Crisis On The Rhine. That was the headline in this morning’s Wall Street Breakfast. The news comes as no surprise to our readers who have buzzing on our water levels page about ship swaps, bus transfers and skipped ports of call. As you might imagine when travel plans are interrupted, the comments range from disappointment to resignation. “Very frustrating,” writes reader David, “but nature is in control.”
Indeed, the Rhine needs rain, and a lot of it. Rain is in the forecast, but will it help? As you can see in the map above, the water levels at Kaub were 42 centimeters at 8:30 this morning (German time). By the time you’re reading this, water levels will have breached 40 centimeters, a low mark that’s too shallow for large vessels to navigate.
Some river cruise companies have offloaded guests in Koblenz and put them on smaller boats to cruise the Rhine Gorge.
Several of our readers are providing commentary from the rivers, live reports about their experiences. We’re impressed that most comments are civil and kind, and it makes us happy that our community is comprised of people trying to help one another.
“Your post brought tears to my eyes,” wrote Karen. She was replying to commenter Annette, who, in turn, was responding to another commenter, Gabriella.
Gabriella is currently on the Rhine and posting reports that provided information that Annette and others were looking for. Annette’s response to Gabriela is edited for brevity: I booked a life time trip for my elderly siblings and their spouses that leaves Basel on August 26. If it wasn’t for your generosity in posting, I would be clueless. I have until August 12 to cancel but that is not what I want to do. Life is fragile at 75. Who knows if they will be healthy enough next year? Thank you in advance for taking time out of your trip to help. I saved for 10 years to give this gift to my siblings. I just want to make this the best I can for them.
A couple of recurrent themes are, “we don’t want to be on a bus tour when we paid for a river cruise,” “no bag drag for us.” From what we’re hearing, though, the bus transfers are short and often necessary to pass an unnavigable part of the river that the ship can’t pass. Ship swaps, while not ideal, are also necessary.
Jon the Traveler writes that ship swaps are no big deal (edited for brevity): I experienced low water during 2018 … we did a ship swap, which was seamless. Viking gave us a bonus lunch cruise on a very beautiful boat going through the middle Rhine. I would never cancel … never cancel … why not enjoy the changes?
Barb echoes his comments: There are ten of us, so we will have fun on whatever this adventure turns out to be. Life is about experiences.
The map above highlights areas in Germany that are experiencing low water, indicated by the orange dots, and normal levels, indicated by green dots. Though rain is in the forecast for next week, “it promises at best only slightly higher water levels,” according to a report by the Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde (BFG). “Possible increases will not result in any drastic change. The ongoing low water situation will therefore continue to have an impact on runoff in the coming weeks.”
The two-week forecast looks a little better for river cruisers. In the graphic above you can see water levels rising, slightly, at Kaub. The Rhine could be passable if water levels follow the direction of the graph beginning on August 21. On that day, the BFG’s report gives a 50/50 chance to the water levels at Kaub being above 78 centimeters. That’s enough for some river cruisers to navigate the Rhine. It’s not ideal, as most captains prefer water levels above one meter. To follow the trends, see BFG’s 14-day water levels forecasts here and the six-week forecasts here.
BFG’s report basically concedes that it’s all up to Mother Nature (translated from German and edited for brevity): The 6-week forecast for the Kaub level from August 8th, 2022 … shows that beyond the next 1 to 2 weeks, the predicted course of the water level is significantly more uncertain. Since the amount of water stored in the catchment area (particularly in the soil or in the form of snow) is currently very low, further water level development will be dominated all the more by the weather forecast for the next few weeks (and their uncertainty). Source BFG current low water report.
Perhaps it’s best to heed the advice of commenter falynette: No one can control the weather. If you want perfection in every way, then cancel. Otherwise go with an open mind to go with the flow and enjoy whatever the experience gives you … Having done a cruise in 2018 when the water levels were extremely bad, and not being in top health, I went open to anything as I traveled from New Zealand and do not regret one minute.
Go with the flow. What else can we do?
We are booked on the Basel to Amsterdam Oct. 4 (or 5). We have already had two Danube cruises canceled due to Covid and really want to go. We are in our 70’s too and already 2 years older than when we planned to go. But dread the unpack/pack thing and bussing. watching the water levels. looks like there is some hope. Others?
We are booked with Tauck on the Budapest to Amsterdam Cruise leaving on the 16 of October. We’ve had 2 trips canceled due to Covid and I’m 74 with the same concerns about being bused everywhere, was looking forward to a relaxing cruise not sitting on a tour bus for hours looking out a window.
Been watching water levels rise and fall weekly.our cruise line, Tauck, has been somewhat informative.
However my concern is, even though I’ve purchased travel insurance with them, their spokesman said if I cancel I get only 50 percent refund, if they cancel it’s 100 percent.
They can cancel up to the last minute, leaving us in limbo up to the last minute.
We’ve been on 5 river cruises so far, and love them, just don’t want to pack and unpack, have done that on various other tours, it’s a hassle.
Anyone else in the same “Boat” as far as being undecided what to do?
we have a party of 6 booked on Viking – Amsterdam to Budapest/extension in Prague 9/13-30. Interested in hearing from anyone on a similar route/timeline – have heard from a friend that was scheduled to leave in a few days (8/26) that the majority of their river cruise on the Danube was transitioned to a bus tour – as many share, we are not interested in a bus tour
thanks
So, what happened ? Did your friend cancel the trip or are they still going ?
