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.
Emerald and sister company Scenic are awful with giving out information.
We had this happen and asked and received a substantial refund. Bus touring is not what we signed up for, but tried. It was so so……….very unfortunate
I appreciate the responses. I am watching the current flooding that is happening in southeast France and along the Rhone. Does anyone have any additional information on river levels on the Rhone? I’ve been unable to find any specific information if this is affecting river cruises on the Rhone.
Hi, have you heard anything about the current condition of the Seine? My cruise begins next Thursday…
Enjoy. We’ll be doing the same trip soon after.
Hi Raymond, I did the Viking Paris/Seine cruise around this time last year and it was everything I’d hoped. The only problem was on 2nd last day, we were not able to dock in Paris due to high water levels. I think the water levels are fine now and I’m sure you’ll have a most enjoyable cruise.
George: I did this cruise two years ago, in late October. River levels were perfect! Plenty of water. No need for buses. Enjoy! I’m leaving on Monday, the 21st, for Paris/Seine Viking cruise.
We are sailing on Viking on their Rhone Rive cruise starting Oct 29. Has anyone sailed that route recently and what were conditions like? I’m trying to find a river levels map but haven’t had any luck with the Rhone. Can someone provide a link?
We’re going on this same cruise on October 19th. First time with Viking Cruise. I’m very curious about the river conditions considering the floods in Central Europe
what is the current situation on the Rhine on the Basel to Amsterdam sail? Are there any water level disruptions or concerns to share. I am leaving on October 4, 2024
I was on a Danube cruise first week in June this year and the river flooded and was closed, so we were bussed to Munich and stayed in a hotel. Too much rain and spring melt….
We are on the Crucestar currently in Vienna. Have just been told Danube level is too high to go to Durnstein/Melk so we shall be taken by coach. Rather disappointed as I was looking forward to a river cruise not a coach ride.
We sailed Avalon on the same itinerary On December 12, 2023. We moved down the canal from Nurenberg and tied up for three days and bussed to Passau, Regensberg, Linz and then to a hotel in Vienna for two nights, then bussed to Budapest for several more nights. My issue was the bus trips were long, my back ached and I got back spasms for two days. Our only compensation was refund for three nights we weren’t on the ship or about 15%. I would have been happy for a 50% future cruise credit. We didn’t even get. So much for wanting our loyalty.
December 23, 2023. We were on Uniworld Christmas Markets trip Nuremberg to Frankfurt December 23-29. The ship never left the dock for the whole week! Very disappointed. After 23 hours traveling from Los Angeles to Nuremberg (flights/trains canceled/delayed), we arrived to the ship by taxi in the night to learn the ship was not sailing the next day. The ship River Princess never left the industrial dock of Nuremberg! We have been bused to excursions with many hours on the bus. Spent lots of time on the ship. Nuremberg dock is in an industrial, not in a city that you can walk off to walk around. We got home, exhausted. It was a stressful expensive trip. Haven’t heard from Uniworld on reimbursement, discounts or anything yet. Hope they will offer us to try again.
Similar experience on Amawaterways Christmas Markets cruise December 7-14 on the Rhine. $15K for two nights of cruising with so many cramped bus trips, and enforced hours in constant rain without shelter available, my daughter’s psoriatic arthritis flared up with unusual intensity – residual joint weakness is evident even now. Our hotel room in Basel was too cramped to have both suitcases open at once, and smelled like Lysol. The hotel upgraded us at a 50% discount, but I still had to pay $115 out of pocket. Crew on both ships were simply and uniformly wonderful though, and remained so while clearly under supported during multiple “unpredicted” challenges. Never, ever, again.
I agree. My cruise on Amawaterways was a nightmare.We were told in Strasbourg that evening at 7 pm. we needed to pack our luggage and disembark and be bused to Vienna due to rising waters and the ship could not get under the locks. This was Dec. 9 cruise to Budapest from Nuremberg. The previous ship never left Nuremberg due to high water. Our trip was a disaster. Rain and miserable weather and everyone on board appeared sick. Never again a winter cruise to Europe. Only compensation is a 50 percent discount on a future Amawaterways cruise. Viking is a far superior line with good food and a gracious staff and crew. Amawaterways was not accommodating. A huge disappointment. I travel a lot so I’m able to compare one cruise line to another. We flew home from Munich and opted out the long bus ride to Vienna. They advertise get on board and unpack once! lol. All we did was pack and unpack! Not fun!
Did you make it through?
On a cruise now and stuck in Passsu. Should be on way to Regensburg but water level is too high to get under a low bridge!
We are sailing from Nuremberg on Dec 12, 2023. How are the water levels at this point?
We are currently on an Ama Waterways ship and unable to get between Regensburg and Nuremberg, where we disembark. We have been advised that the water is too high, so we will lose a day of cruising and will remain in port at Regensburg. We will disembark here and the crew is working on getting everyone to where they need to be at disembarkation.
We leave on emerald on Nov 24 from regensberg to Vienna. Does anyone know what’s happening with the water levels at the moment?
Hi Julie
We finished the cruise in Regensburg on Nov 10th. No issues with water levels from Budapest. It was a fantastic cruise.