Europe's low river levels disrupt river cruise operations

The Danube River has dropped to its lowest level in Romania in nearly 30 years, dealing another blow to the region's tourism industry, according to Reuters.

Last week, unusually low water levels left several cruise ships stranded north of Budapest, Hungary, while cruises were forced to cancel departures.

Conditions worsened over the weekend as the river in Romania fell to its lowest point since 1996.

Images from the Romanian-Bulgarian border showed vast stretches of exposed sandbanks emerging along the river's edge, underscoring the severity of the drought.

The Rhine, another major waterway, has also been experiencing low water levels. However, reports indicate that the situation will reverse soon after rainfall in southern Germany.

Germany's inland waterways authority, WSV, expects the navigable depth at Kaub to increase to 93 centimetres on Wednesday, up from about 81 centimetres on Monday and just over 40 centimetres early last week, allowing vessels to carry heavier loads, Reuters reports.

The situation unfolds as Europe endures a summer of rolling heat waves, drying up rivers and threatening water supplies.

River cruise lines respond

In situations like this, river cruise operators closely monitor water levels and adjust itineraries in real time, often swapping ships or using motorcoaches to transport passengers around sections of river that are no longer navigable.

Several river cruise lines have been posting travel advisories to alert their customers.

Scenic is advising booked guests and their travel advisors to monitor its Scenic Travel Alerts for rolling itinerary adjustments, motorcoach transfers, or potential ship-swaps

“At present, reduced water levels are affecting sections of the upper Danube, including Budapest and areas between Regensburg and Passau near Pfelling. Conditions are also impacting parts of the Main and Rhine rivers, where some stretches are currently not suitable for navigation, the company wrote in a statement posted to its website.

“Our local operations teams are closely monitoring conditions and reviewing sailing schedules on an ongoing basis. Where required, we may make operational adjustments to minimise disruption, including transferring guests to a sister ship or amending embarkation and disembarkation locations, while maintaining the overall integrity of the itinerary wherever possible.”

“If any changes are anticipated to an upcoming sailing, affected guests and their travel advisors will be contacted directly as a priority with further information.”

Avalon recently had to cancel a handful of Danube voyages due to low water levels.

“The nature of rivers is to ebb and flow,” the company writes on its website. “At this time, portions of the Danube and Rhine Rivers are experiencing lower than average water levels, and as a result, some Avalon Waterways itineraries have been impacted, including select cruise cancellations.

The company’s “Danube Dreams” and “Danube from Romania to Germany,” aboard the Avalon Impression, are among the itineraries impacted, according to a notice.

The company said it is contacting all affected guests and their travel advisors to review options, and will continue to provide advance communication should more cruise cancellations be warranted, as conditions evolve.

“Avalon has a long history of making every effort to keep cruise itineraries intact,” the company said. “When Mother Nature makes other plans, we work closely with our guests to present alternate experiences and opportunities, so they can determine how they'd like to navigate their next steps and journey.”

AmaWaterways also acknowledges the issue on its website.

“Due to unusually low water levels on sections of the Rhine and Danube rivers, operational adjustments on select sailings have been deemed necessary,” the company said.

“As river conditions continue to evolve, modifications may include changes to ports, embarkation or disembarkation locations, motorcoach transfers, ship scheduling, or other itinerary elements.”

“Please know that every adjustment is made with the comfort and safety of guests as our highest priority. Guests on affected sailings will be contacted individually via email.” 

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