Cruises

Police evacuated 186 tourists from the Viking Ullur cruise ship after it ran aground near Vidin, Bulgaria, due to historically low water levels on the Danube River. The drought has forced cruise ships to dock far upriver and disrupted nuclear power plant operations dependent on the river.

Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled Norwegian Sky's final repositioning cruise from Athens to Muscat set for September 2026 due to Middle East security concerns. Passengers will receive full refunds plus enhanced future cruise credits.

Record low water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers are forcing major itinerary changes and ship swaps on European river cruises. Operators including Uniworld, Viking, and TravelMarvel are using bus transfers and alternative ports to reduce passenger disruption.

Disney Cruise Line is set to launch three new ships in 2029, accelerating an earlier schedule. Disney Believe, the fourth Wish-class ship, remains on track for late 2027 completion.

Low water levels along the Danube and Rhine rivers in summer 2026 have forced river cruise lines such as Uniworld and Viking to modify itineraries and implement ship swaps. Passengers are experiencing missed port stops, additional bus transfers, and early disembarkations with compensation.

Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled Norwegian Sky’s final scheduled repositioning voyage from Athens to Muscat due to Middle East security concerns. Passengers will receive full refunds plus enhanced future cruise credits valid through 2027.

Extreme drought in Europe has lowered water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers, forcing cruise operators to cancel stops and alter itineraries. Passengers face ship swaps, missed ports, and bus transfers on affected routes in August 2026.

Oceania Cruises launches its Curated Conversations program in 2027, featuring Steve Wozniak and Karen Allen on select sailings. The enrichment series fosters direct dialogue with notable guests in an intimate luxury setting.

AmaWaterways revealed new Nile river cruise ships AmaNubia and AmaDahlia debuting in late 2026 with luxury amenities. Itineraries include Egypt’s historical sites and stays at five-star Cairo hotels.

Droughts and heatwaves in summer 2026 have caused record lows in Danube and Rhine river water levels, forcing European river cruises to reroute and swap ships. Passengers face missed stops, bus transfers, and altered embarkation points across major cruise lines.