Water levels on the Danube River in Romania have dropped to their lowest point since 1996, stranding several cruise ships north of Budapest, Hungary, and exposing extensive sandbanks along the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Low water levels have also affected the Rhine River in Germany, where navigation remains challenging despite recent improvements forecasted by Germany’s inland waterways authority (WSV).
Cruise Operators Implement Cancellations and Itinerary Changes
Avalon Waterways has cancelled select Danube and Rhine river cruise departures including its “Danube Dreams” and “Danube from Romania to Germany” itineraries aboard Avalon Impression due to the low water. Scenic is informing guests about ongoing navigation issues on the upper Danube, Main,
and Rhine rivers, with operational adjustments such as motorcoach transfers and ship swaps to maintain service continuity.
Other major operators including AmaWaterways, Riviera Travel, and Viking have also made route modifications, replacing vessels, revising ports of embarkation or disembarkation, and in some cases canceling sailings. These changes aim to mitigate the impact of river sections that have become unnavigable as a result of the drought.
Official Statements on Guest Communications and Operational Adjustments
Avalon Waterways said it works closely with guests to provide alternative experiences when river conditions interrupt their itineraries. The company stated, “At this time, portions of the Danube and Rhine Rivers are experiencing lower than
average water levels, and as a result, some Avalon Waterways itineraries have been impacted, including select cruise cancellations.” It emphasized prioritizing guest comfort and safety while informing affected travelers directly.
Scenic reported that its local operations teams are continuously monitoring river conditions and may adjust sailing schedules to minimize disruption. Scenic said, “Where required, we may make operational adjustments to minimise disruption, including transferring guests to a sister ship or amending embarkation and disembarkation locations, while maintaining the overall integrity of the itinerary wherever possible.” The operator commits to contacting guests and travel advisors promptly if changes affect upcoming sailings.
Booking Declines and Navigable Depth Forecasts
MAHART-PassNave, a Hungarian river cruise operator, reported an approximately 18% drop in bookings for Hungary during July attributed to the low water conditions. International cruise ships are still allowed to enter Hungary, but some vessels remain in port due to insufficient water depths.
The WSV forecasts navigable depth at Kaub on the Rhine River to increase from about 81 centimeters on Monday to 93 centimeters by Wednesday, a marked improvement from just over 40 centimeters recorded early last week. This change will allow vessels to carry heavier loads, partially easing navigation restrictions on the Rhine.
Drought and Heatwaves Cause Historic River Low Levels Across Europe
The historic low water levels
are driven by an extended period of high temperatures and limited rainfall across Europe. These conditions have caused drought and heatwaves that dry up major waterways like the Danube and Rhine rivers. The Danube, Europe’s second longest river, connects 10 countries from Germany to Romania and serves approximately 600,000 river cruisers annually.
The drought threatens river navigation and water supplies across central and eastern Europe, forcing river cruise operators to adapt rapidly to ensure passenger safety and itinerary feasibility. The situation has caused extensive disruptions on key cruise routes in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Romania, and the Netherlands.
