{"id":11100,"date":"2013-06-10T13:08:44","date_gmt":"2013-06-10T19:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?p=11100"},"modified":"2022-05-27T07:17:55","modified_gmt":"2022-05-27T11:17:55","slug":"record-flooding-affects-european-river-cruises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/2013\/06\/record-flooding-affects-european-river-cruises\/","title":{"rendered":"Record Flooding Affects European River Cruises"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are problems for river cruises operating along a number of European waterways this week, as record-breaking flooding along the Danube and Elbe Rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful city of Passau, Germany<\/b> is under nearly 42 feet of water \u2013 the worst flooding to hit that city in over 500 years. Photographs taken last week in Passau show water covering streets and inundating buildings nearly up to the famous Baroque Dom<\/i> that typically towers high above the city. Now, it is nearly at water level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The situation in Passau is so dire that the town\u2019s electrical supply has been turned off, and damage to structures is expected to be substantial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The berths where river cruise ships typically tie up are completely submerged. The water reportedly surged so quickly that streets were covered in water in as little as 30 minutes. Passau is also notable for having markers on buildings indicating where the water level of the 1954 flood rose to \u2013 but these, too, are submerged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flooding has also hit major ports of call that include Bratislava<\/b>, Prague<\/b>, Dresden<\/b>, Magdeburg<\/b>, and Budapest, <\/b>where the Danube has reached the steps of the Hungarian Parliament buildings and has fully engulfed tram lines and the lower Danube promenade. The town of Melk <\/b>has also experienced flooding, along with The waters of the Danube have almost reached the underside of the famous Chain Bridge, though reports indicate that barriers erected by the city seem to be holding for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel via water remains difficult on the Elbe and the Danube, both of which are still closed or face heavy traffic restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Passau's<\/a>
Passau’s riverfront promenade last fall. Water has now nearly covered the structure in the distance. Photo \u00a9 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There have been numerous sailing changes and departure cancellations for river cruises scheduled to depart in the near future. While we have detailed these below, it is important to remember that towns like Passau are facing a disaster on a scale that simply doesn\u2019t exist in recent memory, and that once the water levels on the Danube return to normal, it will take months \u2013 if not years \u2013 to fully recover. Visitors expecting to call on these cities should remain flexible with their travel plans over the next coming months, as cruise and tourism infrastructure may be limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some itinerary changes and cancellations, current as of Monday, June 10:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avalon Waterways<\/b>:<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No new cancellations or modifications from last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AmaWaterways:<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No new modifications or updates for cruises departing after this date, though port and ship swaps may still occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises:<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cancelled<\/i><\/b>:<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n