentive. Will report further after a few days.
We are considering the same cruise on the Scenic Opal next year, did you feel that Scenic was worth the money? Did you enjoy the boat and crew? Thank you for any and all info, tough to get honest current reviews. Hope your having a great cruise.
Hi Dennis
I have travelled with Travelmarvel twice from Budapest to Amsterdam and now I will travel with them in reverse leaving Amsterdam on 21st October. I have been watching the water levels but it appears not to be a problem. This will be the coldest weather I have done the cruise, looking forward to it. Cheers
Made in home last night. Our trip was perfect! Viking handled everything seamlessly We got our complete package through them including air, transfers and excursions. This was our third trip with Viking. Already planning Portugal for next spring.
Glad to hear water levels are better now. Sailing out from Amsterdam November 3rd
Hi, doing Amsterdam to Budapest in June 2023 with Travelmarvel. Hope all goes well.
On the Rhein from Amsterdam to Basel right now. Trip has been wonderful! No problems at all. Weather cool in the mornings to 70 in the afternoon. Viking staff and accommodations far exceeded expectations
Hi
We did Budapest to Cologne 21 Sept to 5th October. Had to get a pilot after Passau as level getting low. Did the full length with no issues. Two rainy mornings and rest nice. Getting chilly so take hats, gloves and scarves. Music museum at Rudesheim was wonderful. So many wonderful places visited in the fifteen days.
We just got off the Rhine, went from Basel Switzerland to where it met the Moselle in Trier Germany, no problems, on the Herja, Viking long ship..
Great crew and sailing
We are travelling APT 16th november starting budapest.so thanks Meg looking forward to your reporting
Fred, we are traveling B to A( Viking) Nov 5. Looking forward to your reports
We are just finishing packing for our Viking trip Amsterdam to Basel on Tuesday the 11th. Just discovered this site and finding it incredibly helpful.
The note about five Viking ships in Cologne at the same time was quite interesting. Could happen to us.
The comment on dress code for onboard dinners came in very handy as we’re selecting what to pack.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to report.
We are booked for Elagant Elbe on Oct. 25, 2022. I am wondering if the water level is good and if there are any restrictions put in place regarding Covid.
Very casual on the ship except for dinner. Jeans, leisure wear, etc. Dinners are business casual, no jeans. Casual dresses, slacks, blouses or sweaters.
Wearing layers throughout the day has worked best. We have had sunny days every day at port, cool mornings and low 70’s by 2pm. We brought light rain jackets but have not needed them yet. We have had a wonderful time! Enjoy your cruise!