In a recent survey, we asked readers what, if anything, was holding them back from river cruising in Europe. More than half of respondents told us that nothing is holding them back. They already have river cruises booked for the remainder of this year or at some point next year. That’s good news. We’re glad to see people getting back into river cruising.
What’s holding back the half who aren’t yet ready to return to river cruising?
- Water levels topped the list. Indeed, low water levels on the Rhine and Danube have affected river cruises during the past several weeks and continue to do so, although things are improving.
- More than half of respondents told us they are still concerned about Covid-19. For those who believe in the power of the vaccines, and that includes us, the newest booster provides an added degree of confidence. I got my bivalent booster the week it was approved. The pharmacist told me that she has boosted a lot of people with the new vaccine already, and the majority of them were getting the new booster because they were traveling internationally.
- Only a quarter of respondents said that inflation was affecting their plans to river cruise, but some expressed concerns about pricing. “Prices are extremely high for all river cruises,” wrote one respondent.
The latter remark got us thinking, are river cruises prices “extremely high?” Last week, we published Getting The Most For Your Money, Plus Four Trends Impacting River Cruising, in which our analysis revealed that September 2023 Rhine river cruises were in the range of $450 per person per day to $600 per person per day. The range seems fairly consistent with the range we published in 2018, when prices for Rhine cruises were from $446 to $713 per person per day.
When Britton and I look at these three concerns, we conclude that things are actually getting better. The water levels are normalizing, Covid is becoming less of a concern and prices still represent a good value. So what’s holding you back? Feel free to leave your comments below.
Never been to Vienna .. Would very much like to go but too close to Mad Vladimir for me!!
Are the cruise lines still needing to have the covid shot & how many. I find the more shots you have the more people are getting covid?
Many cruise lines are accepting passengers who are not vaccinated now. Look in their websites for their health and safety information.
On our Viking Seine River cruise in August, we were fully vaxed and boosted, husband even had Evusheld before the trip, and we wore N95 type masks everywhere except in the restaurant. 5 days into the cruise (8 days past our flight) we developed cold symptoms and used our home tests to learn it was in fact Covid. From the start there was noticeable coughing and sniffles on the ship, although no one appeared do be very ill, less than 10 passengers ever wore masks, and no one spoke of Covid! By the end of the cruise and 3 day guided extension many exhibited cold/allergy/Covid symptoms or had recently recovered from “what’s going around.” Unfortunately we will be cancelling our future river cruises since we don’t see any way to avoid Covid with the extended close contact while enjoying meals and lounge activities on Viking. I should note that the Viking employees did wear masks indoors.
We had booked a Sienna river cruise with Viking for 2020 then rescheduled for 2021. Both didn’t happen and they told us only a credit will be issued. We just looked at the same cruise, same month same cabin for 2024 and it’s $3,000 more. Never again with Viking.
We delayed our Rhine Viking 2020 until 2021. We were given a 25% bonus on our credit. Ultimately it was a dream trip. 45 people on board due to cancellations. Most ports were empty of tourists. Perfect time to go. All vax, tested every day, masks strictly enforced. No covid
I am a senior, a widow, and my doctors don’t want me vaccinated due to severe allergies. It is not well publicised, but several thousand people with severe allergies have died from getting the vaccine. I will add that without vaccinations I have NEVER had COVID-19 either. I have been careful, but not extremely so the past 2-1/2 years. I’m told the severe environmental allergies I have are an indication that I have an over active autoimmune system and it may be protecting me. I cancelled two European river cruises in February of 2022 because of the vaccination requirement. I’m ready to go back to cruising but up until now the cruise lines will not allow me on board.
We will never get vaccinated or get a flu shot and have watched as many of people around us have had Covid two or maybe even three times and they have had all the shots and boosters. I think it is a personal choice. All of our friends are not vaccinated, and many are nurses. None of us have been sick. We miss our many riverboat trips, but will not go if a mask or shot is needed.
Things are changing as all the proof shows up.
We agree with you!!
But Viking is holding our $ for 2 cruises(1river 1 ocean)because we aren’t vaccinated. They refuse to refund us. AND we love Viking but are strict about the vaccine.
I would like your source on covid vaccine deaths due to allergic reaction.
You will find that price differences like what you see with Viking are the same with all river and ocean cruise lines.
Covid is still a concern, although vaccines and boosters help in keeping it mild. We got covid at the end of our river cruise this June but didn’t feel the effects until after the cruise. Lots of people on our cruise did get it and the cruise line told us 20 people had to leave the cruise ship early. I don’t think it would stop me from taking the chance again though.
What river cruise line were you aboard?
Want to travel and am going on a Tauck river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in October.
We were on Viking, Budapest to Amsterdam.
that would make me think twice about being in a relatively small area with others for 8 day to whatever length trip the river cruise would be.