Cruises

In late July 2026, the Viking river cruise ship Viking Ullur ran aground on the Danube River with 186 passengers and 52 crew amid record low river water levels. Passengers were safely evacuated without injuries, while cruise lines adjusted operations to cope with ongoing drought conditions affecting European rivers.

Record low water levels on the Danube and Rhine in 2026 have forced European river cruise lines to reroute, swap ships, and cancel port stops. Passengers face bus transfers and early disembarkations, with cruise operators providing compensations and adjusting itineraries.

Celebrity Cruises unveiled its 2028-29 deployment with itineraries across all seven continents, including Europe, Alaska, Asia, and Antarctica. The announcement features new ports, extended seasons, and expanded immersive travel options.

Norwegian Cruise Line has called off the Norwegian Sky's farewell cruise from Athens to Muscat. The cancellation results from security concerns in the Middle East, affecting all booked passengers.

Disney Cruise Line will launch three new ships in 2029 and add a fifth vessel in late 2030. Construction on the Disney Believe ship continues in Germany.

Severe drought in summer 2026 has lowered water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers, forcing multiple European river cruise lines to modify routes. Passengers on affected cruises faced ship swaps, missed stops, bus transfers, and early disembarkations.

Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled the Norwegian Sky farewell cruise from Athens to Muscat. Passengers booked on this voyage must find alternative travel arrangements.

Disney Cruise Line plans to launch three new ships in 2029, including two mid-size vessels and a Japan-based Wish-class ship. The Disney Believe, under construction in Germany, is set for a late 2027 debut.

Viking Cruises has opened bookings for over 700 ocean cruise departures in 2028 and 2029 covering 80 voyages across 301 ports. The deployment features two new ships and multiple new itineraries.

The Danube river hit a record low of 10 centimeters at Budapest on August 3, 2026, amid a historic drought. This led to major cruise cancellations, ship groundings including Viking Ullur near Vidin, and widespread itinerary disruptions on Europe's key river cruise routes.