We are leaving on August 28 for a trip on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basil on Vantage. So far they say the trip is still on. I don’t think Vantage has a sister boat to transfer us to. Anyone else going on Vantage on 9/2 to 9/15?
We leave on Sept 3rd for a trip on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basil. Arrive in Amsterdam a few days early. Tempted to call Taylor at Viking for update. Unable to find any information on the internet other than LOW levels for the river.
Please post your trip itinerary when you leave port. We are scheduled to leave Basil on September 28th to Amsterdam and need to decide if we should cancel by the 14th. We are not interested in a bus trip.
Mark, we left Amsterdam on August 31st, and heading for Cologne tonight. Our Viking Sigrun Captain said we should have no problems all the way to Basel.
We just returned home yesterday from a Viking Amsterdam to Basel cruise. We departed 8/26 and sailed the entire way
I am sailing 10/8 Basel to Amsterdam. Any changes to your itinerary during the cruise. Trying to decide whether or not to post trip. Would appreciate any feedback from you. Thanks
We are booked Amsterdam to Basel, September 28 to Oct.5 and also are trying to decide whether to cancel or postpone or go! We are in our late 70s and we both have health issues, so the whole bussing thing as well as ship swaps are not appealing! If one is younger and healthy it is a different story, so we will continue to monitor the situation and decide in a week or 2.
Mary…we are booked on Viking September 25 to Paris ….12 day Cruise with a couple extensions at Prague and Paris….we are in our 70s as well and dont want to spend all the time on a bus or in hotels….not sure what to do…..wish Viking was able to let you know sooner than later..?
We cancelled our Aug. 30th Basil to Amsterdam Cruise on Thursday. I am actually surprised that we waited so long. We had been faithfully following the Rhine water levels (great apps available) for well over a month along with the news reports about the European heat wave and its effects. We had booked the cruise under Vikings Risk Free policy that permitted a cancellation with 14 days or more notice. Vikings Customer Relations agent was most cordial and efficient in cancelling our trip and issuing vouchers for the full amount paid. She throughly explained how the vouchers can be used. That information is also clearly listed on the Risk Free contract that we received when we booked. I am not sure if we will book another River Cruise in the spring when water levels are generally at their highest. We have taken two marvelous Viking ocean cruises and most likely go that route again.
Linda, thank you for taking the time to write this. We are going in the opposite direction with Viking in mid-September and we are a little nervous. Not keen to travel by bus, pack/unpack. However, if it is only one bus trip it might be OK. Waiting for another week to decide what to do – finger crossed.
Tracie, we are booked Viking Amsterdam to Basel 9/23-9/30. Wondering the same. What is your cruise?
we will be on same cruise!
Do not cancel your trip. The rains are starting and the Rhine is expected to rise. I just came back from Viking Rhine Getaway and they do an excellent job using the ship swap. Your longest bus ride is about 2 and 1/2 hours. You do not miss the best part of the Rhine (“middle Rhine”). Even with this little inconvenience, it was a great trip!
thank you for the optimistic in put. schedulled for this trip sept 21-28 and was hesitant.
merci
christine
We are doing a once in a lifetime trip from Prague to Paris, Cities of Light Package….we are going to Paris for a few days and then a Trafalgar Tour to London for 8 days….we leave September 25 and return Oct 16….I have a concern on the Viking River part in regards to the water levels, dont want to be in a bus all the time….should I be concerned?!
Thank you for the forecast links, Ralph. Is there a tab or option to view them in English?
My browser had a little button at top that allowed me to translate some pages. Others I had to cut and paste into Google Translate to figure out the meaning.
I’ll try that! Thanks so much!
How are water levels on the lower Danube (Budapest to Black Sea)? We are scheduled on the Scenc Pearl departing 5 October and are mildly nervous.
We are due to travel with Avalon on the Rhine Frankfurt to Amsterdam
Contacted Avalon o. Friday last they are only dealing with savings up to and including the 17 th august
We travel on the 28th august
We don’t want a coach trip and suitcase drag
That’s not a holiday
Any advise ?
We are also booked on this itinerary and not looking forward to any changes that may occur. To be honest I’m hoping that it is cancelled. The annoying part is that the itinerary for the date is still on sale for the dates we are going and there only seems to be a third of the ship full. I’m hoping Avalon get in touch soon, I’m not having much luck with the cruise agent either when it comes to updates. We were really looking forward to a river cruise experience and not a bus trip. In hindsight I should have checked about water levels before booking, didn’t give it a thought and also it seems that in the terms and conditions Avalon reserve the right to use buses, hotels or ship swaps …… should have read the small print.
Easier said than done. When you are young “ who cares” but although healthy” when you are in your eighties you do not have the luxury to say “0kay we go Next year”. The rivers are low
So the River Cruise might be cancelled.
Well we’ll see as long as they reimburse us we could take a train to another destination. But is is the River Cruise Company refunding us for the cruise and the flight from Canada to Europe ? Wait and See
We just returned from a Viking river cruise-Budapest to Amsterdam. We had to swap boats and were bussed from Regensburg to Nuremberg. It was not ideal having to pack/unpack again but we arrived at lunchtime and our bags were in our cabins with time to unpack before excursions. Viking did a great job.
Linda, thank you for taking the time to write this. We are going in the opposite direction with Viking in mid-September and we are a little nervous. Not keen to travel by bus, pack/unpack. However, if it is only one bus trip it might be OK. Waiting for another week to decide what to do – finger crossed.
We are going from the Rhine, Main and Moselle. Are these canals open to trafic .